Covenanter Witness Vol. 86 - Rparchives.org

Group Therapy - Or Slander:JAY E.ADAMS *Articles recently appearing in national magazineshave emphasized the rapid growth of a modernphenomenon known as "The Group." These articles havegiven the public a candid look at the procedures used atthe more lavish and well-known centers in which group"encounters' are taking place. (Cf. the article in Timemagazine, November 9, 1970, pp. 54-58.) These frankreports themselves should be the most potent means fordiscouraging Christians from participation in such activities.The fundamentally non-Christian purposes andcharacter of the activities of these groups should be apparentto every instructed Christian.Shedding all principles and inhibitions (even thoseChristian virtues that are appropriate to normal every-dayliving), sinful men and women are encouraged to expresstheir here-and-now feelings with abandon in whatevermanner they may see fit. Resentments and bitterness maybe vented with vehement hostility; sexually erotic contactsare encouraged in stimulating and provocativecontexts. There are literally no holds barred. Thedesperation of unbelieving psychiatrists (if they are not tobe charged with more reprehensible motives) at leastseems apparent in these attempts to rid their customers oftheir cultural and religious "hangups."ft is not, therefore, with the more obviously extremevarieties of "Encounter Groups," "T-Groups," "SensitivityTraining Groups," "Human Potential Workshops," orwhatever name a local variation of Carl Rogers'Esalenbased movement may assume, that I am concernedin this article. Rather, I should like to call your attentionto the less spectacular and yet potentially more dangerousbackwash now beginning to appear in schools, industry,mental institutions, counseling centers, seminaries, andeven in Christian churches.These groups have not received the publicityallotted to those national organizations which they oftenreflect, but they also are growing with astounding rapidity.Because participants in these less spectacular groups donot ordinarily disrobe, or engage in the more esotericpractices found in some of the more publicized programs,they may be led to suppose that they are engaged in anentirely different activity. Preachers themselves mayunwittingly adopt procedures that are based upon the non-Christian presuppositions of the whole movement.OPEN "CONFESSION"In addition to the "Encounter Groups" that arebased upon the non-Christian idea that an uncontrolled8release of emotion is desirable, there are other forms of"Group Therapy" that stress confession and openness orhonesty. One example of the latter is O. Hobart Mowrer's"Integrity Groups." (The distinction is becoming blurredeven here, however, since just this year Mowrer"discovered" the need for "involvement" that has movedhis confession groups closer too the Esalen movement.Mowrer now calls for shouting, crying, and "reaching out"to touch other members of the group.)It is this latter sort of group, stressing confession incombination with elements of the encounter or sensitivitygroups, that seems to be making a significant appeal tosome Christians. Seminarians and youth groups, for instance,are now being subjected to such group programs.Since it is impossible to describe the endless variationsupon the several basic themes running through all thesegroups, it might be most profitable to gather togethersome important Biblical criteria by which any localmanifestation of group encounter or therapy may bejudged. Since space is limited, I shall focus in depth upononly one of these basic themes.Among the many pertinent questions that might beasked are the following:1) fs there any Biblical warrant for systematicallyunlacing another person and throwing his stuffing aroundthe room in order to ventilate one's own hostilities andthus selfishly find relief for himself? "Let all bitterness,and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, beput away from you" (Ephesians 4:31; read verse 32 alsoand James 5:9,10; 4:11; Proverbs 10:12; Philippians 2:4;Romans 15:1-3). Do these have any answer to thequestion?2) Js it really necessary to take other people apartand tell them off in the name of honesty and openness?Does Biblical honesty require or allow such activity? ButPaul would show us that "more excellent way," the way ofcharity or loving concern for others that "beareth allthings" and "endureth all things" (I Corinthians 13).3) Is openness a Biblical concept? While believersshould "speak the truth in love" to one another, are theyto be so open that they may freely discuss any and allmatters, without distinction or exception, with anyone?There are things that are "not to be once named amongyou"; "for it is a shame even to speak of those things whichare done of them (the children of disobedience) in secret"(Ephesians 5:3,12).4) With what group should Christians associate?With any group indiscriminately? With Christians only?How does a Christian's relationship to the church, as aCOVENANTER WITNESS