Psychology and Christian Faith Discussion
Write a 200-word response to the essay discussion below.
Some of the most important points made in the lecture that would encourage one to look for ways to use both psychology and theology/Christian spirituality in your human service counseling is a very interesting topic. Clinton stated that he saw a strong correlation between the biblical truth and psychology. (Clinton, 2015). No one knows everything and no one knows everything perfectly. We use the way we think and our worldview to answer such a question (Hawkins & Moitinho, 2012). We can answer the question of what the solution to our problems by how we interpret our worldview. As counselors, how we interpret counseling behaviors has a lot to do with our worldview and expectations of clients.
As people, we know what we know by our thinking methods and the way we were raised. As a counselor, I would help my clients by being a critical realist. By this method, one believes that God did say or do whatever the client said God said or did on their behalf. As a critical realist, I would explore the claim with the client with openness to see the client’s point of view using psychology and theology to get an answer. Your response is how you view human life and human nature.
Some of the elements of the “Christian” approach to be utilized in all human service counseling settings is humans have unlimited interpretations. Humans can know through rational means, empirical methods, and revelations, but our interpretations of facts are limited and flawed. (Worldview and Christian Counseling Powerpoint). The lecture talked about the seven key intellectual virtues that are important to use in a counseling setting: Honesty, self-knowledge, diligence, teachability, respectfulness, responsibility, and humility. These virtues are biblically related. Finally brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. (Philippians 4:8 King James Version). While we are using psychology in counseling, we have a responsibility to fully embrace our moral duty to use our knowledge to honor God. This is how psychology and Christianity go hand in hand with counseling.
Hawkins, R., & Clinton, T. (2015). The New Christian Counselor. Harvest House Publishers
