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This is an article I wrote that gives us a brief look into the purpose of Christian counseling. What type of counseling do you feel is more effective; Secular or Christian? Can secular counseling truly heal a person?
There are many problems Christians are faced with, as they are exposed to “distresses like father absence, abuse, violence, marital discord, and emotional problems,” and while some may argue these problems stem from or affect only the secular world, it is evident Christians, too, are not immune to these types of problems (Clinton, T., Ohlschlager, G., & Hart, A. (2009).[FONT="Times New Roman" ][1][/FONT][/URL] It is the role of Christian counselors to therefore address specific problems Christian individuals may face, by guiding the individuals with proper application of Scripture in their lives to produce positive change. This task can be accomplished by individuals who are facing spiritual and psychological problems, who first recognize and acknowledge they need help that only God can provide and ask a Christian counselor for proper guidance. This does not mean, however, that individuals who suffer from mental illness should not seek out professional secular counseling (Medication in some cases) to facilitate the healing as it were, of the whole person. [FONT="Times New Roman" ] Mental illnesses vary in degrees of an individual’s ability to process guidance from a counselor. An example of this would be someone suffering from bipolar disorder that is cognizant of the direction being provided by the Christian counselor, whereas someone with schizophrenia would struggle with determining the direction of the Christian counselor until treated with medication, as schizophrenics often suffer from auditory hallucinations and the inability to perceive environmental occurrences appropriately, rendering their cognitive capabilities ineffective. This could potentially lead to detrimental effects, as an individual may misperceive the direction being given by a Christian counselor. Professional secular counseling is therefore useful as an aid to help an individual who may otherwise, if left untreated, potentially unable to process the guidance of a Christian counselor. Yet this view does not denote the healing power of Christ.[/FONT]
[FONT="Times New Roman" ] [/FONT][FONT="Times New Roman" ] Effective Christian counseling does indeed support a “curative theology” and biblical sanctification, and secular counseling is ineffective in truly healing an individual (Even in cases where an individual is suffering from mental illness). What makes Christian counseling more effective than secular counseling is that it does not attempt to negate the healing power of Christ. As stated in [I]Caring for People God’s way[/I], “. . . when God is truly present in counseling, sin can be redemptively accepted and honestly disclosed – as the Holy Spirit leads us. Wounds and traumas that still bind us – things we thought were resolved or that we simply live in denial about – can be revealed and washed away in supernatural healing” (Clinton, T., Ohlschlager, G., & Hart, A. (2009).[URL="http://bb7.liberty.edu/webapps/discussionboard/do/message?action=create&do=create&postfirstedit=true&requestType=thread&forum_id=_2562105_1&nav=discussion_board&conf_id=_964857_1&course_id=_1992504_1#_ftn2"][FONT="Times New Roman" ][2][/FONT][/URL] This is something which occurs when one has a deep and meaningful relationship with Christ and is sanctified (sanctification literally means, “To make holy”) through obedience, prayer, and living a righteous life.[URL="http://bb7.liberty.edu/webapps/discussionboard/do/message?action=create&do=create&postfirstedit=true&requestType=thread&forum_id=_2562105_1&nav=discussion_board&conf_id=_964857_1&course_id=_1992504_1#_ftn3"][3] [/FONT]
As the apostle Paul said, “Therefore, since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God” (2 Corinthians 7:1, New International Version, 2011). If “curative theology” and sanctification are absent in counseling, it renders the counseling ineffective, as it cannot truly heal the individual. Although this topic needs to be studied further on my part, it is apparent Christian counseling is effective because it provides the only true remedy to life’s problems; Jesus Christ.
There are many problems Christians are faced with, as they are exposed to “distresses like father absence, abuse, violence, marital discord, and emotional problems,” and while some may argue these problems stem from or affect only the secular world, it is evident Christians, too, are not immune to these types of problems (Clinton, T., Ohlschlager, G., & Hart, A. (2009).[FONT="Times New Roman" ][1][/FONT][/URL] It is the role of Christian counselors to therefore address specific problems Christian individuals may face, by guiding the individuals with proper application of Scripture in their lives to produce positive change. This task can be accomplished by individuals who are facing spiritual and psychological problems, who first recognize and acknowledge they need help that only God can provide and ask a Christian counselor for proper guidance. This does not mean, however, that individuals who suffer from mental illness should not seek out professional secular counseling (Medication in some cases) to facilitate the healing as it were, of the whole person. [FONT="Times New Roman" ] Mental illnesses vary in degrees of an individual’s ability to process guidance from a counselor. An example of this would be someone suffering from bipolar disorder that is cognizant of the direction being provided by the Christian counselor, whereas someone with schizophrenia would struggle with determining the direction of the Christian counselor until treated with medication, as schizophrenics often suffer from auditory hallucinations and the inability to perceive environmental occurrences appropriately, rendering their cognitive capabilities ineffective. This could potentially lead to detrimental effects, as an individual may misperceive the direction being given by a Christian counselor. Professional secular counseling is therefore useful as an aid to help an individual who may otherwise, if left untreated, potentially unable to process the guidance of a Christian counselor. Yet this view does not denote the healing power of Christ.[/FONT]
[FONT="Times New Roman" ] [/FONT][FONT="Times New Roman" ] Effective Christian counseling does indeed support a “curative theology” and biblical sanctification, and secular counseling is ineffective in truly healing an individual (Even in cases where an individual is suffering from mental illness). What makes Christian counseling more effective than secular counseling is that it does not attempt to negate the healing power of Christ. As stated in [I]Caring for People God’s way[/I], “. . . when God is truly present in counseling, sin can be redemptively accepted and honestly disclosed – as the Holy Spirit leads us. Wounds and traumas that still bind us – things we thought were resolved or that we simply live in denial about – can be revealed and washed away in supernatural healing” (Clinton, T., Ohlschlager, G., & Hart, A. (2009).[URL="http://bb7.liberty.edu/webapps/discussionboard/do/message?action=create&do=create&postfirstedit=true&requestType=thread&forum_id=_2562105_1&nav=discussion_board&conf_id=_964857_1&course_id=_1992504_1#_ftn2"][FONT="Times New Roman" ][2][/FONT][/URL] This is something which occurs when one has a deep and meaningful relationship with Christ and is sanctified (sanctification literally means, “To make holy”) through obedience, prayer, and living a righteous life.[URL="http://bb7.liberty.edu/webapps/discussionboard/do/message?action=create&do=create&postfirstedit=true&requestType=thread&forum_id=_2562105_1&nav=discussion_board&conf_id=_964857_1&course_id=_1992504_1#_ftn3"][3] [/FONT]
As the apostle Paul said, “Therefore, since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God” (2 Corinthians 7:1, New International Version, 2011). If “curative theology” and sanctification are absent in counseling, it renders the counseling ineffective, as it cannot truly heal the individual. Although this topic needs to be studied further on my part, it is apparent Christian counseling is effective because it provides the only true remedy to life’s problems; Jesus Christ.
