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Christian Counseling Book Review

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Psychology, Theology, and Spirituality in Christian Counseling was first authored by Mark McMinn in 1990 (McMinn, 2011). This is a review of his most recent publication in which he left mostly the same and added reflections and additions of gained knowledge from the bast 20 years at the end of each chapter. McMinn (2011) opens the book buy explaining that integration is very complex because everyone has different views of Christianity, spirituality, and psychology. It is key to understand that all theories, even tested psychological interventions operate using a worldview that may not align well with Christianity. Integration asks each person to consider what they believe and strive to become trained in all areas so that integration can be …show more content…

It is the process of recognizing brokenness to propel us to wholeness through life-giving relationships (McMinn, 2011). This is seen through generations and a variety of disciplinary studies. Being aware of a need is a prerequisite for seeking help and growing. Although the map is simple, real life and healing is complicated and their are many facets to Christian counseling. We need to acknowledge the role that the self, the relationship, and God all play in the healing process. When all three of these areas are balanced and accurate it leads to wellness. These aspects are constantly assessed in both the client and the counselor and this is what determines the core issue and response through our the therapeutic relationship (McMinn, …show more content…

Theologians typically see sin as the cause of all human issues, whereas psychologists view human issues as a sickness (McMinn, 2011). One extreme is an internal attribution to distress, and the other is external. McMinn (2011) offers the both/and perspective which enables a full picture of the persona and empowers the counselor to approach the person with empathy and point them towards redemption. Sin is a sickness that exists in all people and is also specific to each person. It is both internal and external. Confronting sin can be done in a multitude of ways, and as with other interventions she only be done if the key question is asked first. All interventions need to be specific to the person and the circumstance and once trust is formed (McMinn, 2011). Awareness of ones sinful state is an important part of McMinn’s (2011) map. Therefore there is a place for healthy guilt which leads to true confession and ultimately restoration. Blaming and excusing only leads people to feeling better not to truly enter into new life in Christ (McMinn,

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1368 Words | 6 Pages

In this chapter he examines attribution, personal sin and original sin. Fourth, McMinn makes the reader encounter confession. McMinn states that an accurate understanding of sin and confession can lead to hope and healing (McMinn, 2011). Next, the reader arrives at the focus of forgiveness.

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282 Words | 2 Pages

Summary In the book, Psychology, Theology, and Spirituality, Mark McMinn commences by providing the groundwork for the Christian worldview about counseling. He indicates that the book is crucial for individuals interested in looking into the aspect of intra-disciplinary integration (McMinn, 1996). In his exploration of the intra-disciplinary integration frontier, McMinn (1996) focuses on the challenges that Christian counselors face in their practice. As McMinn (1996) discusses the aspect of integration, he disregards religious interventions as well as foundational perspectives, indicating that they might not apply to the identified frontier.

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1087 Words | 5 Pages

In Chapter 5, McMinn (2016, p. 2497) talked about the role of sin in psychopathology. For some writers, emotional disturbance exists because of sin. Despite this, counselors should not judge their client. Instead, the former should encourage and restore the latter. Chapter 6 deals with confession.

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1949 Words | 8 Pages

The Dr. Larry Crabb book “Effective Biblical Counseling” is a great work for the Christian community. He explores four different approaches to integrate the Bible and counseling strategies to bring believers closer to God. Dr. Crabb has ordained the local church as a ground to have God’s people ministered to through scripture. The church must assure that all leaders are trained to a certain degree in the area of counseling.

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968 Words | 4 Pages

An individual can become emotionally disturbed due to their own sin or due to the sin of someone else. Psychological and Spiritual Growth This segment of the chapter discuss whether or not a counselor should confront the client about sin. Will the confrontation increase their spiritual and mental health, or will it cause them to turn away from the counselor and the help the counselor has to offer? McMinn says that there are four appropriate ways to confront the client’s sin in counseling.

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1490 Words | 6 Pages

Integration: Mixing Psychology and Christianity Latoya Alston Liberty University   Summary In the book Integrative Approaches to Psychology and Christianity, David N. Entwistle (2010) forces readers to question whether or not psychology and Christianity can be integrated. As the book begins, he argues that integrating the two disciplines is difficult because there are two perspectives in which a person can view the world: from a secular perspective or from a Christian perspective (Entwistle, 2010). Secular thinking contradicts Christianity because it consists of a worldview that is limited to the earthly realm and is based on things that can be tangibly proven (Entwistle, 2010). Christian thinking, however, reaches beyond the physical,

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1296 Words | 6 Pages

People living in countries that are poor are considered resourceful. Family´s in Africa that barely have enough food, somehow make due with what they have and find a way to eat. And with the limited supplies that they havem they still build houses and some live joyous lives with the little they have. But with the scenarios these people in poverty are placed in, they still make the best of what seems to be a living hell. They surpass the slim posibility of survival and are actually joyous with how little they have.

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912 Words | 4 Pages

Because of the division of science in religion discussed in chapters 1 and 2, there is very little room for interaction among psychology and religion, especially in the earlier years of psychology. Going into chapter 4, the author gives a comprehensive overview of different worldviews while discussing what they are and the importance of a Christian entering into the counseling profession to have a Christian worldview. Worldviews are learned through various influences and shape our understanding of the world, which gives both insight and distorted thinking. It is vital for counselors to have the proper worldview that is aligned both with empirical scientific evidence and sound theological doctrine to properly guide and direct others into truth, insight, awareness, healing, and

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1054 Words | 5 Pages

McMinn (2007) quote about the nature of sin of the following: “Biblically, the sin problem involves more than simply our bad actions, whether personal or social in their implications and complication. In Scripture and theology, sin is a condition that goes to the root of our being, for it must do with our relationship to our origin and to God,” (p. 162), will help the couple to see the truth about the effects of sin within each other and their marriage. By helping them learn their attribute style regrading sin and along with helping them use prayer and Scripture as tool of insight into their personal relationship with sin and God, which will bring them to enter deeply into their spiritual life, which will require for both abandon sin management and seek inner transformation through the work of the Holy Spirit (McMinn, 2007, p 165). This form of spiritual discipline can help them heal their marriage along with healing induvial. I also think that it could beneficial for the counselor to us a some of the confronting approaches to deal with the couple’s sin, such

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550 Words | 3 Pages

She states that “Prayer can be a positive part of counseling”. She also has faith in the use of scriptures she believes that it can inspire development within the session. She also incorporates assignments in her sessions and has her clients look for particular scriptural topics, which help clients examine the bible for topics that relates to their issue which also boosts growth. The integration of spirituality and religious beliefs within any counselor’s theoretical frame has an impact on clients overall a therapeutic

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187 Words | 1 Pages

Liberal Democracy is a political ideology and in which a form of government can elect representatives, have an equal protection in both voice and rights, and much more. Liberal Democracy is also known as western democracy. This is the system of government that the United States of America has implemented for many years as their main form of government. Nicholas Wolterstorff is an American Philosopher that has written many books to brings together politics and faith. In Religion in the Public Square, he talks about the idea of Liberal Democracy along the side with his co-author Robert Audi.

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1062 Words | 5 Pages

(2010) by McMinn, Staley, Webb, and Seegobin the authors decipher the differences between various Christian approaches. Biblical counseling, pastoral counseling, and Christian psychology are a few of the different methods which can be used when clients want a Christian perspective integrated into their therapy. Biblical counseling is mainly used among very conservative Christians who wish to return the role of counseling to the church (McMinn et al., 2010, p. 392). “Biblical counselors consider the bible to be superior and more authoritative than psychological science, theory, or technique” (McMinn et al., 2010, p. 392). Pastoral counseling can have two different meanings.

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966 Words | 4 Pages

The practice of counseling draws primarily upon empirical research from the social sciences. Theological constructions comes from a variety of sources including philosophy, church history, and Scripture. When individuals look for counseling, they normally ask the counselor what they can do to change things and wonder why their life is turning out the way it is. Counseling, in a nut shell, helps clients develop skills to cope with the different situations in their lives while theological reflection can help clients make meaning of these same dilemmas.

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962 Words | 4 Pages

A healed sin becomes reconciling friendship, becoming a source for fuller healing that embraces all. One can only redeem their sin if their redemption is done by heart and is meaningful. People who do not experience forgiveness, guilt swallows them up and they feel as if they are drowning. As Richard Baxter said, “that sorrow, even for sin, may be overmuch. That overmuch sorrow swalloweth one up.”

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393 Words | 2 Pages

When Christianity and counseling are combined the same goal remains: Spreading the true and undiluted, unaltered Word of God while providing the best therapy possible. Therefore, each Christian counselor must prepare daily for the sectarian attack of proposed ideologies that support “higher powers, spiritual awakenings, and understanding Him” (Alcoholics Anonymous World Services, 2001). “Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world” (1 John 4:1, NASB). Awareness of self is highly important to all counselors as well as being aware of everything else that may ensnare clients or

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