Counseling Theology - Noetic Effects of Sin & The Ability of Secular Psychologists to Understand The Human Condition

Last time we spoke of common grace, God’s extreme kindness in giving it, and how to view it biblically. Now, we will briefly discuss the limitations of common grace.  

Introduction

Although common grace exists and is glorious, this does not mean that everything that an unbeliever says or does is therefore correct. Sin has so corrupted every single aspect of life that every part of our being is affected by this curse, up to and including our minds. The corrupted nature of our minds from the affects of sin is called by theologians, the noetic effect of sin. This particular affect of sin is seen in many areas of life, but it is seen most significantly in a person’s ability (or lack thereof) to know or understand God apart from the aid of the Holy Spirit.

Knowledge of The Lord

Romans chapter 1 speaks more clearly on this matter than almost any other part of scripture. In the chapter, the Lord shows how he has revealed himself to all people that have ever lived on the Earth - whether believer or non-believer. Romans 1:19, 20 speak plainly to us, saying that the knowledge of God is obvious to all people, however because of unrighteousness (sin), the knowledge of God that is abundant in the universe is suppressed by that sinfulness. This text however, does not say that humanity is incapable of thinking rightly, nor does it say that humanity does not have the ability to reason and be rational. Rather, it speaks specifically and pointedly of one particular area of knowledge: the knowledge of the one true living God. This area of knowledge is the most crucial of all, because without the knowledge of God - as he has revealed himself - the rest of mans knowledge is suspect and sits upon a shaky foundation (Proverbs 1:7; Hosea 4:6)

This gap in knowledge however is no small gap as some suppose. It isn’t like a weekend quiche that can go without the ham, broccoli, and three different cheeses and still turn out delicious. Without this one ingredient (the knowledge of God) humanity can know nothing of substance. Now, at this point some may say “but many unsaved men have done magnificent things in the world,” and of course this would be right. However, this is not because their lack of the knowledge of God is not crucial, but because they have benefitted from the common operation of the Holy Spirit, and the outworking of God in the Christian church throughout history. Examples of this are abundant, but one only needs to look at all the Presbyterian, Baptist, and Lutheran hospitals in their zip code. Thank you Christians! But I digress….this gap in knowledge is what has created every other world religion, it is what has caused people to have disputes regarding morality, life, politics, and the like - things that ought not be debated but rather nuanced and stipulated because we have the infallible word of God that spells these things out clearly for us. So then, the knowledge of God quickly becomes something of the uttermost importance, rather than just one small nugget in a larger sea of knowledge. 

The Noetic Effect in Counseling

What makes the noetic effect of sin of particular importance when it comes to counseling is the fact that mere observation and data gathering is not all that counselors do. As noted in my last article, common grace allows people to make accurate observations about people and the world. But, as people are observed and that data goes from a raw state and is then interpreted, they are fitted into a worldview that necessarily neglects God, and neglects humanity as an image bearer of God - again, because those who are unregenerate have suppressed the knowledge of God and have invented their own in his place. While much of the data and facts obtained by secular psychologists may be correct and helpful, we cannot accept anything past that point as helpful, because it will inevitably be interpreted and understood through the eyes of a godless, and purposeless universe, where man is a mere concoction of chemicals - a bag of fizzing goo - and where self-esteem, self-image, happiness, personal autonomy, and passion are the supreme good and height a man could attain to. 

Conclusion

Because counseling is by definition the care of souls, and the giving of advice and direction on how to live this life as an image bearer of God, we must be certain that the help we offer is not only faithful but also rational, and these two criteria are impossible without knowing the one true living God. The advice given by secular psychologists (and any Christian counselor using psychology) is not neutral and is not inconsequential and is not based on the bible.

Because unbelievers cannot know the truth of God, they therefore cannot have any meaningful advice to give to anyone that will cause a person to experience real freedom, peace, forgiveness, reconciliation, etc. – because those things ultimately come from God, and you can’t give to others what God has not first given to you.