Garzon describes Christian Spirituality as being “focused on cultivating an intimate
relationship with Jesus Christ that progressively transforms one’s values, sense of purpose,
beliefs, and lifestyle in the context of a faith community” (Garzon, 2011). In his article
Biblically based Christian spirituality and Adlerian therapy, Richard Watts cites Mahrer
(1996) who describes it as “some kind of relationship between the person and a higher
force, being, power, or God.”(p.317). He goes on to say, “The biblically based Christian
individual views spirituality as more specific and personal than the above descriptions.”
Watts also cited (Collins (1998) who stated that it involves personal intimacy with God, a
process of being conformed to the image of God for the sake of others.”(pp.317,318). I
agree with all of these statements, however in reading both articles, there was one thing I
felt needs consideration and more emphasis, and that is that Christianity is an action-
oriented faith, therefore, spirituality for the Christian is built on God’s Word and the action
behind putting it into practice. The descriptions of Adlerian therapy and its similarities to
Christian Counseling couldn’t be denied, however I tend to agree with at least one of the
fears Watts cites in his article that there may be a failure to “discern religious language and
ideas.”(Bergin, Payne, and Richards,1996). This for me, was one of the sticking points to
the whole idea of secular therapists counseling Christian clients, and it is one of the reasons
I believe it may not necessarily be a good idea.
a a a a a a a a Christianity is all about relationship, that much is true. We learn about how to
cultivate that relationship through God’s Word and spiritual practice. In other words,
knowledge of Christian “religious language and ideas” and the action it takes to enact those
ideas. I have a difficult time with the notion that a secular therapist can understand how to
bring a Christian or even secularly minded counselee to God without first-hand knowledge
of what it takes to walk the Christian walk. Without first-hand knowledge of God’s Word
and a serious study of it, there is a risk of either watering down the message and intent
behind God’s Word or leading the counselee to a form of new age spirituality which has
become so prevalent in the American Church today. Secular therapists can gain an
understanding and sensitivity to the religious ideas of their clients, but this is not the same
as actually living the lifestyle of that individual’s faith. There are still going to be gaps and
that could be a crucial problem which may cause the Christian to stumble in their faith. One
of the things I found missing from both articles was the concept of reliance on God. While
it is true the assumption could be made that this is part of the “relationship” with God that
both Watts and Garzon talk about, that language was not specifically used by either of
them. The Christian must learn to “Trust the Lord with all their heart and not lean on their
own understanding” as a part of the walk. (Proverbs, 3:5). I am not sure I agree with the
idea that a secular therapist who doesn’t practice this or truly understand what it takes could
counsel a Christian with biblical intent. Biblical counseling’s whole mission is to bring the
counselee closer to God, and that should be done by an individual who models that idealism
or what’s the point? To qualify what I am saying here, I believe intent is something that
needs to be considered. There are times when a Christian will seek counseling from a
secular therapist for various reasons and possibly with the expectation that the counselor
understands religious ideas, but this should not be confused with Christian or Biblical
counseling methodology. I do believe there is room for integration however the Christian
must be careful and secular ideas and methods should be run through the scriptural test.
When a person is hurting, I am not convinced they always have the ability to discern
whether or not they are being led in the right direction. Both the counselor and counselee
have a responsibility for properly assessing the fit between them.
References
Garzon, Fernando L., “Spirituality in Counseling” (2011). Faculty Publications and
Presentations. 62. https://digitalcommons.liberty.edu/ccfs_fac_pubs/62 Links to an
external site.
Watts, Richard E., “Biblically-based Christian spirituality and Adlerian therapy” (2000).
Journal of Individual Psychology. https://researchgate.net/publications/265161440
