Hi Everyone!
Great article that Arthur and Moonflower have commented on! (follow Arthur's link or go to Assembly Reflections site)
I have sometimes wondered if my belief that GG was "evil" may have been too strong a word and that I should possibly temper my language in this regard, but after reading this article I see that I have been right on the money!
Please notice that the author is a Harvard trained psychologist, and yet uses the term "evil". This demonstrates that there are those trained in this science who bring moral issues into their understanding of the human condition. The point I'm trying to make here is that not all psychology is totally "worldly" or anti-Christian.
If the pscyologist/psychiatrist has a foundational belief rooted in Biblical faith there can be an enormous amount of good that this person can do. This is demonstrated in Arthur's testimony to the insights provided him by clearly understanding what was going on in GG's mind and how it affected us.
A key to recovery from our Assembly past is to understand the toxic nature of what we daily received, and once identified, how to "detox" (as Arthur stated) from the poisonous affects of evil. I would like to recommend the book "Toxic Faith" as helpful in this regard.
For those who still think that psychology and Christianity can not mix, please consider the man Dr. James Dobson who founded, "Focus On The Family." He is a child psychologist and thoroughly committed to the Christian faith. He has given his life to serve humanity through a combination of understanding that the reception of the Gospel is the greatest need for an individual, but uses his understanding of our humanity and life struggles as a means to communicate that message.
Understanding the Gospel without understanding our own soul leads to a shallow experience of what God has for us therein. Understanding our soul without the Gospel leads to despair. Growth in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ must include an honest assessment of our inner life within the joyful knowledge that God's acceptance of me is not based on my ability to produce holiness in my life.
It seems to me that the above is the cure to toxic faith and the knowledge of a faith that is more than an antidote; it actually becomes a fount of health springing up unto eternal life!
God Bless, Mark C.
