...Reflection Paper Annette Mitchell Liberty University Theology 104 Professor Chandler 14 April 2014 Understanding the “Word” and how the Bible could be proved true has always been important to me so that I would be able to defend my beliefs as well as my faith to non-believers, especially those of other religions. “Faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see”. (Hebrew 11:1 NKJ) Even though I know God does not force us to believe, though He could, instead, there is sufficient proof and evidence of His existence for us to willingly respond to Him. I also believe, Jesus the Son of God died for our sins. Because of Jesus' death and resurrection, He offers us a new life today. We are forgiven and fully accepted by God and loved by God. “The Lord hath appeared of old unto me, saying” (“Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love; therefore with loving kindness have I drawn thee”.) (Jeremiah 31:3 NKJ) The two topics I will cover are the “Word” and the “Preservation of the Scriptures”. In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God and the Word was God (John 1:1 NKJ). Jesus Christ, the Son of God was present in the Old Testament as well as the New Testament. However, this was a new revelation for me and understanding it is what allows me to understand the Bible and how God and Jesus are one in the same. There were scriptures in the bible that throughout my life I understood but did not understand them in context. For instance...
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...Psychology, Theology, and Spirituality in Christian counseling: McMinn 4-MAT Erin Liberty University Psychology, Theology, and Spirituality in Christian counseling: McMinn 4-MAT Summary Psychology, theology, and spirituality in Christian counseling (McMinn, 2011) is about ways Christian counselors can integrate practical concept of psychology, theology, and spirituality when faced with real-world problems, challenges, and questions in the counseling office. An emerging approach for Christian counseling is intradisciplinary integration, which incorporates the Christian faith into counseling practices (McMinn, 2011, p.26). McMinn describes six challenges of intradisciplinary integration such as competency of psychology, theology, and spiritual formation. A major theme of this book emphasizes the importance of establishing a therapeutic relationship in counseling, with the key components in the therapeutic relationship being the counselor’s own spiritual life and walk with God. Introspection of Christian counselors’ own spiritual lives will direct counselors to recognize their own weaknesses, while encouraging dependency on God (McMinn, 2011, p12). The desire to obtain a better understanding of Spiritual wisdom and the Spiritual life for the counselor and client can be guided by a map for Spiritual growth. The map should be scripturally and theologically sound, yet not so simple that it is inadequate for understanding challenges of mental and Spiritual health by...
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...Counseling 506: 4 Mat Review McMinn Liberty University Martha J Meek Summary Dr. Mark McMinn (1996) discusses in his book Psychology, Theology and Spirituality in Christian Counseling, the importance of combing the three and creating a way that will help the counselor reach the client. His book is broken apart in several different chapters that explain and reflect on religion in the counseling office, psychological, spiritual health, prayer, Scripture, sin, confession, forgiveness, and redemption. McMinn gives scenarios throughout his book on various different situations and what the counselor should do in these situations. Religion in the counseling office is important, but McMinn stresses the importance of consent before using prayer. He states that often the client becomes too dependent on the counselor. The counselor can silently pray for the client outside the office. McMinn states “the question is not how we understand the relationship between psychology and theology but how we practically use the Christian faith in our counseling” (McMinn p. 26). Psychological and spiritual health is very important. McMinn designed a detailed map of spiritual and psychological health. The map gives examples of faulty sense of self by being self-absorbed, and having a lack of self-restraint. There is an example of faulty relationships, where a person can become dependent. There is an example of a faulty awareness of the need to play the victim role. McMinn describes Imago Dei and...
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...Spirituality in Christian Counseling 4-MAT Review 4-MAT Review: McMinn Summary Psychology, theology, and spirituality in Christian Counseling written by Mark McMinn (2011) discuss the integration of psychology and spirituality including impacts of such in our daily lives both personally and professionally. According to McMinn (2011) there are three essential categories that must be considered within counseling; psychology, theology, and spirituality. To incorporate the three categories, the book down into further sections including prayer, scripture, sin, confession, forgiveness, and redemption including “what if” sections with descriptions of circumstances and the corresponding results, what works and what doesn’t within the sessions. By beginning with an active and healthy prayer life personally, the counselor is able to pray for the client both inside of and outside of the counseling sessions. McMinn (2011) discusses the importance of ethical issues of using prayer which is the source of growth in spiritual lives, promoting a relationship with God rather than promoting health. According to McMinn (2011) prayer must only be used after consent given and the potential effects considered as some forms of prayer may be detrimental to the client. Scripture use within counseling can be considered a self-help book enabling personality and behavioral changes. McMinn (2011) discusses the use of Scripture to support many forms of cognitive therapy including...
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...online lectures and McMinn suggested some “cautions” or possible negative impacts when using prayer and Scripture in counseling. The online lectures and McMinn suggested some “cautions” or possible negative impacts when using prayer and Scripture in counseling. The online lectures and McMinn suggested some “cautions” or possible negative impacts when using prayer and Scripture in counseling. The online lectures and McMinn suggested some “cautions” or possible negative impacts when using prayer and Scripture in counseling. The online lectures and McMinn suggested some “cautions” or possible negative impacts when using prayer and Scripture in counseling. The online lectures and McMinn suggested some “cautions” or possible negative impacts when using prayer and Scripture in counseling. The online lectures and McMinn suggested some “cautions” or possible negative impacts when using prayer and Scripture in counseling. The online lectures and McMinn suggested some “cautions” or possible negative impacts when using prayer and Scripture in counseling. The online lectures and McMinn suggested some “cautions” or possible negative impacts when using prayer and Scripture in counseling. The online lectures and McMinn suggested some “cautions” or possible negative impacts when using prayer and Scripture in counseling. The online lectures and McMinn suggested some “cautions” or possible negative impacts when using prayer and Scripture in counseling. The online lectures and McMinn suggested some “cautions”...
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...McMinn utilized psychology, theology and spirituality in order to assist people in enhancing different aspects of their lives. McMinn made it clear that it is important for the counselor to be strong in their own spirituality, so that they will be able to properly help the client in their process. (McMinn, 2011) McMinn addresses the different precautions counselors should take and also the limitations. Counselors express when it comes to incorporating their own spirituality into their counseling session, it can be challenging, due to the fact that they may not feel that confident about the knowledge they have about the bible. As a result counselors will often omit the use of God’s word in their counseling sessions because they do not want to confuse the client or interpret the message differently. McMinn has provided the guidance for the counselors who wish to strengthen spirituality within the counseling sessions, as well as within themselves. There are many benefits that come with incorporating Christianity into counseling sessions, but some of the main elements that can help to enhance the client’s life are, they can gain a better sense of self, a better understanding of human need and limitations and also get the opportunity to confide interpersonal relationships with God and others. (McMinn, 2011) McMinn uses the book as a teaching tool where he separates different subjects into chapters where he guides you through the challenges and the key elements the counselor should...
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...4MAT Review McMinn Billy Madison Liberty University Summary In this book Psychology, Theology, and Spirituality in Christian Counseling McMinn drew in on the basic concepts on a Christian’s life along with the basic concepts which we believe Christian counselors focus on. He focused on spirituality, theology, and psychology along with the daily battles faced by Christian counselors in their personal and professional lives. In the book McMinn went into the most important components in the life of a Christian being prayer, scripture, confession, sin, forgiveness, and redemption and broke down in all the ways we are affected during our counseling sessions. In the book we are left with personal experiences from the author in which prayer and scripture should be used and in how much we should use them when dealing with each component in the life of a Christian. Many counselors are faced with regular struggles on knowing and deciding when it is the appropriate time to use scripture and the various biblical readings in there sessions because of various reasons such as not wanting to offend their clients, not wanting to have the client feel as if they are being judged, and not wanting to puncture another wound in an already broken individuals situation (McMinn 2011). The book began to open me up when McMinn stated that “Christian counseling is more complex than other forms of counseling because our goals are multifaceted” (McMinn 2011 pg. 39). He opened readers up to the fact...
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...Approach to Christian Counseling Summary McMinn (2011) uses this book to bring out the importance of the use of spirituality (as related to Christian faith) in psychological counseling. He describes the Christian Counselors as people who are highly trained in counseling theory and techniques, in theology, and are personally disciplined to mirror Christian attributes during and after counseling. (pg. 139) According to McMinn (2011), Christian Counselors face the challenges of knowing the techniques of spiritual formation, inability to learn spiritual passion, and devotion so as not be handicapped in bringing religious issues to counseling and therapeutic session (p.39). This is because training and competency in the field of psychology and theology can be evidenced, but understanding spirituality cannot be evidenced. This will continue to be a challenge because we can never be spiritually competent. Another challenge is the link between the counselors personal and professional life and worldview as it affects the clients’ level of spirituality, believes and worldview. He states that Christian counselors are faced with the problem of expanded training. They must go beyond the level of professional training to personal training because other factors such as empathy, care, trustworthiness, wisdom and insight come from within (McMinn, 2011, p.15). In moving counseling towards psychological and spiritual health, McMinn explores the three major areas of life strengthened...
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...Theology and Spirituality in Christian Counseling Liberty University Diane Jaynes McMinn, Ph.D., Mark R. Tyndale House Publishers, Inc. (2011) 4- MAT Review 1: Psychology, Theology and Spirituality in Christian Counseling Summary McMinn used psychology, theology and spirituality in the process of supporting individuals with improving distinctive facets of their lives. For a counselor to be effective, McMinn stated throughout the book that it is very imperative that the therapist be fervent and resilient within their personal piety. (McMinn, 2011) McMinn talks about the numerous defenses therapists need to take and he also discussed limitations that counselors face. It can be perplexing for Counselors to articulate their own spirituality when integrating it into their counseling session (McMinn, 2011). Therapist also feel that sharing their spirituality can also be difficult, for the reason that they may possibly feel unsure about their Bible knowledge (McMinn, 2011). And as a solution therapists will just not use anything from the Bible in their counseling sessions since the counselor surely does not want to muddy the waters any more for the individual or elucidate the meaning contrarily (McMinn, 2011). Guidance has been made available by McMinn to any therapist that desire to increase spirituality within their clients therapy sessions, and at the same time, increase their own spirituality (McMinn, 2011). When integrating Christianity into therapy sessions there are countless...
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...A Review of McMinn’s Text: Psychology, Theology and Spirituality in Christian Counseling Ashley Pasquale Liberty University Online Christian Counseling Summary Written by Mark R. McMinn, Psychology, theology, and spirituality in Christian counseling (2011) contains a vast amount of information regarding the use of prayer, scripture and spirituality in counseling; beginning with the explanation of interdisciplinary integration versus intradisciplinary integration. Interdisciplinary integration includes the integration of psychology and theology in order to provide better counseling. Intradisciplinary includes both of those as well, but goes further to include spirituality within the scope of Christian counseling (McMinn,...
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...Hooker McMinn, Ph.D., Mark R. Tyndale House Publishers, Inc. (2011) 4- MAT Review 1: Psychology, Theology and Spirituality in Christian Counseling Summary McMinn utilized psychology, theology and spirituality in order to assist people in enhancing different aspects of their lives. McMinn made it clear that it is important for the counselor to be strong in their own spirituality, so that they will be able to properly help the client in their process. (McMinn, 2011) McMinn addresses the different precautions counselors should take and also the limitations. Counselors express when it comes to incorporating their own spirituality into their counseling session, it can be challenging, due to the fact that they may not feel that confident about the knowledge they have about the bible. As a result counselors will often omit the use of God’s word in their counseling sessions because they do not want to confuse the client or interpret the message differently. McMinn has provided the guidance for the counselors who wish to strengthen spirituality within the counseling sessions, as well as within themselves. There are many benefits that come with incorporating Christianity into counseling sessions, but some of the main elements that can help to enhance the client’s life are, they can gain a better sense of self, a better understanding of human need and limitations and also get the opportunity to confide interpersonal relationships with God and others. (McMinn, 2011) McMinn uses the...
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...University McMinn, Ph.D., Mark R. Tyndale House Publishers, Inc. (1996) 4 MAT Review: Psychology, Theology and Spirituality in Christian Counseling Abstract Christian counseling is all about integrating psychology, theology and spirituality into counselor and clients lives. Psychology, Theology and Spirituality in Christian Counseling gives insight into how these three perspectives can be used to help individuals identify certain aspects of their lives that might be enhanced when the counselor includes spirituality into their counseling sessions. We also see how important it is for the counselor to be in touch with their own spirituality so that they can lead by example. Many counselors have a hard time addressing their own faith, with their clients. They question whether it is acceptable to talk to their clients about their Christian beliefs. Therefore, many times spirituality will fall by the wayside in the counseling session. McMinn (1996) gives us ways in which the counselor can integrate their spirituality into the counseling sessions and promote Christian guidance, into their clients lives. The goal of the Christian counselor is to promote mental and spiritual growth, so that the client can draw from their faith and look to God for guidance. McMinn (1996) allows us to see that we need a healthy sense of self in order to overcome our obstacles (p. 47). One way we develop a healthy sense of self is to pray. Praying allows us to be in touch with God. McMinn (1996)...
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...4-MAT Review-McMinn ABSTRACT McMinn, Mark R. Psychology, Theology, and Spirituality In Christian Counseling. Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers, 1996. Dr. Mark McMinn compiles an excellent resource for those who have chosen the path of Christian counseling. It focuses primarily on two important aspects of the Christian counseling field : in counseling sessions and life outside of counseling sessions – namely the counselor’s task and the counselor’s life. He starts his book with a brief section – written with James Wilhoit – that talks about religion in the Counseling office. It informs the counselor of the importance of utilizing the Christian faith in counseling not focusing on the relationship between psychology and theology. It states the challenges that religion brings in counseling sessions and how to handle and address those challenges. In the section, Toward Psychological and Spiritual Health, McMinn directs his focus to the different characteristics of a person’s life. He suggests that Christian counseling strengthens three areas of a person’s life: sense of self, an awareness of human need and limitations, and confiding interpersonal relationships with God and others. Each chapter is outlined in a very teachable format. The chapters have sections to address the challenges the counselor faces, psychological and spiritual health focus points, and also expected results by each foundational element of counseling – psychological, theological, and spiritual...
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...What are the most important therapeutic uses of Scripture in counseling? Scripture is the Word of God and is a fountain of wisdom. In the book of Hebrew says “the word of God is alive and active.” The most important therapeutic uses of scripture are: when personal problems arise, for example when there are feelings of guilt, anxiety, when there is suffering, trauma, stress and depression. Another therapeutic use of scriptures is in interpersonal conflicts, for example resentment family issues, marriage issues. Another important therapeutic use of the scriptures are when unfortunate events occur, for example the loss of a love one, financial problems, crisis caused by catastrophes. According to McMinn (1996) some counselors advocate using Scripture as a Therapeutic intervention for recovery groups with codependence problems, to help couples recover from sexual affairs, in child therapy using Narrative therapy and cognitive therapy using Scripture memory and meditation. In the book of Timothy, Paul says: “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work”. In the book of Philippians 4:8 say “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable if anything is excellent or praise worthy think about such things.” What are some cautions or possible...
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...misuse it to accomplish their sinful desires. This is exactly what happened in the case of Mary and her father. He read Exodus 21:12 without reflecting on the scriptural and biblical meaning of this text or verse. On the other hand he knew the biblical interpretation of this verse but yielded into temptation to commit this hideous crime against his own daughter. This is completely defeats the good intention of the Bible that is saving lost souls and bring them back to Christ. Based our online lectures McMinn seriously cautioned us as Christian counselors and minsters involved in counseling to very careful on how we use the Bible during counseling. He mentioned five potential programs that are associated in using the Bible in counseling. He stressed on two most important ones. They are “Overconfidence and over reliance" when using the Bible in counseling. He points out this is where we fall short of the interpretation and application of scriptures that we read from the Bible, (McMinn 2011, p. 136-137). This is sexual molestation. The main focus here is on Mary whose life was shattered and is vulnerable. As for the father he is already undergoing punishment for his wrong doing. Is intervention possible? I would say with no doubts in my mind that indeed it is possible. There is nothing impossible with God's intervention in this case. Our responsibilities as counselors rest with God because he called us to be counselors. So if I ever encounter any difficulties in this process, I will...
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