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 For the past two weeks (one and two ) I have briefly explored Jungian psychology. I will now have a quick look at Jung's impact on the modern world. It has been substantial. His theories and work have shaped many modern schools of thought. Further than this, Jungian theory is assumed by many unsuspecting Christian. It has shaped what we believe about the condition of man and how that condition should be "fixed."
Post world war two:
The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) is one of the most popular
personality testing systems in the western world today. It is used
extensively across the world for testing personalities for job
suitability, marriage counseling etc. The indicator was developed by
Katherine Cook Briggs and her daughter Isabel Briggs Myers. The
indicator involves 125 (or so) questions with the result of the person
being placed within one (of sixteen) types. You are expected to fit
between a number of these types. These types are meant to say a great
deal about you: “your likes and dislikes, your likely career choices,
your compatibility with others…” etc. In fact Isabel Briggs explained
that: “Whatever the circumstances of your life, the understanding of
type can make your perceptions clearer, your judgments sounder, and your
life closer to your heart’s desire.”1
The MBTI originated from Katherine Brigg’s extensive study of
“contemporary children's educational and social developmental theories.”
These studies were combined with Jungian theory to formulate a
personality testing system that could be used extensively. The
objectives were to create a system that could identify “the best
vocation for a child…a key to their future happiness and well being.”
During the late 1940’s Isabel Myers continued most of the work on the
test. From there it grew in several stages: “in association with
Educational Testing Service, who administer the SAT in the US and the
TOEFL in most nations2 during the late 1950's and into the early 1960's,
later publication through the Consulting Psychologist Press,
establishment of the Typology Lab at the University of Florida in
conjunction with Dr. Mary H. McCaulley, and the Center for Applications
of Psychological Type (CAPT) in Gainesville, FL.”3
Let's start wrapping it together:
An obvious question that you may be asking: “is psychology evil?” As with most things we need to thoughtfully answer the question and honor our Creator by our response. I have defined the broad term psychology through this paper and on the basis of that definition4 I assert that psychology in and of itself is not inherently evil. To assert that the notion of studying the mind in order to explain behaviour is evil would be confirming the false assumptions of Gnosticism.5 Psychology itself is not evil. Fallen men who develop and apply ungodly psychological theories are acting in a sinful manner. They are not glorifying God through their study of the human psyche ( 1 Corinthians 10:31). The blame of evil or sin must not be attributed to the material (or other) object by rather to the individual and his/her attitude towards the object. It is the man who commits the sin, not the object (psychology). Therefore, when looking at modern psychology we must look at the proponents ultimate assumptions – do they affirm the Scriptures or not. Jungian theories are unbiblical; the concept of psychology as defined is not. However, I must be careful here. Please do not misunderstand what I am saying. The sin relates to the man acting/thinking/speaking/not acting in a manner that does not glorify God through the transgression of His law.
One of the major and explicit transgressions of the Law of God sprinkled through Jung’s writings is his denial of the true foundation of reality, knowledge and wisdom - the Triune God of the Bible. He assigns the foundation to the psyche, thus glorifying man and not God. I believe this to be the fundamental error made by all unbelievers. He assigns the psyche as the keystone to knowledge, wisdom and determiner of reality.6 And thus he assigns the glory due the Creator to the created being - man. All wisdom and knowledge, and the treasures thereof, are hidden in Jesus Christ ( Colossians 2:3) and God is the giver of wisdom ( Proverbs 2:6). To say you have found wisdom and knowledge without the ultimate assumptions of the Bible is to deny God’s ownership of all wisdom and knowledge. “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline” ( Proverbs 1:7). Like all theories that do not glorify God there is an element of truth within them. This element of truth identifies that the unbeliever does acknowledge God in their heart of hearts, but suppresses this knowledge in unrighteousness ( Romans 1:18-25). Jung’s theories and their progeny must be approached with all caution. As Christians we should not unequally yoke ourselves with his Idealistic/Existentialistic evolutionary philosophy rooted in Hinduism and other forms of eastern mysticism (2 Corinthians 6:14).
The core components of Jungian epistemology7 are clearly evolutionary theory,8 Hinduism (although Jung did not explicitly hold to Hinduism, its epistemology fits well with Jungian theory) and divination9. These foundation stones explain why we find many writings explicitly promoting mysticism, the evolution of the psyche and the authority/sovereignty of man’s psyche. Due to his ultimate assumptions we should expect to find these themes throughout his work – we do. Although he acknowledged the God of the Bible it is in and through blasphemous means. Jung was a man who devoted much of his life to seek self-fulfilling knowledge, which did not start with the fear of the Lord and leads to death. All believers are called to give a defense of their faith, destroy arguments against God and assert the truth boldly in Christ Jesus ( 1 Peter 3:15, 2 Corinthians 10:5). This does not give us the license to boast or be arrogant for we have nothing to boast in but the Lord ( Gal 6:14), for we are His workmanship ( Ephesians 2:10) who plant the seed of good news and water but it is God who gives the increase ( 1 Corinthians 3:6-8). Our chief end is to glorify God ( 1 Corinthians 10:31) through obeying His gracious Law ( Matthew 5:17-19, Luke 6:46-49, John 14:15, Romans 3:31etc) and applying it to every facet of our life’s (2 Titus 3:16). The outworking of this is the discipling of the nations to be obedient to the Word of God, thereby taking dominion of all the earth for the kingdom of God ( Genesis 1:26-28, Matthew 28:18). None of this can be accomplished without the work of the Holy Spirit; circumcising individual’s hearts ( Romans 2:29), renewing their minds ( Romans 12:2) and bringing them into the kingdom of God ( John 3:3-6). Therefore, our defending the faith is a means used by God to disciple the nations. The actual increase (or conversion or change) is only accomplished through God converting individual by individual, family by family and nation by nation.
Proverbs 26:4-5 says: “Do not answer a fool according to his folly, lest you also be like him. Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own eyes.” This is not a contradiction. We are being instructed to defend the faith by not employing the ultimate assumptions of the spiritually foolish unbelievers (i.e. ‘do not answer a fool according to his folly’), however we must also show the foolish man the foolishness of his worldview/assumptions (i.e. “answer the fool according to his folly”). Thus we must not use the ultimate assumptions of evolution or Hinduism or dabble in the New Age to argue with Jung, this is foolish. Rather we must point out the logical conclusions of his underlying assumptions and their utter foolishness. Therefore let me try and give a brief defense against the ultimate assumptions of Jungian theory.
I assert that the Jungian theory of knowledge does not comport with the metaphysical10 environment, it is contradictory and illogical. To prove this, in a simple fashion, we can look to the underlying assumptions within the Hindu theory of knowledge embedded in maya (all is illusion) and nirvana (the state we want to get to, realization that we are indeed god). It has been established that Jung used these assumptions in his work. If all is indeed maya we cannot make sense of any distinction between our current state (life) and nirvana (the Hindu realization that we are actually god when we die - the Jungian theory uses this in the self realization of being god when we die). The Hindu (Jungian) epistemological assumptions can be reductum ad absurdum11 via a simple argument: maya is a state of illusion, all is maya, and therefore nirvana is an illusion. This is illogical and intellectually ridiculous. Because the epistemological basis for interpreting the metaphysical realm is illogical (and is an illusion) upon Jungian assumptions there is no basis for universal characteristics or laws (rules or types) because all is illusion. This illusion includes the rules and (personality) types Jung himself asserts! Therefore, upon these assumptions universal personality typing and archetypes (i.e. the metaphysical realm) do not comport with the ultimate assumptions of the Jungian epistemology. What we must realize in this is: to accept Jungian theory logic and rationality must be given up. Therefore, we should be shouting from the roof tops that to accept Jungian theory (and Hinduism) you must relinquish logical and rationality. If Jung actually believed what he said he believed (i.e. all is illusion and we wake up from this illusion to be god) then why did he bother with trying to explain the human psyche, surely that is an illusion too. This should tell us that not everyone consistently applies their theory of knowledge in the real world. As Christians we must point this out and then declare the truth of the Scriptures to them. The Bible teaches that the man who does not acknowledge God as the creator and all sovereign, as He reveals Himself in the Scriptures, is a spiritual fool ( Psalm 14:1, 53:1, Ezekiel 13:3, Matthew 7:25-27, Romans 1:14). Jung and all who assert Jungian theory are spiritual fools, claiming self knowledge of all that is illusion.
The MBTI is founded upon Jungian theory and seeks to advise us how we are to deal with people, improve ourselves and determine our career (and that of our children). The Bible does not use personality typing to determine our worth or direction in life. Scripture does not place people within one or more of the sixteen categories. The MBTI and other personality testing instruments are designed to remove personal responsibility before God. Your actions are governed by (amongst other things) your socio-economic and personality profile. Such systems remove the need for godly counseling from your pastor or elders. This school of thought seeks to remove parental responsibility in nurturing a child and developing his/her character. Marita Littauer and Florence Littauer (www.gospellight.com12) use a MBTI like test to help people through their difficulties in life. In their book ‘Wired that way’ they assert: “This book is your Personality Plan. While you are wired a certain way, you can use the tools and techniques in this book to overcome natural tendencies that hinder you from making the connections in your wiring that turn the lights on. Yes, “You Are Here.”13 But, here is not where you will want to stay. Apply the Personality Plan and enjoy living in your strengths!” Marita Littauer asserts the importance of understanding personality as key to all relationships, including with God.14 Using personality tests instead of Biblical; parenting, discipleship, pastoring and prayer leads to the denial of individual responsibility before God. The individual is given the unscriptural freedom to blame personality typing instead of confessing and then repenting of sin. The health and well being of the personality (or psyche) becomes the chief end of man, instead of glorifying God through sanctified obedience to His word. Jungian theory and the associated personality testing instruments sound like the lie of old: “For God knows that in the day you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil” ( Genesis 3:4-5). No wonder the church is currently on the slippery slop of humanistic individualism. Christians must be called back to take up their Biblical responsibilities within the family, church and society.
What are we to do? Simply trust and obey our almighty God. Our responsibility as Christians is to believe upon Christ as our Saviour and then obey Him as our Lord ( Luke 6:46-49). His Word must, as contained in the Old and New Testaments, must be assumed as ultimate truth, authoritative and absolute (2 Titus 3:16).15 Search the Scriptures and you will find for yourself that God commands you to believe upon His name and that of His Son, this is our primary responsibility. There under we have responsibilities dependent upon our gender ( Ephesians 5). Once we understand these two responsibilities we will understand our life purpose – to glorify God in all things and enjoy Him forever . We do this through applying the Scriptures as our only rule for faith and life. Understand your life purpose and do all to the glory of God. Through this, prayer and meditation upon the Bible God will reveal to you your individual life purpose. He will show and help you develop the skills/gifts He has graciously given you. Do not take my word for granted, be like the noble Bareans who searched the Scriptures daily and assessed all things with the Word of God therein ( Acts 17:11).
End notes
1 Source for quotes and entire paragraph - Boeree, C G. 2006, Personality Theories: Carl Jung, Shippensburg University, Psychology Department: www.ship.edu/~cgboeree/jung.html
2 Wikipedia online encyclopedia. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Educational_Testing_Service
3 Source for quotes and entire paragraph – George A. Smathers Libraries, Special and Area Studies Collections, Manuscripts, University of Florida. Cited at: http://web.uflib.ufl.edu/spec/manuscript/guides/Myers.htm.
4 MedicineNet defines psychology as “the study of the mind and mental processes, especially in relation to behaviour.” See end note 5 from http://www.anselmstudyhouse.com/index.php/Worldviews/Psycho-mumbo-jumbo.html.
5 Gnosticism – “The word gnosticism comes from the Greek term gnosis, meaning “knowledge.” Gnostics believed that devotees had gained a special kind of spiritual enlightenment, through which they had attained a secret or higher level of knowledge not accessible to the uninitiated. Gnostics also tended to emphasise the spiritual realm over the material, often claiming that the material realm is evil and hence to be escaped.” Stanley, J. Grenz, D G. Nordling, C F. Pocket Dictionary of Theological Terms, InterVarsity Press, Downes Grove, Illinois, 1999, p. 56.
6 See ‘Jung quotes number 1 through 3 from http://www.anselmstudyhouse.com/index.php/Worldviews/Here-a-Jung-there-a-Jung.html.
7 Epistemology – “the branch of philosophy concerned with the nature of knowledge – with what and we know and the limits of human understanding.” In other words – how do we know what we know? Stokes, P. ‘Philosophy. 100 Essential Thinkers,’ Arcturus Publishing Limited, London, Great Britain, p. 212.
8 See ‘Jung quotes’ number 6 through 7 from http://www.anselmstudyhouse.com/index.php/Worldviews/Here-a-Jung-there-a-Jung.html.
9 ‘See Jung’s quotes number 4, 8 and 9 from http://www.anselmstudyhouse.com/index.php/Worldviews/Here-a-Jung-there-a-Jung.html.
10 Metaphysics – “The branch of philosophy concerned with first principles, particularly being (ontology) and knowing (epistemology), as well as with the ultimate nature of what exists.” Stokes, P. ‘Philosophy. 100 Essential Thinkers,’ Arcturus Publishing Limited, London, Great Britain, p. 213.
11 Reductum ad absurdum – Latin for reduced to absurdity.
12 http://www.gospellight.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=GL&Product_Code=08307.38401
13 An exert from Wired that Way, cited at: http://regalbooks.com/PDF/Wired_Way.pdf.
14 An interview with Marita Littauer. Cited at: http://regalbooks.com/q&a_Jun06.php.
15 Some may indicate that assuming the Bible in such a manner is circular reasoning/arguing. However, it must be pointed out that circular reasoning is the only reasoning that can be used to validate an ultimate assumption. Nobody can empirically prove their ultimate assumptions. As Christians we have confidence that what the Bible teaches about life and the world (epistemology) actually comports with what we experience in the world (metaphysical). All other theories of reality either do not comport with the metaphysical or they borrow from the Christian worldview to make sense of the metaphysical. This is simply a footnote that needs a paper to develop and evidence this reasoning further.
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