Knowing Faith Has Therapeutic Language Invaded The Church?
Aug 21, 2025
The hosts dive into how therapeutic language has seeped into the church, sparking a debate on its theological implications. They discuss the historical shifts that have led to this trend and its impact on self-perception, often at odds with traditional biblical views. Emphasis is placed on the importance of lament and sin in faith practices, urging a return to God's narrative. The conversation raises concerns about prioritizing positive emotions over spiritual truths, highlighting the need for a balance between therapy and gospel-centered healing.
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Therapy As A New Self-Frame
- Modern therapeutic self-understanding traces back to Descartes and peaks now as subjectivist culture centers the self.
- Philip Rieff and Carl Trueman show therapy made inner feelings the primary lens for truth and identity.
Descartes' Subjectivist Legacy
- Descartes began a subjectivist turn that made the self the primary measure of truth and meaning.
- Kyle argues this Cartesian project fully flowered into modern therapy and individualism.
Different Definitions Of Salvation
- Modernity reframed human problems as disorders rather than primarily sins needing repentance.
- JT contrasts therapeutic salvation (find yourself) with theological salvation (deny self, find God).
