Analysis Of Bob Kelleman's Gospel-Centered Counseling

How can a Christian counselor effectively counsel clients while holding to their convictions of faith? This question is one that many have to think upon. In reading the textbook for this class, the author takes the secular theories and breaks them apart. As a counselor, Christian or not, it is very important to pull from different theories rather than devote solely to one theory. Each individual coming in to the therapist’s office is wired differently in personality and belief system. As a Christian therapist, it is important to know the individual in the client’s chair. Being open with them about where one stands spiritually is a priority. The goal is to be able to take any theory and “think” Christianly. Every counselor is different, but there are central characteristics that one must focus their practice on while working with clients. The main goal as a Christian therapist is to integrate psychology, professional ethics, Scripture and the very character of Jesus in a way that never compromises the authority of God.

Authors Hawkins and Clinton (2015) starts the text “The New Christian Counselor: A Fresh Biblical and Transformational Approach” by explaining their vision of the future of Christian counseling and remind us as counselors our role in performing our duties spiritually by helping shape us into better counselors. The authors do this throughout by explaining their definition, direction. and focus of the counseling practice in the 21st century.

McMinn (2011) believed that the integration of psychology, theology and spirituality is tricky, for Christian counselors, because other therapists are focused on a change in mental health (symptom reduction, ego strength, etc.), whereas, the Christian counselor is concerned with spiritual growth and transformation (p. 39). This is the view that sets the tone for the rest of the book. In order to make the book easy to follow, McMinn (2011) began with a discussion about Religion in the Counseling Office where he clarifies the need for training, the importance of the spiritual life of the counselor, the role of spiritual disciplines, and God’s role in the counseling process (Chapter 1).

No doubt that in the book written by David N. Entwistle Integrative Approaches to Psychology and Christianity, the author leaves the truths embodied in his book. Truths that for many to this day are still trying to accommodate in their vast knowledge they have concerning the psychological science. Many still fail to understand that both psychology and theology when they go hand in hand they can become allies in treating those who for one reason or another have external and internal conflicts.

The Christian community and secular communities are overrun with ideas about wholeness and growth. The solution of Calvary, for example, is only valued too the degree that the problem of sin is grasped. If we skip the hard and sometimes tedious work of figuring out who we are and why we struggle so much, then our efforts as counselors to help others will be shallow and, in the long run, unhelpful.

The key classes were the original language, biblical exegesis, and the other classes. The preaching practicum is the accumulation of knowledge received from the other classes. It helps me to identify false teachers and their doctrines. In my pastoral ministry, I hope to open a church. I would then begin to speak against the false teachers in the church. All courses lead to preaching a sermon. Theses courses in the seminary have developed the ability to preach expository sermons according to the Holy Bible.

I think that you did well is stating the need for both secular psychology, and Christian psychology. This topic of integration is one that is very interesting, especially with the rise in Christian counselors that are entering into the field. The more knowledge that we gain from a secular prospective, and the test that they have taken to advance the counselor profession as a whole could be helpful. However, as a Christian counselor when have to look at these things through the lens of the Bible. Furthermore, the Bible has the final say so in how we assist client's to their healing. The Bible declares, "Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and every city or house divided against itself shall not stand" (Matthew

The details referenced in your discussion board are strong. The Christian counselor must know him or herself first and has a virtuous empathy. The past experiences of the Christian counselor maybe supportive in guiding a client who has been abused and is depressed. In this scenario, Jamie was divorced with a history of abuse. Hawkins and Clinton (2015) disclosed that the overwhelming thoughts do not define who they are and are not permanent (Hawkins & Clinton, 2015). The task for the Christian counselor is to relate to the client and to guide him or her through healing the mind. God is forever present in any situation. No matter how tough, the power of Christ is there. From the beginning of time, God created the perfect, pure Garden,

The book Psychology, Theology, and Spirituality in Christian Counseling by Mark McMinn points out the importance of the spiritual guidance in psychology, helping counselors to incorporate the biblical principles of forgiveness, redemption, restitution, prayer, and worship into their counseling strategic ideas. McMinn also introduced some challenges with integration and then provides a proposed pattern of healing, followed by an examination of six Christian concepts within counseling. He continued by stating the need for understanding and establishing trust and faith in the healing relationship when dealing with your client. These characteristics are critical before challenging the client issues then accomplishing improvement in your client.

Approaching the problem by screening out any secular psychology which is not compatible with biblical principles and doctrine, counselors need to look at psychology from a foundation of theology though it can be, “a delicate and risky task, appropriate for the Christian and sanctioned by God,” (p 49) though and as scripture suggests if non biblical ideas or presuppositions are allowed to slip through, the Christian message and theology will end up being lost or at the least diluted.

Highlighting some theological assumptions that are critical for Christian counseling will be done in this section. The term counseling should be considered in the broadest of definitions such as counselor, helper, advocate, giving advice, teacher, and one who is called

McMinn (1996) states, a Christian counselor’s “spiritual life spills over in interactions with everyone, including clients” (p. 13). A few other challenges that McMinn (1996) identifies are as follows: the necessity for a scientific basis, the need for ethical standards, and challenging the dominant models of mental health. While evaluating each religious intervention, McMinn (1996) poses three questions to ponder that consist of asking the reader if the intervention will establish a healthy sense of self, sense of need, and establish a healing

Within the psychology field and in society, there is a common belief that theological principles, scripture, Christianity, and psychological principles are not compatible. Instead they believe that modern psychology is secular, scientific, and sacrilegious. However, many Christian psychologists and counselors, organizations and associations such as the Society for Christian Psychology, are striving to unite, integrate and incorporate Christian values, principles and knowledge into modern psychological counseling, research, and practice. Two of the main perspectives that tries to merge the two principles and theories is the Integration perspective and the Christian Psychology perspective.

In addition, the new Christian counselor is committed to imparting truth available to humanity through biblical scripture concerning sin, the brokenness and damage people experience because of sin (Hawkins & Clinton, 2015, p.33). Additionally, the Christian counselor is also devoted to knowing God deeply and to the certainty that transformational change is a challenging process that involves specific attention to all components in the human

The study of psychology and Christianity has been known to be at odds over the past several decades. Many believe that Christianity and Psychology cannot mix or intertwine. They believe a person can only believe in one but not both. In this essay I will discuss what the integration view entails in reference to psychology and Christianity. I will then discuss the major objectives that can arise from this view and follow by the counter objectives and core strengths of this view. I then will give an example of how this view can be used practically in a counseling situation.