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PsychoHeresy: The Psychological Seduction of Christianity
PsychoHeresy: The Psychological Seduction of Christianity (Revised & Expanded) exposes the fallacies and failures of psychological counseling theories and therapies; calls Christians back to God's Word and the Holy Spirit's work; reveals the anti-Christian biases, internal contradictions, and documented failures of secular psychotherapy; and examines the various mixes with Christianity. Current research more strongly supports our original conclusions and concerns. Yet psychoheresy is more deeply and broadly imbedded throughout the church.
472 pages, Paperback
First published April 8, 1987
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
January 2, 2015
This is a book that I think every Christian should read. The authors discuss things that Christians should think about, and scripture is quoted throughout. I got the ebook free from PsychoHeresy Awareness Ministries Free eBooks page and was able to send it to my Kindle.
August 19, 2024
PERHAPS THE MOST INFLUENTIAL CHRISTIAN "ANTI-PSYCHOLOGY" AUTHORS
Married couple Martin and Deidre Bobgan run "Psychoheresy Awareness Ministries"; Martin has a Ph.D. in Educational Psychology, and Deidre has an M.A. in English. They have written many other books, such as 'How to Counsel from Scripture,' 'Prophets of Psychoheresy I,' 'Prophets of PsychoHeresy II: Critiquing Dr. James C. Dobson,' 'CRI Guilty of Psychoheresy?,' 'Hypnosis and the Christian,' 'Twelve Steps to Destruction: Codependency/Recovery Heresies,' 'Four Temperaments,' A'strology & Personality Testing,' etc.
They wrote in the first chapter of this 1987 book, "One of the most subtle and dangerous deceptions today is a slow-acting poisonous leaven which is permeating the church... What is this insidious leaven and why would seminaries and pastors... be promoting this leaven in the church? The leaven is psychology... They are man-made ideas which offer substitutes for salvation and sanctification... we will be taking a hard look at what psychological systems for understanding and helping people really have to offer... Our twentieth-century culture is steeped in psychological theories and ideas. In fact, most people do not even think twice about the origin of some of the psychological ideas they take for granted." (Pg. 3-5)
They charge, "Christians who seek to integrate psychology with Christianity have actually turned to secular, ungodly sources for help. And because these unbiblical, unsubstantiated theories and techniques have been blended into the dough, they are well hidden in the loaf." (Pg. 6) They explain, "We have chosen the term 'psychoheresy' because what we describe is a psychological heresy. It is a heresy because it is a departure from the fundamental truth of the Gospel. The departure is the use of the unproven and unscientific psychological opinions of men instead of absolute confidence in the biblical truth of God." (Pg. 7)
They outline Four Myths About Psychology: "The first major myth is that psychotherapy... is science rather than religion... The second major myth is that the best kind of counseling utilizes both psychotherapy and the Bible... The third major myth is that people who are experiencing mental-emotional-behavioral problems are mentally ill... The fourth major myth is that psychotherapy has a high record of success. The myth is that professional psychological counseling produces greater results than other forms of help, such as self-help or that provided by family, friends, or pastors." (Pg. 8-9)
They point out that "While Freud grew up in a Jewish home, Jung's father was a protestant minister... While attending Union Theological Seminary... Carl Rogers renounced Christianity and became one of the most respected leaders of humanistic psychology... Psychology was attractive to him since he ... did not want to be restricted by the doctrines of Christianity." (Pg. 14-15)
They observe, "The result of all attempts to sanctify psychotherapy has only led to as great a confusion of approaches concocted by Christian practitioners as by non-Christians ... There is almost as wide a diversity of theories and techniques amongst Christians as amongst non-Christians. Differences between Christian professionals exist on even the most basic elements and important elements of psychotherapy. For example, one group emphasizes the unconscious determinants of behavior and another group avoids them all together." (Pg. 97)
They assert, "In addition to the inherent weaknesses and problems associated with the concept of mental illness, such a concept violates certain biblical principles, particularly those of free will and responsibility. The concept of illness, disease, or sickness in the mental realm conveys the idea that the person is not responsible for his behavior. If we really believe that a person with a mental-emotional-behavioral problem is sick, then we have admitted that he is no longer responsible for his behavior. And, if he is not responsible for his behavior, who is?"(Pg. 155) They conclude, "Our greatest objection to psychotherapy is that it has displaced biblical ministry among Christians without proof or justification or superiority." (Pg. 197)
Admittedly a controversial book, persons an ALL sides of the debate can read this book with profit---whether one agrees with it 100%, or not.
Married couple Martin and Deidre Bobgan run "Psychoheresy Awareness Ministries"; Martin has a Ph.D. in Educational Psychology, and Deidre has an M.A. in English. They have written many other books, such as 'How to Counsel from Scripture,' 'Prophets of Psychoheresy I,' 'Prophets of PsychoHeresy II: Critiquing Dr. James C. Dobson,' 'CRI Guilty of Psychoheresy?,' 'Hypnosis and the Christian,' 'Twelve Steps to Destruction: Codependency/Recovery Heresies,' 'Four Temperaments,' A'strology & Personality Testing,' etc.
They wrote in the first chapter of this 1987 book, "One of the most subtle and dangerous deceptions today is a slow-acting poisonous leaven which is permeating the church... What is this insidious leaven and why would seminaries and pastors... be promoting this leaven in the church? The leaven is psychology... They are man-made ideas which offer substitutes for salvation and sanctification... we will be taking a hard look at what psychological systems for understanding and helping people really have to offer... Our twentieth-century culture is steeped in psychological theories and ideas. In fact, most people do not even think twice about the origin of some of the psychological ideas they take for granted." (Pg. 3-5)
They charge, "Christians who seek to integrate psychology with Christianity have actually turned to secular, ungodly sources for help. And because these unbiblical, unsubstantiated theories and techniques have been blended into the dough, they are well hidden in the loaf." (Pg. 6) They explain, "We have chosen the term 'psychoheresy' because what we describe is a psychological heresy. It is a heresy because it is a departure from the fundamental truth of the Gospel. The departure is the use of the unproven and unscientific psychological opinions of men instead of absolute confidence in the biblical truth of God." (Pg. 7)
They outline Four Myths About Psychology: "The first major myth is that psychotherapy... is science rather than religion... The second major myth is that the best kind of counseling utilizes both psychotherapy and the Bible... The third major myth is that people who are experiencing mental-emotional-behavioral problems are mentally ill... The fourth major myth is that psychotherapy has a high record of success. The myth is that professional psychological counseling produces greater results than other forms of help, such as self-help or that provided by family, friends, or pastors." (Pg. 8-9)
They point out that "While Freud grew up in a Jewish home, Jung's father was a protestant minister... While attending Union Theological Seminary... Carl Rogers renounced Christianity and became one of the most respected leaders of humanistic psychology... Psychology was attractive to him since he ... did not want to be restricted by the doctrines of Christianity." (Pg. 14-15)
They observe, "The result of all attempts to sanctify psychotherapy has only led to as great a confusion of approaches concocted by Christian practitioners as by non-Christians ... There is almost as wide a diversity of theories and techniques amongst Christians as amongst non-Christians. Differences between Christian professionals exist on even the most basic elements and important elements of psychotherapy. For example, one group emphasizes the unconscious determinants of behavior and another group avoids them all together." (Pg. 97)
They assert, "In addition to the inherent weaknesses and problems associated with the concept of mental illness, such a concept violates certain biblical principles, particularly those of free will and responsibility. The concept of illness, disease, or sickness in the mental realm conveys the idea that the person is not responsible for his behavior. If we really believe that a person with a mental-emotional-behavioral problem is sick, then we have admitted that he is no longer responsible for his behavior. And, if he is not responsible for his behavior, who is?"(Pg. 155) They conclude, "Our greatest objection to psychotherapy is that it has displaced biblical ministry among Christians without proof or justification or superiority." (Pg. 197)
Admittedly a controversial book, persons an ALL sides of the debate can read this book with profit---whether one agrees with it 100%, or not.
October 21, 2022
The Psychological way to Hell
In College i took psychology as a minor. I dropped that minor after the first semester when this "science so called" stated that "psychology is a science but it cannot prove or disprove any theory but could only affirm or refute." I thought, what a load of junk! Here I wasted almost $2000 on something that in the end may or may not help someone. Here I had been delivered from a life of drugs and crime by the power of the Holy Spirit. I could prove that but psyconogy could only maybe help me by blaming others for my difficulties. Maslow, the Jung and the restless will always be hurting and not healing others through their sophistry. By the way I dropped that minor and chose engrish instead.
In College i took psychology as a minor. I dropped that minor after the first semester when this "science so called" stated that "psychology is a science but it cannot prove or disprove any theory but could only affirm or refute." I thought, what a load of junk! Here I wasted almost $2000 on something that in the end may or may not help someone. Here I had been delivered from a life of drugs and crime by the power of the Holy Spirit. I could prove that but psyconogy could only maybe help me by blaming others for my difficulties. Maslow, the Jung and the restless will always be hurting and not healing others through their sophistry. By the way I dropped that minor and chose engrish instead.
April 18, 2020
If you read this book and finish it, and you still think psychology has a place in a Christian’s life, you need to re-read this book.
He is able to use psychology’s own studies and founders to disprove not only the usefulness of it, but also prove the faults and flaws in the system.
God gave us His Word which is complete and has all the answers that we need to deal with life and it’s issues. There is no reason to go outside of the Bible and the church to seek answers. Either God is enough or He isn’t.
A high recommend for anyone with interest in psychology, counseling, social work, or work of that kind.
He is able to use psychology’s own studies and founders to disprove not only the usefulness of it, but also prove the faults and flaws in the system.
God gave us His Word which is complete and has all the answers that we need to deal with life and it’s issues. There is no reason to go outside of the Bible and the church to seek answers. Either God is enough or He isn’t.
A high recommend for anyone with interest in psychology, counseling, social work, or work of that kind.
November 15, 2025
Definitely a thought provoking and even condemning book. There would surely seem to be no reason for the promulgation of psychotherapy, given the lack of positive research. I already knew there was no place for psychotherapy in the ministry and life of the Christian, but this book provides more evidence supporting that position.
One of my gripes is that the book is rather repetitive, and need not be so long. I definitely began speed reading about half way through, as the material began to repeat.
Overall, a very convincing and compelling book that I would recommend specifically to those Christians who are perhaps inclined towards therapeutic approaches.
One of my gripes is that the book is rather repetitive, and need not be so long. I definitely began speed reading about half way through, as the material began to repeat.
Overall, a very convincing and compelling book that I would recommend specifically to those Christians who are perhaps inclined towards therapeutic approaches.
October 20, 2017
It amazes me how much the worldly ideas of psychology have infiltrated the church. I can't say I've ever been a fan of psychology, "Christian" or otherwise. However, it is so pervasive in most churches that I was starting to wonder if perhaps I was just being too rigid. This book, while very repetitive, does an excellent job of describing the many problems with psychology and why it doesn't belong in the church.
January 23, 2023
Essential reading for today's Christian. 'Psychotherapy' constitutes its own religion, and its mindset, worldview, and practices have slowly - over the course of 50+ years - found their way into Christian thought and practice.
Really wish I had read this book a decade ago, but alas, here we are.
Really wish I had read this book a decade ago, but alas, here we are.
February 24, 2021
This was such a good read! I really enjoyed the book and learned a lot from it!
March 11, 2014
I first came across this book in 1995 or 96. For some time I had been finding... conflicts, no not at first, more like little bothersome somethings that I couldn't put my fingers on between what the Word of God said and what the "Christian" psychologists were saying. As time progressed and I became more versed in the Word, I began to come across genuine conflicts. I knew early on, as a Christian, that Christians shouldn't go to "worldly" psychologists/counselors (cf. Psa. 1:1 and elsewhere) but that "Christian" psychologists and counselors were different, they had been especially trained in the Word and psychology. I had been told that "Christian" psychologists simply took the best of the truths about us that the "world" had discovered and used that as an "addition" to Scripture to counsel Christians who had mental illnesses. Yeah, right. Anyway, I had been finding more and more that the "counsel" offered by "Christian" psychologists/counselors based on theories devised by godless psychologists was more and more in conflict with that of God's counsel through the Word by the Spirit. It was after I came across this book that I had in one place all that I had been discovering piecemeal and more besides, things I had never yet considered.
I highly recommend any Believer to obtain this book (it's available free from the PsyhoHeresy Awareness Ministries' website, psychoheresy-aware.org. There are also a number of other Free books and resources available there for the person who is interested in a godly alternative to psychology and psychotherapy.
I highly recommend any Believer to obtain this book (it's available free from the PsyhoHeresy Awareness Ministries' website, psychoheresy-aware.org. There are also a number of other Free books and resources available there for the person who is interested in a godly alternative to psychology and psychotherapy.
May 26, 2014
Does today's psychology line up with what the Bible teaches? This book gives great information on the occultic origins of psychology and how its basic principles contradict what the Bible says about our sinful human nature.
July 9, 2009
very informative
May 21, 2012
Possibly ok content but so poorly written I stopped reading it.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews