Discerning Dr. Phil
Dr. Phil McGraw is currently the recognized popular authority on all issues related to life. His entrance into fame, via the aid of Oprah Winfrey, led to a spark among Americans to find peace and the good life through following the advice of a smart, likable and tough-minded psychologist. Even many Christians have embraced Dr. Phil as a powerful authority on life.
“Get Real” With Some Biblical Principles
Dr. Phil made the “Top 50 Most Influential Christians” list, just barely, at #50 (thechurchreport.com). On one of his shows, he has stated that God is his “Higher Power,” and that he is a Christian. Furthermore, the principles that he postulates are quite often similar to the principles that we find scattered throughout the Bible. For example, Dr. Phil believes and teaches that people must take personal responsibility for their actions and quit playing “the role of victim” (Dr. Phil’s Ten Life Laws, #2). We find this same principle many times in the Bible, stated in the form of a warning that we must answer to the Lord for the choices we make. “But in accordance with your hardness and your impenitent heart you are treasuring up for yourself wrath in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God, who ‘will render to each one according to his deeds’” (Romans 2:5-6).
However, Dr. Phil never refers to the Bible as an authority on life. In fact, he rarely if ever refers to any higher authority at all. His advice comes from himself, as he sees and interprets life. This does not make his points untrue, for it is clear that Dr. Phil often speaks truth and often helps people, but his points are not linked to another source of authority that we can test.
It is also clear that Dr. Phil carries much New Age baggage. This becomes apparent when he speaks about “defining your authentic self.” Instead of promoting prayer, Dr. Phil suggests “eliminating your negative internal dialogue,” which he describes as something that “powerfully programs and shapes your self-concept.” In order to eliminate the negative internal dialogue, a person should go through several exercises during the course of a chosen day, ending with self-focused questions like, “You’re the one who talks to you, all day, every day. What kind of friend are you?” So instead of looking upward to God for help, Dr. Phil teaches that we should look inward and help ourselves.
Overall, the advice that Dr. Phil offers is a surface level, loose collection of fortune cookie pop-psychology, finding its source in some unmentioned biblical principles and some New Age principles.
What Should a Christian Do?
Dr. Phil has been truly helpful to Christians and non-Christians alike, helping people take a look at life and make real steps to correct problems in relationships, finances, health, parenting, and many other areas. For this, he must be commended. As a believer, I have personally benefited from listening to his advice and following many of the steps he postulates. But as believers we must be heavily discerning. It is easy to substitute a daily dose of Dr. Phil for regular Bible reading and prayer. Dr. Phil may offer helpful advice, but he has never offered anyone the answers they really need – how to be saved from the wrath of an angry God, how to recognize our rebellion against God, or how to walk closer to Jesus Christ each day. A Christian who listens to Dr. Phil must be wise enough to know if a certain piece of advice corresponds to a biblical principle (and how) or if the advice is based on self-focused, New Age principles, which never bring glory to God.
I could never recommend to anyone that they listen to Dr. Phil. There are plenty of strong pastors who can be found at a local church, on the radio, or via internet ministries who offer equally strong advice anchored totally in the Word of God. These spiritual leaders are not ashamed to state where they receive their information and they do not mix it with New Age spirituality. Furthermore, I would advise weaker Christians who are dodging Scripture and prayer and trusting in Dr. Phil instead (some may be addicted to him) to stop watching him altogether. Stronger Christians who can discern truth from error might find some of his words helpful in a limited sense.
The bottom line is Dr. Phil is dangerous for the soul. He offers enough truth and insight and goodness that Christians are enticed to listen, but he mixes enough self-focused, error-laden, pop-psychology to lead a soul away from Christ into self-dependence and into ruin.
“Get Real” With Some Biblical Principles
Dr. Phil made the “Top 50 Most Influential Christians” list, just barely, at #50 (thechurchreport.com). On one of his shows, he has stated that God is his “Higher Power,” and that he is a Christian. Furthermore, the principles that he postulates are quite often similar to the principles that we find scattered throughout the Bible. For example, Dr. Phil believes and teaches that people must take personal responsibility for their actions and quit playing “the role of victim” (Dr. Phil’s Ten Life Laws, #2). We find this same principle many times in the Bible, stated in the form of a warning that we must answer to the Lord for the choices we make. “But in accordance with your hardness and your impenitent heart you are treasuring up for yourself wrath in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God, who ‘will render to each one according to his deeds’” (Romans 2:5-6).
However, Dr. Phil never refers to the Bible as an authority on life. In fact, he rarely if ever refers to any higher authority at all. His advice comes from himself, as he sees and interprets life. This does not make his points untrue, for it is clear that Dr. Phil often speaks truth and often helps people, but his points are not linked to another source of authority that we can test.
It is also clear that Dr. Phil carries much New Age baggage. This becomes apparent when he speaks about “defining your authentic self.” Instead of promoting prayer, Dr. Phil suggests “eliminating your negative internal dialogue,” which he describes as something that “powerfully programs and shapes your self-concept.” In order to eliminate the negative internal dialogue, a person should go through several exercises during the course of a chosen day, ending with self-focused questions like, “You’re the one who talks to you, all day, every day. What kind of friend are you?” So instead of looking upward to God for help, Dr. Phil teaches that we should look inward and help ourselves.
Overall, the advice that Dr. Phil offers is a surface level, loose collection of fortune cookie pop-psychology, finding its source in some unmentioned biblical principles and some New Age principles.
What Should a Christian Do?
Dr. Phil has been truly helpful to Christians and non-Christians alike, helping people take a look at life and make real steps to correct problems in relationships, finances, health, parenting, and many other areas. For this, he must be commended. As a believer, I have personally benefited from listening to his advice and following many of the steps he postulates. But as believers we must be heavily discerning. It is easy to substitute a daily dose of Dr. Phil for regular Bible reading and prayer. Dr. Phil may offer helpful advice, but he has never offered anyone the answers they really need – how to be saved from the wrath of an angry God, how to recognize our rebellion against God, or how to walk closer to Jesus Christ each day. A Christian who listens to Dr. Phil must be wise enough to know if a certain piece of advice corresponds to a biblical principle (and how) or if the advice is based on self-focused, New Age principles, which never bring glory to God.
I could never recommend to anyone that they listen to Dr. Phil. There are plenty of strong pastors who can be found at a local church, on the radio, or via internet ministries who offer equally strong advice anchored totally in the Word of God. These spiritual leaders are not ashamed to state where they receive their information and they do not mix it with New Age spirituality. Furthermore, I would advise weaker Christians who are dodging Scripture and prayer and trusting in Dr. Phil instead (some may be addicted to him) to stop watching him altogether. Stronger Christians who can discern truth from error might find some of his words helpful in a limited sense.
The bottom line is Dr. Phil is dangerous for the soul. He offers enough truth and insight and goodness that Christians are enticed to listen, but he mixes enough self-focused, error-laden, pop-psychology to lead a soul away from Christ into self-dependence and into ruin.
23 Comments:
Hi Jason,
I found your post very interesting. I have thought many times about being a Christian and what Dr. Phil has to offer to me. I have concluded that although I respect him for wanting to help others and the years of study he has had - anyone who does not use the Bible as their authority is no one I will allow to advise me.
One day I heard him refer to something as "before Bible times". I found that laughable but sad since the First words of the Bible say, "In the beginning..." He may call himself a Christian, but he obviously is not a studier of God's Word and that is a must for anyone I listen to advice from.
The same is true for Dr. Laura Schlessinger. The day I heard her admit that she did not believe in Jesus - I quit listening to her.
Jason, I am in complete agreement that listening to Dr.Phil, is dangerous to the soul.The attitude that psycology presents, that you.re alright, I m, alright and as long as we listen to facts constituded by well learned men, we will all come out fine in the end is bogas.The truth is that with only a GED I can dispenss adive as well as Dr.Phil can, for most of his good advice is practical common sense. I think that like oprah there is too much idolizing go on with Phil Mcgraw.
The ironic thing is that if everyone followed his advice then there would be no need to tune in.
WOW!, I really would enjoy and hopefully mutually benefit going through your essay on Dr. Phil. I think you say things that are cliche but you may not recognize them as such particularly because you believe otherwise. I have a deep concern to talk about some comments with love, especially the edgie ones with no weight in convincable logic. Please be blunt, I suppose I would prefer it that way so that we may get some substance out a our potential discussion. Reply back and I will then begin discourse. Thank You. Matt G.
Sure, Matt. Go ahead with discourse.
We'll take it step by step. First, "His advice comes from himself, as he sees and interprets life. " Just because Dr.Phil doesn't state his source does not give anyone the authority to conclude basis of validity upon authority. Right?. I am not particularly defending Dr.Phil as much as I am defending the importance of logic in spiritual matters, especially as this is being publicly viewed.
I have heard Dr. Phil, on his TV show, use vulgar swear words at times.
I am a Christian who use to also have the problem of using bad language at times, but I'm practicing to not use bad language anymore because I feel guilty when I speak ill mannered, even if it is an accident.
I doubt that Dr. Phil is a practicing Christian or he would also be concerned about the use of his words, and also try to change his ways of speaking. He didn't seem to have any remorse or embarrasment for using swear words on national television. He didn't apologize for swearing, which showed me that he felt no remorse about speaking ill mannered.
I do disagree on quite a bit that is said here..We do know Christians by their love and also we cannot know someones heart..There are some valid points here.. But maybe you people should ask Dr. Phil himself if he is a Christian.. Ihave recently run into people that claim to be Christians but do not act like it at all...
Some interesting dialog here... First of all, I think it would be prudent to clarify what a "Christian" is. Are all in this blog referring to the biblical definition? Or the numerous, unbiblical, descriptions given by so many people today? I believe that many people today in Christendom, do not really take the time to see what the scripture defines as a true believer. I could be wrong, of course. I seen on many occasions, that many people in the body of Christ depend solely on what their church or pastor defines as a Christian. They never deem it necessary to read the word for themselves. They just assume that what the pastor is saying is correct, because he is a pastor. Circular reasoning. If he's human, he's capable or being wrong, in spite of all the schooling and training he may have received. Jason,as far as your story about Dr. Phil, it would help if you provide some kind of documentation on the things you point out about him. I don't doubt your story. Just being a discerning and careful believer. :)
If they're helping people they're (Dr. Laura and Dr. Phil) are making some kind of difference. I think we just need to give Dr. Laura some time. She's searching for Jesus (though she doesn't even know it herself yet). I hope she finds him soon.
Interesting indeed. I guess if you are a christian, all there is to do is to take the truth, and bring it back to it's source. Though I haven't met many christians able to apply the truth we find in the Bible with as much verve and boldness as Dr. Phil does. Let's not fuss and fight too much over this, though. Let's just see him (Dr. Phil) as a challenge for christians to show that indeed all these great principles can be found in the Bible. Let's live by them and let's permeate society with them too. And let's keep reminding everyone around (as does dr. Phill), including goverment leaders, that we'd be going a very wrong way if we quit living by these God-given 'rules' for living.
If Phil was an unfamous doctor in some city, would you as a christian expect him to confess and witness to every client of his?
How many christian doctors are doing that anyways?
I think there's great chance that Dr.Phil now is as much or as less witnessing to others as he was witnessing when he was not famous. Does it make him less christian? Of course not.
You people would put anyone of Christianity. If you were true Christians you would have better, more worthy things to do with your time than sit at your computers talking rubbish. Get out there in the world and get your hands dirty, do some good for humanity instead of bagging people and critisizing. I've struggled with faith but after reading this load of brain washed rubbish I don't want to know about it
Then you'd be missing out on the most important thing in life, Anonymous, and you'd be doing it based not upon the basis of the faith, but upon the actions of other people who say they follow it. People will always let you down at some point, and you should know by now that not everyone is entirely honest with themselves or others. If you're serious about struggling with faith, then go to the source and evaluate it based on its own merits and reliability.
Fact is, Jesus was extremely exclusive. Read through the Gospels and you'll see him give a great deal of criteria about who can and can't get into the Kingdom of God. He also warns us to beware of false prophets, wolves among the sheep, the thief who comes only to break and steal... The apostle Paul expounded upon his teachings. It's not "bagging," it's discernment. I'm sure Dr. Phil is a very nice person, but we have to be very careful about who we place our trust in for instruction. No one gets a free pass simply because they say they're a Christian. People say a lot of things.
Why dont you ask him directly if he is Christian instead of dialoging ABOUT him?
I have emailed Dr. Phil
<<<
Dr. Phil,
There is much discussion on the net as to whether or not you are Christian.
I would like to ask you point blank .... Are you a born again believer in the Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, God the Son
I will appreciate your answer.>>>
I'll let you know if and when he answers
Dr. Phil is a brand. He has mass appeal and to become an outspoken fundamentalist Chistian would alienate millions of viewers. Christian tv is on Christian channels, where it ought to be. USA is secular, and is supposed to be welcoming and embracing to all people. You should be proud that Dr.Phil has the insight to reconize this and not make a fool out of you. Look at Tom Cruise and Mel Gibson. Dr. Phil is a doctor, not a preacher!
With more gifts comes more responsibility, if he doesn't give God glory by open acknowledgement, or by sighting the source of true wisdom,(God's Word), then he is either ashamed or it's because he can't, meaning he is not truely born again. Luke was also a doctor and he gave us a very elaborate gospel account which glorified Jesus. Many doctors have given honor to God throughout history without being a preacher. In fact every Christian is called to be a witness of the grace of God in Jesus Christ. It just seems that these days we have to go scuba diving to find out what people believe. Jesus said that His sheep were to let their light shine for all men to see. It's not unloving to say that Phil is not a Christian, it's just what fruit is evident. Being nice doesn't mean your a Christian either, rather being nice with overflow of gratitude to Jesus.
It's funny so many here look at this from just a "christian" point of view. It's ok to look outside your Christian bubbles, God allows it. A lot of the slagging on here is what made me hate Christianity for so many years. Not everyone that is a believer speaks Christianese. Most people if you come at them speaking Christianese, they are almost always going to run the other way. Who the heck are any of you to say what he believes or where he gets his authority from?? Believe it or not, not every person responds well when you just take quotes from the bible in hopes of helping them with issues. So much of this seems like common sence but I guess it's not. To say Dr. Phil is "dangerous for the soul" is just laughable.
Hi, just doing some reading here through the blogs and wanting to point out some of my observations. I am currently studying to be a social worker and i am also a christian. in this line of work, depending the place you are working it is not ok with the agency to talk with clients about faith. I am saying this because perhaps it is the same with Dr. Phil. To be a christian doesn't always mean proclaiming the word of God to everyone all of the time, 24/7. There was a video I watched on this once, where a man was constantly preaching and giving out the word of God, planning every conversation with people to include it atleast once. This isn't what Christ did, he didnt mention it to people every waking moment. I dont think that this would be helpful to do with people. Think of it from the persons perspective. Would you want someone preaching to you about their beliefs all of the time? I am not saying dont do it, I am just saying think about how it is coming across to the other person. Passing on the wonders and amazing love of Christ doesn't just mean words, it means actions too.....Just some of my input into this discussion, only my opinion.
That is a great reply. It's nice to see people on here respond in kindness to eachother. Despite all the different opinions, all of them have clarity and offer good reasoning. I am a Christian, I like Dr. Phil, agree with not speaking 'Christianese' with everyone, but speaking and living your christianity, which is with love but not brow beating. Anyway, just lurking on here and thought I would put in my two sense. Again, I am glad to read all your posts. It really is interesting and a breath of fresh air. I learned a little bit. Peace and God's blessings!
I agree with most of the comments stated here. However, I watch the Dr. Phil show for entertainment purposes only. Yes, there are some advice that he gives are bible based. Not all of it. It doesn't matter to me if he is a Christian or not. God is the judge of that. He knows our hearts. I am a Christian who does the best I can to imitate Christ. The point is, Dr. Phil show should not be taken too seriously. After all he is on national TV earning millions of dollars from his viewer. "Every knee shall bow and every tougn shall confess that Jesus Christ is Lord". We are all going to stand before Christ and give an account for our actions. Of course that includes Dr Phil. I am not to fond of his style and I do believe he does have new age principles of Christianity. Furthermore, who would want to air their diry laundry on national tv. You'r setting yourself up for criticism. Of course these shows are screened. The more drama the more interesting the shows are. Dr. Phil is man and is not to be put on a throne. I need to tell myself that. The same goes for your tv evangelist. The bottom line is, God knows who is for real.
Haha, loopy fucking Christians.
Bow down to the true god - Satan.
I agree with what you say. If he says that his higher power is God, then why not give him credit? preach the word? without God you are redirecting a christian's focus on you instead of God. It is true that we should see how people are christians by how they act and where their heart is, but for me dr.phil seems like another one of those praise searching christians. I also agree with you that dr.phil is dangerous for the soul, you can easily be sucked in because of what seems to be wise advice from a so-called christian. Dr.phil's words and deeds can not save him when he stands before the lord.
and to you anonymous,who has made the decision to worship satan, I am truely saddened by your choice.
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