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The May 16 cover story, "Psychobabble" by Robert C. Roberts, was most instructive. During the past 20 years I have observed a subtle trend in the church to emphasize psychology more than redemption. It has troubled me. The article helped clarify the issue for me.

- Karen Gronvall Larson

Monticello, Mmn.

Roberts's "Psychobabble" is just more psychobabble. Calling spirituality psychology is even more deceiving. James states, "This wisdom is not that which comes from above, but is earthly, natural, demonic." James calls this wisdom psychikee (unspiritual) in contrast to pneumatikos (spiritual). The natural wisdom of psychology should not be confused with the spiritual wisdom of God. For those who have the mind of Christ (1 Cor. 2:16) and are complete in him (Col. 2 10), they have no need of this wisdom.

- Pastor Tom Watson

Countryside Bible Church Soutblake, Tex.

I think the cover art is worth a thousand words. The boat is headed toward the rocks, and I am reminded of 1 Timothy 1: l9: "Holding faith, and a good conscience; which some having put away concerning faith have made shipwreck."

- John Schaefer

Herndon, Va.

"Psychobabble" was excellent in most respects. I missed only one thing—the opposite premises that distinguish Christianity from all humanists' theories of human nature. Humanism holds that we are either "good," or at least "innocent," and corrupted by society. Rousseau popularized this view. Christianity holds that we are "fallen" and in God's eyes "totally depraved." As the Fourth Thesis of Luther puts it, "God does not love us because we are valuable; we are valuable because God loves us."

All secular therapies begin with the false premise that "man is the measure of all things." All the conversational techniques in the world cannot cancel this lie.

- Matthew R. Chapperon

Chicago, ILL

This controversial subject reminds me of the six blind men who independently touched one distinctive part of an elephant. Then each claimed he exclusively "saw" the entire mammal. Although I disagree with David Powlison's definition and understanding of "needs" [sidebar interview], he's absolutely correct in his assertion that unbelievers can "be extremely astute observers of life." When we confidently, though cautiously, accept the truth that the world offers—whether it's from Jung, Ellis, or others (as Roberts rightly suggests)—we find ourselves in good company. Jesus and Paul often alluded to or quoted truth not found in the Old Testament.

It's not a question, then, of whether secular psychologists can teach us truth about the human condition. They can, indeed. But we must remember who they ultimately are—blind men (and women)—always "seeing" a part, but never the whole.

- Ron Habermas

John Brown University

Siloam Springs, Ark.

ANXIETY RELIEVED

Please tell Marshall Shelley I was moved and thrilled with his article "Two Minutes to Eternity" [May 16]. The thought that we might be surprised to find in heaven the role we really were created for has taken a great weight and anxiety off my shoulders.

- Carolyn Malmstadt

Bridgman, Mich

MINIMIZING DIFFERENCES

As word comes that Catholics and evangelicals have forged a common document of faith ["Catholics and Evangelicals in the Trenches," editorial by Timothy George, May 16], it is refreshing, on the one hand, that both camps can sit down and dialogue on issues of faith, rather than the old method of persecution and the clashing of swords. We all repudiate the decades of violence and bloodshed between Catholics and Protestants in Northern Ireland. But on the other hand, are we not in danger of minimizing the differences and neutralizing the gospel?

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July 18 1994, Vol. 38, No. 8