Trading Theology For Therapy

Discerning What Is Best with Dr Rex Rogers

Much of American religion, including the Christian Church, is trading theology for therapy. "This radical transformation of Christian theology and Christian belief replaces the sovereignty of God with the sovereignty of the self. In this therapeutic age, human problems are reduced to pathologies in need of a treatment plan." Spiritual problems are being medicalized, or psychologized if you will, meaning the gospel is set aside, transformation in Christ is ignored, and with their therapist - people have a therapist rather than a home church, or maybe the church is given to therapy - people are "looking inside themselves" to change their lives. But who can change themselves? Why look into a heart that is "deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?" (Jer. 17:9)? We need help from "outside ourselves," which biblical theology gives us in the person of Jesus Christ and the Word of God. A therapeutic approach to problems sounds so attractive. It's Oprah and Dr Phil. It's acceptable on "The View." But it is ultimately a powerless dead end that cannot help those most in need of help. For more Christian commentary, check my website at rexmrogers.com.