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Basic Christian counselling
1. 1
Introduction to Christian Counselling
Pastor Shaun Abrahams BA.TH
North West University, Pretoria, South Africa.
WELCOME
2. 2
Introduction to Christian Counselling - OutlineOutline
I.I. Introduction, Definition & BiblicalIntroduction, Definition & Biblical
ExplanationExplanation
II.II. The Theological FoundationThe Theological Foundation
III.III. The Authority of the ScripturesThe Authority of the Scriptures
IV.IV. The Role of the Holy SpiritThe Role of the Holy Spirit
V.V. The Role of the ChurchThe Role of the Church
VI.VI. Summation and ChallengeSummation and Challenge
3. 3
Three Approaches to Counselling
Expert Knowledge:
Sigmund Freud and F. J. Skinner.
Common Knowledge:
Carl Rogers (humanistic), O. Hobart &
Mowrer (behaviour therapy)
Biblical Counselling/Divine Knowledge:
Scripture, God's Revelation.
I. IntroductionI. Introduction
4. 4
Sigmund Freud
The therapist would try to determine who did what
to the Person!
Popularized the study of the unconscious mental
processes. He taught that our outward behaviour
(especially when abnormal) was the product of
unconscious mental conflict.
He placed a great emphasis on the unconscious
process and would employ the use of hypnoses, dream
analysis, and free association to ascertain what might
be troubling the person.
Expert Knowledge:
5. 5
Sigmund Freud
Freud referred to himself as a godless heathen, and a
hopeless Jew.
He emphasized sex as the basis of most every drive.
He took a very dim view of religion, rejecting both the
teaching, doctrine, and methods of theology and its
conclusions. A religious experience to him was a child's
delusion.
Expert Knowledge:
6. 6
B. J. Skinner:
The behaviourist claims to be committed only to the use
of factual evidence.
He believed that man is a product of evolution -- not a
created being.
Skinner taught that mankind is a product of his
environment.
The goal is survival and natural selection is the process
(that is, survival of the fittest).
Expert Knowledge:
7. 7
Both Freud and Skinner saw the counselees as not
being responsible, but held others responsible for their
actions.
Freud saw the problem as poor socialization, that is,
"What did society do to the person?”
Skinner would say that man is not responsible because
a determined animal cannot be held accountable.
He taught that the environment was the cause of
human behaviour.
By manipulating one's environment you can change
the person's behaviour.
Expert Knowledge:
8. 8
The expert knowledge approach is based squarely
upon the premise (or presupposition) that man is NOT
responsible for what he does.
As a result conventional psychiatry believes that:
a. Mental illness exists.
b. Probing into the client's past life is always an essential
part of treatment. (Who did WHAT to the person?)
c. Transference is an important part of the therapy
process. (Putting the blame elsewhere.)
Expert Knowledge:
9. 9
Carl Rogers.
The father of "client-centred therapy,"
The counsellor reflects the counselee's
responses back to him and, thus, set up a
catalytic atmosphere of acceptance.
Such an environment is supposed to allow the
client to get in touch with the innate resources
within himself for successfully dealing with life
and developing self-esteem.
Common Knowledge:
10. 10
Rogers sees people as basically good or healthy -- or
at very least, not bad or ill.
He sees mental health as the normal progression of
life, and he sees mental illness, criminality, and other
human problems, as distortions of that natural
tendency.
The entire theory is built on a single “force of life” he
calls the actualizing tendency. It can be defined as the
built-in motivation present in every life-form to
develop its potentials to the fullest extent possible.
We’re not just talking about survival: Rogers
believes that all creatures strive to make the very best
of their existence.
Common Knowledge:
11. 11
Observations about secular counselling
Contradictions in Psychotherapy.
Psychology is not motivated by compassion.
Labels do not mean a cure.
Psychology cannot be trusted.
12. 12
Freud, for example, conceived of his work this way:
“The words, ‘secular pastoral worker,’ might well serve
as a general formula for describing the function which
the analyst…has to perform in his relation to the public.”
Freud saw himself doing “pastoral work in the best
sense of the word.” But this pastoral ministry did not
offer people the mercy and grace of the personal Lord
who searches every heart and shepherds souls. Instead,
when Freud counselled someone, he would seek “to
enrich him from his own internal resources.”
Sigmund Freud, “The Question of Lay Analysis” and “Postscript,” in The Standard Edition of the Complete Psychological
Works of Sigmund Freud (London: Hogarth Press, 1926 and
1927, volume 20), pp. 255f, 250.
Psychotherapists function as “secular priests,” as the
more self-conscious among them freely acknowledge.
Psychotherapists function as “secular priests,” as the
more self-conscious among them freely acknowledge.
13. 13
Carl Jung described a different aspect of the
counselling dynamic. “Patients force the
psychotherapist into the role of a priest and
expect and demand of him that he shall free
them from their distress.
That is why we psychotherapists must occupy
ourselves with problems which, strictly speaking,
belong to the theologian.”
4Carl Jung, Modern Man in Search of a Soul, translated by W. S.
Dell and Cary F. Baynes (San Diego: Harcourt Brace Jovanovich, 1933), p. 241.
14. 14
The practitioners of psychotherapeutics are not
“scientists” studying subjects with cool detachment, nor
are they “medical personnel” treating psychic
pathologies, nor are they “technicians” of mental
content, emotional state, and behavioural habit.
Mental health professionals necessarily act as
prophet-theologians, who define human nature and the
meaning of life while typically excising God. They
necessarily act as priest-pastors, who typically shepherd
the human soul to find refuge in itself, in other people,
and in psychoactive medication, because they construct
a universe barren of the living God and His Christ.
15. 15
“In spite of the best intentions to remain biblical, it is
frighteningly easy to admit concepts into our thinking
which compromise biblical content. Because
psychologists have spent up to nine years studying
psychology in school and are pressed to spend much of
their reading time in their field in order to stay current,
it is inevitable that we develop a certain ‘mindset.’ The
all-too-common but disastrous result is that we tend to
look at Scripture through the eyeglasses of psychology.”
-Larry Crabb in Effective Biblical counselling
16. 16
“My thesis is that in the next two decades the greatest
threat to Biblical authority is the behavioral scientist
who would in all good conscience man the barricades to
defend the front door against any theologian who
would attack the inspiration and authority of Scripture
while all the while himself smuggling the content of
Scripture out the back door through cultural or
psychological interpretation. It seems to me that much
ofcurrent evangelical Christian counselling evidences a
strong admixture, and often a controlling overdose, of a
non-Biblical understanding of man.”
-- Robertson McQuilkin in “The Behavioral Sciences Under the Authority of Scripture,”
JETS
17. 17
One's methodology, model in counselling, or method
of counselling will come from his presuppositions, or
what he believes to be true.
In counselling, your method to bring about change, or
to deal with a person, will grow out of your basic view of
God and man.
One's attitude and treatment of people in counselling
grows out of what one believes.
18. 18
Man's basic problem is depravity, hence, the
need of regeneration or sanctification
The Bible must be the final authority in faith and
practice.
All systems of counselling must be studied in the
light of the Word of God.
Biblical Counselling/ Divine Knowledge:
19. 19
What Biblical counselling is.
Biblical counselling discerns thinking and
behavior that God wants to change.
Biblical counselling uses God’s Word, by the
Holy Spirit, to change motives, thinking, and
behavior to Christlikeness.
Biblical counselling seeks the glory of God
and the benefit of the counselee.
Biblical counselling is “nouthetic” (Acts
20:31, Rom. 15:14, 1 Cor. 4:14, Col. 1:28,
3:16, 1 Thes. 5:12, 14, 2 Thes. 3:15)
20. 20
The English word “nouthetic” is really just a word borrowed
from the Greek language. The Greek word noutheteo is a verb
which means “to counsel about avoidance or cessation of an
improper course of conduct” (BDAG). It is variously translated
as admonish, warn, or instruct.
Colossians 1:28 sums up the process well:
“And we proclaim Him [Christ], admonishing[noutheteo]
every man and teaching every man with all wisdom, so
that we might present every man complete [mature] in
Christ.”
What do we mean by “nouthetic” counselling?
21. 21
Acts 20:31 Therefore watch, and remember, that by the
space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and
day with tears.
1 Thessalonians 5:14 Now we exhort you, brethren, warn
them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the
weak, be patient toward all men.
2 Thessalonians 3:14 And if any man obey not our word by
this epistle, note that man, and have no company with him, that
he may be ashamed. vs:15 Yet count him not as an enemy, but
admonish him as a brother.
Romans 15:14 And I myself also am persuaded of you, my
brethren, that ye also are full of goodness, filled with all
knowledge, able also to admonish one another.
22. 22
When we say that Biblical counselling is nouthetic,
what we mean is that for counselling to truly be biblical,
it must be primarily instructive, warning and
admonishing people about sin and training them in
righteousness.
Biblical counselling is the practice of training believers
toward greater Christ-likeness through the careful use
of the Scriptures for the glory of God.
Biblical counselling is empowered by a complete
dependence on the power of the Holy Spirit.
23. 23
Biblical counselling is the practice of training
believers toward greater Christ-likeness through the
careful use of the Scriptures for the glory of God.
Biblical counselling is best achieved in the realm of
the authority of God’s local church.
Colossians 2:8 See to it that no one takes you captive
by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human
tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the
world, and not according to Christ.
24. 24
Biblical counselling is not an autonomous
ministry (Eph. 4:11-16).
Biblical counselling is not an activity
reserved for the experts (Rom. 15:14).
Biblical counselling is not an optional
ministry (Acts 20:31, Col. 1:28-29)
Biblical counselling is not an entity
separate from discipleship. It is intensive
discipleship.
What Biblical counselling is not
25. 25
How do we go about Christian Counselling?
Prayerfully.
Dependant on the Holy Spirit.
Dependant on the Authority of the Scriptures.
In the setting of the church.
27. 27
Who can counsel?
What qualifies the counsellor?
What is the basis of knowledge for
counselling?
Are we adequate as counsellors?
Questions
28. 28
The Christian Life
Growth in
Christ-likeness
Bible reading & study
Prayer
Corporate Worship
Fellowship
Ministry &
Service
Crisis
“Spiritual Ditch”
Discipleship
Adapted by a chart produced by Dr. Steve Viars of Faith Baptist Church
30. 30
The Authority of the ScripturesThe Authority of the Scriptures
All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for
teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in
righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate,
equipped for every good work. – 2 Timothy 3:16-17
(NASB)
Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the
knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord; seeing that
His divine power has granted to us everything
pertaining to life and godliness, through the true
knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory
and excellence. - 2 Peter 1:2-3 (NASB)
31. 31
A. The Foundational Presupposition
The inspired and inerrant Word of God (the
Bible) is the only authoritative source by
which we can know absolute truth. Only
the Scripture is totally sufficient to address
any issue of life
All Scripture is inspired by God and
profitable for teaching, for reproof, for
correction, for training in righteousness; so
that the man of God may be adequate,
equipped for every good work. – 2 Timothy
3:16-17 (NASB)
32. 32
The Theological Foundation
Scriptures
Exegesis (Interpretation)
Biblical Theology
Systematic Theology
Practical
Theology
Level 1
Level 2
Level 3
Level 4
Level 5
What does the
text say?
What does
the text
mean?
What truths &
doctrines does
it teach?
What does
the whole
Bible say
about it?
How does it
apply to life?
33. 33
The Theological Foundation
1. Level 5 without levels 1-4 is not biblical
counselling
a. Biblical counselling is not just a system of counselling
with Scripture sprinkled over it.
b. Too many people without theological training are
telling believers how to change and grow. The problem
is in how they form their models and systems of
counselling.
• Human reason based on observation by unbelievers is
unreliable.
• Jeremiah 17:9 teaches that, as a result of the fall into sin,
man’s mind/heart was corrupted such that his thinking and
reasoning are ultimately unreliable. This is called the noetic
effect of sin.
34. 34
The Incorrect Theological Foundation
Scriptures
Exegesis (Interpretation)
Biblical Theology
Systematic Theology
Level 1
Level 2
Level 3
Level 4
Level 5
Psychology
Practical
Theology
WHY?
The belief that
Scriptures are
not sufficient
35. 35
The Theological Foundation
c. For counselling to be considered biblical, Scripture must
have an active, functional control on any methods of
change and growth believers use.
2. Levels 1-4 without level 5 is incomplete and
ineffective
a. Theology is intrinsically practical. In the Bible, theology
is never given in a vacuum. It is always given with the
goal of application, change, and growth.
b. The task of biblical counselors (and believers in general)
is to minister the Word of God, not to simply throw
Bible verses at a problem.
2. In the church today, there is a battle over the
sufficiency of Scripture. The battle is over level 5
36. 36
The Significance of Systematic Theology as the
Foundation of Biblical counselling
1. Theology Proper – the doctrine of God
a. He is the Creator. counselling must therefore be
theo-centric (God-centered), not anthropocentric
(man-centered).
b. Since God is holy, we should be holy as well
2. Epistemology – the doctrine of knowledge
1. God defines reality and gives categories of reality –
Only God sees the whole picture!
2. If people want a sound mind, they must see things as
God sees them and define them as He does (Prov.
1:7, 9:10).
The Theological Foundation
37. 37
The Significance of Systematic Theology as the
Foundation of Biblical counselling
3. Bibliology – the doctrine of the Scriptures
a. The Scriptures have authority. The Bible speaks
of every area of life
b. The Scriptures are relevant for every situation
(2 Tim. 3:16-17, 2 Pet. 1:3)
c. A failure to acknowledge these truths leads to:
• A pursuit of comfort rather than obedience
• Personal experience becomes the authority rather
than God’s Word
• Contemporary thinking becomes the guide instead
of the principles of the Bible
The Theological Foundation
38. 38
4. Anthropology – the doctrine of man
a. Man is God’s creation.
• He is not an animal
• He is not a victim of his environment
a. Man is not autonomous. He is dependent on
God.
b. Man is totally depraved
• On his own he cannot do good (Rom. 3:10-18).
• His heart is deceitfully wicked (Jer. 17:9-10).
• His goal in life is selfishness and only evil continually
(Gen. 6:5).
The Significance of Systematic Theology as the
Foundation of Biblical counselling
The Theological Foundation
39. 39
d. Man is directed by his heart/mind (his mission
control center). This is the area in need of
change.
The Significance of Systematic Theology as the
Foundation of Biblical counselling
The Theological Foundation
40. 40
Heart - Mission Control Center
WILL
CONSCIENCE
THOUGHTS
Outer Man
Inner Man
DESIRES EMOTIONS
BELIEFS
BEHAVIOR
Proverbs 4:23
Ephesians
4:23
Romans 12:2
Mark 7:20-23, Matthew 12:34
41. 41
e. Man was created to glorify God, but because of sin, he
seeks to glorify himself (Rom. 1:18ff, 3:23)
1. Hamartiology – the doctrine of sin
a. All people are sinners, born with a bent toward
unrighteousness (Rom. 3)
b. Sin renders people helpless to change themselves (Eph.
2:1-3)
c. A sinner is alienated from God, and as a result, he will
seek fulfillment from the world’s system (1 John 2:15-
17). The implications:
• Christ will not be seen as the only solution to man’s problems.
• People will try to provide substitutes that promise fulfillment.
• The focus is on dealing with felt needs instead of “real” needs.
The Significance of Systematic Theology as the
Foundation of Biblical counselling
The Theological Foundation
42. 42
d. Sin leads to many other problems (feelings of guilt and
shame, depression, unhappiness, physical problems,
worldly “syndromes”)
6. Soteriology – the doctrine of salvation
a. God sent Jesus to reconcile sinners to himself (2 Cor.
5:19)
b. Jesus’ perfect life of obedience and substitutionary
death provide the basis for a believer’s restoration to
God
• There must be a propitiation for God’s wrath (Rom. 3:25)
• There must be imputation of righteousness and atonement for
sin (Rom. 3:24, 2 Cor. 5:21)
• There must be redemption from the bondage of sin (Rom.
3:24)
• There must be reconciliation to God (2 Cor. 5:19)
The Significance of Systematic Theology as the
Foundation of Biblical counselling
The Theological Foundation
43. 43
c. A sinner comes to be reconciled to God through
repentance and faith
7. Christology – the doctrine of Christ
a. Christ was the second Adam – He is our
example (Rom. 5)
b. Christ died as a substitute for people
c. Christ is Lord – Nothing is needed apart from
His help. There is no problem He can’t solve.
Nothing is hopeless!
The Significance of Systematic Theology as the
Foundation of Biblical counselling
The Theological Foundation
44. 44
8. Pneumatology – the doctrine of the Holy Spirit
a. The Holy Spirit is a person.
b. The Holy Spirit is needed for a person to truly change
(Rom. 8, Gal. 5)
c. The person who is trying to help others change also
needs the Holy Spirit
8. Ecclesiology – the doctrine of the church
a. The church is the body of Christ – Jesus is the head
b. The body of Christ is the place of worship and
sanctification – believers need other believers to grow!
(Eph. 4:11-16)
The Significance of Systematic Theology as the
Foundation of Biblical counselling
The Theological Foundation
45. 45
• The church exists to provide a context of loving
fellowship with one another for the purpose of
mutual edification (Eph. 3:16-19, 4:12-16).
• The church is a training center whereby people can
grow through the application of teaching and the
utilization of their spiritual gifts.
c. The church has authority – it is the pillar and
support of the truth.
d. The church exists to evangelize the lost (Titus
2:11-14, Matt. 28:19-20).
The Significance of Systematic Theology as the
Foundation of Biblical counselling
The Theological Foundation
46. 46
Theological Problems to be aware of with improper practice and methods of
counselling.
1. Absence of the Holy Spirit
2. Neglect of the Church
3. Lack of emphasis on prayer
4. No commitment to the sufficiency of
Scripture
5. The renaming of sin and the omission of
repentance
6. Man-centered, feeling-oriented, needs-
oriented
7. Psychologized terminology & concepts
The Theological Foundation
48. 48
What the bible says about itself.
Colossians 2:8 See to it that no one takes you
captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to
human tradition, according to the elemental spirits
of the world, and not according to Christ.
Rom 1:21-22 Because that, when they knew God,
they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful;
but became vain in their imaginations, and their
foolish heart was darkened. Vs22 Professing
themselves to be wise, they became fools,
49. 49
What the bible says about itself.
2Peter 1:19-21 We have also a more sure word of prophecy;
whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that
shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star
arise in your hearts: Knowing this first, that no prophecy of
the scripture is of any private interpretation. For the
prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy
men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.
2 Timothy 3:16-17 All scripture is given by inspiration of God,
and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for
instruction in righteousness: vs:17 That the man of God may
be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.
50. 50
What the bible says about itself.
Jude 1:3 Beloved, although I was very eager
to write to you about our common salvation, I
found it necessary to write appealing to you
to contend for the faith that was once for all
delivered to the saints.
Gal 1:8 But even if we or an angel from
heaven should preach to you a gospel
contrary to the one we preached to you, let
him be accursed.
51. 51
What the bible says about itself.
Psalm 19:7-14 The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the
soul; the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the
simple; the precepts of the LORD are right, rejoicing the
heart; the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening
the eyes; the fear of the LORD is clean, enduring forever; the
rules of the LORD are true, and righteous altogether. More to
be desired are they than gold, even much fine gold; sweeter
also than honey and drippings of the honeycomb. Moreover,
by them is your servant warned; in keeping them there is
great reward. Who can discern his errors? Declare me
innocent from hidden faults. Keep back your servant also
from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over
me! Then I shall be blameless, and innocent of great
transgression. Let the words of my mouth and the meditation
of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O LORD, my rock and
my redeemer.
52. 52
“Scripture is about counselling: diagnostic
categories, causal explanations of behaviour
and emotion, interpretation of external sufferings
and influences, definitions of tangible and
workable solutions, character of the counsellor,
goals for the counselling process, configuring
the professional structures for doing counselling,
critique of competing models.”
-David Powlison in “Affirmation & Denials:
Towards a Definition of Biblical counselling,” JBC
53. 53
4. The Role of the Holy Spirit4. The Role of the Holy Spirit
54. 54
What kind of Helper?
The other for word is allos. It is translated
“another” in English, but it means “another of
the same kind,” In other words the holy Spirit
is a helper in exactly the same fashion as
Jesus.
55. 55
The Divine Helper: I will ask the Father, and He will give
you another Helper– John 14:16
“Helper” is the Greek word parakletos that we
transliterate as a word you may be familiar
with — paraclete. It describes a spiritual
attendant whose role is to offer assistance,
support, relief, advocacy, and guidance. Isn’t it
interesting that the divine Counselor’s
ministry to believers is to provide the very
things so many people vainly seek in therapy?
56. 56
The Permanent Dweller:
That He may be with you forever… He dwells with you
and will be in you– Joihn14:16,17
That was a New Covenant promise foretold in Ezekiel 37:14:
“And I will put My Spirit within you, and you will come to life.”
The prophet said that the Holy Spirit wouldn’t merely be
present with them; the greater truth was that He would be
resident within them permanently.
Romans 8:9 “You are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if
indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. But if anyone does not
have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Him.”
The believer enjoys the permanent, continuing presence of
the Holy Spirit living within.
His help — all the resources of God Himself — is always
available.
57. 57
The Truth Teacher:
The Spirit of truth –John 14:17
He convicts of sin, righteousness and
judgment: - John16vs 7-15
He is called the Spirit of holiness
righteousness. - Romans1vs4, 1Peter1vs16
He must control believers: - Ephesians 5vs18
The Holy Spirit is the author and illuminator of
the Scriptures – 2 Tim3vs16, 1 Cor.9-16,
1 John 2vs26+27.
58. 58
Believers are actually taught spiritual truth by
God Himself. John 6:45
The Holy Spirit’s ministry to us as a believers
involves teaching us. John14:26; 1 Corinthians
2:13, 1 John2:20, 27.
Guiding us into the truth of Christ. John16:13-
14.
Illuminating the truth for us. 1 Corinthians
2:12.
The Truth Teacher:
The Spirit of truth –John 14:17
59. 59
The Holy Spirit brings about real change in a
believers life. - Gal5vs22, vs25, Eph4vs30.
The Holy Spirit enables us. Acts1vs8, Acts2vs4,
2Tim1vs7.
Man’s Problems are largely sinful and so
spiritual: Rom3vs23, Rom7vs14-25,
2Cor.5vs17
The Agent of change.
Gal 5:22-23 “ But the fruit of the Spirit …”
60. 60
Without the Holy Spirit’s as the central figure, biblical
counseling, cannot happen. He is the “paraclete”, the
helper, advocate, intercessor and counselor.
We can offer no lasting change if we do not rely on
Him as the Person to bring about the counsel.
The Holy Spirit is the counselor for this present
church age.
The human counselor is a facilitator, who comes
alongside the hurting believer to assist in any way
they can, but dependant on the ministry and leading
of the Spirit of God.
62. 62
Submitting to those who have watch. Hebrews 13:17
• Obey your leaders and submit to their
authority. They keep watch over you as men
who must give an account. (Heb. 13:17)
Pastoral care means responsibility.
• The nature of the pastoral relationship
includes an ongoing commitment to the
members of his local church whereas help
from outside the church does not.
Pastoral care means accountability.
63. 63
The church as a counselling unit. Eph. 4:11-13
Restoring the sinning brother or sister Galatians 6:1-2.
Building one another up in the faith. Eph. 4:11-13.
All believers should be involved. 1Thessalonians 5:14.
Primarily those who are filled with goodness and
knowledge. Romans 15:14.
In Exodus 18:13-27 Moses is encouraged to
spread the burden of judging amongst his able
and faithful men.
65. 65
Who can counsel?
Rom 15:13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy
and peace in believing, so that by the power of the
Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.
Rom 15:14 I myself am satisfied about you, my
brothers, that you yourselves are full of goodness,
filled with all knowledge and able to instruct one
another.
66. 66
Who can counsel?
Rom 15:13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy
and peace in believing, so that by the power of the
Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.
Rom 15:14 I myself am satisfied about you, my
brothers, that you yourselves are full of goodness,
filled with all knowledge and able to instruct one
another.
67. 67
Who can counsel?
1Thessalonians 5:14. Now we
exhort[parakaleō] you, brethren,
warn[noutheteō] them that are unruly,
comfort[paramutheoma] the feebleminded,
support[antechomai] the weak, be
patient[makrothumeō]toward all men.
68. 68
1 John 4:7
Beloved, let us love one another:
for love is of God;
and every one that loveth
is born of God,
and knoweth God.
69. 69
Discovering Problem Areas
Setting Realistic Goals
Giving Hope
Pastor Shaun Abrahams BA.TH
North West University, Pretoria, South Africa.
WELCOME
Hinweis der Redaktion
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Welcome to this seminar. Let me just outline what I want to achieve today.
Introduction, Definition & Biblical Explanation
The Theological Foundation
The Authority of the Scriptures
The Role of the Holy Spirit
The Role of the Church
Summation and ChallengeI want to approach this study as more of a lecture for the sake of the material and of the time. I am going to make some comments on the different approaches and then say some more at the end once we have established some data about these approaches. So if you can keep your comments and questions till the end of the introduction I would appreciate that.WE WILL TAKE A SHORT BREAK AFTER THE INTRODUCTION SECTION AND BREAK FOR A SNACK AFTER THE SECTION ON THE HOLY SPIRITLEST PRAY TOGETHER.
There are three approaches to counselling. The first two are secular and we will look at those first.Expert Knowledge:Sigmund Freud and F. J. Skinner.
Common Knowledge:Carl Rogers (humanistic), O. Hobart & Mowrer (behaviour therapy)
Biblical Counselling/Divine Knowledge:
Scripture, God's Revelation.
Sigismund Schlomo Freud (6 May 1856 – 23 September 1939), was an Austrian neurologist who founded the discipline of psychoanalysis.
After experimenting with hypnosis on his neurotic patients, Freud abandoned it as ineffective. He instead adopted a form of treatment where the patient talked through his or her problems. This came to be known as the "talking cure" and its goal was to locate and release powerful emotional energy that had initially been rejected or imprisoned in the unconscious mind. Freud called this psychic action “repression”, and he believed that it was an impediment to the normal functioning of the psyche, even capable of causing physical retardation which he described as "psychosomatic". The term "talking cure" was initially coined by a patient, Anna O., who was treated by Freud's colleague Josef Breuer. The "talking cure" is widely seen as the basis of psychoanalysis.
Freud regarded the monotheistic god as an illusion based upon the infantile emotional need for a powerful, supernatural pater familias; and that religion — once necessary to restrain man’s violent nature in the early stages of civilization — in modern times, can be set aside in favor of reason and science
Verdicts on the scientific merits of Freud's theories have differed. David Stafford-Clark calls Freud "a man whose name will always rank with those of Darwin, Copernicus, Newton, Marx and Einstein; someone who really made a difference to the way the rest of us can begin to think about the meaning of human life and society."[113] In contrast, Hans Eysenck claims that Freud "set psychiatry back one hundred years",[114] Peter Medawar, a Nobel Prize winning immunologist, made the oft-quoted remark that psychoanalysis is the "most stupendous intellectual confidence trick of the twentieth century",[115] and Richard Webster calls psychoanalysis "perhaps the most complex and successful" pseudoscience in history.[116]
Burrhus Frederic Skinner (March 20, 1904 – August 18, 1990) was an American behaviorist, author, inventor, social philosopher and poet. He was the Edgar Pierce Professor of Psychology at Harvard University from 1958 until his retirement in 1974.
Carl Ransom Rogers (January 8, 1902 – February 4, 1987) was an influential American psychologist and among the founders of the humanistic approach to psychology. Rogers is widely considered to be one of the founding fathers of psychotherapy research and was honored for his pioneering research with the Award for Distinguished Scientific Contributions by the American Psychological Association in 1956.
The person-centered approach, his own unique approach to understanding personality and human relationships, found wide application in various domains such as psychotherapy and counseling (client-centered therapy), education (student-centered learning), organizations, and other group settings
The main issue is the development of a self concept and the progress from an undifferentiated self to being fully differentiated.
Self Concept ... the organized consistent conceptual gestalt composed of perceptions of the characteristics of 'I' or 'me' and the perceptions of the relationships of the 'I' or 'me' to others and to various aspects of life, together with the values attached to these perceptions. It is a gestalt which is available to awareness though not necessarily in awareness. It is a fluid and changing gestalt, a process, but at any given moment it is a specific entity. (Rogers, 1959)^ Rogers, Carl. (1959). "A theory of therapy, personality and interpersonal relationships as developed in the client-centered framework.". In (Ed.) S. Koch. Psychology: A study of a science. Vol. 3: Formulations of the person and the social context.. New York: McGraw Hill.
Actualizing TendencyAccording to Roger, every individual has a hidden actualizing tendency. This tendency is constructive, directional and is present in every living being. It can be held back but can never be killed until the individual is destroyed. Roger says that every individual strives hard to make the best of his existence.
Self‘Self’ is the main concept in Rogers theory. It is involves awareness of being and functioning and establishes through interaction with other individuals.
Self-Actualizing TendencyIt is the actualization of that part of experience which is symbolized in the self. In brief, self actualization is a master motive- It is the development of the psychology which can only be achieved when all the basic and mental needs are met.
Carl Roger was interested in improving the human conditions. His person-centered therapy is the best contribution to psychology. He always treated people ethnically and encouraged human. According to him, psychology is a ‘Human Science’ rather than a natural science.
The Meaning of Psychology
The term psychology is ordinarily defined as the science which examines the mind, mental states and processes, human nature, and behavior. The word comes from a combination of the Greek word psuché or psyché (which originally meant “the breath” or “the breath of life,” and came to represent the concept of the inner man, the immaterial or invisible part, or the soul) and the suffix ology, which denotes any branch of science or knowledge. Technically, then, psychology is supposed to be the science or study of the immaterial part of man.
Psychology cannot be considered a true science, but is more accurately understood as a philosophy or secular religion. We also saw the impossibility for psychologists to define and differentiate between the nonmaterial parts of man. We will see why when we examine what the Bible says about the inner man.
Science is the systematically arranged knowledge of the material world has ha been gathered in a four step process.
Observation of phenomena.
Collection of data. Information.
Creation of hypothesis or theory based on inductive study and reasoning.
Testing of that hypothesis by repeated observation and controlled experiments. That is a standard definition of science.
Dr Alfred M Freedman former president of the APA said “ There are a number of assumptions in psychoanalytic theory that have never been adequately tested. The consequences of childhood experience, including the Oedipus complex, may not be of the order we think”
In psychoanalytic theory, the term Oedipus complex denotes the emotions and ideas that the mind keeps in the unconscious, via dynamic repression, that concentrate upon a boy’s desire to sexually possess his mother, and kill his father.[1][2] In the course of his psychosexual development, the complex is the boy’s phallic stage formation of a discrete sexual identity; a girl’s analogous experience is the Electra complex. The Oedipus complex occurs in the third — phallic stage (ages 3–6) — of five psychosexual development stages: (i) the Oral, (ii) the Anal, (iii) the Phallic, (iv) the Latent, and (v) the Genital — in which the source libido pleasure is in a different erogenous zone of the infant’s body.
In classical, Freudian psychoanalytic theory, the child’s identification with the same-sex parent is the successful resolution of the Oedipus complex and of the Electra complex; his and her key psychological experience to developing a mature sexual role and identity. Sigmund Freud further proposed that girls and boys resolved their complexes differently — he via castration anxiety, she via penis envy; and that unsuccessful resolutions might lead to neurosis, paedophilia, and homosexuality. Hence, men and women who are fixated in the Oedipal and Electra stages of their psychosexual development might be considered “mother-fixated” and “father-fixated” as revealed when the mate (sexual partner) resembles the mother or the father.The point is that human thinking and behaviour cannot be categorized scientifically because each human being is unique and one’s reaction to events, circumstances, and other stimuli cannot be predicted or tested using scientific methods. Psychologist rarely deal with established facts or truths but with subjective opinions and interpretations of uncontrolled observations.
Different theories and methods.
How can psychological counselling be anything but confusing when there are more than 250 competing and contradictory psychological systems in America alone. And there are numerous subdivisions and that have sprung fort some crazy therapies. Otto and Miriam Ehrenberg in a book “The psychological Maze list a few major systems. Freud and Psychoanalysis, Adler and Individual Psychology, Jung and Analytic Psychology, Reich and Vegetotherapy, rank and Will therapy, Horney and the Cultural Approach, Sullivan and Interpersonal Relations, Rogers and Client-Centred Therapy, Existential Analysis, gestalt Therapy, Lowen and Bioenergetic Therapy, Janov and Primal Therapy, Transactional Analysis, Ellis and Rational-Emotive Therapy, Family Therapy, Child therapy, Group Therapy, Encounter Groups, est Hypnotherapy, behaviour Therapy/ Modification, Sex Therapy and Medical Treatment (psychoactive drugs), electric shock, psychosurgery, and orthomolecular psychiatry.-Why Christians cant trust psychology. Ed Buckley Phd. .page 76-77
Four reasons labelling are wrong.A. Excuse. Mental illness provide opportunity and excuse for sinful behaviour.
Alcoholic, kleptomaniac, schizophrenic, foodaholic, etcMental illness is a myth. It assumes that the mind is synonymous with the brain. It reduces mental and spiritual processes to electric/chemical interactions between the neutrons of the brain.
One psychiatrist Fuller Torrey says “The term mental illness is nonsensical, a semantic mistake. The two words cannot go together except metaphorically,you can no more have a mental disease than you can have a purple idea or a wise space”
Page 132-133.
Cambridge Summerville Youth Study 1978. 506 boys ages 5 to 13 years old in eastern Massachusetts.
A 30 year study revealed that men who received an average of five years of psychotherapy as boys were in worse shape, in view of alcoholism, criminal behaviour, and menatal disorders, than those who had not undergone psychotherapy.Psychopromises.
The need for professionals. Have you seen an ad like this “Young people frequently choose hairstyles and clothing to express healthy adolescent rebellion. But how is one to tell whether his teenager’s behaviour is OK or self-destructive?”2 (emphasis added). The answer is obvious: “The professionals at the Behavioural Health System…are here to assist you in answering this crucial question.…We will help you.… Call someone you can trust.” The ad implies that parents are simply unable to understand their teenagers without the professional insights of mental health workers. And who better to trust than those who see some teenage rebellion as “healthy”?
Harmful therapies.In spite of the evidence that psychotherapy fails to change people’s hearts and can even increase their “dysfunctions,” seminaries continue to insist that pastors need psychological training to help people with their problems. How can this be when there is no scientific evidence that one form of psychotherapy is superior to other forms or is more effective in achieving results? Why should pastors or parishioners have confidence in any therapeutic system? And if long-term treatment does not achieve superior results, as research indicates, what possible justification is there for prolonged psychotherapeutic sessions? Integration.
I contend that integrating the two is simply not possible because psychology is rooted in humanism, it opens the door to satanic influence, and it offers a faulty view of self that ultimately depreciates the value of Christ’s completed work on the cross. Corliss Lamont, who wrote The Philosophy of Humanism, has stated that “there is no place in the Humanist world view for either immortality or God in the valid meanings of those terms.”5 Atheist Paul Kurtz has said that “Christian humanism would be possible only for those who are willing to admit that they are atheistic Humanists. It surely does not apply to God-intoxicated believers.”6 Harold Rafton has said that humanism is “a rationalistic religion based on science, centered in man, rejecting supernaturalism but retaining our cherished moral values.”7 Doesn’t that sound hauntingly similar to psychology?
David Noebel writes that “Humanist theology, start to finish, is based on the denial of God and the supernatural. This denial, however, leads the Humanist to another necessary theological conclusion: man is the Supreme Authority.”8 Since psychology is firmly rooted in the soil of humanism, it is obvious that psychology and the Bible approach the issue of solving human problems from two opposite and mutually exclusive poles.
The major theorists of psychology have been humanists with declared atheistic beliefs. Erich Fromm declared openly, “I am not a theist.”9 Abraham Maslow makes it plain that humanism and psychology go hand in hand: “Humanists for thousands of years have attempted to construct a naturalistic, psychological value system that could be derived from man’s own nature, without the necessity of recourse to authority outside the human being himself.”10
When our understanding of the very nature of man is derived from New Age psychologies rather than the Scriptures, confusion is inevitable. The Bible addresses such confusion when it says, “For the fool speaks folly, his mind is busy with evil: He practices ungodliness and spreads error concerning the Lord; the hungry he leaves empty and from the thirsty he withholds water” (Isaiah 32:6). When all they receive is psychological counsel, hurting people whose souls hunger and thirst for the healing truths of God’s Word go away in greater pain. Peter puts it this way: “But there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the sovereign Lord who bought them—bringing swift destruction on themselves” (2 Peter 2:1).
http://bibletherapy.com/psychology-and-the-bible.html
(Illus.-- Hitler's idea of Jews being an inferior race, or the treatment of blacks over the last 150 years.)
Acts 20:31. Put into your mind. Pauls was really engaged in counselling that changed their minds about what they believed. It is important to note his compassion for them.1 Thessalonians 5:14 here the church is to warn. Nouthetoe. Again its important to note that this must be accompanied by comfort, support and patience.Firstly instructive, secondary supportive.
Briefly we will touch on this a bit more later.
Briefly we will touch on this a bit more later.
Briefly we will touch on this a bit more later.
Briefly we will touch on this a bit more later.
II. The Ministry of the Holy Spirit proves that He is the Counselor. i. He convicts of sin, righteousness and judgment: - John16vs 7-15
All counseling revolves around these areas sin, righteousness and judgment.It is only the Spirit that can convict man of their sin either to salvation or sanctification
ii. He is called the Spirit of holiness\righteousness. - - Romans1vs4
1Peter1vs16, commands believers to be holy. He is called the Holy Spirit. Holy means to be set apart under God and from the world.Without the influence and leading of the Spirit believers would not be able to live holy lives.
He alone enables the believer to change and live a life of righteousness. Thus He is responsible for our sanctification. Biblical counseling aims to sanctify the believer.
iii. He must control believers: - Ephesians 5vs18
It is the Holy Spirit who is to have the control of our lives. Counseling helps struggling believers align themselves to God’s Word, allowing the Spirit to have His way in their lives through a process of putting off sinful habits and putting on deeds of righteousness.
The Holy Spirit is the author and illuminator of the Scriptures – 2 Tim3vs16, 1 Cor.9-16, 1 John 2vs26+27.
As we counsel using the Word of God, the Spirit who indwells believers makes the Scriptures understandable to the counselee. He takes the “lid off” the meaning of the words that He inspired.The Spirit knows the mind of God, for he is God, and believers have received the Spirit so we may know how to obey and please God. The Spirit is our teacher, our unction.
v. The Holy Spirit brings about real change in a believers life. - Gal5vs22, vs25, Eph4vs30.
The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. We are commanded to walk in the Spirit and not to grieve the Spirit. The Spirit of God who indwells us is responsible for the change in our lives.
vi. The Holy Spirit enables us. Acts1vs8, Acts2vs4, 2Tim1vs7.
The Spirit gave the early Christian’s power, might, to start the early church.Paul reminds Timothy that God had given him a spirit of power and not weakness. Believers can be assured that they can overcome any sin problem as they yield to the Spirit. He is part of the reason we can offer hope to counselees.
III. Man’s Problems are largely sinful and so spiritual: Rom3vs23, Rom7vs14-25, 2Cor.5vs17
Romans declare that men are sinners. When we are saved we receive the new nature 2 Cor.5vs17 when we are born again John3vs3. But the old nature still lingers in us and wrestles for control of our lives. As described in Rom7vs14-25. The bible teaches that we are not just flesh but are trichotomous, Gen1vs26, Hebrews 4vs12 and 1Thess5vs23, having a soul and spirit too. There is a spiritual war going on for our souls and the Holy Spirit aids and helps us in this war. With the sword of God’s Word as His divine scalpel he removes those sinful areas in our lives that cause us to wander from the Father. He alone can sanctify us entirely so we can be presented blameless to the Lord.
Without a doubt, God does use the human agent who relies on the Holy Spirit to minister to those with whom he counsels.
Scott Peck, a renowned Psychiatrist and best selling author of The Road Less Traveled, began his book by acknowledging , “ Life is difficult.[1]” Living in a modern, fast moving society where change is the norm, it is not surprising to find that people often feel out of control, have problem coping with the continual challenges to their mental, spiritual, emotional and physical health.
First is the matter of authority. The Bible clearly teaches that the local church is given the right and responsibility to not only govern its own affairs, but also the authority to judge matters within the church (1 Cor. 6:12, 13). Christ is the head of the church (Col. 1:18), and yet He also delegates leadership and grants authority (within certain boundaries) to pastors and spiritual leaders (Heb. 13:7, 17; 1 Thess. 5:12, 13). As an example, I would seriously question why a man would ask his wife to submit to his leadership if he himself has not first demonstrated his willingness and faithfulness to the leadership of those God has placed over him. Therefore, the value of local church counsel is that it provides the spiritual leaders an opportunity to evaluate if everyone involved in the dispute or conflict has first demonstrated submission to their rightful leaders.
Second is the issue of accountability. When counseling goes outside the local church, any advantage of neutrality and/or confidentiality must be weighted against the far greater liability of having virtually no ability to hold each person accountable. How could an outside counselor, for example, take a counselee through the Matthew 18 (church discipline) process if he/she continued to live in rebellion to God's Word? The counselor's role is reduced to that of being a mediator or consultant. That is why so many in a marital dispute are turning to the courts because the church has failed or not been allowed to exercise its God-given role of authority over such matters. Why is it that even for many Christians, they want a "Church Wedding" but in the end seek only a civil (court) dissolution of the marriage instead of seeking godly counsel? Third is the issue of continuity. How can an outside counselor continue to follow-up and provide long-term counseling from a distance? From my perspective, this presents the same problem as people who rely only on their television or radio pastor. Therefore, we consistently recommend our callers to seek counsel from their own pastor. The pastor and leaders of the church are the ones who are charged with the responsibility to shepherd their flock (1 Pet. 5:1, 2) and stay abreast of their spiritual condition (Prow. 27:23). This is why my beginning illustration urged the couple to go back to their local church and their pastor and ask for help. Do we really believe that a local church is a family of believers under divinely appointed leadership? Sometimes we don't act like it - especially when a problem develops. Unfortunately, many have not received the help and care they need because it is rare for "outside counseling" to provide the long-term assistance that believers need to correct a problem and mature in the faith.
A wise pastor and a caring church will realize the benefits of implementing a church caring methodology to counselling.
Much like Moses had to be encouraged by his Father in law Jethro to spread the burden of counselling and judging so we too as ministers of God’s people need to train and delegate responsibilities to those who are filled with goodness and the knowledge of the scriptures. Exodus 18:13-27One another verses.
Rom 14:19 So then let us pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding. Rom 12:10 Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. Rom 12:16 Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight.
Rom 13:8 Owe no one anything, except to love each other, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law. Rom 14:13 Therefore let us not pass judgment on one another any longer, but rather decide never to put a stumbling block or hindrance in the way of a brother.Rom 15:5 May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus,
Rom 15:7 Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God.
Rom 15:14 I myself am satisfied about you, my brothers, that you yourselves are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge and able to instruct one another.
2Co 13:11 Finally, brothers, rejoice. Aim for restoration, comfort one another, agree with one another, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you.Gal 5:13 For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.
Gal 6:2 Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.Eph 4:32 Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.Col 3:13 bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.
Col 3:16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.
Heb 3:13 But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called "today," that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.
Heb 10:24 And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works,
Heb 10:25 not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.
parakaleō
par-ak-al-eh'-o
From G3844 and G2564; to call near, that is, invite, invoke (by imploration, hortation or consolation): - beseech, call for, (be of good) comfort, desire, (give) exhort (-ation), intreat, pray.
noutheteō
noo-thet-eh'-o
From the same as G3559; to put in mind, that is, (by implication) to caution or reprove gently: - admonish, warn.
paramutheomai
par-am-oo-theh'-om-ahee
From G3844 and the middle of a derivative of G3454; to relate near, that is, (by implication) encourage, console: - comfort.
antechomai
an-tekh'-om-ahee
From G473 and the middle of G2192; to hold oneself opposite to, that is, (by implication) adhere to; by extension to care for: - hold fast, hold to, support.
makrothumeō
mak-roth-oo-meh'-o
From the same as G3116; to be long spirited, that is, (objectively) forbearing or (subjectively) patient: - bear (suffer) long, be longsuffering, have (long) patience, be patient, patiently endure.