LIBERTY UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF DIVINITY
Subject Matter Conversation Assignment
Submitted to Dr. Rick Nichols
in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the completion of
PACO 500-D02
Introduction to Pastoral Counseling
by
Fungetta Whitaker
October 27,2022
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What is a Symphonic View of Personhood?
After reviewing the PowerPoint presentation and listening to the recording Teams
call on the Subject Matter Conversation, the second question really stood out to me. There have
been times in my own life (and in counseling others) when I have focused too closely on one of
issue rather than taking a more holistic view. Interestingly, this approach may be successful with
secular counselors, but in solution-focused pastoral counseling, we benefit more from seeing the
client as a whole person to have a more productive session that focuses on the client's hopes and
dreams for the future. Personhood is an inherently difficult notion to define, and the symphonic
view is practically inescapable since personhood includes at least the basic parts of physical,
mental, emotional, spiritual, and relational qualities.
In the Christian perspective, personhood is most likely best defined as being created in
the image of God. God is Spirit, yet in the person of Jesus, God took on human flesh. While our
ideas are linked to the brain, they are distinct from the physical organ and, in some ways, the
essence of the human person. As a consequence, the emotional component of the mind is how
humans connect with their surroundings and with one another.
People are built to be in relationships. The aim of human existence is expressly for
interaction with the Creator as well as with one another. Ignoring this aspect of humanity is
ignoring a critical necessity. Humans are spiritual by nature. Being created to live in contact with
a Spiritual God demands that we be spirit as well. The most ignored aspect of mankind is the
awareness of what is spiritual around us.
The Symphonic View is essential in any approach to therapy for understanding the large
picture and offering comprehensive care. In therapy, tending to the full person in every
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inadequate sector is self-explanatory. The mode of operation in delivering appropriate guidance
to the individual in need must be discernment. Finally, symphonic perspective on personhood
means examining a person from every angle possible.
