Wisdom of the Ages Part 2

Paul, the first behavioral scientist.

A Bible Study by Jack Kelley

“The Greatest Discovery of our Generation”

That’s how the findings of Harvard Professor Dr. William James were described earlier this century. What was his great discovery? The realization that “we can change our lives by changing our attitudes of mind.”

Since the study of human behavior had begun, psychologists had asserted that basic life patterns were not subject to change but were either genetically predisposed or were formed through a process called “environmental conditioning” that took place shortly after birth and, once complete, was irreversible. Dr. James was now declaring that these patterns are not irreversible, but can be altered through personal volition (choice).

Since this declaration, an abundance of research has supported his conclusion. In fact it now seems that many of the most successful among us, in every field imaginable, were not only destined for failure; most were actually headed that way before achieving their greatest success. So it appears Dr. James was right, but was it really his discovery?

Paul the Behavioral Scientist

In about 60 AD The Apostle Paul wrote these words to the church at Ephesus; “You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.” (Eph 4:22-24 NIV) Sound familiar?

So the “greatest discovery of our generation” was known to Paul, and he taught it to his congregation in Ephesus 1900 years ago. In fact Paul knew every great truth having to do with what we now call personal growth and development and taught them all in his letters.

Let’s name a few and find them. How about The Power of Positive Thinking (Phil 4:8-9); the Power of Personal Goals (Phil 3:13-14); the Power of Visualization or Guided Imagery (2 Cor 4:17-18); the Power of Affirmation or Self Talk (Phil 4:4 and 13)? The list goes on.

When it came to behavioral psychology, Paul was Sigmund Freud, Carl Jung, B.F. Skinner, Abraham Maslow, Victor Frankl, and all the others all rolled up in one. When it came to motivational writing he topped Norman Vincent Peale, Robert Shuller, Dale Carnegie, Tony Robbins, Paul J. Meyer, Napoleon Hill, Steven Covey, and anyone else you can name. No wonder he started so many churches. No wonder he was so thoroughly despised by his enemies.

Why the Big Secret?

Today, these simple truths have been hijacked by secular humanist thinkers and even proponents of other “religions,” who boldly proclaim them as their own. Their teachings are meant to promote the supremacy of the human spirit or the achievement of some kind of personal godhood. They often derive great personal fame and fortune from sharing their “discoveries”, omitting any mention of the actual origin of these great truths.

For this reason, the mainstream church largely ignores or even fears these truths. And though they would be invaluable to our youth for life preparation, public education makes no place for them in its curricula.

Whose Idea Was This Anyway?

But where did Paul get his knowledge; his understanding of motivational leadership? Listen to his own words: “I did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught it; rather, I received it by revelation from Jesus Christ.” (Galatians 1:12).

So the man often described as the towering intellect of New Testament writers reveals his source. It seems the Lord intended for us to use these truths to escape the prisons built for our minds by the experiences of our lives. It is with good reason that the Bible is called the Owner’s Manual for the Human Race. This is truly the Wisdom of the Ages.