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.
b b b b b b b b 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
