 |
Positive Dynamics | |
Hypnosis for the Christian
Many Christians have concerns about alternative therapies, hypnosis in particular, posing a threat to their spiritual life. Recently, while attending a "Women in Pain II" class at Western Seminary in Portland, OR., I had the privilege of listening to Dr. Gerry Breshears, Professor of Systematic Theology. In addressing the topic of spiritual abuse, this is what Dr. Breshears had to say about hypnosis:
|
"Hypnosis is a very good tool in the hands of a well trained, competent therapist.
It can be abused for sure like most anything can. But what happens in the case of these
groups [he was referring to spiritual abuse groups] and also in many others who are not abusive, they
are just uninformed in that they make hypnotism an evil thing. And if you are somebody who
is going to a Hypnotherapist or you are going to a therapist who uses hypnosis to try to get past certain
blocks, you are immediately marked as a sinful person or your therapist is viewed as a
sinful person.
That's legalism. Find me any place in scripture that speaks about anything negative about hypnosis... Now, the scriptures do speak about divination and occultism but hypnosis isn't divination - it [the assumption that hypnosis is divination or occutltism] is a category mistake. Hypnosis can be a very useful tool. " |
| (used by permission) |
After the lecture I spoke with Dr. Breshears. He related some of his experiences in seeing people receive tremendous results using hypnosis and he again confirmed that hypnosis is just a tool that, used in the hands of a trained professional, has the potential to do much good.
| "Passion, Purpose, and Meaning are the byproduct of living in accordance with the divine plan for your life." |
| Chris Karcher, Personal and Spiritual Growth Advisor |