A Critique of Two Theories

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A Critique of Two Theories: Telling Yourself the Truth by Dr. William Backus and Marie Chapian and How to Help People Change by Dr. Jay Adams Dr. Backus (2000) states that telling yourself the truth is to help you possess the happiness you desire and to be the person you would like to be. Was the focus to be on what you desire or what God desires? Our thoughts determine our emotions. Backus gives three steps to becoming the happy person you were meant to be: 1) Locate your misbeliefs. 2) Remove them. 3) Replace misbeliefs with the truth. It is important to know and believe the truths that God has revealed in scripture. According to Backus, a “misbelief” is a lie that you tell yourself. “Misbeliefs are the direct cause of emotional turmoil, maladaptive behavior and most so-called ‘mental illness.’ Misbeliefs are the cause of the destructive behavior people persist in engaging in even when they are fully aware that it is harmful to them” (p. 17). This takes me to the lie I once told myself that I am not worthy. I had to replace that lie or “misbelief” with truth. Jesus said, “"I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me” (John 14:6). I replaced the misbelief with truth. Psalm 139:14, "I will praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; marvelous are your works, and my soul knows very well." God’s truth confirms that I am worthy because He made me and I am unique. I do not agree with Backus that God took a risk when He created man with a free will. “Look at the risk God took when He created man with a free will. He took the risk that man might use his will to rebel against God, his creator and protector. And that’s just what happened. As a result of God’s risk, the worst that could happen did happen. Man did rebel against Him and go his own way” (p. 132). God is perfect! God is not a risk taker. God knew that
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