THEOLOGY/SPIRITUALITY IN COUNSELING PACO-507 B01

PERSONAL THEORY PAPER Table of Contents 1. Introduction a. Primary Goal b. Development of Problems and Personal Need c. Biblical Integration d. Formula for Change e. Balance of Theology and Spirituality f. Human Personality g. Counselor’s Functions and Role h. Major Contribution to Counseling i. Limitations of Counseling Theory j. Classification 2. Practical Application a. Integration of Counseling Model with Other Models b. Specific Area of Counseling and its Effectiveness 3 PERSONAL THEORY PAPER I. Introduction We live in a society that had evolved to a place where individuals are pushed each day to compromise their faith. In 2020, there has been so much uncertainty with so many critical changes happening all around us that many find themselves scared, hurting and simply in a place of needing to hear a voice of assurance that there is hope and there is a peace to hold on to. Each time a Christian takes a step back and accepts one compromise to his faith, that leads to two and three, the voice of unrest grows inside. Now more than ever, is the time for biblical counselors to be ready to step up and help these individuals look beyond the temporal things of this world towards a spiritual foundation. So far three books have been read as part of the PACO 507 course requirement, each offering their own unique viewpoint on biblical counseling. First, there was Effective Biblical Counseling: A Model for Helping Caring Christians Become Capable Counselors, by Larry Crabb. In his book Crabb promotes Christian maturity, the believer will have a richer experience of worship and a more effective life of service (Crabb, 2013). Next there was, The Biblical Counseling Movement: History and Context by David Powlison which primarily focused on Jay Adams’ theory and approach of nouthetic counseling (2010). Finally, Dr. Sandra D. Wilson provides her own counseling methodology in which individuals who are experiencing wounding by others may discover healing through trust in Jesus Christ in her book, Hurt People, Hurt People (2001). In this paper, I will dig deeper into various methods on effectively integrating Theology and Psychology. a. Primary Goal 4 PERSONAL THEORY PAPER Spiritual Counseling is notably seen as being motivated to help the individual find a way of getting to the place that God want them. Part of this process is to understand that many people need spiritual counsel even through there are objection that may be raised to the integration of psychology and Christianity (Entwistle, 2015). As part of the comparison of the three authors texts, one item that comes to the forefront is the fact that each tend to place a significant amount of focus on similar issues which affect humankind. Crabb places emphasis on the counseling theory, which takes aim at promoting both psychological and spiritual maturity (Crabb, 2013). In this essence, Larry Crabb sets forth that counselees are likely to attain maturity when they establish long-range character growth, which tends to be connected to a relationship with Jesus Christ (Kollar, 2011). In this theory, the author demonstrates the spiritual aspect of maturity is related to the individual growing as he deal directly with issues as they are presented through biblical correlation. Moving on to Powlison’s work, the content in many ways mirrors much of the ideology of Crabb as it tends to focus on psychology and spirituality. Powlison specifically spends a great deal of time delving into Adams’ theory of nouthetic counseling (2010). In the approach of Nouthetic counseling the Bible is the key element utilized by the Christian counselor and to take counseling back to it pastoral foundations. According to Powlison, Nouthetic counseling primarily focuses on the bible as the primary statute for faith and development (2010). This work highlights counseling in a basic understanding by pulling from the example of how sim draws individuals out of a relationship with God. Finally, Dr. Sandra Wilson offers her views on aspects concerning problem development, change possibilities, personality development, biblical scholarship, counseling contributions and functions. Wilson’ goal is to find a place of balance between spirituality and theology within the 5 PERSONAL THEORY PAPER counselor function and personality development. Her book highlights how spiritual and emotional hurts leave indelible scars on lives. On a whole, these three authors present a variety of strategies that relate to the scriptures and are crucial in empowering people to lead fulfilling lives. b. Development of Problems and Personal Needs In the world around us, we find many suggestions for why people suffer from the numerous issues that they face. However, biblically speaking issues come about from a place of sin and selfishness and from childhood and adulthood hurts, crises, and traumatic events (Crabb 1977, Wilson 2001). The Bible defines sin in several scriptures, each of which gives us a better understanding of what it is. The Hebrew and Greek words translated “sin” throughout the Bible revolve largely around two major concepts. The first is that of transgression. To transgress means “to step across” or “to go beyond a set boundary or limit.” Most of the other words translated “sin” in the Bible involve a second concept, “to miss the mark.” The most basic definition of sin is in 1 John 3:4: “Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law” (King James Version, emphasis added throughout). Here God defines a boundary for mankind. He says that sin is transgressing His holy, spiritual law (Romans 7:12- 14). Breaking that law—crossing that divine boundary, that limit God set for us—is sin. Unlike many counselors, Dr. Crabb believes when a man’s significance and security are threatened, he develops a wrong idea or thought pattern (Crabb, 2013, p. 71). The root of the problem is wrong thinking, which must be corrected in order for a person to know his true personal worth. “As a man thinketh in his hear, so is he” (Prov.23:7). It is hard to argue Crabb’s primary message that when basic human needs go unmet, people will be motivated to meet their own needs (Crabb, 2013, p. 86) As one builds upon the need that Crabb identifies Powlison integration of the 6 PERSONAL THEORY PAPER nouthetic approach insists that sin is the primary instigator of human improvement issues. Therefore, mankind needs God’s presence as the answer (Powlison, 2010). It is hard not to accept both of these theories as firm foundations of the problem and personal need today. c. Biblical Integration When one begins to attempt to take in the entirety of a life of following Christ, there is no mistake that spiritual wellness cannot be attainted without the Bible. With this in mind, the challenge is set forth for the biblical counselor to integrate scripture as an essential weapon in his daily arsenal of tools for counseling. The Christian response to science was not a monolithic one, and the same is true of its response to the rise of psychotherapy (Entwistle, 2015). Adams firmly believed that it was God who worked within the human personality, and that those who were forgiven would also be helped by the Holy Spirit to alter patterns of thinking, feeling, and behavior (Powlison, 2010). On the contrary, his connection of an integrated or a mixed strategy for counseling, accepts and subsequently acknowledges that the counseling technique which will create the correct outcomes is one that makes its final decision on what the Bible says. Biblical integration is essential to meet the needs of the counselee for effective pastoral counseling. Encouragement, Exhortation, and Enlightenment are three kinds/levels of counseling that are available to most Christians. Most every Christian can encourage at some level every day. More mature Christians may become trained on the exhortation level. There are some that will rise to their level in their spiritual walk where it will be possible to be trained on the enlightenment level to handle stubborn, complicated and deeper problems (Crabb, 2013, p. 163). d. Formula for Change Change is inevitable. Acknowledging this up front in the counseling mission is key to successful implementation. For the individual to move forward in transformation towards 7 PERSONAL THEORY PAPER becoming the best they can be that individual will be required to recognize who he/she is as a creation of God and take hold of the origins of where certain exhibited behaviors and beliefs come from while learning how to develop new behaviors and beliefs that are rooted in relationship with God (Crabb 1977, McMinn 2011). Being able to grasp the fact that there is a need for change is part of role of the counselor in the relationship. There are several methods of bring about change. According to Jay Adams, his confrontational approach is the only truly biblical model that provides the central concept of Christian counseling [CITATION Lar p 143- 44 l 1033 ]. Consequently, Larry Crabb does agree the confrontational approach is viable. However, He stops there as he finds that this method falls short in that fact that it does not the exhaust all possible ways to achieve Christian maturity which is the central goal of biblical counseling [CITATION Lar p 144 l 1033 ].