Freud, Jung, and The Bible

History teaches us that Freud and Jung were friends, or at least had some sort of relationship. Jung eventually jettisoned some of Freud’s theories, and began to embrace his own set of ideas which he called analytical. Both of these men believed in the idea that the unconscious mind was the gateway to understanding how the mind worked. However, Jung used a more multilayered idea of the unconscious mind than did Freud.

A very interesting difference between the two men relates to religion. Freud believed religion was just a way to escape reality, and not true on any level. Freud was kind of Marxists in his stance about religion. He felt it was mainly for the simpleminded. Freud placed his faith completely in the unconscious mind’s ability to cure neurosis. Jung, however, believed there was a place for religion in the individuation of the individual. He also believed it was important to communication between different people groups. Jung believed that although religions differed, archetypes remained static. Jung was not Christian, and may have even been more involved with occult type practices. Whatever the case he still saw use for religion that Freud did not see.

Freud and Jung disagreed what made up the unconscious. Freud defined it as a group of ideas, experiences, and concepts that a person would refuse to deal with, and that would ultimately lead to some form of neuroses. Jung took this idea a step further in stating that people also had a collective version of this same issue that was common to all people. A distinction that really comes into play here is the motivation. Freud believed it was repressed of expressed sexuality. Jung, rightly in my opinion, believed that sex was only one of many of the driving forces of human behavior. Jung believed that people are motivated mostly by their need to achieve individuation, or put more simply to feel whole or complete. The bible tells us that this desire can only can only be realized through Jesus Christ, “The thief comes to steal, kill, and destroy; I (Jesus) come that they might have life, and might have it abundantly” (John 10:10, NASB). This passage tells us that self-acceptance (individuation) is only possible through placing our faith in the finished work of Jesus Christ on the cross. Freud believed that the only way to achieve self-acceptance was for a person to uncover and open the unconscious mind and discover happiness on their own through therapy. Jung, however believed that the regulation of emotions hindered the unconscious mind’s movement toward individuation.

Within therapy Freud wanted to pound the unconscious into releasing repressed feelings. Jung thought the goal of therapy was to help someone understand the role of the unconscious, and help the patient better guide how it worked.

Part 2

In reading both chapters 8 and 9 by Jones & Butman, I really do not have any issues with their stance on any of the material addressed by the authors. In the big picture, I did find one standout passage, “According to Alderians, social interest is the highest intrinsic value” (Jones, 1991). This idea seems to permeate several areas of thought within psychology. On the surface it seems laudable, but the natural consequences of life lived this way can lead to monumental misunderstanding of the basis of Christianity. Jesus, quoting the first commandment, “And He said to him, " 'YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND.' This is the great and foremost commandment.” (Matthew 22:37-38, NASB). This should be the source of highest intrinsic value for Christians. Amazingly enough all life begins here, and unless it begins here no amount of social interest will ever produce meaning and purpose in our lives.

Reference

Stanton Jones and Richard Butman, Modern Psychotherapies: A Comprehensive Christian Appraisal (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1991), 235.

"Scripture taken from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE®, Copyright © 1960,1962,1963,1968,1971,1972,1973,1975,1977,1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission."