What is mystical psychology?

Mystical psychology is the blending of secular psychology, therapy culture, and mystical spirituality with Christian-sounding language. It emphasizes self-discovery, inner healing, and emotional regulation rather than the biblical doctrines of sin, repentance, and sanctification in Christ.

Why is mystical psychology dangerous for the Church?

Mystical psychology replaces the gospel of Jesus Christ with self-centered solutions. It shifts focus from the cross to the self, from Scripture to introspection, and from sanctification to self-realization. While it may sound compassionate, it distorts biblical truth and leads believers away from Christ.

How can Christians guard against mystical psychology?

Christians can guard against mystical psychology by testing language against Scripture, evaluating whether teaching points to Christ or self, checking the sources of ideas, and remaining anchored in God's Word. As Romans 12:2 and 2 Timothy 3:16–17 remind us, true transformation and soul care come from the sufficiency of Scripture.

What does the Bible say about sanctification and identity?

The Bible teaches that believers are new creations in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17), crucified with Him (Galatians 2:20), and called to put sin to death (Romans 6:6). Sanctification is not about finding the 'true self' but about being conformed to the image of Christ through the Spirit.

The Rise of Mystical Psychology in the Church

⏱️ Estimated Reading Time: 1 min read

The Rise of Mystical Psychology in the Church

Series: Discerning the Times – Answering Today’s Most Urgent Questions | The Weekly Watch

Speaker: Dave Jenkins

In this episode of The Weekly Watch, Dave Jenkins addresses the growing influence of mystical psychology in the Church—a deceptive blend of secular psychology, therapy culture, and mystical spirituality cloaked in Christian language. Dave defines mystical psychology biblically, exposes where it’s creeping into Christian resources and discipleship, contrasts it with the biblical doctrines of sanctification and identity in Christ, and equips listeners with practical tools to guard their homes and churches from this dangerous trend.

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Scripture References

Colossians 2:8
2 Corinthians 5:17
Galatians 2:20
Romans 6:6
Romans 12:2
2 Timothy 3:16–17
Deuteronomy 6:6–7
Colossians 2:9–10

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Dave Jenkins

Dave Jenkins is happily married to his wife, Sarah. He is a writer, editor, and speaker living in beautiful Southern Oregon. Dave is a lover of Christ, His people, the Church, and sound theology. He serves as the Executive Director of Servants of Grace Ministries, the Executive Editor of Theology for Life Magazine, the Host and Producer of Equipping You in Grace Podcast, and is a contributor to and producer of Contending for the Word. He is the author of The Word Explored: The Problem of Biblical Illiteracy and What To Do About It (House to House, 2021), The Word Matters: Defending Biblical Authority Against the Spirit of the Age (G3 Press, 2022), and Contentment: The Journey of a Lifetime (Theology for Life, 2024). You can find him on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Youtube, or read his newsletter. Dave loves to spend time with his wife, going to movies, eating at a nice restaurant, or going out for a round of golf with a good friend. He is also a voracious reader, in particular of Reformed theology, and the Puritans. You will often find him when he’s not busy with ministry reading a pile of the latest books from a wide variety of Christian publishers. Dave received his M.A.R. and M.Div through Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary.

The Rise of Mystical Psychology in the Church

The Rise of Mystical Psychology in the Church

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Listen to the Audio

Scripture References

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Dave Jenkins

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