RUNNING HEAD: MCMINN 1
McMinn Book Review
TeErica McClain
Liberty University
McMinn Book Review
MCMINN 2
Summary
Author Mark R. McMinn, takes the time to give us the book Psychology, theology, and
spirituality in Christian counseling. This book was written to help other healthcare incorporate
spiritual scriptures, and forgiveness into christian counseling the correct way (McMinn, 2011). In
chapter one, the author takes the time to describe the scenario of a way that has low self-esteem,
anxiety, and depression (McMinn, 2011). It is important that Jill finds the right counselor for her
because some counselors will judge you and not truly listen. Also, the chapter talks about the
different counselors that the client can potentially run into. For example, she can run into
Counselor A that will end up rejecting her religious beliefs or counselor C that could just “reject
all secular theories of counseling” (McMinn, 2011). Finding the right counselor not only helps
you with your treatment, but will also give you a better peace of mind. Jill ends up finding Dr.
Gration, who founded a way to integrate psychology and spiritual theory through research. She
went outside of the box of the secular setting, and gained a different perspective in order for her
to treat Jill.
The next chapter called Toward Psychological and Spiritual Health, talks about how both
religion and spirituality can improve mental health and the variety of healing patterns like
Human Development. Chapter three speaks on the importance of prayer, and should it be in
secular settings or not. A question is asked in the session is “Is it okay if we pray together before
ending today’s session” (McMinn, 2011)? Some therapists believe that prayer, and spirituality
should be integrated in counseling, while others do not. In my opinion, I believe that it should be
integrated, because it uplift an individual’s mind, body, and soul. According to McMinn, the
clients are not the only ones that are confused, apparently counselors tend to be confused as well
about the right clients for them (McMinn, 2011). The next couple of chapters in Psychology,
theology, and spirituality in Christian counseling Scripture Sin Confession are (Four), (Five),
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(Six), Forgiveness and Redemption(Seven), (Eight). In these chapters, the author provides the
reader with a variety of concepts, questions, techniques, and scenarios that will help navigate the
christian counselor and client down the road to success. As a counselor, it is very important that
the client trusts you, because it will allow them to open up to you truthfully on certain topics.
You are able to gain their trust by listening to them, showing them eye contact, and being very
empathetic towards them. What stood out the most to me about this book is that McMinn wrote
this book during that time he was going through some obstacles in life. It allowed the reader to
be able to relate to him better, while seeing his point of view on a situation. It is very important
to realize that everyone is human, and is going to make mistakes in life because we are here to
grow into our higher selves. The overall purpose of McMinn’s book was to use the concepts,
situations, and techniques to integrate them into over lives or counseling sessions to overcome
trials and troubles (McMinn, 2011).
Personal Reflection
The important question that they should ask themselves in a secular setting is the reason
they are going to counseling. It is important for the client to understand their problems, traumas,
and their end goals. The purpose of counseling is to help the client identify their goals, and
potential solutions to help them gain a greater insight into their lives. James 5:16 states, “
therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The
prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective”. Before taking this course, I did not know
how to truly combine the methods of spirituality, and psychology into my life and helping others.
However, upon finishing this article and my other materials, I have learned methods to help me
incorporate both, and the importance of doing so.
The author takes the time to talk about the people that give back to the community called
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“God agents” (McMinn, 2011). John 3:16-18 states “By this we know love, that he laid down his
life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers. But if anyone has the world's
goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God's love abide in
him? Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth”. It is very important
to give back to the community, because you are putting yourself in the other person's shoes and
asking yourself how you would want someone to treat you. When I take the time to volunteer at
Atlanta Mission, or domestic violence shelters; I am acting as a God agent. God tends to bless us
when we are able to bless others with kindness without looking for anything in return (McMinn,
2011). God has blessed us and forgave us for many of our sins that it is very important for us to
do the same.
Another important part of overcoming our issues is that we tend to learn the concept of
humbleness. In today’s society, we tend to think that asking someone for help is showing that we
are weak, and irresponsible. We look at the cars, the money, the power, and shoes and think that
we have it going on and that we are better than everyone. However, it is important to humble
yourself because God can easily take it all away from you. In the African American community,
people tend to think that going to counseling makes you weak, or being into spirituality or tarot
makes you weird. However, it is okay to be your unique self, and it is okay to admit that you
need counseling. Sometimes in order for people to get over being hurt in countless relationships,
being rape, or being builled is going to counseling and seeking God. There is nothing wrong with
building a relationship with God, because God sees the bigger picture to help us develop into our
highest selves.
Analysis
I really enjoyed reading McMinn’s book about integrating scriptures and prayer with
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theology concepts. The authors gave the reader a variety of scenarios and concepts to help us see
his perspective on things, as well as other counselors. An important concept that a lot of people
have a hard time doing, including myself is forgiveness. Forgiveness is the choice of the
individual to release resentment towards the others that have harmed them in order to heal. When
someone is forgiving the other person, it should be done for themselves and not because of the
other person. Forgiving someone that has hurt you in anyway is not easy, but it is essential in
order to grow and see the lessons behind them. Forgiveness is not always natural, and can be
occasionally associated with excusing (McMinn, 2011). Some people tend to believe that if you
forgive the other person, then you are placing the blame on yourself.
Plus, I was drawn to the author’s cognitive approach on scenarios because it can be used in
a variety of settings regardless of the religious beliefs. Each client's background and trauma are
different, therefore, it is very important that the counselor is versatile.
Application
In my personal opinion, I believe that everyone has a divine mission that they are here to
achieve. The main purpose is to make the universe a better place by increasing the world’s
vibration. In a few years, I would like to open up my own organization dedicated to rape and
abuse for women and children. The five McMinn’s concepts that I would use in my organization
are
1. Forgiveness: As I stated earlier, forgiveness is an important concept for any individual.
As a Christian Counselor, I will encounter clients that are damaged and have been
harmed by individuals they thought loved them. Matthew 6:14 expressed “For if you
forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive
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you.” Everything that has happened in our life was for a divine reason. Therefore, in
order to see the lesson behind it, we will have to let go of that hurt so that we can see it in
a different light. When the client is able to forgive the people that have harmed them, they
can rebuild the relationship with God, themselves, and other people (McMinn, 2011).
2. As an christian counselor, it is very important that I use scripture in my Spiritual Level:
sessions with my client. Using scripture will not only help them heal, but also help them
build up their relationship with God. However, I would first have to understand their
religious beliefs and their needs, so that I would know what treatment to go with.
3. Spiritual Health: Spiritual health is very important in a person's life because it creates a
balance between the mind, body, and soul for a person. As a christian counselor, it is very
important that I improve not only my client’s physical well-being, but also their mental
health (McMinn, 2011). When a person has healthy spiritual health; then it brings
meaning and purpose to their life.
4. Self-exploration : When a person is able to look deep within themselves are they able to
find the root causes of their problems. In order for anyone to grow and heal from their
past traumas, then they will have to first understand their true self. Helping my clients
find their authentic self with help them identify the root causes of their issues and help
them overcome their problems.
5. Prayer: Prayer is one of the most important concepts in a christian setting. Prayer is
important because it will help the counselor guide the client through the session with
God’s help to achieve the ultimate goal. However, the only problem is knowing when to
use prayer in a session, and when to not. Therefore, it is very important the counselor
understand the needs of the client, and the goal for them.
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I chose the following concepts above because they have played a part of the journey I am on
currently. In order for me to become who I am today, I had to first figure out who I was, and
what I wanted in life. The hardest part of my journey was looking back into childhood, and old
relationships to heal the traumas that were holding back from achieving my goals. I knew that I
had to get right with God and myself, so I started back going to church and getting more
spiritual. I had to forgive the people that hurt me the most, so that I could see the bigger picture
of my divine purpose here. Mark 11:24 states, “ Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in
prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.” I was able to forgive others
through prayer, and believing that the blessings are right around the corner for me. I am twenty-
four years old, and I am still not done finding myself, but I know that I want to become my
highest self.
References:
McMinn, M. R. (2011). Psychology, theology, and spirituality in Christian counseling
(Rev. ed.). Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House. ISBN: 9780842352529.
