Psychology, Book Review - Theology, and Spirituality in Christian Counseling

A 4-MAT Review System: Psychology, theology, and spirituality in Christian counseling

Liberty University

A 4-MAT Review System: Psychology, theology, and spirituality in Christian counseling

Summary

Mark R. McMinn is a professor of psychology at Wheaton College Graduate School in Wheaton, Illinois, where he directs and teaches in the Doctor of Psychology program. His book Psychology, Theology, and Spirituality in Christian Counseling (1996) is a guidelines on using religion as a part of a cognitive therapy.  The book explores the importance of the spiritual disciplines in psychotherapy, helping counselors to integrate the biblical principles of forgiveness, redemption, restitution, prayer, and worship into their counseling techniques.  There is a challenge facing Christian counselors to integrate psychology, theology, and spiritual formation. The Christian counselors work is ministry, they are ministers and the work is an act of obedience and service to God. “That ye  might walk worthy of the Lord unto all  pleasing, being fruitful  in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God” (Colossians 1:10 King James Version). Using the bible is both a necessity and an obligation for Christian counselors.

Concrete Response

This book brought to mind many of my life issues from childhood until adulthood and how effective integrative counseling tools can be used in counseling. I have dealt with molestation & rape in early childhood, to dealing with a schizophrenic father, to losing a mother to the crime of domestic violence in adulthood. These issues were weighty on my mental state and I needed the help of a psychologist, prayer, biblical intervention and the Holy Spirit’s guidance. A Christian counselor was able to guide me to replace my faulty thinking to more positive healing thinking. It was also a help for me to include prayer during the session because it made me aware that God hears and is available to help. The in-session prayer was a...