Much of our society religiously believes that we are intrinsically good. According to this thinking, we do not need the Bible because it may inhibit our natural goodness. So we excuse monstrous behavior as "sick," meaning that the person is then not responsible for his or her actions. Dr. Pul Vitz writes in his book, Psychology as Religion,
"It certainly proved convenient that just as Western economics began to need consumers there developed an ideology hostile to discipline, to obedience, and to the delaying of gratification." Do it now, or "Just do it." So we obey our selfish instincts instead of waiting for sex after marriage, or we go into deep debt because of our deep greed.
Psychology Today magazine teaches, " I love me. I am not conceited(???). I am just a good friend to myself. And I like to do whatever makes me feel good...." Well, it feels good for some to torture animals or people, to steal from them, and to otherwise show no respect at all.
The churches of Jesus Christ are more and more marginalized in our society. Sometimes that is because of our own sins, and because we have equated self acceptance with supernatural conversion. If the gospel is not preached in the power of the Holy Spirit, you do not go to a Christian church, I do not care how many pictures or statues of Jesus are on the walls. It is fake and produces fake Christians. Preachers such as Fosdick and Peale and Shuler popularized self-realization, citing psychologist Carl Jung, who confessed in his last book after he became popular, that many of his ideas came from demons.
Dr. Paul Vitz writes, "When will psychological theory be honest and large enough To allow us all the dignity of accepting that the fault is not in our parents-anymore than it is in our stars-but in ourselves?" Families instead have very often bought into the demonic notion that we are God, and that junior should have every whim indulged. If you want to raise a thug, there is your formula! Contrary to almost every major theorist in the helping professions, including the churches more and more, Christianity based on the Bible affirms that evil is primarily in ourselves. We reach our highest potential not by telling others how good we are, but by repenting of our sins, calling on Jesus Christ to save us from our sins, and then following him as Lord. The Bible never says, " have a good self image." No, we are all to reflect the image of Jesus Christ, who was and is, " full of grace and truth." He is the one who gets to determine the value of any experience for me, not we ourselves.
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