christian psychologist regarding the insufficiency of scripture for counseling

Research and respond to the arguments of There are some Christians who disagree that the Bible should be used to help us solve our counseling-related problems. In 2004, the Society for Christian Psychology was founded to promote the development of a distinctly Christian psychology (including theory, research, and practice) that is based on a Christian understanding of human nature.9Society for Christian Psychology, About the Society [online]; accessed 12 October 2016; available at http://www.christianpsych.org/. Though some Christian Psychologists are more open to learning from the modern psychologies. Privacy Policy. The society publishes a journal,Christian Psychology, to promote articles written from a CP perspective. /)JtIJ!-y)+D4$ N,/)jqf!ym4,4@f)]b}^/{*]@E Lqu\0pEu"I>c( WebThe Insufficiency of Scripture (For other similar study materials visit www.outpostsite.com) 1 By T. David Gordon1 If someone had asked me a decade ago about the sufficiency of We first briefly explain the doctrine of the sufficiency of Scripture, then apply it to the area of counseling and psychology. Eric L. Johnson, A Brief History of Christians in Psychology inPsychology & Christianity: Five Views, Eric L. Johnson, Ed. In contrast, Christian integrationists seek to examine and extract psychological and psychotherapeutic principles and insights from many sources, including the modern psychologies.17two examples that demonstrate this practice are, Stanton L. Jones and Richard E. Butman, Modern Psychotherapies: A Comprehensive Christian Appraisal (Downers Grove: IVP Academic, 1991) and Mark R. McMinn and Clark D. Campbell, Integrative Psychotherapy: Toward a Comprehensive Christian Approach (Downers Grove: IVP Academic, 2007). There is no need for insights from renown intellectuals. Though the stated goal of CP is to construct a true psychology from the text of Scripture, Christian psychologists often read their own psychology into the biblical text. CP represents one of several ways that Christians have attempted to think about the connection between Christianity and psychology.1Other ways include the Levels-of-Explanation approach, Integration, Transformational Psychology, and Biblical Counseling. It uses a pay-per-session model with prices that range from $58 per session to $184 per session, depending on the qualifications and experience of the counselor. Varying levels of education, and 2. They hold to the primacy of Scripture, but deny it in many of their works by reading into Scripture certain psychological terms, concepts and theories. It would be terribly nave to assume that there will ever be only one Christian psychology in this age. For example, Christians across all times and places have found that there is no temptation that has overtaken you that is not common to all (1 Corinthians 10:13). The judgments of the Lord are true; they are righteous altogether. 31 They hold Langberg notes that later on in the counseling process, the use of the Scriptures will be introduced (125, 127), but not initially. Though Christian psychology rightly notes the need for proper presuppositions, it stumbles out of the gate in the area of bibliology. Christian psychologists acknowledge the impossibility of truly objective, value-free research.12Roberts & Watson,Five Views, 154-5. he Bible is the standard by which God will judge every person. Psychological Theories, Series: This latter term goes beyond simply being Christlike to actually assuming something of a parallel role with Christ in the redemptive healing process.49Ibid., 79, 108, 123, 128, 134, 137, 158. (Downers Grove: IVP Academic, 2010), 101-28. Instead of portraying the biblical vision of people first to the church and then to psychologists, integrationists imported secular visions into Christianity. Other ways include the Levels-of-Explanation approach, Integration, Transformational Psychology, and Biblical Counseling. Even more important, personality theory turns out to be absolutely unnecessary for effective counseling. Wouldnt this task be better pursued by theologically informed and biblically trained pastors with experience in wise pastoral care? But the Bible addresses in practical detail the significant things good counseling must address. Scripture Texts: Matthew 5:18, 24:35 John 10:35, 16:12-13, 17:17 2 Timothy In the same work, this case is handled from a biblical counseling viewpoint where the Bible does have such a functional control. 2nd ed. The commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes. Robert C. Roberts, Outline of Pauline Psychotherapy inCare for the Soul: Exploring the Intersection of Psychology and Theology, Mark R. McMinn and Timothy R. Phillips, eds. While the traditional (Downers Grove: IVP Academic, 2012), 157-83. Since the Word of God is divinely inspired and without error, it truly reveals God and guides man. First, Christian psychologists seek to form their system of Christian psychology primarily from the Bible and works from church history, with only minimal reference to systems of modern, secular psychology.15Roberts notes, Christian psychology stresses the antecedent presence of psychologies in the Christian tradition prior to the twentieth century, and thus does not identify psychology with the scientific and professional psychology of the twentieth century. Robert C. Roberts, A Christian Psychology Response to Integration inChristianity & Psychology: Five Views, Eric L. Johnson, ed., 2nded (Downers Grove: IVP Academic, 2010), 136. The Bible is shown to be sufficient for helping the clients in each of those chapters. The Bible and Psychology, by Randy Alcorn, Psychology: Servant or Master?, by Randy Alcorn (concise, with biblical references), 1991 - 2023 Eternal Perspective MinistriesAll Rights Reserved. However, her overall approach to counseling is surprisingly secular. Integrationists underestimate the Bible. While Jesus does identify with people in their suffering (Heb. 3:10), it is clear that the abuse of Christ mentioned in Isaiah 53 is because of our transgressions and our iniquities as He accomplishes redemption, not because He was a victim of senseless abuse. Watson, A Christian Psychology View in Christianity and Psychology: Five Views, Eric L. Johnson, ed., 2nd ed. For example, see P.J. Tan,Counseling and Psychotherapy, 329; Crabb,Effective Biblical Counseling(Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1977), 61-71. 3 It also helps individuals in enhancing positive traits and feeling a sense of purpose in life. Her re-telling of Isaiah 53 re-casts sin against God as psychological hurt, comes dangerously close to making God the Father the abusing father of Christ, turns Jesus into a victim of abuse, and makes the gospel primarily about Jesus being abused so that He can identify with the abuse of others (150-153). Many difference interpretive approaches to the Bible have arisen within the Christian communityconsider the diverse subgroups within the Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox communion (regional, ideological and institutional), as well as the slightly more obvious subtraditions that make up the Protestant communionand it would be unworthy of a Christian psychology to downplay these differences. Rather than this being an argument against a Christian psychology (Jones, 1986), these differences will contribute to its richness and fruitfulness. Johnson, Foundations, 218. That is essentially what a psychology (and its allied psychotherapy) is.2Robert C. Roberts, Outline of Pauline Psychotherapy inCare for the Soul: Exploring the Intersection of Psychology and Theology, Mark R. McMinn and Timothy R. Phillips, eds. SeeEdification3.1 (2009) andEdification6.2 (2012). This observation is important for understanding CP since its authors often refer to Christian writers in church history as psychologists.4For example, Johnson considers Augustine the first great Christian psychologist, Ibid., 12. For example, Siang-Yang Tan and Larry Crabb both affirm that man has certain psychological needs for security (love) and significance (meaning/impact), but these conclusions arise from the influence of Maslow and needs psychology, rather than the Bible.32Tan,Counseling and Psychotherapy, 329; Crabb,Effective Biblical Counseling(Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1977), 61-71. Integration refers to a related but different system for understanding the relationship between Christianity and psychology. Biblical redemption is re-defined as emotional acceptance and unconditional love (58, 128). Utilizing Scripture and works from Christian writers of the past, psychologically-informed Christians seek to glean principles for understanding human nature and then systematize these findings into a comprehensive system of psychology. HORTON: This is where a quote from Calvin is so helpful. The role of invisible discerner of the thoughts, intentions, motivations of the heartthat role is reserved for God alone, specifically the person of the Holy Spirit. Cornerstone scored highly on our 2021 user survey, with 78% reporting that the services received were very good or excellent.. The doctrine of the sufficiency of Scripture is in danger of being eclipsed. First, CP is built upon a faulty view of the Scriptures. In another edition (Christian Psychology7.1 (2013)), Brent D. Slife, board of reference member for the Society of Christian Psychology, co-authored an article on Theistic psychology with Mormon psychologist Jeffrey Reber. Life is full of chaos and it can be hard knowing which way to go but Scripture can show us the right path. Their approach and technique is essentially secular. Counseling Survivors, 45-51. Utilizing the term psychologist to describe ancient Christian authors may seem odd to modern readers who think of a psychologist as a modern day professional in the mental health care field. For an overview of integration, see Stanton L. Jones, An Integration View inChristianity and Psychology: Five Views, Eric L. Johnson, ed., 2nded. Evangelicals sought to redress the churchs weakness by engaging in psychotherapies. Christian psychologists have been more careful than other Christian thinkers regarding worldview commitments and their impact on psychological conclusions. To be quite frank, there is a level of nervousness among some in the biblical counseling Furthermore, with this more general definition of psychology in mind, rich resources of insight regarding human nature may be re-discovered in works like those of the English Puritans, who wrote deeply and biblically about the human condition.23For an introduction to the Puritans in regard to soul-care, see Timothy Keller, Puritan Resources for Biblical Counseling,Journal of Pastoral PracticeIX/3 (1998): 11-44; Richard Baxter,A Christian Directory: The Practical Works of Richard Baxter Volume I(Morgan, PA: Soli Deo Gloria, 2000); J.I. , Eric says that the biblical counseling movement constitutes an egregious misunderstanding of the form of the Bible. Eric Johnson claims that the basis for the doctrine of Sufficiency of Scripture only has to do with the debates between the Catholics and the men who stood against them during the Reformation. While no comprehensive, systematic Christian psychology work has yet been produced, the authors previously mentioned have all offered contributions toward this goal.11As one example, see C.S. As a movement, CP seeks to understand both the nature of human beings (psychology) and appropriate practices to address life problems (psychotherapy). Scripture can restore the soul scripture can transform a person. two examples that demonstrate this practice are, Stanton L. Jones and Richard E. Butman, Modern Psychotherapies: A Comprehensive Christian Appraisal (Downers Grove: IVP Academic, 1991) and Mark R. McMinn and Clark D. Campbell, Integrative Psychotherapy: Toward a Comprehensive Christian Approach (Downers Grove: IVP Academic, 2007). Goodreads. Hood Jr., Sin and self-functioning, Part 1: Grace, guilt and psychological adjustment,Journal of Psychology and Theology16 (1988): 254-69; P.J. However, only one aspect (relationship) of her three is supported by commentaries and theological works. (Downers Grove: IVP Academic, 2001), 135. That view rests on the massive assumption that explaining the differences between people provides the key to counseling. Scripture Alone. Biblical Counseling is the process where the Bible, Gods Word, is related individually to a person or persons who are struggling under the weight of personal sin and/or the difficulties with suffering, so that he or she might genuinely change in the inner person to be pleasing to God. But a proper handling of the text of Scripture is actually a weakness of the movement. The law of the Lord is perfect, restoring the soul. Furthermore, her limited use of the Scriptures in counseling as revealed in her book, Counseling Survivors of Sexual Abuse, reveals a commitment to the therapeutic gospel. It would be terribly nave to assume that there will ever be only one Christian psychology in this age. In a third text, Galatians 4:3-9, he confuses the Galatian heresy of the Judaizers with what he calls the law of linearity (35-36). Powlison has likewise critiqued the exposition of Roberts and Watson inFive Views, 196-8. For a more biblical approach for counseling abuse survivors which exemplifies a proper handling of the Scriptures, see Laura Hendrickson, Mariana and Surviving Sexual Abuse in Counseling the Hard Cases, Heath Lambert and Stuart Scott, eds. She rightly notes that the mental health professional ought to bear in their person a representation of the character of Christ and that character must shape the therapist, the client and the relationship between them.44Ibid., 111. Langbergs 3 fold view of the image is a key premise to her approach for understanding and ministering to those who have experienced the trauma of sexual abuse. This is a significant assertion.28John Frame writes, Theologians who try to play down the importance of Gods authoritywhether to avoid patriarchalism, to promote freedom of human thought and choice, to allow great latitude to science and philosophy, or whateverhave lost something that is central to biblical revelation. Ed. But we should be agnostic about personality theories. In counseling practice, CP looks surprisingly secular, where Scripture and the gospel of Jesus Christ do not functionally inform and drive the counseling process. Carson, Mathew inExpositors Bible Commentary, Frank E. Gaebelin, ed. It is also confusing that Christian psychologists state that it is people who are familiar with contemporary psychology who are required to do the work of extracting psychology from the Bible and other Christian works. For example, Johnson considers Augustine the first great Christian psychologist, Ibid., 12. No other rule can supersede Scripture. 36. Scripture is perfect. For comparison of the Roman Catholic doctrine of justification in comparison to the Protestant (biblical) view, see Grudem, 727-9 and James G. McCarthy,The Gospel According to Rome(Eugene: Harvest House, 1995), 21-124. However, a Christian psychology will also be critically informed by other relevant sources of psychological truth, particularly its own reflection, research, and practice, but also the psychological work of other traditions (e.g., secular psychology), philosophy, human experience, and the other human sciences. Langberg,Five Approaches, 122. Relate the doctrine of the sufficiency of Scripture to the practice of biblical counseling. % 7. 4. Society for Christian Psychology, Amplification of the Mission Statement, [online]; accessed 12 October 2016; available at http://www.christianpsych.org/. But the conversion process has gone the wrong way. While Christian psychology strives to develop a singular, unified system of psychology, integrationists question the possibility of this goal. While Christian Psychology commendably sets out to rediscover a truly Christian view of persons and rightly sounds the alert regarding the unbiblical worldview assumptions of secular counseling systems, it seems that their efforts to develop such a system are not being realized. Stanton L. Jones, An Integration Response to Christian Psychology inChristianity and Psychology: Five Views, Eric L. Johnson, ed., 2nded. If the goal of CP is a uniquely biblical psychology based upon historic Christianity, efforts of this nature are confusing and illustrate that the actual developmental work of the movement is often pointed in the wrong direction. For example, Diane Langbergs interpretation of Genesis 1:26-28 regarding the image of God as voice, relationship, and power is novel, and not based on solid exegesis of the passage.34Langbergs 3 fold view of the image is a key premise to her approach for understanding and ministering to those who have experienced the trauma of sexual abuse. Evans,Soren Kirkegaards Christian Psychology(Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1990). In counseling practice, these secular commitments often mean there is a reluctance to be overtly Christian in counseling through prayer, through utilizing the Scriptures or through presenting the gospel to clients who may not be saved. Integrationists have challenged Christian psychologists regarding the possibility of achieving such a unique, singular Christian psychology,40Jones,Five Views, 184-7.and even Eric Johnson himself seems to concede that the whole CP project is destined to fail as the inevitable and happy result of human finitude.41Johnson,Foundations, 218-9. Evans,Soren Kirkegaards Christian Psychology(Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1990). See Grudem, 93-5; John Armstrong, The Authority of Scripture inSola Scriptura: The Protestant Position on the Bible, Don Kistler, ed. Third, Christian psychology differs from integration in respect to the goal of the system. WebWhile most Christian counselors profess belief in the inspiration of the Bible, many seem reluctant to trust the Scripture to speak authoritatively to their counseling profession. An appreciation of differences nourishes a godly disenculturation from the assumptions of ego- and ethno-centricity. 2023 Association of Certified Biblical Counselors. Roberts explains: Christian psychology starts with the ideas and practices already established by centuries of Christian tradition, and it develops psychological concepts and practices from these with a minimum of reference to or influence from the psychologies of the twentieth century.16Roberts, Outline,Care for the Soul, 135. The statement of faith of the society consists of the Nicene-Constantinopolitan Creed. Since Christians believe the Bible is the authoritative Word of God and is the sole, God-breathed source of truth (2 Tim. He again confuses justification with sanctification in application of this text to what he calls modern Judaizers (55-7). This is the testimony of Scripture itself and the historic position of Protestant Christianity. He does not take exception to The Anabaptists, the radical In other contributions to the series, Howard Eyrich addresses what to do with a diagnosis brought Gods Word is. In counseling theory, CP is plagued by a commitment to ecumenism and struggles to accurately interpret and apply the biblical text. The church was weak where psychology was strong. Because Scripture does not detail how individual differences arisein motivation, behavior, cognition, affective expressionit is presumed deficient when it comes to counseling. That view rests on the massive assumption that explaining the differences between people provides the key to counseling. The Bible proclaims the opposite. Second, Christian psychologists strive to develop empirical research pursuits that derive from a distinctly Christian worldview.

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