According to psychologist Abraham Maslow, we all have five basic needs --
physical needs, safety needs, belonging needs, esteem needs, and the need for
self-actualization. {This "need system" was developed
by an atheistic psychologist, apart from God; outside of secondary
physical needs (food, water, etc.) "needs" are not supported
anywhere in Scripture.}
Here's what the Bible says about each of these needs: {The
following "truths" claimed by D.J. De Haan are imposed upon
the Bible -- the references cited in no way support a "need hierarchy"
discovered as "truth" by a secular psychologist.} Physical
needs. He who feeds the sparrows and clothes the lilies of the fields
will provide for our basic needs if we seek first His kingdom and His
righteousness (Matt. 6:25-33). Safety Needs. God is a source of
everlasting strength (Isa. 26:3,4), and He seals us with His Spirit (Eph.
1:13,14). Belonging needs. Trusting Christ, we are fully accepted
by God (Eph. 1:6), and we become part of His body, the church (Eph. 5:30). Esteem
needs. Our self-worth is rooted in God having created us in His image
(Gen. 1:26; 1 Cor. 11:7) {This is a false concept of
Biblical "self-worth" -- cf. Isa 41:24; Psa. 62:9; Job 25:5,6; 42:6.}
and in His refashioning us in the image of Christ (Rom. 8:29). {The
Bible says to trust God and deny self, not esteem self.} Self-actualization.
God gives us a spiritual gift or gifts to help us carry out a function in His
plan so that what we do will last for all eternity (Eph 4:7; Rom. 12:6-10). {The
Bible says to trust God and deny self, not actualize self.} {Maslow
places man and his needs at the center of the universe rather than God. To go
beyond physical needs to so-called psychological needs is not based upon an
understanding of Scripture, but is what the "pagans run after" (Matt.
6:32). Instead, man's greatest (and only real) need is a relationship
with God (salvation) and everything else comes from that relationship.
De Haan is advocating a self-centered gospel rather than a God-centered one, and
he tries to support it with Scripture either misused or taken out of context.}
Our sin blocks the fulfillment of our deepest longings. {Our
deepest longings, i.e., our so-called psychological needs, are not blocked by
sin, but are the sins (of the self-centered man apart from a saving
faith in God or apart from fellowship with God because of unconfessed sin) that
keep us from God.} But Jesus died on the cross as our
Substitute to pay sin's penalty. Now God can accept us and empower us to become
all that He intended for us to be. Our part is to receive Christ by faith and
commit our life to Him. This is an act of the will, expressed through a simple
prayer something like this: "Lord Jesus, I am a sinner and need Your
forgiveness. I believe that You died for me on the cross to pay the penalty for
all my sins and that You rose from the grave. Be merciful to me and save me. I
receive You as my Savior, my only hope of salvation. Amen."
"For whoever calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved" (Rom.
10:13). {De Haan should have also quoted Rom. 10:9, which
includes the remaining requirements for salvation of which one
is "Confess with your mouth, 'Jesus is Lord' ..." This requires
recognizing Jesus as Lord of all, i.e., deny self and take up His cross and
follow Him (Matt. 16:24), as evidence of saving faith, rather than
making the "needs" of self (esteem and actualization) a priority to be
fulfilled.} Join the countless numbers of people who have
discovered that Jesus truly meets our deepest needs. {Jesus
does truly meet our deepest needs; however, there is only one
need -- to seek His kingdom (Matt. 6:33) -- not a Maslowian hierarchy of
psychological, self-centered needs.} -- Dennis J. De
Haan
{See PsychoHeresy
by Martin & Deidre Bobgan (p. 77), and also A Biblical View of
Self-Esteem, Self-Love, Self-Image by Jay Adams (pp. 81-82).}
*Transcribed exactly as it appeared as an Our Daily Bread "devotional,"
between the June 30, 1988, and the July 1, 1988, "devotionals"
(published by Radio Bible Class, Grand Rapids, Michigan). Remarks in bold
brackets are BDM's.
As Christians we have a solid basis for overcoming feelings {feelings
oriented} of inferiority. {We do have a basis
(but not the basis De Haan has in mind), and that's to stop focusing on self and
start to focus on God and others.} Rather than basing our sense
of self-worth on our looks or abilities, we should recognize that God has given
us the right reasons to feel good about ourselves {self-love
not Biblical} . {This is heresy. Instead,
God has given us good reason to deny ourselves, because He commands it
(Lk 9:23,24).}
First, God said that we are created in His image. Even the terrible
effects of sin did not erase that divine likeness (1 Cor. 11:7). {This
sounds like New Age, created in the image of God in no way implies "divine
likeness"!}
Second, God accepts us in Christ (Eph 1:6). In his book The Christian Salt
and Light Company, Haddon W. Robinson says, "God does
not love us because we are good; He loves us because we are precious, and we are
precious because He died for us." {This is horrible
theology! He loves us not because of who we are, but because of who He
is! He loves us in spite of who or what we are. We are not precious, nor
do we become precious because of the requirements of divine justice (the death
of the sinless Substitute). Robinson and De Haan are teaching "shopping
mall" theology -- that "the object is worth what is paid for it"
works only at "the mall," but not in God's plan of divine justice. The
great price was required because of the great sin of man, not because
of man's worth or preciousness. The atonement demonstrates the Grace of God, not
the worth of man!}
Third, God rewards our obedience to Him with a sense of joy and
integrity instead of fear and guilt (1 John 1). A little fourth-grade boy
cheated to get high marks and the approval they brought. After he became a
Christian, however, he knew that Jesus would be disappointed if he was
dishonest, so he stopped cheating. "At first I got lower grades," he
said, "but I felt a lot better about myself, knowing I was doing
right!" {This is still a self-focus; the result of obeying
God should never be a focus on oneself, but a grateful and humble heart for
God's grace and mercy.}
If you are struggling with feelings of inferiority, remind yourself
often that you are an image-bearer of God {should remind
yourself that you're focusing on yourself, which is not a Biblical focus, and
thereby, not pleasing to God}, that He loves you in Christ, and
that he offers you joy as you seek to please Him. -- Dennis J. De Haan
THE FLOWER OF SELF-RESPECT CANNOT GROW IN THE SOIL OF SINFUL HABITS. {What's
the difference between the "flower of self-respect" (the
"fruit" of pride) and the "soil of sinful habits" (the sin
of pride)?}
{See the following references for a Biblical treatment of
"created in God's image": Jay Adams, The Biblical View of
Self-Esteem, Self-Love, Self-Image (pp 81-85); and Paul Brownback, The
Danger of Self-Love (pp 87-108).}
*Transcribed exactly as it appeared as a November 16, 1989, Our Daily
Bread "devotional" (published by Radio Bible Class, Grand
Rapids, Michigan). Remarks in bold brackets are BDM's.
Depression is a
condition of prolonged sadness, marked by feelings of hopelessness and an
inability to think clearly. Depressed persons are apt to think, "I'm
worthless. I'm a failure. I can't handle stress. There's no hope. I'll never
feel {feelings oriented} better again." {This
is a focus on self; i.e., having a pity-party.}
Some of the most godly people have struggled with these feelings {feelings
oriented; actually some of the most self-centered people are the ones
who have struggled with "feelings" of depression} .
Elijah is a case in point. After being on the mountaintop, he experienced a
great let-down. He had won a stunning victory over the prophets of Baal and had
run 17 miles in the strength of the Lord. Then he learned that Jezebel had vowed
to kill him. Fear gripped his heart and he fled for his life. Finally,
physically and emotionally exhausted, he gave in to feelings of worthlessness
and despair. {Elijah did despair, and he was feeling sorry for
himself, but the Scriptures do not support that Elijah was
"feeling" worthless.}
The Lord was gentle, however. {The Lord was not
gentle; He sent an angel who told Elijah, "Get up and eat! -- this can
hardly be called gentle} . He let Elijah rest, fed him, and
strengthened him for the next leg of the journey. But Elijah's sadness
continued. So the Lord assured him of His presence. {The Lord
sent His angel again, and again commanded Elijah to, "Get up and eat!"
This was certainly an assurance of God's presence, but in a forceful manner, not
as De Haan implies: "Come on, Elijah, feel good about yourself and then
you'll be able to do the job I have for you."} He then
gave him a companion, Elisha, and a new task to perform.
God knows all about depression. The record of Elijah shows us that feelings {feelings
oriented} of utter aloneness do not mean that God has abandoned
us. They only block our awareness of His presence. {A focus on
self always blocks the awareness of God's presence} .
Those who wait helplessly on Him may feel hopeless. But they never
are. -- Martin R. De Haan II
{The teaching of I Kings 19:1-18 is not how to feel worthy so
you can do God's will, but is this: The only way to break the downward spiral of
depression (brought about in most cases by a self imposed pity-party) is by
action ("Get up and eat"), not by "feeling" anything.}
*Transcribed exactly as it appeared as a September 8, 1989, Our
Daily Bread "devotional" (published by Radio Bible Class, Grand
Rapids, Michigan). Remarks in bold brackets are BDM's.
If an athlete talks about "psyching up" for a game, he's referring
to the process of getting himself into the right mental attitude. One college
football player, for instance, spends up to 3 hours doing this on the day of a
game. He says, "I think about the good plays I could make. In my mind I
jump around and ward off blockers, and tackle the quarterback for a loss."
{This is occult visualization!}
Some golf pros do much the same thing getting ready for a tournament. They sit
back and imagine themselves making a perfect drive that drops the ball a few
inches from the flag.
This type of mental preparation is also useful in getting ready for the
challenges of Christian living. It's a way of preparing spiritually for specific
needs. Rather than just praying in the general "bless me's" and
"use me's," try to visualize yourself making the kind of Christian
response that the situation calls for. {Incredible! Visualization for better
Christian living!}
If you're a husband and a father, maybe you'll see yourself coming home after a
long day at the office. Your son's bike is in the driveway. Your wife is
preoccupied on the phone, and in the day's mail you see a reminder of a special
church board meeting that night. Okay, sit back and relax. Set the Lord before
you. Picture Him at your right hand {Wouldn't putting God at
"your right hand" be exalting oneself to Godhood?; this is
New Age teaching!}, keeping you from falling our of character {What
character?; the character of God?}. Imagine Jesus walking with
you and claim the power of the Holy Spirit. Then you'll be ready to go home, not
merely "psyched up," but anticipating the Lord's help. That's how to
meet the challenges of the day. {Instead of obedience and
prayer, De Haan would have us visualize ourselves as "psyched up"
Christians!} -- Martin R. De Haan II
{From David Conway: Magic: An Occult Primer, p. 59:
"The technique of visualization is something you will gradually master if
you are to make any progress at all in magic ... It is our only means of
affecting our ethical atmosphere. It enables us to build our own thought forms,
contact those already in existence, and channel the elementary energy we need
down onto the physical plane."}
{From Dr. Harold Bussell: Unholy Devotions: Why Cults Lure
Christians: "When the church is so cult like (i.e., encouraging
visualization techniques) many Christians cannot tell the difference between
authentic biblical spirituality and the spiritual life found in cults."}
*Transcribed exactly as it appeared as a June 23, 1988, Our Daily
Bread "devotional" (published by Radio Bible Class, Grand
Rapids, Michigan). Remarks in bold brackets are BDM's.
The Spirit Himself makes intercession for us. -- Romans 8:26
At times we may find ourselves in situations where we don't know how to
pray. A loved one may be suffering without relief. Or we must make a major
decision. It is then that the Holy Spirit helps in our weakness and intercedes
for us (Rom. 8:26).
William Hendrikson illustrated this ministry of the Spirit by telling of a
pastor who became seriously ill. The congregation dearly loved him and prayed
earnestly, "Lord, please restore him to health." But he died. At the
funeral, a minister who had been the pastor's lifelong friend spoke lovingly and
with insight. He said, "Perhaps some of you are in danger of arriving at
the conclusion that the heavenly Father does not hear prayer. He does indeed
hear prayer. But in this case two prayers (may have been) opposing each other.
You were praying, 'O God, spare his life, for we need him so badly.' The
Spirit's groaning prayer was. 'Take him away, for the congregation is leaning
too heavily on him, not upon Thee.'" {Unbelievable
theology! There is no Biblical basis or example whatsoever that the Spirit has
ever or would ever pray a "prayer for death" of a servant of God. It
is also a thoroughly unbiblical assumption that an "innocent" third
party (the pastor) is punished for the supposed "sin" of another (the
congregation)! (This sounds similar to the theology behind the 1989 claim of
Oral Roberts, that God would kill Oral if others didn't "obey God's
call" for funds.)} The Father answered the prayer that the
Spirit offered on their behalf. {Totally against the nature and
attributes of God! Since God's sovereign purposes flow out of His nature, this
"revelation" of His nature would be in direct contradiction of
everything the Bible tells us about that nature.}
Although the pastor's words were a gentle rebuke, they brought comfort,
for they assured the people that God did respond to their prayers, but in ways
far better than they could see. {To the contrary, this would
bring false guilt upon the members of this church, having been told
that they were responsible for the death of their pastor (because they "need[ed]
him so badly").} How wonderful that in times of confusion
the Holy Spirit intercedes for us! -- David Enger
{Proper exegesis for Rom 8:26 is that the Spirit prays for our
good when we don't have the words to express our thoughts, not that the
Spirit offers up an opposing prayer even when we do have the proper
words.}
*Transcribed exactly as it appeared as an October 11, 1989, Our
Daily Bread "devotional" (published by Radio Bible Class, Grand
Rapids, Michigan). Remarks in bold brackets are BDM's.
Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain
mercy and find grace. -- Hebrews 4:16
Stan was an intelligent, personable Christian. But he couldn't hold a job.
He spent extended periods in a hospital receiving psychiatric care. Sometimes
when he became depressed, he would contemplate committing suicide.
Although I wasn't his pastor, I called on him from time to time. I read
Scripture, prayed with him, tried to show him that God loved him. But I wasn't
able to help him very much. He would often get angry when I started talking
about God. He would say things like, "I wish I were dead"; "God
has cheated me"; "I don't want to hear about heaven. I'd rather get a
chance to be happy down here." {This is indicative of
self-centered "grumbler," not a humble petitioner at the throne of
God.} I felt very uneasy when he talked this way, but I didn't
know what to say. {Come on, Herb -- "didn't know what to
say"?}
His own pastor, however, had found a way to help Stan. Very wisely he
would say, "Stan, when you feel that way, talk to God. It's okay to cry and
complain as long as you do it to God." {There is no
biblical basis for this teaching: Every time "complain" is used in the
New Testament, it refers to someone who is rebellious, quarrelsome, a
blame-shifter, or one making a charge (Jude 16; Col. 3:13; Acts 25:7). In fact,
in most cases, "complaining" was the mark of an apostate/false
teacher (e.g., Jude 16).} He would quote Hebrews 4:16.
This helped Stan regain some peace of mind.
The next time you feel depressed, angry, confused, or cheated -- tell God about
it. He'll understand. He'll help you find answers in His Word so that you can
trust in His purpose and draw on His grace.
Remember, it's not wrong to complain -- as long as you do it to God. {Again,
this is totally contrary to what Heb. 4:16 teaches: "Boldness" in
coming to the throne of God has nothing whatsoever to do with our coming with a
bold attitude and complaining spirit, but instead, it speaks
to the Christian's valid right ("valid" now that Christ has made
"the sacrifice") to have access to God -- to come to Him in prayer,
with a humble, repentant Spirit in confession of sins.} -- Herbert
Vander Lugt
*Transcribed exactly as it appeared as an October 26, 1989, Our
Daily Bread "devotional" (published by Radio Bible Class, Grand
Rapids, Michigan). Remarks in bold brackets are BDM's.
