Jonah: I believe that Christians should solely rely on the Word of God for healing and guidance, as it is written in Psalm 107:20, “He sent out his word and healed them; he rescued them from the grave.” Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is a secular practice, and we should not lean on human understanding.

Carl: While the Bible is indeed a powerful source of healing, it doesn’t necessarily exclude the use of therapeutic practices like CBT. God has given humans the ability to learn and grow in understanding, including developing helpful therapies. In Philippians 4:8, Paul encourages believers to think about whatever is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, and admirable. CBT helps individuals to do just that by correcting negative thought patterns.

Jonah: But Proverbs 3:5-6 instructs us to “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” Relying on secular therapies suggests a lack of faith in God’s ability to heal and guide us through His Word and Spirit.

Carl: I understand your concern, Jonah. However, using therapies like CBT doesn’t mean we are relying solely on human understanding. Instead, we can see it as a tool God has provided through the wisdom and knowledge He has granted to humanity. James 1:5 says, “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.” Therapists who practice CBT have gained wisdom and knowledge that can be used to help others, and this can be seen as a gift from God.

Jonah: While God grants wisdom, He also warns against the wisdom of the world. 1 Corinthians 3:19 states, “For the wisdom of this world is foolishness in God’s sight.” We should be cautious not to be deceived by worldly practices that might lead us away from reliance on God and His Word.

Carl: However, it’s crucial to discern between worldly wisdom that leads us away from God and wisdom that can be used for healing and wholeness in a way that aligns with biblical principles. CBT, when practised ethically and with consideration of a person’s faith, can be a valuable tool for mental health without compromising Christian beliefs.

Jonah: CBT implies that the Scriptures and prayer are insufficient for our healing and well-being. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 says, “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” If we truly believe this, why would we need anything else?

Carl: I agree that Scriptures are powerful and essential for our spiritual life. However, God also works through people and the broader world to bring healing and support to those in need. The Bible doesn’t explicitly mention many modern medical practices, but that doesn’t mean we should reject them. For instance, Luke, one of the Gospel writers, was a physician. His work was seen as valuable and not in opposition to faith.

Jonah: But there’s a difference between medical practices that address physical ailments and those that address the soul and mind. Our mental and spiritual health should be entrusted to God and His Word, not to secular practices that may not acknowledge the Lord’s sovereignty and wisdom.

Carl: It’s crucial to approach any therapy, including CBT, with discernment and wisdom. However, it’s also important to acknowledge that God can use various means to bring healing and peace to our minds. Many Christians have found CBT to be a valuable tool that complements their faith and helps them deal with anxiety, depression, and other mental health challenges in a healthy way. We should be open to the ways God might work, even if they are unexpected or unconventional.

Jonah: We must be vigilant and guard our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus, as Philippians 4:7 instructs. Engaging with secular practices opens the door to worldly influences that may subtly shift our focus away from God and His truth.

Carl: Vigilance and discernment are indeed essential. Yet, it’s possible to engage with therapies like CBT in a way that is grounded in and supportive of our Christian faith. We can use these tools wisely, acknowledging that all good things come from God, as James 1:17 tells us. Let’s not limit the ways God can work in our lives but approach every opportunity for healing with prayerful consideration and discernment.

Jonah: CBT aims to alleviate suffering by changing negative thought patterns. However, we know that suffering has spiritual significance in the Christian faith. Romans 5:3-4 says, “Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.” By seeking to eliminate suffering through psychological means, aren’t we potentially interfering with God’s plan for spiritual growth and deeper faith in individuals?

Carl: It’s true that suffering can lead to spiritual growth, but it’s also important to consider the context of suffering. Not all suffering is spiritually significant or necessary for growth. The Bible also teaches compassion and care for those who are suffering. In Matthew 25:36, Jesus commends those who provide care, saying, “I was sick and you looked after me.” CBT is a way to care for and support individuals who are struggling with harmful thought patterns and mental health challenges.

Jonah: But there’s a risk of misunderstanding the purpose of suffering if we are quick to alleviate it without seeking God’s wisdom and guidance. James 1:2-4 instructs, “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.” We should be cautious not to bypass these opportunities for spiritual growth by relying on human interventions.

Carl: However, using CBT doesn’t necessarily mean we are avoiding or misunderstanding suffering. Instead, it can be a tool to help individuals navigate through their suffering more effectively, providing them with skills and strategies to cope with life’s challenges while still growing spiritually. It’s not about eliminating suffering but about helping people to handle their suffering in a way that is healthy and constructive.

Jonah: While coping mechanisms can be helpful, we must ensure that they don’t replace reliance on God and the transformative power of the Holy Spirit in our lives. 2 Corinthians 12:9 reminds us that God’s grace is sufficient, and His power is made perfect in weakness. We should be wary of therapies that might lead individuals to find sufficiency in themselves rather than in God.

Carl: I agree that our ultimate reliance should be on God. However, I believe that God uses various means, including therapy, to extend His grace and help to us. Engaging in CBT doesn’t have to mean finding sufficiency in ourselves; it can be a way through which God provides healing and support. We can approach CBT with a spirit of humility and dependence on God, seeing it as one of the many resources God has provided to assist us in our journey of healing and growth.

Jonah: CBT significantly emphasises self-help and personal responsibility for managing one’s thoughts and behaviours. This approach can be seen as promoting self-reliance instead of fostering reliance on God and divine guidance. As Christians, we are taught to surrender our lives to Christ and depend on Him. Proverbs 3:5-6 says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.”

Carl: While CBT does promote personal responsibility, it doesn’t necessarily advocate for self-reliance in a way that excludes God. Personal responsibility in the context of CBT is about recognising and changing harmful thought patterns and behaviours, which can be seen as aligning with biblical teachings about renewing our minds and living righteously. Romans 12:2 says, “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.”

Jonah: But the transformation and renewal of our minds are described as the work of God, not something we achieve through our efforts. By encouraging individuals to take control of their thoughts and behaviours, CBT might inadvertently lead them away from surrendering to God’s transformative work in their lives.

Carl: However, participating in CBT doesn’t have to be mutually exclusive with surrendering to and relying on God. Christians engaging in CBT can approach it with a heart of surrender, seeing the process of therapy as a space where they cooperate with God’s grace and guidance to experience healing and transformation. It’s a collaborative effort between the individual, the therapist, and God.

Our faith calls us to continuously seek wisdom and understanding. It’s vital for us, as Christians, to engage in these dialogues, always aiming to reflect God’s love and wisdom in our lives and the lives of those around us.