The Bondage Breaker: A Critique of Neil Anderson's Supernatural Systems Approach
Suzanne Sneed
Student ID # L22352967
Liberty University Online
COUN507
End of Class: 12/16/2011
Dr. Smith
Submitted: 12/04//2011
Anderson believes that people are struggling with sin and are seeking alternative ways to relieve their suffering. Although, at times Dr. Anderson may seem to present hatred towards certain people such as psychics and mediums (p. 127), his biblical model for sanctification is one that can help people become free from the ties that bind. His model is based on the belief that many people are in bondage to various forms of Satanism and the occult. The growing secular movement ...view middle of the document...
41). The more we believe in these lies, the more it becomes truth (Backus and Chapian, 2000). Anderson goes on to argue that one's self-image and self-worth are based on the need to be loved by one's parents. In order to have freedom in Christ, we must understand that the only person that loves us unconditionally is God (p. 141).
The Bondage Breaker deals with the foundational issues of a person's identity in Christ and outlines practical steps on how to live by faith, walk according to the Spirit, renew your mind, manage your emotions, and resolve the emotional traumas of your past through faith and forgiveness." At numerous points, Anderson seems to borrow from Backus and Chapian's (2005) misbelief therapy, a counseling theory that states misbeliefs as lies which are the cause of emotional turmoil, maladaptive behavior, and other mental illnesses that lead to the negative self-talk and feelings of worthlessness in the many people in society (p. 17).
Dr. Anderson provides a well thought out series of steps that an individual looking to become free in Christ. His theoretical approach to counseling is first clarified on several truths which are based on the bible and on his therapy sessions with counselees' who were mentioned as examples in the book as being believers that experienced being possessed by demons. His clinical experience that he demonstrates with the numerous examples, showed how his counselees became free from the bondage that held them back for so many years.
He explains how Satan is considered the ruler of the earth and God is the ruler of the heavens, even though Satan has been defeated when Christ died on the cross for our sins. By being the ruler of the earth, Satan uses his many demons to subtly create control on believers by whispering into their conscience. Those that believe in astrology, tarot cards, palm reading, fortune telling, and other occult activities are participating in Satanism (Anderson, 2000, p.126). God strictly forbids people from consulting these types of supernatural sources other than him. For the person that turns to these sources, God will cut them off. By consulting with these resources, you are allowing Satan and his demons to subtly take control of your life. Sadly, this is a disturbing trend in our society as we are seeing more and more people becoming fascinated with astrology and reading their horoscopes. In order to free yourself, you must renounce these satanistic ways (p. 202). Because of this identity in Christ, a Christian can find freedom by relinquishing our hold on the past by forgiving those who have sinned against us. Don't be revengeful that that is what Satan wants you to do. God will provide the judgment to that person in due time. This is Dr. Anderson's view of integration. He encourages integration by accommodating his clients to cope with their past life experiences by asking God to forgive those for what they have done and to name the sin. (Anderson,...