Not only have secular psychologists and therapists overlooked the kingdom of darkness and the possibility of spiritual warfare being a part of the counseling process, they have never integrated into their practice the presence of Christ. While researching for the book on anxiety disorders, Freedom From Fear, which I co-authored with Rich Miller, I came across the testimony of Dr. Edmund Bourne. He is one of the more credible secular practitioners seeking to help those struggling with anxiety disorders. Dr. Bourne is the author of The Anxiety & Phobia Workbook, which won the Benjamin Franklin Book Award for Excellence in Psychology. It was first published in 1990. A revised second edition was published in 1995. Dr. Bourne entered this field of study because he struggled himself with anxiety disorders. Five years after the publication of the first edition, his own anxiety disorder took a turn for the worse. This caused him to re-evaluate his own life as well as his approach to treatment. In 1998 he published a new book entitled Healing Fear. In the forward he said:
The guiding metaphor for this book is “healing” as an approach to overcoming anxiety, in contrast to “applied technology.” I feel it’s important to introduce this perspective into the field of anxiety treatment since the vast majority of self-help books available (including my first book) utilize the applied technology approach. These books present - in a variety of ways - the mainstream cognitive behavioral methodology for treating anxiety disorders. Cognitive behavioral therapy reflects the dominant zeitgeist [spirit of the age] of Western society - a worldview that has primary faith in scientifically validated technologies that give humans knowledge and power to overcome obstacles to successful adaptation. . . I don’t want to diminish the importance of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and the applied technology approach. Such an approach produces effective results in many cases, and I use it in my professional practice every day. In the past few years, though, I feel that the cognitive behavior strategy has reached its limits. CBT and medication can produce results quickly and are very compatible with the brief therapy, managed-care environment in the mental health profession at present. When follow-up is done over one to three-year intervals, however, some of the gains are lost. Relapses occur rather often, and people seem to get themselves back into the same difficulties that precipitated the original anxiety disorder.
In other words, “They have healed the brokenness of My people superficially, saying, ‘Peace, peace,’ but there is no peace” (Jeremiah 6:14). His words read like a modern day commentary of Colossians 2:8, “See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, according to the tradition of men, according to the elementary principles of the world, rather than according to Christ.” Dr. Bourne believes that “anxiety arises from a state of disconnection.” I agree, and the primary disconnection is from God.
From a Christian perspective, cognitive behavior therapy is part of the repentance process when biblically based. Repentance begins by admitting I am wrong and what I believe is not true. I choose not to believe that any more and I choose to believe the truth according to the Word of God. Renewing our mind is essential for sanctification, and the truth will set us free, but if that is all we do then living the Christian life is nothing more than an intellectual exercise. Freedom cannot be fully realized without the presence of God. When asked by the Pharisees what the greatest commandment is, Jesus said, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the great and foremost commandment. The second is like it, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself’” (Matthew 22:37-39). God is the one who grants repentance and the Holy Spirit leads the client into all truth. The words of Christ are not enough. We need the life of Christ, which enables us to live what we have chosen to believe.
I don’t know whether Dr. Bourne has a saving knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ, but in his own search for answers he came to the following conclusion:
In my own experience, spirituality has been important, and I believe it will come to play an increasingly important role in the psychology of the future. Holistic medicine, with its interest in meditation, prayer, and the role of spiritual healing in recovery from serious illness, has become a mainstream movement in the nineties. I believe there will be a “holistic psychology” in the not too distant future, like holistic medicine, [that] integrates scientifically based treatment approaches with alternative, more spiritually based modalities.
