Critique of a Theoretical Model: The Bondage Breaker

When people behave very strangely, they are usually thought to be deranged or mentally disturbed. Many people would then be referred to a psychiatrist or psychologist and be diagnosed by common labels found in the DSM IV manual. They would never even consider the fact that this person may be demon-possessed. Secular psychiatry and psychology tend to discredit demon possession as being a very simplistic means for explaining the strange behaviors of people. Dr. Anderson (2000) advanced the idea of demon possession and developed his own counseling theory based on this foundation. With the growing interest in spirituality, his theory has grown in popularity and his seminars always being sold out.

Dr. Anderson (2000) argues in his book The Bondage Breaker that people who are suffering from mental illnesses are more than likely possessed by demons. He points to numerous examples of the most severe cases of people who were diagnosed with schizophrenia. Secular psychology and those in the medical field would see this as a simplistic explanation and an excuse for a person's problems. However, when all else on the medical side of things have fallen short, Dr. Anderson argues that we need to look to spiritual matters.

There are numerous similarities between Dr. Jay Adams (1986), Larry Crabb (1977), and Henri Nouwen (1975). Anderson believes that people are struggling with sin and are seeking alternative ways to relieve their suffering. Although, at times Dr. Anderson may seem to present hatred towards certain people such as psychics and mediums (p. 127), his biblical model for sanctification is one that can help people become free from the ties that bind. His model is based on the belief that many people are in bondage to various forms of Satanism and the occult. The growing secular movement has led to an increase in spirituality, but a new age spirituality, such as witchcraft, psychics, astrology, yoga, all of which Anderson says that we must renounce in order to become free.

Is Dr. Anderson breaking from integration of psychology and theology? He argues that most of the attempts at integration focus on us as fallen individuals and what we need to do to redeem ourselves to have a new life in Christ. Dr. Anderson mentions that we need to include the activity of Satan and his demons who attempt to control us through their lies and deceit. Although, he makes no comparison to Freud, the idea that we hear voices in our heads comes from Freud's concept of the superego. According to Freud, the ego is the physical body that has contact with the external world. The superego can be analogous to your conscience or soul (i.e. the inner self). The superego contains a person's moral code that can be attacked by Satan and his demons through other fallen individuals (Corey, 2005, p.57). People who are hurting and suffering are hearing lies and deceit and spread those lies to other people. When someone else says that you are worthless and won't amount to anything, these are lies that are spread by Satan and his demons (Anderson, 2000, p. 41). The more we believe in these lies, the more it becomes truth (Backus and Chapian, 2000). Anderson goes on to argue that one's self-image and self-worth are based on the need to be loved by one's parents. In order to have freedom in Christ, we must understand that the only person that loves us unconditionally is God (p. 141).

The Bondage Breaker deals with the foundational issues of a person's identity in Christ and outlines practical steps on how to live by faith, walk according to the Spirit, renew your mind, manage your emotions, and resolve the emotional traumas of your past through faith and forgiveness." At numerous points, Anderson seems to borrow from Backus and Chapian's (2005) misbelief therapy, a counseling theory that states misbeliefs as lies which are the cause of emotional turmoil, maladaptive behavior, and other mental illnesses that lead to the negative self-talk and feelings of worthlessness in the many people in society (p. 17).
Steps to Freedom in Christ

Dr. Anderson provides a well thought out series of steps that an individual looking to become free in Christ. His theoretical approach to counseling is first clarified on several truths which are based on the bible and on his therapy sessions with counselees' who were mentioned as examples in the book as being believers that experienced being possessed by demons. His clinical experience that he demonstrates with the numerous examples, showed how his counselees became free from the bondage that held them back for so many years.

He explains how Satan is considered the ruler of the earth and God is the ruler of the heavens, even though Satan has been defeated when Christ died on the cross for our sins. By being the ruler of the earth, Satan uses his many demons to subtly create control on believers by whispering into their conscience. Those that believe in astrology, tarot cards, palm reading, fortune telling, and other occult activities are participating in Satanism (Anderson, 2000, p.126). God strictly forbids people from consulting these types of supernatural sources other than him. For the person that turns to these sources, God will cut them off. By consulting with these resources, you are allowing Satan and his demons to subtly take control of your life. Sadly, this is a disturbing trend in our society as we are seeing more and more people becoming fascinated with astrology and reading their horoscopes. In order to free yourself, you must renounce these satanistic ways (p. 202). Because of this identity in Christ, a Christian can find freedom by relinquishing our hold on the past by forgiving those who have sinned against us. Don't be revengeful has that is what Satan wants you to do. God will provide the judgment to that person in due time. This is Dr. Anderson's view of integration. He encourages integration by accommodating his clients to cope with their past life experiences by asking God to forgive those for what they have done and to name the sin. (Anderson, 2000, p. 225).

He listed down seven steps which a believer may do in order to break free from demonic influence and possession: (1) We should renounce any activity that offers guidance that is not in accordance with the Kingdom of God and the Bible as the Bible is the whole truth; (2) we should start thinking in terms of truths instead of the lies. This involves changing our self-talk; (3) forgive those that have sinned against us for they will get what is coming to them at judgment day; (4) submit yourself to God and resist the devil and he will flee from you; (5) Humility should be one's way of life; (6) freedom should be chosen instead of bondage to sin; and (7) any sins and curses placed by ancestors should all be renounced (Anderson, 2000, p. 200). Through these seven steps, it can be seen that one of the major causes of mental disorders is disobedience and punishment.

References

Adams, J. E. (1986). How To Help People Change. Grand Rapids: Zondervan.

Anderson, N. T. (2000). The Bondage Breaker: Overcoming Negative Thoughts, Irrational Feelings, Habitual Sins. Eugene: Harvest House.

Backus, W., & Chapian, M. (2000). Telling Yourself the Truth. Bloomington: Bethany House.

Crabb, L. (1977). Effective Biblical Counseling: A Model for Helping Caring Christians Become Capable Counselors. Grand Rapids: Zondervan.

McMinn, M. R. (1996). Psychology, Theology, and Spirituality in Christian Counseling. Forest: Tyndale House Publishers.

Nouwen, H. J. (1975). Reaching Out: The Three Movements of the Spiritual Life. New York: Doubleday.