Lately, I’ve been encountering numerous discussions and comments revolving around the idea of whether the Bible holds the sole key to one’s liberation and healing.

Maybe that’s because I am more aware of these discussions given our ministry’s focus on mental wellness and health.

Case in point, recently we got this comment from one of our Small Groups Online members citing one of the reasons they were cancelling their membership:

“I struggle with the use of psychology in the group because I’ve always believed scripture is sufficient for our problems, and this is a really big factor for leaving.”

Fair enough.

However, is “scripture” really sufficient for all our problems? Including problems like porn addiction and the like?

I guess that’s a debatable point depending on who you are and your faith practice, but my opinion is this: It depends.

What I mean is this. The way we approach the Bible has a profound impact on our theology, our engagement with the world, and our approach to recovery.

So when we consider the Bible as a blend of factual historical accounts and a rule book for “good” living, it is common to feel uncertain when we encounter issues that seem to have no clear answer within its pages.

For instance…

• Should I go to a clinical counselor or a biblical counselor?
• Can I trust scientific research, or should I be skeptical of what science has to say on a topic?
• Is my unwanted sexual behavior more a reflection of my poor spiritual condition or lack of emotional health?
• If I struggle with porn does it mean I don’t love God enough? Or could it mean something worse such as I’m not saved in the first place?
• Can I draw hard boundaries with others or does doing so mean I am no longer showing them Christian love?
• What do I do if my church experience and family doesn’t seem to be helping my recovery efforts?

The list goes on, which generally leaves us with two choices.

1. We abandon our theological frameworks and belief systems all together since they seem inadequate and unhelpful (sometimes called the practice of “deconstruction”).
2. We twist, adjust, or contort Scripture to match our theological framework. 

Neither of these options is ideal.

However, approaching the Bible as a (God-inspired) unified collection of narratives, testimonies, poems, and wisdom literature that directs us to Jesus and lays a framework for our theology, rather than a mere set of rules, we unlock the opportunity to fully embrace our modern society and tackle the issues we face that may have appeared foreign to the original recipients of the Bible. 

Such as online porn addiction for example.

So…

Should I go to a clinical counselor or a biblical counselor?

Depends. The bigger question is, which one is helping you find the most personal healing? And, are their suggestions or insights in line with your belief systems or opposed to them?

Can I trust scientific research, or should I be skeptical of what science has to say on a topic?

Yes, as long as we are talking about real science and not data manipulated to support a certain narrative. Science is the study of nature and biology and both are works of God that reveal his sovereignty and purpose.

Is my unwanted sexual behavior more a reflection of my poor spiritual condition or lack of emotional health?

Both. Our emotional and spiritual lives are not distinct things. They are linked, and so we need to approach our addictive behaviors with a more holistic approach.

If I struggle with porn does it mean I don’t love God enough? Or could it mean something worse such as I’m not saved in the first place?

You may not love God, who knows? But the fact that you are addicted to porn has nothing to do with that. In fact, the more accurate conclusion is that most likely you struggle more with the question of if God loves you enough and not vice versa.

Can I draw hard boundaries with others or does doing so mean I am no longer showing them Christian love?

Yes. Drawing healthy boundaries is in fact an act of love. Conversely, not drawing boundaries and continuing to subject yourself to emotional trauma is the unloving thing to do.

What do I do if my church experience and family doesn’t seem to be helping my recovery efforts?

You may need to find a new church family. Or you may need to reevaluate your expectations and make sure that what you want is in fact reasonable. But ultimately you are dealing with people and people are not perfect. So while a church can provide significant connection and support, it can also be a breeding ground for severe emotional trauma and abuse. And if it does, the Bible provides all the insight needed to navigate your actions.

Ultimately, the Bible is enough for your recovery in principle. But that doesn’t mean you aren’t free to explore other resources and avenues of support if those things bring more color and clarity to your faith journey and lead to a healthier you.

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