Choose the issue which you believe to be most urgent/significant
and tell why you chose it. Also, explain why you devalued the
other 5 in favor of this issue.
The issue that I believe to be most significant in contemporary Biblical
counseling is The relationship of biblical counseling to secular
psychology. I think that "Every vocation is a calling in which to serve God
and others with whatever abilities God has gifted us." (Entwistle, 2015, p.
12). There are so many portraits of the integration of psychology in the
Bible. Jesus was our first model. He used parables, earthly stories with a
heavenly meaning to instruct people about the proper course of action
(Mark 4:10-12). The disciples were fishermen, then Jesus commissioned
them to be fishermen of men's souls (Matthew 4:19 KJV). Jesus suffered
and was tempted to help anyone who was tempted (Hebrews 2:18 KJV).
Jesus had no respecter person and used a donkey to speak to a man. God
gifted men and women with the talents of his choice to minister to others
including teaching, preaching, and counseling.
God equips us for our ministry through experience, and education. There
are thousands of Christian professionals such as social workers,
psychiatrists,psychologists, college psychology majors, and counselors
drinking from a different well which can be won by an approach that they
can interact with and having a liking forpsychology. (Powlison, 2010,
p. 258). Nothing happens without God's permission. (Proverbs,
16:1, KJV). I believe that we should continue a daily relationship
with the Lord. In that relationship, join Christ, where he is
working daily. I think many of Jay Adam's principles, such as
biblical counseling, aim at changing the heart (Powlison, 2010). I
believe that "All truth is God's truth" (Entwistle, 2015). This
statement includes both Science and the Bible. I think in many of
his principles, but his principles and his way of counseling are not
the only way.
To solely agree with critical issue number one would be to deny God's call
on one's life and his strategy for preparedness. Critical issue number one
"same old issue" deals with the foundation and faith in practice. From the
beginning, Jay Adams has rejected secular psychology models of counsel
and thinking even in the church of the living God (Powlison, 2010, P. 242).
The author believes that biblical counseling is the equipping and
overseeing work of the pastor. In critical issue number three, nouthetic
counseling practice is less biblical sensitivity to the suffering of God's
people (Powlison, 2010, p. 248). In critical issue number four. nouthetic
counseling is known for its directive, aggressive and authoritative style of
counsel. The Bible states that to speak the truth in Love, we may grow up
in all things (Ephesians 4:15 KJV). Finally, critical issue number five
contextualize to a new audience. Biblical counseling needs to go outside
the church walls and speak to a more intellectual segment of Christian
culture. (Powlison, 2010, p. 253). Jay Adam opposed professionals who
called themselves belonging to an elite group such as secular psychology.
He also opposed the notion that nonbiblical experts possessed
psychological-emotional behavioral, and interpersonal problems
(Powlison, 2010, p.253).
Appendix 4
Cures for the soul's main goal is to transform individuals' life into the
image of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Its purpose is to assist the
pastoral process in bringing change to others. The author states the
"Bible itself teaches us that ministry does not always lead out with a bible
verse (Powlison, 2010). As counselors, we are to meet individuals where
they are and bring them to our level. I believe Kollar's assumption about
solution-focused Pastoral counseling that the Holy Spirit is at work in both
the counselor and the counselee (Kollar, 2010).
Reference
Entwistle, D. N. (2015). Integrative approaches to psychology and
Christianity: An introduction to worldview issues, philosophical
foundations, and integration models. (3rd ed.). Eugene, OR: Cascade.
Powlison,D. (2010).Biblical Counseling Movement, The: (History and
Context)United Statesof America: New Growth Press
King James Bible. King James Bible gateway
online.https://www.biblegateway.com/
