WebDescribe the sufficiency of Scripture. Counseling Survivors, 45-51. 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. But a proper handling of the text of Scripture is actually a weakness of the movement. For comparison purposes, contrast the explanation of Roberts and Watson regarding the Sermon on the Mount with a standard evangelical commentary, such as D.A. With these differences in mind, a basic conclusion can be drawn that all Christian psychologists are, to some degree, those who practice a form of integration, but as systems of counseling, integration and Christian psychology are distinct.22As will be demonstrated later in this essay, Christian psychology looks similar to integration in actual counseling practice. Christian psychology has also shed light on the all-too ignored problem of presuppositions in psychological systems. The case presented in this work is hypothetical, but still help for demonstrating how various Christian approaches to counseling flesh out in actual counseling practice. 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. 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. Psychologys cultural, social, and pragmatic authority proved too strong. Eric L. Johnson,Foundations for Soul Care: A Christian Psychology Proposal(Downers Grove: IVP Academic, 2007), 10; Johnson,Five Views, 36. WebSince the Bible is sufficient for all of life, should we rule out psychology in counseling? 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. Webintegrationist or Christian Psychologist regarding the insufficiency of Scripture for counseling. Research and respond to the arguments of at least one integrationist or Christian As will be demonstrated later in this essay, Christian psychology looks similar to integration in actual counseling practice. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light (Matt. Chicago Statement on Biblical Inerrancy, as cited in Wayne Grudem,Systematic Theology(Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1994), 1204. Research and respond to the arguments of at least one (Morgan, PA: Soli Deo Gloria, 1995), 96-150, esp. Scripture Texts: Matthew 5:18, 24:35 John 10:35, 16:12-13, 17:17 2 Timothy Writers who promote CP or write from this viewpoint include Dan Allender, Neil Anderson, Larry Crabb, Eric L. Johnson, Diane Langberg, Tremper Longman III, Gary Moon, Leanne Payne, Robert C. Roberts, Siang-Yang Tan, and P.J. Watson, A Christian Psychology View in Christianity and Psychology: Five Views, Eric L. Johnson, ed., 2nd ed. Johnsons admission is exceedingly confusing and ultimately, telling. It would be terribly nave to assume that there will ever be only one Christian psychology in this age. Eric Johnson writes, So if we define psychology broadly as a rigorous inquiry into human nature and how to treat its problems and advance well-being, Christians have been thinking and practicing psychology for centuries.5Ibid., 14. (Downers Grove: IVP Academic, 2012), 157-83. Counseling Survivors, 45-51. This is the testimony of Scripture itself and the historic position of Protestant Christianity. Scripture does not teach a sliding-scale of authority which varies depending upon the amount of information revealed on any given topic. Rather, Scripture addresses all of human life, as only God himself has a right to do. Of course, even at a level of generality, biblical control beliefs are helpful. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. Not only do Christian psychologists struggle in areas regarding the Bible, the movement provokes concern in regard to the ecumenical emphasis it articulates. Langberg notes that later on in the counseling process, the use of the Scriptures will be introduced (125, 127), but not initially. 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. Personality theory is even a distraction because it directs attention to the wrong questions. uYTCQP_8TV,Z?U : )xPHH HzmZ4%}(k&w-n0BP; ) (4~oIjCm%d /oPoR*GEE The therapeutic practice often centers on regular conversations between a counselor and a client, known as talk-therapy.. It would be terribly nave to assume that there will ever be only one Christian psychology in this age. Ironically, Roberts states at the beginning of his article that Christian psychologists strive to develop their psychology with a minimum of reference to or influence from the psychologies of the twentieth century (135). While Gods understanding of human nature is the goal of a Christian psychology, given human finitude and the existence of distinct Christian traditions, the Society welcomes those working from any perspective within the historic Christian Church.37Society for Christian Psychology, Amplification of the Mission Statement, [online]; accessed 12 October 2016; available at http://www.christianpsych.org/. 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. As a movement, CP seeks to understand both the nature of human beings (psychology) and appropriate practices to address life problems (psychotherapy). This task of retrieval is two-tiered. Watson, A Christian Psychology View in Christianity and Psychology: Five Views, Eric L. Johnson, ed., 2nd ed. Instead of portraying the biblical vision of people first to the church and then to psychologists, integrationists imported secular visions into Christianity. )IE%C?2h'gA jMf0$l4PWMlP]OulqcBTx'iA'r+D8vk! 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. 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 Collectively, these are the non-conservative approaches. << /Length 5 0 R /Filter /FlateDecode >> The diverse fruit on the human tree arises from generic patterns of idolatry or faith and exhibits generic patterns of sin or righteousness. Roberts notes, Christian psychology insists on the priority of a deep knowledge of the psychology that is distinctive of Christianity as a prerequisite to the integration of modern professional and scientific psychologies into Christian thought and practice. Roberts,Five Views, 136. Christian counseling is effective for spiritual enrichment, strengthening ones relationship with God, and overcoming or managing mental health issues like depression. This passage shows just how sufficient Scripture is for counseling. Relate the doctrine of the sufficiency of Scripture to the practice of biblical counseling. Goodreads. The ecumenism of the movement is further seen through the diverse background of the Societys executive and references boards as well as the diversity of both the authors and theological systems represented in the societys journal,Christian Psychology. First, CP is built upon a faulty view of the Scriptures. The case presented in this work is hypothetical, but still help for demonstrating how various Christian approaches to counseling flesh out in actual counseling practice. Second, Christian psychologists strive to develop empirical research pursuits that derive from a distinctly Christian worldview. WebChristian psychologists affirm a form of the sufficiency of Scripture, but explain this doctrine in such a way as to actually view the Scriptures as insufficient for soul care. As the title implies, Evans develops Kirkegaards psychology of human beings through a careful study of his works. 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. For a critique of this therapeutic version of the gospel, see David Powlison, The Therapeutic Gospel,Journal of Biblical Counseling25/3 (2007): 2-7. The sufficiency ofScripture dictates that the Bible contains all that we need to know what we need to believe, and how we are to live before God. SeeEdification3.1 (2009) andEdification6.2 (2012). For an overview of integration, see Stanton L. Jones, An Integration View inChristianity and Psychology: Five Views, Eric L. Johnson, ed., 2nded. 31 They hold However, Christian psychologists note that integration is very difficult and seem to be more sensitive to the need to establish a uniquely Christian psychology first before pursuing additional insight from non-Christian systems.18Roberts notes, Christian psychology insists on the priority of a deep knowledge of the psychology that is distinctive of Christianity as a prerequisite to the integration of modern professional and scientific psychologies into Christian thought and practice. Roberts,Five Views, 136. Eric Johnson is a Christian psychologist who adamantly claims that the Bible is not sufficient for counseling. C. Stephen Evans, as quoted by Johnson,5 Views. However, he errors in concluding that this makes the Bible lessauthoritativeregarding subjects where is it reveals less content. For example, Johnson considers Augustine the first great Christian psychologist, Ibid., 12. Without Christ as the hope for the counselee, encouragement will primarily be found through the relationship with the therapist. Since Christians believe the Bible is the authoritative Word of God and is the sole, God-breathed source of truth (2 Tim. Compare her conclusions with standard theologies and works: Grudem, 442-450; Lambert,Theology, 184-91; Anthony Hoekema,Created In Gods Image(Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1986); Millard Erickson,Christian Theology(Grand Rapids: Baker, 1983), 517-536; Jay Adams,A Theology of Christian Counseling(Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1979), 118-120; Louis Berkhof,Systematic Theology, New Com. C. Stephen Evans challenge for Christians to develop a uniquely Christian approach to psychology while continuing to participate actively in the broader field means that unbelievers may be influenced by Christian psychologists with the gospel of Christ and biblical truth (Matt. 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. Rather, Scripture addresses all of human life, as only God himself has a right to do. Eric Johnson is a Christian psychologist who adamantly claims that the Bible is not sufficient for counseling. Biblical redemption is re-defined as emotional acceptance and unconditional love (58, 128). 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. Johnson traces the emergence of the modern Christian psychology movement initially to the writings of Christian philosophers Soren Kierkegaard, and later to C. Stephen Evans.6Eric L. Johnson,Foundations for Soul Care: A Christian Psychology Proposal(Downers Grove: IVP Academic, 2007), 10; Johnson,Five Views, 36. Published by IVP Academic in 2010. pp / $ /. While Christian psychology has much to commend, it also suffers from several weaknesses. They are perennially vexed because they are inherently ambiguous. Christian psychologists affirm a form of the authority, necessity, sufficiency, and primacy of the Scriptures, yet they define these qualities of Scripture in such a way as to actually undermine them.Johnson,26Foundations, 167-95. For example, see P.J. (Downers Grove: IVP Academic, 2010), 185. In the end, he seems to be more committed to diversity and dialogue for its own sake rather than to serious biblical and theological scholarship of soul-care material from Scripture in order construct a truly Christian psychology. This book is an expanded version of the 2000 Psychology and Christianity: Four Views, edited by Stanton Jones and Eric Johnson. 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. In another work, Langberg describes the role of the therapist as bringing about redemptive healing as she incarnatesChrist.48 Langberg,Counseling Survivors, 55, 57, 105, 150, 158. While Mormon doctrine is inconsistent with the doctrinal statement of the Society, this level of cooperation between two scholars representing vastly different theological systems raises additional concerns regarding the ecumenism of Christian Psychology as a movement. Langberg notes that later on in the counseling process, the use of the Scriptures will be introduced (125, 127), but not initially. Christian psychology differs from classic integration by drawing distinctions in regard to goal of the system, the manner of integration, and the use of secular psychological research. The current breakout of psychology into the evangelical mainstream began in the minds and practices of Christian psychotherapists impressed with that relative weakness and strength. Frame notes, Scriptures authoritative content is not religious as opposed to secular, not about matters of salvation in contrast with other matters unrelated to salvation. The Word is just as relevant to our lives now as it was to the lives of the people who lived during the time it was being written. 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. Even more important, personality theory turns out to be absolutely unnecessary for effective counseling. The society publishes a journal,Christian Psychology, to promote articles written from a CP perspective. 139-40; Frame,The Doctrine of the Word of God(Phillipsburg: P&R, 2010), 145-82, 216. In the end, he seems to be more committed to diversity and dialogue for its own sake rather than to serious biblical and theological scholarship of soul-care material from Scripture in order construct a truly Christian psychology. Dr. James Mook describes the doctrine of the sufficiency of Gods Word as the following: What do people in Irian Jaya and in New York City suburbs have in common? Observations and descriptions of individual differences are, of course, extremely valuable in making counselors mature and case-wise. The law of the Lord is perfect, restoring the soul. (Downers Grove: IVP Academic, 2010), 101-28. Third, Christian psychology differs from integration in respect to the goal of the system. Christian psychology incorporates both psychological theories and theological approaches to talk therapy by using biblical concepts with psychotherapy practices. Frame notes, Scriptures authoritative content is not religious as opposed to secular, not about matters of salvation in contrast with other matters unrelated to salvation. The Statement later denies that infallibility and inerrancy are limited to spiritual, religious, or redemptive themes, exclusive of assertions in the fields of history and science (Article XII). compiled by Heath Lambert, that there are chapters on bipolar, obsessive-compulsive disorder, depression, panic disorder, dissociative identity disorder, etc. 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. In counseling practice, CP looks surprisingly secular, where Scripture and the gospel of Jesus Christ do not functionally inform and drive the counseling process. The contents demonstrate Gods intention to restore the broken relationship between Himself and sinful humanity through His Son, Jesus Christ, our Savior through the regenerating work of the Spirit, applying the reconcilling work of Jesus Christ . Finally, Christian psychology is to be commended for its desire to be a distinctly Christian witness in a secular psychological environment. Everythingin Scripture comes to us as authoritative communication (emphasis original),The Doctrine of God(Phillipsburg: P&R, 2002), 92. If a solid biblical and theological foundation could be established based upon an affirmation of Scriptures sufficiency and authority for counseling, coupled with a more careful exegesis of the text applied to both counseling theory and practice, perhaps the vision of Christian Psychology could be achieved. The implication of that phrase is that its truthfulness produces a comprehensive righteousness in those who accept it. There is no need for additional revelations. Eric L. Johnson, A Brief History of Christians in Psychology inPsychology & Christianity: Five Views, Eric L. Johnson, Ed. Contrast Langbergs perspective with Psalm 18:2, The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, My God, my rock, in whom I take refuge; My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. Or with Jesus, Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. Christian Web Hosting, Many Christian psychologists will affirm that the Bible is authoritative, inerrant, and inspired. The Bible is always and finally authoritative, even when it reveals less content or seems less relevant on any given subject. (IVP Academic, 2010), 10-11. 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. (IVP Academic, 2010), 10-11. While Christian psychology strives to develop a singular, unified system of psychology, integrationists question the possibility of this goal. Watson.8Johnson, Foundations; Dan Allender, The Healing Path (Colorado Springs: Waterbrook, 2000); Dan Allender and Tremper Longman III, The Cry of the Soul (Colorado Springs: NavPress, 1994); Neil Anderson, The Bondage Breaker (Eugene: Harvest House, 1990); Larry Crabb, Inside Out (Colorado Springs: NavPress, 1987); Larry Crabb, The Pressures Off (Colorado Springs: Waterbrook, 2002); Diane Langberg, Counseling Survivors of Sexual Abuse (Wheaton: Tyndale House, 1997); Diane Langberg, A Christian Psychology Approach in Counseling and Christianity: Five Approaches, Stephen P. Greggo and Timothy A. Sisemore, eds. 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. Johnsons admission is exceedingly confusing and ultimately, telling. , or God-breathed. P.J. Gods Word reveals truth, giving us discernment. Again, God works through everyone. If youve been impacted by our resources, we invite you to make a year-end gift before December 31. Psychotherapy, or psychological counseling, is the practice of attempting to heal a persons emotional and mental problems. Stanton Jones notes: integrationists understand that our commitment to a biblical view of persons provide a presumptive framework, not a fully constructed system of psychology. 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). Ibid., 171-2. Today, CP does not describe an established Christian system of psychological understanding so much as it represents a loose movement of psychologists, counselors, theologians, and Christian philosophers who seek to develop such a psychology. These examples illustrate that there is a spectrum of diversity amongst Christian psychologists. Scripture is God-breathed, so it is without sin, error, or corruption. Psychological Theories, Series:
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