“Truth Encounter is a Name I Coined to Describe a Process that Was Common for Christians Centuries Ago. The Name is Not Biblical Per Se Because it Does Not Occur in Scripture, but the Process Most Certainly Does.”
To the question, "Is Truth Encounter Biblical?" I offer a three-part answer.
The following is my three-part answer to the question, Is Truth Encounter Biblical? Part One is Processes. Part Two follows with Critics. Part Three concludes with Resources.
Is Truth Encounter Biblical?
PART 1: PROCESSES
There are many unbiblical, purely psychological, and damaging approaches to what I call Truth Encounter. As to my approach, I do not practice what is called Visualization, nor Regression Therapy, nor Psychotherapy.
Recalling something in the past, then realizing sin has been at work, then renouncing the sin, then repenting from the sin—is not the same thing as reliving the past.
There are also many names for this ministry that seem to represent the same form of ministry, such as Inner Healing, Sozo Prayer, Theophostic Prayer, Prayer for Damaged Emotions, Healing for Damaged Emotions, Deliverance, Deliverance Ministry, Deliverance Prayer, Prayer for Deliverance, etc.
You can label what I practice as you please, but essentially, we pray for a person to fully realize what has been unbiblical in their past & present, and then for a changed mind and the repentance that is needed.
Also, I do not offer Truth Encounter to non-believers. After more than 40 years of being a Christian & student of Scripture, plus more than 30 years of ministry practice, I am certain I am able to determine if the person before me is a believer. If they are not, I attempt to lead them to Christ.
Is Truth Encounter Biblical?
PART 2: CRITICS
There are critics who believe the greatest problem is Truth Encounter candidates simply do not believe the truth of Scripture. Thus, they are not a true Christian. Critics then surmise that Truth Encounter amounts to helping people feel better about themselves while remaining in their sin. That is not what I practice.
My observation of critic’s arguments in regard to Truth Encounter (or some distant form of the process under another name) suggests the following:
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There are critics who have not personally witnessed an actual proper Truth Encounter session. The information they have was gathered via hearsay. They then form a response to what they think is going on in Truth Encounter. Whatever the event was that they describe, it was not the form of Truth Encounter ministry I promote.
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Some critics read books about “inner healing” and other like forms of ministry, and then assume Truth Encounter is the same. I know this because I have read many of the same books they cite.
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Some assume that to be involved in Truth Encounter is to be involved in Visualization, Regression Therapy or Psychology. This is evidence they have not done thorough, first-hand, experiential investigation, but have made assumptions on what they have heard.
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Some present good arguments from Scripture but fail to understand that the Truth Encounter I advocate stands on and makes use of Scripture.
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While there are failures in Truth Encounter, no critic has yet been able to explain what accounts for the successes. Those successes came through Truth Encounter after efforts of discipleship, teaching, preaching, and coaching failed to provide lasting results.
Is Truth Encounter Biblical?
PART 3: RESOURCES
To simply give you a list of Biblical references will not answer the question, because you will not find the term, “Truth Encounter” in Scripture.
Also, it doesn’t make sense to me to write my own take on the Biblical accuracy of Truth Encounter because others have already well-answered this question.
Thus, my solution is to give you links to what I believe to be good responses to the question, Is Truth Encounter Biblical? Before I present you the links, please keep in mind three things:
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If you are already doubtful that Truth Encounter is Biblical, please keep an open mind and do read all the upcoming material provided in the links.
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In reading the material you may encounter the term, “Inner Healing” or other names for the process. Please do not focus on the title but rather evaluate the content.
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As with any ministry, there can be error and even wrongdoing by those practicing Truth Encounter. They may mean well but practice a distortion of proper Healing Ministry which is unbiblical. Preachers and teachers may have the gift and still deliver bad doctrine. Counselors can have the best intentions and give poor counsel. Well-meaning believers can pray in ways that are not in keeping with Biblical and theological truths, etc.
CONCLUSION & LINKS
Truth Encounter is not Visualization, Regression Therapy or Psychotherapy; it is also not coaching. Critics are not always properly informed. They can confuse Truth Encounter with other processes that are called by different names and seem like Truth Encounter. I do not support or practice the other methods; I only support and practice Truth Encounter.
Links for Biblical References & Commentary
Begin with a careful study of not just these verses alone, but also the context of the passage in which the verses occur. Notice terms like “brokenhearted” “liberty” “free” “prison.”
Is Truth Encounter Biblical? Answer 1
Is Truth Encounter Biblical? Answer 2
Is Truth Encounter Biblical? Answer 3
