Week 3 Book Review 2
Abstract
The reading for this week is a review of "The New Christian Counselor: A Fresh Biblical and
Transformational Approach," with authors Ron Hawkins and Tim Clinton. As for myself and
other Christians who may be studying human services counseling, I believe that this book will
allow us to be successful in our journey as becoming counselors as well as very helpful in every
aspect of the career. This will enable them to provide counseling services to those in need using
faith-based business strategies. New Christian counselors can help clients become like Christ by
allowing the power of the Spirit to guide them, submitting to the authority of the Bible, and
helping them stay like Him.
Week 3 Book Review 3
Including Christ in Psychotherapy
Based on biblical ideas, Christian therapy combines religion and therapy to support improved
mental health. Christian counselors strive to alleviate emotional distress and dysfunction by
offering empathetic assistance to individuals in need. Hawkins and Clinton (2015) discuss how
the reading delves into the discipline of Christian counseling and provides orientation and
guidance to modern Christian counseling practices. The goal of this book, according to its
writers, is to help readers become more receptive to God's wisdom so that they might grow into
mature, perceptive Christians who are sensitive enough to hear God's truth and impart it to
others. Adhering to God's counsel completely transforms our viewpoint on important issues. We
employ our gift of discernment to make vital and significant judgments regarding our lives by
viewing events and situations from a Christ-like perspective.
Christians Counseling in the New Age
Over the years, several notable models have been employed, one of which was Larry
Crabb's seven-stage approach. Using the expression "spoiling the Egyptians," Crabb (2013)
explains how he views the relationship between Scripture and psychology (p. 49). As Moses led
the Israelites to the Promised Land, they used the plunder from the Egyptians, and Crabb (2013)
encourages the application of pertinent secular psychological categories in a similar manner (pp.
49-50). There are, however, a few warnings. In summary, therapy is based on the Bible, although
psychological integration is not completely ruled out.
The first three stages of Crabb's methodology are: (1) identifying the problems feelings;
(2) locating and identifying problematic behaviors; and (3) highlighting problem thinking. (4) It
is our responsibility to teach the truth that comes from the Bible; (5) to reconstruct or reshape an
Week 3 Book Review 4
individual's biblical thinking; (6) to ensure that our clients are committed to the Bible and feel
secure in learning from it; and (7) to recognize when feelings are controlled by the Spirit. As we
become counselors who counsel by the Christian faith.
A Glimpse of Hope
Throughout the reading, Hawkins, and Clinton search for a spark of optimism. God is
attempting to establish a connection with every person on this planet, and he loves us and will
never give up, desert, or desert us. The Bible is a source of unparalleled serenity and forgiveness;
it is not only a book we use to bolster our hope. It is filled with tales of people who have been
wronged and how to make amends. Hearing the "cry of the soul" is our duty as Christian
counselors (Hawkins & Clinton, 2015). This means that one of our roles as counselors is to listen
to our clients about their pasts, present challenges, and potential future goals.
Top Tasks. To choose to walk side by side with Christ is the key to reconciliation,
restoration, and redemption an it is the practical objective of a counselor who is a Christian as
stated by Hawkins and Clinton (2015). By thoroughly studying the Bible and putting Christ at
the center of our thoughts, feelings, and lives, we can aid in the transformation of people's souls
and, in return, assist in the reconciliation of the lost. The relationship between faith and mental
health is crucial to the full recovery of anyone seeking counseling services, as this thesis finally
demonstrates.
Transgression and dependency. The reading included the topics of dependency and
transgression. Among the things we discovered is that each person is accountable for their own
ideas and any incorrect turns they might make that lead them away from God. However, God
accepts and forgives us when we repent. Sadly, individuals must come to understand that God is
not responsible for shielding us from everything that is bad and unjust. " While not all addictions
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are harmful, all sins share the characteristics of addictions." In their book, Hawkins and Clinton
wrote (Hawkins & Clinton, 2015). When we need a purpose, we often turn to anybody or
anything. I think our self-perception also establishes this.
The significance of interpersonal connections. The writers, Hawkins, and Clinton,
discuss how the ultimate purpose of counseling is to assist our clients in forming new, healthy
relationships in addition to educating them about relationships in general. To recover and
become whole again, we require relationships.
We can make decisions. In addition to providing us the free will to reject his love, God
endowed us with the capacity to choose to love him. Given that God made each of us in
hisBunique image, free will serves to honor that image and enable each of us to forge our own
path. When it comes to human relationship, communication is the cornerstone. Upon closer
examination, the primary objective of people who meet is to acquaint themselves with one
another in the context of those connections. Friendships develop because of more engagement
and conversation. Talking with others not only enables us to understand the thoughts and
feelings of others but also allows people to express their ideas and sentiments.
Examination
The reader can better understand how this can genuinely function because the book
discusses everything from the point of view of the Christian counselor throughout. A Christian
counselor's role and responsibilities are defined, spiritual awareness can assist in bringing about
the necessary change a person needs to resolve a situation, and many other aspects of Christian
counseling are explained in this book. It also explains the idea that God's Word is the foundation
of truth and resolution. The book supports the talks on the incorporation of Christian counseling
that have been delivered in recent weeks, which provides a worldview that the class has
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previously discussed through their technique. The writers acknowledge that God is life and that
he is consequently a part of our everyday existence, but they also emphasize the importance of
their issues and how they relate to counselors and clients.
Perhaps the biggest distinction between the fields of secular and Christian psychology is
how they see and apply Scripture. Biblical authority is a key component of a Christian
counselor's worldview. Nonetheless, we must combine the two to assist those who need Jesus
Christ and to have a thorough understanding of mental health issues. If you believe that to be
true, then therapy can benefit from both the truths of the Bible and psychology. A core idea in
the case for combining psychology with religion or spirituality is this (Hawkins and Clinton,
2015). The suggestion is that simply because the facts did not come from the scientific approach
utilized in psychology, you do not have to eliminate the realities discovered via studying the
Bible from your counseling (Hawkins and Clinton, 2015).
People often come to us when they are at their most vulnerable. when they experience a
sense of total loss, brokenness, and powerlessness. People by nature tend to become defensive or
even withdrawn. A path toward healing that is guided by compassion, safety, and the desire to
serve God is not easy to follow. This is not an innate pursuit. It is the outcome of a heart that has
been changed by Christ's grace. It is crucial to keep in mind that God exists and that, should we
ask, he will always be willing and able to help with healing. This is especially true considering
this transition.
Knowing the Bible well helps counselors to seamlessly integrate their skills into
counseling sessions without coming across as pushy. Every lesson was reinforced by Hawkins
and Clinton's pertinent scriptural interpretations, which compelled us to recognize the power of
God's Word, the influence of the Holy Spirit, and the requirements of the counselor.
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As Hawkins and Clinton (2015) put it, "we are just God's mouthpiece, God's messengers, and
God's servants to tend to the wounded" (Hawkins and Clinton, 2015).
Utilization
In any environment we work in as counselors, we will work with clients who have been
diagnosed with serious illnesses and mental problems daily. Several of which may be connected
to substance misuse. How can we teach this to our clients? Minds and hearts will undoubtedly be
convinced and transformed by the potent combination of God's Word and who he is with us. As
for any of us, some of our clients will have unpredictable relationships, situationships and or
friendships with other people and most of them will display some type of trust issues with other
people. It is crucial to be able to use intervention to alter patterns that revolve around behaviors.
Another crucial component of changing one's behavior when dealing with addiction is having the
awareness of the potential for relapse. Above all, never attempt self-recovery. Everyone needs
help occasionally; all we must do is ask.
Possessing a secure point.
The ability to assist patients in reaching a safe point is another requirement for
counselors. Someone who can aid in their recovery, apart from their counselor. All relationships
are forged in the secure base system when safe exploration is feasible. Deeper investigation by
the writers revealed that the counselor's emotional and spiritual health is the most crucial
component of counseling. Counselors can impart hope if they themselves possess hope.
According to the Scriptures, Jesus Christ is the source of our hope for restoration and
purification. We look to Him for power, forgiveness, and a purpose because He is the author and
perfecter of our faith (Hawkins & Clinton, 2015).
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Bible Study and Medical Interpretation. As we have already seen, Scripture uses a
boundary to represent choices, and Christ makes the assurance that actions rooted in sincere
repentance and dedication to the practice will bring about a change that will push the individual
toward imitating Christ. Therapy is more than just telling the client what will help them become
whole again—that is only one aspect of the process. They are working together in an engaging
manner. Counselors need to be proficient analysts. It must be possible for us to combine all the
information provided to us into a single narrative.
Bible and psychology combined. It is acceptable, in my opinion, to discuss how science
is founded on Christian principles. Counselors can better understand and assist their clients by
learning about the complexity of human nature. Psychology cannot be minimized to issues of sin
or morality, as evidenced by the complexity of the human brain, the effects of environment on
personality, and the influence of society and culture on our daily lives.
Proverbs 20:5; “Counsel in the heart of man is like deep water; but a man of understanding will
draw it out.”
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References
Hawkins, R., & Clinton, T. (2015). The new Christian counselor: A fresh biblical and
transformational approach. Eugene, OR: Harvest House Publishers.
McMinn, M. R. (2011). Psychology, theology, and spirituality in Christian counseling (Rev.
ed.). Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House.
The Holy Bible. King James Version.
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