Mcminns Psychology Theology And Spirituality In Christian Counseling Religion Essay

Psychology, Theology, and Spirituality in Christian Counseling written by Mark R. McMinn teaches Christian counsellors the importance of Spirituality in the guidance office. Throughout the book McMinn provides deep penetration on the integrating of the three constructs ; the writer provides concrete instances that allow the reader to hold on the information by using the scenarios to the text. To better equip Christian Counselors he uses cognitive therapy from a Christian position as foundation for his work. He stresses the importance of constructing an effectual curative relationship between the counsellor and the client in order for therapy to be successful. McMinn uses a assortment of spiritual intercessions to set up psychological and religious wellness. Throughout the chapters he elaborates on the usage of supplication, Bible, wickedness, confession, forgiveness, and salvation in the guidance pattern. McMinn discusses the positive effects every bit good as negative side effects of the usage of supplication. He states that “ the counsellor ‘s degree of religious adulthood will supply an upper bound for the possible impact of supplication in guidance ( McMinn, 1996, p.87 ) . McMinn highlights the power of Scripture and outlines the specific effects it may hold on the client. McMinn summarizes the chapter by observing “ Our cognition of God, ego and Bible are all interconnected, but our capacity to understand any one of these elements will add to our ability to understand the others ( McMinn, 1996, p.124 ) . ” McMinn ‘s survey of the nature of wickedness and its function in the guidance pattern is besides really thorough. As he notes, “ by and large psychologists have been uninterested in wickedness, preferring to disregard it or to discourse the effects of the construct of wickedness ( McMinn, 1996, P. 161 ) . ” Such an attitude has negative effects, as in most instances sin can be a ground of depression, feeling of guilt and other negative feelings. He proposes the Christian counsellor to understand wickedness from a theological and religious position. As he states, such a alteration can add necessary deepness to the work of a counsellor and promote his clients to turn spiritually. Describing the historical mentions of confession as a sacrament of repentance, McMinn underlines the necessity to understand its function and importance in the work of a Christian Therapist. Confession requires humbleness, which requires us to look at ourselves candidly and acknowledge both our strengths and failings. Confession closely deals with forgiveness, which is a really popular subject among counsellors. The writer attracts readers ‘ attending to the fact that Christian apprehension of forgiveness may differ from the ways that non-Christian counsellors understand forgiveness. Christian forgiveness is non a simple emotional alleviation ; nevertheless, McMinn stated that “ our capacity to forgive one another depends on our capacity to understand both our demand for forgiveness and God ‘s gracious gift of forgiveness ( McMinn, 1996, p.235 ) . ” McMinn ‘s concluding chapter on salvation amounts up the old subjects supplication, Bible, wickedness, confession, and forgiveness. Redemption is a procedure of being freed from wickedness and being restored back unto God. As McMinn finalizes the book with this chapter he sums up salvation by stating “ the admiration of salvation is that we are brought back into a relationship with God ( McMinn, 1996, p.265 ) . ” Finally once we experience salvation, our old ways of thought are brought as one with God.

After reading this narrative I am reminded of a presentation given by my former curate. Leading up to this presentation my uncle Jesse had been beaten unrecognisable by pack members in Charlotte, NC. My uncle, raised in the church, had a naming on his life from a really immature age and refused to accept his naming. He had been running for old ages and through those old ages he was frequently referred to Jonah, but one dark changed all of that for my uncle. I can still retrieve sing him in the ICU at Carolina Hospital in Charlotte and afraid to look at the horrid puffinesss upon his face. His eyes were swollen to the size of golf balls and stitches had been applied to assorted parts of his face it was a atrocious sight to see. After his release he was given shelter by my curate and started go toing the church. The presentation given by my curate showed the church what wickedness can make to a individual. I remember hearing my curate pray and my uncle squealing all his wickednesss while standing at the communion table. The curate preached a heavy discourse that taught me how of import the confessions of wickednesss were in seeking forgiveness from God. I have learned that God is a God of 2nd opportunities and he will allow us forgiveness if and when we are ready to squeal with our oral cavities. The moral of the narrative my curate pointed out was that God was a Jesus and hence gave 2nd opportunities to his boies and girls.

Contemplation

McMinn did an first-class occupation covering the facets of incorporating psychological science, divinity, and spiritualty in Christian guidance. While the book offers insightful ways to look at different state of affairss that may go on in the Christian guidance office there is one thing that bothered me most. If most types of supplication has non been researched how is the counsellor supposed to specify clear and ethical guidelines for the usage of supplication in reding? I believe that supplication signifiers an confidant relationship between God and the person ; therefore supplication should non be used in the therapy Sessionss particularly if farther research is needed. Prayer I do believe is an effectual tool that can be used in therapy but should be used outside the guidance Sessionss bit by bit as the client feels comfort and the demand for seeking God ‘s presence on his or her ain. This is a good book and should be read by all Christian counsellors. It is indispensable in assisting to spread out their cognition on the footing of incorporating psychological science, divinity, and spiritualty. The instance surveies are helpful in larning both positive and negative ways to near similar state of affairss met in the guidance Sessionss. McMinn did a great occupation lucubrating on the different subjects supplication, Bible, wickedness, confession, forgiveness, and salvation. The utilizations of the subjects were successful in learning the baffled counsellor how to incorporate their spiritualty into the therapy session. Overall the book is a positive usher for new and old counsellors to utilize as footing of understanding how each of the subjects can hold a powerful impact on a client ‘s advancement.

Actions

This was an outstanding book and it taught me valuable instructions on multitasking as a counsellor. McMinn stated that “ the most effectual Christian counsellors are able to treat several thoughts at the same time ( McMinn, 1996, P. 269 ) . ” It is of import for a counsellor to be able to successfully incorporate psychological science, divinity and spiritualty in the guidance Sessionss to efficaciously handle the jobs of their clients. I personally will take what I learned and go on to read and heighten my apprehension of the different constructs so that I may larn to utilize them sagely. Reading this book enlightened me with so much information that I can easy portion with a friend to heighten their cognition of Christian counsellors. I would foremost do it known to them that as a Christian counsellor we are set apart from other psychologists in that we put God at the head of our lives and therapy Sessionss. Bing a Christian psychologist comes with many challenges and we have to invariably polish our relationship with God and acknowledge him as the “ All knowing God ” because that ‘s who we finally seek way from. Learning how to incorporate the usage of supplication and Bible with Christian clients we have to acknowledge the negative side effects that can come of supplication or biblical intercessions. I will go on to maintain God foremost in my life leting him to talk to me, take me, and steer me as an instrument to assist others. I can merely break myself after reading this book and take what I learned to go the multitasking counsellor.