Mark Mcminn's Chapter On Sin

Introduction Mark McMinn begins the chapter on sin by discussing how the use or miss use of a word can change the words meaning. McMinn talks about how the word sin had a different meaning for Albert Ellis in regard to psychology and mental health while Jay Adams has a different mean of sin in relation to psychology and mental health. Albert Ellis felt that sin was the concept to all psychopathology and that most people just need to change their view on what is right and wrong. However, Jay Adams felt that sin was the cause for all psychopathology except for organic causes. Adams argues that sin is not a concept, but the problem. Both men address sin, but differ in opinion on the role that sin plays in the mental health of an individual.

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.
The first is silence. McMinn says that sometimes it is best to remain silent and let the client work out their own feeling of guilt and questions.
The second is pondering. According to McMinn, pondering is a good way to indirectly confront the client about sin, allowing the client to intently think about their choices.
The third is questioning. McMinn says that by asking questions the counselor is able to access the client’s values of right and wrong. This will help give the client a feeling of ownership over their decision instead of conforming to meet the expectations of the

But, I do know that there would be times that I would probably be very tempted to directly confront someone for their sin, especially if their sin is hurting someone else. An example of this would be a person that in repeatedly unfaithful to their significant other, who is trying to hold the relationship together. I think I would be very direct with this client. Their sin is thoughtless, uncaring and selfish. At this point, I don’t think that the client is going worried about their unfaithfulness being wrong. There could be a chance that the client does not understand just how hurtful their sin is to their significant other, therefore I would want to be sensitive with my directness. I would also want to preserve my therapeutic relationship, therefore being sensitive about my directness would help keep the therapeutic relationship in