Depravity, depression, Freud, and self-esteem


Strange alliances of thought sometimes begin to form.

I've been reading Kevin Burns' book, "Feeling Good," which presents a clinical basis for a depression treatment approach called "cognitive therapy." In chapter 3 of his book he contrasts this approach to feelings of worthlessness vs. Freud's approach. [Someone borrowed my copy of the book; I'll put an exact quote back in here when I get it back.] When a depressed patient admitted to feelings of worthlessness, Freud believed the correct response was to tell them that they were right. He believed that it was unfortunate that someone had to have a disease to understand their true nature.

Burns' book takes a different approach. His thesis is that feelings follow from thoughts; that if our thoughts are incorrect, then our feelings will also be incorrect. Conversely, if we can eliminate irrational thoughts that lead to feelings of worthlessness, then the feelings themselves should also, over time, decrease. Chapter 1 of the book provides numerous studies of behavioral, chemical, and interview analysis that support his belief. (For the sake of those, like me, who suffer from depression, I should be clear that these results are statistical in nature; cognitive therapy is effective for many people, but this approach should be part of a cohesive treatment plan with a qualified psychiatrist. Some of us still require medication to get healthy.)

The contrast between Burns and Freud's approaches to depression reminds me of some contrasts I see between different types of evangelical churches. Those churches that primarily emphasize the altar call, such as Southern Baptists, will emphasis that we are all "sinners in need of a savior," that we are "guilty before a holy God." These statements are true - but they are not the whole story. Other churches that tend to emphasize discipleship, "healing" (for lack of a better term), and service to others, such as Vineyard churches and Asbury Methodist in Madison, AL, tend to emphasize that we are all "new creations," that "his Spirit testifies with our spirit that we are God's children," and that "in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God through faith ... heirs according to promise."

My point is this: if we approach our faith with a predisposition that God doesn't like us - that we are in all respects unworthy and guilty, then we reinforce a thought pattern that sets God up as our reluctant colleague. This is destructive. Just as a depressed person irrationally ignores the many people who love them and find value in them in order to reinforce their own worthlessness, this approach to faith leads to a constant sense of walking on eggs, as if living in an abusive home. We approach God with an attitude of defeat rather than approach the throne of grace with confidence. That attitude is correct if reject his grace and try to "earn" our worthiness, but once we commit ourselves to his grace and are led by his Spirit, that attitude is no longer appropriate.

There is no question that God is holy and that Christian conduct makes a difference, but the grace of God represents his own initiative, his desire to clean us up. Our response should not be "oh, I'm a lowly worm," but gratitude. God's response to the lowly worm attitude is spelled out in the story of the prodigal son.

We have value and worth because he says so. "You were bought with a price."

Posted: Mon - January 21, 2008 at 09:47 AM           | |

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