從神學角度評析柯瑞福的內在醫治觀／廖炳堂

撮要

基督教中的內在醫治（或稱深度醫治、記憶治療、釋放禱告服事或心靈醫治）緣起自阿格尼絲·桑福德（Agnes Sanford)之著作《醫治之光》》（1948)時至今日，不同人士進行不同形式的內在醫治。本文選擇研究靈恩第三波代表領袖之一柯瑞福（Charles Kraft)的內在醫治觀。

綜合而言，柯瑞福的內在醫治觀，本質上是一套建基於第三波聖靈權能觀和魔鬼操控之世界觀上的一套「全人」的醫治觀，並企圖運用超自然權柄和恩賜，發掘心靈創傷問題之深度根源和深度醫治的方法。可惜柯瑞福錯誤地借用「魔鬼侵擾」（demonization)的觀念，取消了鬼附與非鬼附之間的界線，造成教會圈子中一種將一切罪惡和情緒心理等問題皆訴諸邪靈直接操控的「泛邪靈主義」（pan-demonism)，由此令致一些信徒體常覺鬼影幢幢，失去屬天的平安，彷彿悔改歸主仍不能帶來屬靈上的釋放和自由，反而仍要無休止地倚靠「釋放」禱告才得脫撒但的捆綁，並且衍生不少祝福和咒詛等近乎迷信的觀念和活動，又幾乎不加批判地盲目相信視象法（visualization)的主觀經歷為神直接示，所帶來的神學及牧養問題實不容忽視。

在充滿苦難並強調自我的後現代世界中，醫治心靈創傷問題委實是成聖過程中不可輕視的課題。筆者認為，內在醫治觀必須經過嚴謹神學和輔導學的充分過濾，才可以被吸納在基督教的牧養輔導的領域之中，真正造福教會而非給教會塗上民間迷信色彩。

ABSTRACT

The Inner Healing Movement in Christianity originated from the book, The Healing Light(1948) of Agnes Sanford. Nowadays, different personalities practice different versions of inner healing with various conceptions. In this article, we choose to study Charles Kraft, a major leader in the Third Wave of Pentecostal and Charismatic Movements.

In summary, Kraft’s conception of Inner Healing is founded upon the supernaturalism and demonization teachings of the Third Wave. He tries to use the supernatural authority and gifts to explore the roots of, and the effective ways to heal those deep inner wounds of a person.

However, Kraft’s misconception of demonization cancels the important conceptual boundary between demon possession and other demons’ activities. So many Christians would wrongly regard all emotional or psychological problems, or sinful thoughts or behavior as demon possession or direct control of a person that can only be resolved through deliverance prayers. In many Christian communities, such “pan-demonism” results in losing of the sense of spiritual peace and freedom bought by the blood of Jesus Christ. Furthermore, Kraft’s superstitious concepts such as “blessings” and “curses,” and the uncritical use of “visualization” technique become very popular in inner healing practices and thus create many theological and pastoral problems.

Undoubtedly, the healing of psychological wounds is an important aspect of our sanctification process. However, it is also important for the inner healing practitioners to deal with the critical issues raised from theology and professional counseling field before they put them into use. Otherwise, supernaturalism and pan-demonism would turn Christianity into a new kind of folk religion.

原載於《建道學刊》31期（2009年1月），頁53-81。