The root of the Beta Course

"A little leaven leavens the whole loaf" (I Cor. 5:6)
The most dangerous leaven of all is a false science that presents a different view of man’s nature, and an improved way of solving his problems.

Defintion of psy·chol·o·gy click HERE or go to http://www.answers.com/topic/psychology
1. The science that deals with mental processes and behavior.
2. The emotional and behavioral characteristics of an individual, group, or activity: the psychology of war.
3. Subtle tactical action or argument used to manipulate or influence another: He used poor psychology on his employer when trying to make the point.
4. Philosophy. The branch of metaphysics that studies the soul, the mind, and the relationship of life and mind to the functions of the body.

BETA COURSE originated from the Psychology and Christianity Project, Centre for Advanced Religious & Theological Studies, Faculty of Divinity, University of Cambridge.
click HERE or go to http://www.beta-course.org/psychology_and_christianity.htm The foundational assumptions of the Project are that Christianity emphasises the possibility of change in human beings and that psychology is the modern discipline in which processes of human change are understood and conceptualised. In the light of this, the Project seeks to foster a more extensive and fruitful use of psychology by the Church. Previous use of psychology by the Church has drawn on the psychology of counselling and therapy and has been applied to work with people who present pastoral problems. In contrast, we aim to draw on psychology more broadly, and to apply it to the whole spectrum of work of the Church.

Neil T. Anderson who co-wrote a book on BETA COURSE called Freedom in Christ also co-wrote Christ-Centered Therapy: The Practical Integration of Theology and Psychology. This is a first-of-its-kind text that successfully accomplishes a full integration of psychology and theology with the goal of endorsing a biblical psychology that can guide Christ-centered counseling for Christian professionals and counselors.


Psychology The Trojan Horse. Click HERE to read the entire chapter 5 of this book, Recognizing Deception and Apostasy By Dene McGriff.

If ever there was the perfect Trojan Horse - something that could undermine the church and turn its thinking from a Biblical to a humanistic base, this is it. We opened the doors of our churches, our Bible Schools and Seminaries and embraced it. We tried to integrate it with Biblical teachings and came up with the greatest, newest, most improved way of ever dealing with the human condition - and we call it “Christian Psychology”! I could take a survey of solid evangelical Christians and ask them what they think of “Christian” psychology, and I am sure I would get a positive response from 99 out of 100. It would be even higher among pastors. So, are they right or am I just tilting at windmills?

If we are living in the "latter times," one of the most important questions facing Christians will be: How will we recognize deception? How will we recognize apostasy? How can we guard against being deceived and falling away? A friend said the deception of Satan is pitiful but is it healthy to be so cavalier in dismissing Satan and his abilities? He is the "angel of light" and his deception is bound to be so good that most people, including Christians will be misled. The word apostasy means "falling away." One doesn't decide to "fall away." It starts with a series of little compromises, attitudes and decisions. Once the downward slide begins, it often becomes too slippery to climb back up. Falling away begins a little at a time. "A little leaven leavens the whole loaf" (I Cor. 5:6). The loaf can be 99% pure unleavened bread, but once the process works its course, it becomes 100% leavened. The process is slow and subtle. It starts by allowing a little mixture. That is why throughout the Old Testament, God hated mixture. Any time his people mixed with the heathen and their religion, they fell away from God. In modern times, we have seen the leaven of modern culture seeping into the church. The most dangerous leaven of all is a false science that presents a different view of man’s nature, and an improved way of solving his problems. Yet, because it is so accepted by Christians, it is a very difficult subject to deal with. I have received more opposition to my position on Christian Psychology than any other topic.