DSM vs the Bible.

The Diagnostic Statistical Manual for Mental Disorders is the international reference book prescribed by the World Health Organization for evaluating patients by Professional Health workers such as psychologists, Social Workers, Occupational Therapists  and Psychiatrists. These "professionals" are also the only people who are allowed by legislation to work with drug addicts or anyone else suffering from mental problems. This is "standard practice" in most Western democracies. According to them they have studied the "Science" of Human behaviour through their degrees at secular Universities and have specialized in Abnormal Psychology.. I have a problem with this viewpoint. It is not scientific.

Secular psychology has its origin in philosophy.  There are many branches of philosophy today. The real meaning of the word means the love of wisdom. So people have asked questions about many different subjects throughout history. This led to such subjects as philosophy of religion, science, Western philosophy, Eastern philosophy, rationalism, idealism, existentialism and so forth. Most if this philosophy related to human behaviour in these fields. In 1878 the first PhD was awarded in psychology. It is therefore still a very young field of study, in fact a mere 133 years old. Human nature does not have a benchmark against which we can measure ourselves. Who in the final analysis can judge when we have so many different belief systems? When the architects of secular psychology began to formulate their philosophies many contradictory theories emerged contained in two main branches, namely academic and applied  or practical psychology. No matter into which branch or trend we delve, we are still only dealing with the wisdom of men.

In Biblical psychology, which I believe to really be scientific, we have a different point of view. The Bible refers to the wisdom of men in;

1Co 2:4 And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, 1Co 2:5 (Col 2:8) Beware lest anyone rob you through philosophy and vain deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the elements of the world, and not according to Christ. so that your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.

Here the power of God contradicts the wisdom of men. When Jesus was in the flesh He came to demonstrate the power of the Spirit. In various places he healed demoniacs and epileptics by a mere word of command. This astounded the religious and educated people of His time. The Scripture further warns us not to be robbed by philosophy or deception. If Jesus could heal men's deranged minds by mere command it simply means that His word has the power to do what men cannot do. Belief in His Word gives us the power. If we choose to believe men above God we will be robbed of the power of His Word. If we do not believe that God exists then where will we find power ? 

In our practice I find this to be so. People pitch up here who have been to several secular Therapists without positive results. They have been on all sorts of medication, also with no positive results. In many cases they got worse. Yet when we lead them to faith in Jesus Christ and they start applying the Word of God in their belief system, they change for the better. After completely weaning them off their "meds" their minds clear up and Biblical Therapy begins. We have seen miraculous healing in this regard.

What is the point I am trying to make? The "science" of psychology is a mere 133 years old with tons of theories and contradictions. The Bible is thousands of years old and has never been proven wrong. Psychology has no benchmark against which to measure a righteous life. Jesus Christ is our benchmark and He never changes. Basically we have to choose between two belief systems, either secular or divine. In the Bible we have clear guidelines regarding mind, spirit and body. Secular psychology makes no distinction between mind (soul) or spirit. In fact psychology does not really acknowledge the existence of spirit. God says that if we call and depend upon him he will give us a new spirit which will empower us to change;

   Is it not a tragedy that the Bible is disregarded as the ultimate book on wisdom by so many governments. It certainly is foundational in our therapy whilst working with people who suffer from the worst kinds of mental and emotional dysfunction. The real sickness of the human race is in our hearts. Why is it that secular wisdom is accredited in Universities and the workplace but not the wisdom of God ? This is what we are fighting for on this blog and our cause on FB. We insist that it is our constitutional right to have accredited Bible therapists and counsellors. After all the proof of the pudding is in the eating not so? 

Eze 36:26 And I will give you a new heart, and I will put a new spirit within you. And I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you a heart of flesh. Eze 36:27 And I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you shall keep My judgments and do them.

Through applying the Biblical principles of counseling we can differentiate between spirit and soul and expose the intention of the inner man. There is not only hope for change we are taught how to bring about change. In psychiatry for instance there is no cure for a mental disorder, the meds merely suppress it. It keeps a lid on the situation but does not sort it out. The Biblical model digs into the core of the persons belief system and exposes the lie that causes the disorder or malfunction. 

Heb 4:12 For the Word of God is living and powerful and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing apart of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

Is it not a tragedy that we choose to ignore what God has to say about our condition when His Word is so accurate and reliable pertaining to our dysfunction ? It is also a travesty of justice that we are forced to acknowledge secular wisdom when we seek help for our inner pain by having to go to "professionals" who do not appreciate our beliefs. They have the right to practice and dispense toxic beliefs and pills and get paid for it whereas we are looked upon as quacks. Surely it is also the constitutional right for Biblical Counsellors to set up practice the same as psychologists and even sangomas? This is what we stand for on this blog as well as our FB cause.