Counseling Exam 9
9. https://www.aa.org/the-twelve-steps
https://www.apa.org/ptsd-guideline/patients-and-families/cognitive-behavioral
https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/mood-disorders
https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/electroconvulsive-therapy/about/pac-20393894#:~:text=Electroconvulsive%20therapy%20(ECT)%20can%20provide,suicide%20or%20refusal%20to%20eat.
Alcoholics Anonymous, or AA, is the primary user of the 12 Step Program. Based on their website, there are things that sound biblical. But upon further inspection, these steps are self focused, and the help outside of oneself is self determined. These are the key phrases for each of the steps: Powerless to Alcohol, A Power Can Restore to Sanity, Made a Decision to Turn, Self Evaluation, Admission to Our "God", Readiness for Removal of Defects, Ask for Removal of Shortcomings, List of Wronged Persons, Make Amends, Continued Self Evaluation, Further Contact with "God", Spiritual Awakening as a Result of the Steps and Make the Steps Known.
Many of these things sound biblical. But let's start with the goal of a Christian, and then look at their language. The goal of a Christian is to glorify Jesus Christ as He is revealed in His Scriptures, as our name implies. To repent and believe in Him. To be sanctified in Him. To make Him known among the nations. No where in these Twelve Steps is the name of Jesus made known. Instead, the Steps often use the phrase, "God, as we understand him." The second step uses the generic term "a Power," and they continue in that line of thinking when they say "God." By their own admission, any higher power will do, and that may include Jesus if the alcoholic so chooses. This is the sin of idolatry. Having a wrong theology leads to wrong living.
Also, their terms from there are unbiblical, and therefore do not hold up the revealed Word as sufficient to answer their problems. Powerless to alcohol instead of to do righteousness, Power instead of Jesus, sanity instead of sanctification, Self evaluation instead of "God revealed," admission instead of confession, defects and shortcomings instead of sins, make amends instead of repentance, achieved spiritual awakening (Enlightenment) instead of hope of glorification, and making the Steps known instead of making Jesus known. Their description is sinfully ignorant, and therefore the prescription will sinfully fall short of the beauty of the Gospel.
Cognitive-behavioral therapy is focused on the "relief of symptoms and becoming more effective in their own lives." To the practitioners, this happens by a person looking at their "ways of thinking and learned patterns of unhelpful behavior." The focus is self oriented and therefore sinful.
As Christ followers, we are new creations- we do not live for ourselves, but for Him who died and rose again for us (2 Cor. 5:14-17.) We learn of Jesus and conform to Him by the Holy Spirit that lives in us. The Holy Spirit works in us to want to do and to do for God's good pleasure (Phil. 2:13.) We are predestined to be conformed to Christ's image, and therefore it will happen (Rom. 8:29-30.)
We, by the Holy Spirit's help and intent, search the scriptures to find the character of God and how we don't measure up. We do not do this in response to society's behavior's or ideals. The Holy Spirit reveals our sinful ways and we confess and put off the obstacles that distract us from enjoying the love of Christ more (Heb. 12:1-3.) CBT's emphasis is that our ways hinder us from living a life pleasing to us. Our sins are unjustifiable and offensive towards God, and not to us. Our ways are also tested in ways we don't like, that we would be tempted to relieve by any means. God's way of making us more like Christ and less like ourselves is to have us in suffering just like He did, leading to our self denial. This is not only of our wants, but of our very selves. This is so that we can put on Christ instead (Luke 9:23-25, 1 Peter 4:1-3.)
One way of giving into this temptation of relief of suffering by any means is electroconvulsive therapy. Or shock therapy. This seems quite ironic. Under anesthesia, shock therapy passes electrical signals through the brain to intentionally cause brief seizures. "It seems to cause changes in brain chemistry that can quickly reverse symptoms of certain mental health conditions." In the past or under less controlled operating practices, this could cause loss of memory, and physical harm due to the seizures. This is used when doctors are not sure what else to do with people who do not respond to medication or other treatments.
The emphasis in this treatment is to treat those who are nonresponsive. The unresponsiveness can be for several reasons. David faked his insanity in front of the Philistines for strategic reasons (1 Sam. 21:10-15.) It's very possible that people can lie with their actions to gain a form of sympathy. The solution for this is repentance and submission to God. There are those in the Bible known as reprobates, who have hardened their hearts so much that their conscience won't see or respond appropriately to truth, and God shuts their eyes (Rom. 1:28-32.) This may include depressed persons. The response to this is to pray that God would open their eyes to see His truth, and to plead with them verbally to respond in faith towards His revealed Word. The solution is for them to forsake their stiff-necked attitude towards Jesus, and submit to Him. Jesus provides the means to communicate with Him, if He wills it.
But then there are those in comas, and those who are plead with to conform to God's will, but are physically in a state that the brain may not function properly to allow for them to physically hear. Counseling is for non-biological problems. It is important to note that biblical counselors believe in science as a means to experience and enjoy God's creation. Controlled shock treatment is used by physical therapists to stimulate and soothe nerve pain. It may be the case that in controlled environments, this procedure could be used as a means to help those who are nonresponsive to get some physical clarity of their surroundings. But reality is God given and God oriented. No matter the physical condition, their souls are bound to appear before God's throne. We only have a short amount of time in these bodies, so we must be faithful to communicate the deep need for the Savior.
What is largely believed about moods is that they are caused by circumstances. These circumstances are how a person was raised, the stressors of daily life, how one eats and sleeps, and genetic chemicals and disposition. This presupposition of scientific cause has led to beliefs that people are a product of their environment and animalistic tendencies. That people react to "stimuli," not God-given opportunity.
As stated previously, biblical counselors believe in science. However, these descriptions of the problems of depression, bipolar disorder, and such are incorrect. Though there are factors of history and biology, these are temptations rather than causes. If they are rightly defined as temptations, then we have a loving Savior who sympathizes with our weaknesses and we can come to Him for help (Heb. 4:15-16.) But if they cause us to lose hope, if they define what we do, then we are victims.
In an earlier question, it was defined as how depression can be sinful based on how it is reacting in reliance to one's circumstances or feelings. Bipolar disorder can indeed be viewed as having some natural temptations and effects, since the heart and body interact. The Christian who struggles with this temptation should be instructed to take their thoughts captive so that they can obey God rather than their lusts (2 Cor. 10:3-5.) The counselor should not instruct them to come off their medicine. If they think they are doing well, let them speak to their doctor on coming off the medicine. But the emphasis is on creating a pattern of taking their desires to the Holy Spirit, and training them in self control. Their strong desires given by the flesh should not be expected to be alleviated, as if holiness in this life were a cure from suffering. That is in Heaven with Jesus. But it is an opportunity to die to self and to live for Christ.
https://www.apa.org/ptsd-guideline/patients-and-families/cognitive-behavioral
https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/mood-disorders
https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/electroconvulsive-therapy/about/pac-20393894#:~:text=Electroconvulsive%20therapy%20(ECT)%20can%20provide,suicide%20or%20refusal%20to%20eat.
Alcoholics Anonymous, or AA, is the primary user of the 12 Step Program. Based on their website, there are things that sound biblical. But upon further inspection, these steps are self focused, and the help outside of oneself is self determined. These are the key phrases for each of the steps: Powerless to Alcohol, A Power Can Restore to Sanity, Made a Decision to Turn, Self Evaluation, Admission to Our "God", Readiness for Removal of Defects, Ask for Removal of Shortcomings, List of Wronged Persons, Make Amends, Continued Self Evaluation, Further Contact with "God", Spiritual Awakening as a Result of the Steps and Make the Steps Known.
Many of these things sound biblical. But let's start with the goal of a Christian, and then look at their language. The goal of a Christian is to glorify Jesus Christ as He is revealed in His Scriptures, as our name implies. To repent and believe in Him. To be sanctified in Him. To make Him known among the nations. No where in these Twelve Steps is the name of Jesus made known. Instead, the Steps often use the phrase, "God, as we understand him." The second step uses the generic term "a Power," and they continue in that line of thinking when they say "God." By their own admission, any higher power will do, and that may include Jesus if the alcoholic so chooses. This is the sin of idolatry. Having a wrong theology leads to wrong living.
Also, their terms from there are unbiblical, and therefore do not hold up the revealed Word as sufficient to answer their problems. Powerless to alcohol instead of to do righteousness, Power instead of Jesus, sanity instead of sanctification, Self evaluation instead of "God revealed," admission instead of confession, defects and shortcomings instead of sins, make amends instead of repentance, achieved spiritual awakening (Enlightenment) instead of hope of glorification, and making the Steps known instead of making Jesus known. Their description is sinfully ignorant, and therefore the prescription will sinfully fall short of the beauty of the Gospel.
Cognitive-behavioral therapy is focused on the "relief of symptoms and becoming more effective in their own lives." To the practitioners, this happens by a person looking at their "ways of thinking and learned patterns of unhelpful behavior." The focus is self oriented and therefore sinful.
As Christ followers, we are new creations- we do not live for ourselves, but for Him who died and rose again for us (2 Cor. 5:14-17.) We learn of Jesus and conform to Him by the Holy Spirit that lives in us. The Holy Spirit works in us to want to do and to do for God's good pleasure (Phil. 2:13.) We are predestined to be conformed to Christ's image, and therefore it will happen (Rom. 8:29-30.)
We, by the Holy Spirit's help and intent, search the scriptures to find the character of God and how we don't measure up. We do not do this in response to society's behavior's or ideals. The Holy Spirit reveals our sinful ways and we confess and put off the obstacles that distract us from enjoying the love of Christ more (Heb. 12:1-3.) CBT's emphasis is that our ways hinder us from living a life pleasing to us. Our sins are unjustifiable and offensive towards God, and not to us. Our ways are also tested in ways we don't like, that we would be tempted to relieve by any means. God's way of making us more like Christ and less like ourselves is to have us in suffering just like He did, leading to our self denial. This is not only of our wants, but of our very selves. This is so that we can put on Christ instead (Luke 9:23-25, 1 Peter 4:1-3.)
One way of giving into this temptation of relief of suffering by any means is electroconvulsive therapy. Or shock therapy. This seems quite ironic. Under anesthesia, shock therapy passes electrical signals through the brain to intentionally cause brief seizures. "It seems to cause changes in brain chemistry that can quickly reverse symptoms of certain mental health conditions." In the past or under less controlled operating practices, this could cause loss of memory, and physical harm due to the seizures. This is used when doctors are not sure what else to do with people who do not respond to medication or other treatments.
The emphasis in this treatment is to treat those who are nonresponsive. The unresponsiveness can be for several reasons. David faked his insanity in front of the Philistines for strategic reasons (1 Sam. 21:10-15.) It's very possible that people can lie with their actions to gain a form of sympathy. The solution for this is repentance and submission to God. There are those in the Bible known as reprobates, who have hardened their hearts so much that their conscience won't see or respond appropriately to truth, and God shuts their eyes (Rom. 1:28-32.) This may include depressed persons. The response to this is to pray that God would open their eyes to see His truth, and to plead with them verbally to respond in faith towards His revealed Word. The solution is for them to forsake their stiff-necked attitude towards Jesus, and submit to Him. Jesus provides the means to communicate with Him, if He wills it.
But then there are those in comas, and those who are plead with to conform to God's will, but are physically in a state that the brain may not function properly to allow for them to physically hear. Counseling is for non-biological problems. It is important to note that biblical counselors believe in science as a means to experience and enjoy God's creation. Controlled shock treatment is used by physical therapists to stimulate and soothe nerve pain. It may be the case that in controlled environments, this procedure could be used as a means to help those who are nonresponsive to get some physical clarity of their surroundings. But reality is God given and God oriented. No matter the physical condition, their souls are bound to appear before God's throne. We only have a short amount of time in these bodies, so we must be faithful to communicate the deep need for the Savior.
What is largely believed about moods is that they are caused by circumstances. These circumstances are how a person was raised, the stressors of daily life, how one eats and sleeps, and genetic chemicals and disposition. This presupposition of scientific cause has led to beliefs that people are a product of their environment and animalistic tendencies. That people react to "stimuli," not God-given opportunity.
As stated previously, biblical counselors believe in science. However, these descriptions of the problems of depression, bipolar disorder, and such are incorrect. Though there are factors of history and biology, these are temptations rather than causes. If they are rightly defined as temptations, then we have a loving Savior who sympathizes with our weaknesses and we can come to Him for help (Heb. 4:15-16.) But if they cause us to lose hope, if they define what we do, then we are victims.
In an earlier question, it was defined as how depression can be sinful based on how it is reacting in reliance to one's circumstances or feelings. Bipolar disorder can indeed be viewed as having some natural temptations and effects, since the heart and body interact. The Christian who struggles with this temptation should be instructed to take their thoughts captive so that they can obey God rather than their lusts (2 Cor. 10:3-5.) The counselor should not instruct them to come off their medicine. If they think they are doing well, let them speak to their doctor on coming off the medicine. But the emphasis is on creating a pattern of taking their desires to the Holy Spirit, and training them in self control. Their strong desires given by the flesh should not be expected to be alleviated, as if holiness in this life were a cure from suffering. That is in Heaven with Jesus. But it is an opportunity to die to self and to live for Christ.
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