By Toby Holley LMHC

In the realm of Christian counseling, we often encounter individuals who, like Gollum from J.R.R. Tolkien’s “The Lord of the Rings,” are ensnared by their own coping mechanisms. These mechanisms, initially adopted as survival strategies, can morph into obsessions, addictions, or even forms of worship, leading individuals away from their true selves and the divine design intended for them.

The Ring: A Symbol of Self-Reliance

Gollum’s obsession with the ring symbolizes humanity’s preoccupation with self-reliance. The ring, which grants invisibility, becomes Gollum’s primary tool for survival, enabling him to steal food and evade danger. This reliance on the ring, absent of divine guidance, reflects our tendency to depend on our own strategies rather than seeking God’s wisdom and guidance.

The Transformation: From Hobbit to Monster

As Gollum’s reliance on the ring intensifies, he undergoes a disturbing transformation. Once a hobbit, he becomes a gaunt, monstrous figure, a stark contrast to the creature he was designed to be. This transformation serves as a potent metaphor for the spiritual and emotional degradation that can occur when we allow our coping mechanisms to dictate our lives.

The Invisible Self: A Loss of Identity

Interestingly, the ring’s power to render Gollum invisible symbolizes a loss of identity. As he becomes less visible, he also becomes less himself. This parallels the experience of many individuals who, in their quest for survival or success, lose sight of their true selves. They become invisible, not in the literal sense, but in the loss of their unique identity and purpose.

Christian Counseling: A Path to Restoration

Christian counseling offers a path to restoration for individuals caught in the cycle of self-reliance and identity loss. As Christian counselors, we provide support based on biblical principles, helping individuals to recognize their unhealthy coping strategies and guiding them towards healthier alternatives.

Building Healthy Habits: The Road to True Self

In Christian counseling, we encourage individuals to develop healthy habits that align with God’s design for their lives. This involves learning to rely on God, making choices that promote emotional and spiritual health, and growing in character. As individuals embrace these habits, they become more themselves, reflecting the image of God as He intended.

The Power of Character: Becoming Who You Were Meant to Be

Operating out of character, rather than relying on self-made strategies, leads to growth and fulfillment. It allows individuals to become the person God created them to be from the beginning of time. This is the ultimate goal of Christian counseling: to guide individuals on their journey towards divine dependence and true self-discovery.

In conclusion, as Christian counselors, we are committed to helping individuals navigate their personal journeys, moving from a place of self-reliance and identity loss to a place of divine dependence and self-discovery. Just as Gollum’s story serves as a cautionary tale, it also provides a powerful metaphor for the transformative journey we are privileged to walk with our clients.

By Toby Holley LMHC

The Question of God: C.S. Lewis and Sigmund Freud Debate God, Love, Sex, and the Meaning of Life” by Armand M. Nicholi Jr. is a profound exploration of the contrasting worldviews of two of the most influential figures of the 20th century: Sigmund Freud and C.S. Lewis. As a Christian counselor, I, Toby Holley LMHC, find this book to be an invaluable resource. It provides a comprehensive comparison and contrast of Freud and Lewis’s views on God, love, sex, and the meaning of life, encouraging readers to reflect on these topics and form their own opinions. This review will cover 30 summary points that compare and contrast the views of these two figures. Studying the differences between these two figures is beneficial as Lewis represents developing hope out of faith, and Freud represents helpful diagnosis for treatment in mental health.

Freud, the father of psychoanalysis, and Lewis, arguably the most influential Christian apologist of the 20th century, represent two diametrically opposed worldviews. Freud’s secular worldview is grounded in the belief that life and the universe are products of random events and chance. He saw no divine plan or purpose behind the existence of the universe or human life. Freud strongly advocated an atheistic philosophy of life, influencing how we interpret human behavior in various fields such as biography, literary criticism, sociology, medicine, history, education, and ethics. He argued against the existence of God, pointing to the problem of suffering and developing the psychological argument that the concept of God is nothing but a projection of a childish wish for parental protection from the vicissitudes and sufferings of human existence.

On the other hand, Lewis assumed an intelligence beyond the universe who gives the universe order and life meaning. He, who was once an atheist himself, used Freud’s reasoning to defend his atheism before rejecting it and becoming a believer. Lewis agreed with Freud that the question of the existence of God is indeed the most important. He also agreed that if the spiritual worldview is not true, then it is the cruelest hoax ever perpetrated on the human race. Lewis believed that if the spiritual worldview is true, then all other truth fades in significance. Nothing has more profound and more far-reaching implications for our lives.

Lewis’s influence and popularity continued after his death in 1963, and many of his books have been turned into plays, radio and television dramas, and films. His approach to Christianity was one of personal relationship with God. He believed that the pagan myths they all loved about dying gods were God’s way of preparing the world for the true myth when in Jesus, God really did die and rise from the dead. His works, such as “Mere Christianity” and “The Problem of Pain,” have never gone out of print. His children’s series, “The Chronicles of Narnia,” awash in biblical imagery, has been translated into more than 47 languages. These works deal with Christian themes such as sin, humanity’s fall from grace, and its saving through faith in Jesus Christ. His work “Mere Christianity” is a classic piece of apologetics, a defense of the Christian faith, which began life as a series of radio broadcasts. His emphasis on a personal relationship with God, hope, and love has resonated with many readers and continues to inspire people today.

Freud’s theories have permeated our culture and language, with terms such as ego, repression, complex, projection, inhibition, neurosis, psychosis, resistance, sibling rivalry, and Freudian slip being widely used. His philosophical writings, more widely read than his expository or scientific works, have played a significant role in the secularization of our culture. Freud’s atheistic worldview informed his personal, social, and politicallife. His worldview helps determine his values, his ethics, and his capacity for happiness. Freud’s worldview helps him understand where he comes from, his heritage, who he is, his identity, why he exists on this planet, his purpose, what drives him, his motivation, and where he is going, his destiny.

In my counseling practice, I give deference and authority to Lewis’s worldview because of his outlook on faith and hope. His understanding of the problem of pain emphasizes human will and choice, which he saw as a God-given gift. This perspective can be empowering for clients, helping them to see that they have agency in their own healing process. Furthermore, Lewis’s belief in a God who loves and pursues a relationship with humanity offers a powerful message of hope and worth. This belief can be transformative for clients struggling with low self-esteem or feelings of worthlessness. It can help them to develop a greater sense of their own worth and to see themselves as loved and valued.

While Freud’s theories are helpful in developing diagnoses and identifying symptomology, they do not provide the same direction or hope for human struggle. Freud saw life as a series of random events and chance, with no divine plan or purpose. His atheistic worldview can leave individuals feeling alone and without hope in the face of pain and suffering.

In contrast, Lewis’s Christian worldview offers a perspective of hope and meaning. It provides a framework for understanding pain and suffering, and it offers a vision of a loving God who is actively involved in our lives. This perspective can be a powerful tool in helping individuals to navigate the challenges of life and to find healing and wholeness.

In conclusion, “The Question of God” offers a comprehensive comparison and contrast of Freud and Lewis’s views on God, love, sex, and the meaning of life. It encourages readers to reflect on these topics and form their own opinions. Both Freud and Lewis’s views continue to influence our culture and shape our understanding of the world and our place in it. The book provides a unique opportunity to explore the contrasting perspectives of two influential figures, one who saw life through the lens of atheism and psychoanalysis, and the other who viewed life through the lens of Christianity and a personal relationship with God. Their differing views on love, sex, death, and the meaning of life offer deep insights into the human condition and our quest for meaning.

Here are the 30 summary points that encapsulate the contrasting views of Freud and Lewis:

1. Freud and Lewis represent two diametrically opposed worldviews – Freud’s secular worldview and Lewis’s spiritual worldview.
2. Freud viewed the universe as a result of random events and life on this planet a matter of chance.
3. Lewis assumed an intelligence beyond the universe who gives the universe order and life meaning.
4. Freud strongly advocated an atheistic philosophy of life, influencing various fields.
5. Lewis, once an atheist, used Freud’s reasoning to defend his atheism before becoming a believer.
6. Freud argued against the existence of God, pointing to the problem of suffering.
7. Lewis concurred with Freud on the paramount importance of the question of God’s existence. However, Lewis went further, asserting that belief in God and engaging in a relationship with Him not only answers this fundamental question but also fulfills one’s sense of purpose and provides a profound meaning to life.
8. Freud believed that we should face the harsh reality that we are alone in the universe.
9. Lewis believed that if the spiritual worldview is true, then all other truth fades in significance.
10. Freud’s theories have permeated our culture and language.
11. Lewis’s books continue to sell prodigiously, and his influence continues to grow.
12. Freud’s philosophical writings have played a significant role in the secularization of our culture.
13. Lewis’s journey from atheism to faith is explored in the book.
14. Freud’s atheistic worldview informed his personal, social, and political life.
15. Lewis’s spiritual worldviewalso informed his personal, social, and political life, but in a different way than Freud’s.
16. Freud’s worldview helps determine his values, his ethics, and his capacity for happiness.
17. Lewis’s worldview also helps determine his values, his ethics, and his capacity for happiness, but in a different way than Freud’s.
18. Freud’s worldview helps him understand where he comes from, his heritage, who he is, his identity, why he exists on this planet, his purpose, what drives him, his motivation, and where he is going, his destiny.
19. Lewis’s worldview also helps him understand where he comes from, his heritage, who he is, his identity, why he exists on this planet, his purpose, what drives him, his motivation, and where he is going, his destiny, but in a different way than Freud’s.
20. Freud’s arguments can never prove or disprove the existence of God.
21. Lewis’s arguments also can never prove or disprove the existence of God.
22. Freud’s life offers sharp commentary on the truth, believability, and utility of his views.
23. Lewis’s life also offers sharp commentary on the truth, believability, and utility of his views, but from a different perspective.
24. Freud is considered one of the 20th century’s most influential advocates for atheism.
25. Lewis, on the other hand, is considered one of the 20th century’s most influential advocates for faith based on reason.
26. Freud and Lewis both spoke at length about human sexuality.
27. Freud and Lewis had different views on the problem of pain and suffering.
28. Freud and Lewis had different views on death.
29. Freud’s views on sexuality and death were influenced by his atheistic worldview.
30. Lewis’s perspectives on sexuality and death were defined by his Christian worldview.

References:

Nicholi, A. M. Jr. (2002). The Question of God: C.S. Lewis and Sigmund Freud Debate God, Love, Sex, and the Meaning of Life. Free Press.

Holley, T. (2023). The Question of God: C.S. Lewis and Sigmund Freud Debate God, Love, Sex, and the Meaning of Life. Christian Counselor Review.

Lewis, C. S. (1940). The Problem of Pain. HarperOne.

The Heritage Foundation. (2021). How C. S. Lewis Accepted Christianity. Retrieved from https://www.heritage.org/civil-society/commentary/how-c-s-lewis-accepted-christianity

Christianity.org.uk. (n.d.). CS Lewis – Christianity. Retrieved from https://www.christianity.org.uk/article/cs-lewis

By Toby Holley LMHC

As a Christian counselor, I often find myself at the intersection of faith and mental health, guiding individuals through the complexities of life. One of the most profound themes I’ve encountered in my practice is the tension between self-reliance and reliance on God. This tension is beautifully illustrated in the biblical narrative of the city, which transitions from a symbol of violence and evil to a part of the vision of new creation.

In the early chapters of Genesis, we see the first humans living in harmony with God in the Garden of Eden. However, as they choose to rely on their own understanding rather than God’s wisdom, they are exiled from the garden, marking the beginning of human self-reliance. This self-reliance leads to the establishment of cities, which, in the biblical narrative, become symbols of human violence, oppression, and evil.

As a mental health professional, I see parallels in the struggles of many individuals. When we rely solely on ourselves, we often end up building metaphorical “cities” in our lives—structures that are designed for self-preservation but often lead to isolation, anxiety, and depression. These “cities” can manifest as unhealthy coping mechanisms, toxic relationships, or self-destructive behaviors.

However, the biblical narrative does not end with the city as a symbol of evil. Instead, it presents a surprising twist: the city is redeemed and incorporated into the vision of new creation. This transformation is not achieved by human effort but by the divine intervention of God, who enters the city, experiences its violence, and ultimately brings about its redemption.

This transformation offers a powerful lesson for mental health. It suggests that healing and transformation are not solely the result of our efforts but require divine intervention. This is not to say that we should abandon self-reliance entirely. On the contrary, taking responsibility for our mental health, seeking help, and implementing healthy coping strategies are crucial steps towards healing. However, these efforts should be complemented by a reliance on God, who offers ultimate healing and transformation.

The biblical narrative also offers insight into the tendency for human nature to scale up evil when operating outside God’s will and love. The cities of Cain, Nimrod, and Sodom and Gomorrah serve as stark reminders of how human self-reliance, when devoid of divine guidance, can lead to destructive outcomes. This is a cautionary tale for us, emphasizing the importance of aligning our actions with God’s will and love.

As a Christian counselor, I encourage individuals to reflect on these biblical themes in their journey towards mental health. Self-reliance has its place, but it becomes problematic when it leads us away from God. By inviting God into our “cities,” we open ourselves up to divine healing and transformation. In doing so, we move closer to a vision of mental health that is not just about managing symptoms but about experiencing the fullness of life that God intends for us.

By Toby Holley, LMHC

The Bible is a treasure trove of narratives that offer profound insights into human nature and our relationship with God. Among these narratives, the contrasting stories of Cain and Seth, two sons of Adam and Eve, and the cities that emerged from their descendants, provide a powerful metaphor for the consequences of self-reliance versus divine dependence. This contrast is particularly relevant in the context of mental health and emotional well-being.

Cain, the firstborn, was a tiller of the ground. When his offering was not favored by God, Cain allowed resentment and anger to consume him, leading to the tragic decision to murder his younger brother Abel. This marked the first act of violence in human history, setting a precedent for the escalation of violence that would come to characterize Cain’s lineage.

Following his act of fratricide, Cain was confronted and cursed by God. Yet, even in this moment of judgment, God offered Cain protection, placing a mark on him to prevent others from killing him. Despite this divine provision, Cain chose to rely on his own strength and wisdom. He built the first city and surrounded it with walls, a physical manifestation of his self-reliance and fear.

This city, the first in human history, represented a departure from divine dependence. It was a place where things scaled up, particularly violence and fear, reflecting Cain’s focus on self-reliance. Cain’s descendants, too, followed this path of self-reliance and violence, with Lamech, a descendant of Cain, even boasting about his acts of violence (Genesis 4:23-24).

In stark contrast, Seth, another son of Adam and Eve, chose a different path. During the time of Seth’s son Enosh, “people began to call upon the name of the Lord” (Genesis 4:26). Seth’s lineage was characterized by communities focused on worship and harmony, living in accordance with God’s will.

Seth’s reliance on God led to a life marked by peace and divine favor. Instead of building physical walls for protection, Seth and his descendants built spiritual walls through their worship and obedience to God. They lived unafraid, trusting in God’s provision and protection.

The contrasting stories of Cain and Seth offer valuable insights for our mental health journey. Self-reliance, as exemplified by Cain, often leads to fear, isolation, and emotional distress. On the other hand, divine dependence, as demonstrated by Seth, leads to peace, community, and emotional well-being.

As a Christian counselor, I encourage you to reflect on these narratives. Are there areas in your life where you are building walls like Cain, relying on your own strength instead of God’s? Or are you like Seth, building communities of worship and harmony, trusting in God’s provision and protection? Remember, the journey towards mental health is not one we have to walk alone. God is with us, offering His strength, wisdom, and peace.