Your answers
What is neuro-linguistic programming, and what would a Christian
critique of it be?
Neuro-linguistic programming (NLP) is the study of the structure of human
subjective behaviour. The name refers to the way we take in information from
the world around us, using our five senses and brain, our neurology; the way in
which we language all of that information internally and how it affects us,
linguistic; and the strategies we develop to deal with that information and
achieve our goals — programming.
NLP is not, however, an abstract body of theoretical knowledge. It is of
value only if the understanding of the model gives us some control over how we
make sense of experience, and ways in which we can change that.
NLP began some thirty years ago with the “modelling” of three therapists who
achieved remarkable success with their clients. The analysis of their success
centred on their use of language patterns that brought about the beneficial
changes that were observed in their clients.
NLP has found wide-ranging applications. To study NLP is to deepen our
understanding of how we and others tick. This is very relevant for anyone who
wishes to communicate a message. For the preacher, what would it be like to
hold everyone’s attention for 20 minutes, and know that all the effort you had
put in would bear fruit, and see life-changes in people? Some people use this
stuff quite naturally — they simply “know” it. Most of us don’t.
NLP is a humanistic model that has as one of its central principles the
ancient understanding (e.g. Proverbs 4) that “what we think, we are”; the mind
and body are different expressions of the one person. I, and others who think
like me, extend this relationship to include the spirit, too. I regard all my
clients as “whole” people: body, mind, and spirit.
(The Revd Dr) John Walker (Master
Practitioner of NLP)
Notton, W. Yorks
Neuro-linguistic programming (NLP) is defined as “a set of procedures
developed by Richard Bandler, John Grinder, and others, by which subjective
experience may be organised to define and achieve a desired behavioral outcome”
(Library of Congress Authorities —http://authorities.loc.gov).
The basic criticism to be made of the approach is that “it seems that
NLP develops models which can’t be verified, from which it develops techniques
which may have nothing to do with either the models or the sources of the
models” (The Skeptic’s Dictionary/Robert T. Carroll —
http://skepdic.com/).
Specifically, Christian criticism of the practice categorises NLP under
hypnosis: “Hypnosis can be indirectly linked to biblical admonitions against
‘charming’. . . Even proponents warn of the potential for misuse or unethical
application
. . .” (The Watchman Expositor —
www.watchman.org
).
Robert Card
Birmingham
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33 Upper Street, London N1 0PN.
questions@churchtimes.co.uk