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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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