Those of you who have read my books will perhaps be aware that my counseling reflects both behaviorism and biblically based Christianity. Behaviorism is based on structured observation with its semi-scientific objectivity of overt human and animal behaviors. Christianity, biblically based Christianity, is based on the written word of God to which all understandings and interventions must submit. The interpreter places the written words of God, the Bible, over all applications and therapies.
This process of therapy, it is hoped, is a happy marriage between the two. The unifying principle is that all truth is of God whatever its source, behavioral or biblical. For me, this is the best of two worlds–vigorous objectivity and revealed truth. However, by combining the two, that sets my teachings squarely in the counter-cultural mode against behavioralism which accepts little, if any, subjectivity. It works because the Bible teaches that there are two worlds–the material that we can see, taste, touch; and the spiritual we cannot see, taste, and touch. That principle is summarized as follows: the Lord God formed the man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being (Genesis 2:7). That seems clear enough and understandable. He, His words and His teachings about Himself and us are not hidden. He created us. He made us from the dust of the ground. He animated us to life by breathing His breath into us.
It is not that the Bible’s teachings are not understandable. The problem is that it requires faith to believe it. The Bible is not a scientific treatise. It is rather God revealing truth to us. We must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him (Hebrews 11:6).
All problems stem from disobedience to His words. All of us are disobedient. Disobedience is sin. Unconfessed and unrepented sin gives place to the devil in our lives. In your anger do not sin. Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold (Ephesians 4:26-27).
The spirit world is populated, not empty. There are two kingdoms that are opposed to each other. There are two masters–one good and one evil, God and Satan. Both kingdoms are present and active in men and women and their thoughts, attitudes, emotions, and behaviors. If we are obedient to God and obey Him, we are workers of righteousness. If we are obedient to Satan, we are workers of iniquity.
The blogs that follow will develop truth that we know through knowledge developed through research. They will also show how the revealed truth of God’s word, applied by grace through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, Yeshua Messiah, restores, heals, delivers us from evil to vibrant, healthy, abundant life.
