Respond to 2 classmates answers. 100 each respond

Basic Facts

Jay Adams quote “Psychology is just sinful human beings sinfully thinking about sinful human beings.,” may have some truth deep within the statement. At the very basic level our MacArthur, (1997) informs us in Jeremiah 17:9 "The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked; Who can know it?” (p. 1087) As children of God, our heart, the very essence of who we are is deceitful and sick according to His word. Another scripture that comes to mind is MacArthur, (1997) notes, Psalms 51:5, “Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin my mother conceived me.” (p. 789) This indicates to me that we are born of sin and conceived in sin. I use these two scriptures as evidence of what Jay Adams was speaking of. I have heard many pastors, preachers, ministers and lay leaders of the church say, “We are all sick, and the church is the hospital where we come to obtain our instructions for healing.” So if we are born of sin, conceived in sin are deceitful and sick, why would we not seek help via some form of Christian counseling? Using Mr. Adams quote to re-think the basic facts of the quote, “Psychology is just sinful human beings - MacArthur, (1997) in Romans 3:23 reads “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, p. 1698). Jay Adams – sinfully thinking about sinful human beings – Romans 7:15, I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do.” (p. 1706) I believe we sin only three ways, thought, word and deed. Every sin comes from these three; we think, we speak, we do, and thinking is the beginning. I believe Jay Adams was correct in his statement, though not for the same reasons.

Evaluation

I believe that Psychology and Christian counseling can be integrated. Entwistle, (2010) statement ”Antagonistic models are based on the belief that psychology and theology are mutually exclusive. They are adversaries that are always in skirmish, and never far from an all out war.” (Entwistle, 2010), seem to believe it cannot. I believe that is human nature. Christian combatants and Secular combatants are exclusive in their beliefs that they are right. One constantly strives to be more right and therefore better than the other. If we take the view of the preachers, pastors and ministers I mentioned above, we go to the church to heal. As we read, study, and fellowship one with another, we use our talents and gifts from God to help each other through the struggles in our lives. When we seek counseling for issues that plague us, we are seeking assistance in removing the sins in our lives that keep us from truly living a Spirit filled life under the leading and direction of the Holy Spirit. I believe we seek God out in man’s way, because we can’t hear God’s voice due to our not listening. Each time God speaks, and we turn to our own way, His voice becomes less and less audible. When this happens, we look to man and different therapies to find what is already within us.

I believe that we are sinful people, thinking sinful things, speaking sinful words, doing sinful deeds. MacArthur, (1997) in Mark 10:18 reads “So Jesus said to him, “Why do you call me good?" Jesus answered. "No one is good--except God alone.”” (p. 1482) We are not God, but made in the image of God, so we sin. I believe it is healthy to seek out help. Our help should come from God first, but if we have strayed away from God, and can hear His voice, we may need the assistance of man, whether it is our friends, family, teacher or counselors. This may be far fetches as an example, but take this class for example of seeking help. APA is not one of my strength. I prayed over my first paper before I turned it in. I thought it was pretty good. When I received my grade and the write-up, well I was not as good as I thought. Dr. Meyer, assisted me with the challenges of APA and some writing tips as well. As my ego (thinking I had done a pretty good job) was deflating, I started re-writing the paper to improve my writing and understanding of APA. We are all seeking to improve upon ourselves through the assistance of man in one form or another. God is like that. He corrects us, moves us and loves us enough to say that is not good enough. Even though we are born of and in sin, He loves us enough to correct and nurture us to health and healing.

Post by Lisa

Psychology is man’s attempt to understand human nature using science and reason. While it is true that because of the fall and original sin, man’s thoughts are “imperfect and partial”, it does not negate the fact that God gave humans the ability to reason (Entwistle, 2010, p. 12). While some human behavior leads to poor choices that lead to mental illness, this is not always the case. There are a great number of psychological illnesses that are biologically based, which could not be considered the result of sinful choices. To present that mental illness is only the result of sin leaves a great many people disenfranchised and without the grace God offers. Claiming that illness, mental or physical is simply the result of sin could lead a client to searching for the source of their sin, or to find more faith, instead of seeking treatment.

Psychology and Christian counseling can and should be integrated. While God’s Word is all encompassing, it also frequently references times when God imparted non-spiritual wisdom to others to bring His purposes to pass. Geometry and woodworking were necessary for the ark, despite God’s command to build it. The Israelites were told by God to take from Pharaoh’s land before traveling into the wilderness so they were prepared (Crabb, 1977). Pastoral counseling without knowledgeable interpretation of God’s word and competency in mental health treatment is ignorance at best. While the intent is good, it can lead to further harm, especially when Christ’s word is used as the base. One must not simply rely on counseling or preaching, but must ensure that both are in congruence with God’s word. God’s word should be the foundation, but also a filter through which all other knowledge passes before it is incorporated into a client’s treatment.

Crabb, L. J. Jr. (1977). Effective biblical counseling: A model for helping caring  christians become capable counselors. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Zondervan Publishing House.

            Entwistle, D. (2010). Integrative approaches to psychology and christianity: An introduction to worldview issues. Philosophical foundations and models of integration. Eugene, OR: Cascade Books.