Three Core Ideas in Book Discipleship Counseling - Assignment Example

?Running head: Discipleship Counseling. Discipleship Counseling. Dr. Neil T Anderson has expressed the concept of Christian Counseling in his book “Discipleship Counseling”. There was not much quality content written on Christian counseling before and unfortunately there is a lack of consensus on the issue of integrating psychology with theology. The following paper briefly explains the three core philosophies that Dr. Anderson has depicted in his book, the concept of counseling in Christ, the foundation of an organizational structure for counseling and the obstacles and hindrances that the counselor and the counselees face during this. The first point explores the answers to the concerns of Christians regarding who they are and what their relation is with God. The second argument is given for the foundation of a well planned organization for counseling in Christ. The third point states the hindrances that are likely to face by the counselees. Dr. Neil Anderson has very well expressed three core ideas in his book Discipleship Counseling, that the Christians are being hurtful to themselves because of disbelief on who they actually are and what their purpose of life is, second he suggests that there should be a well defined structure to deal with discipleship counseling and third that there are several hindrances which need to be overcome by the counselee. Anderson explains brilliantly the biblical balance of Christian Counseling and modern psychology. He defines the ways how to be balanced with naturalism and Biblical reality. He also covers what mental health is and how it is viewed by the secular and Biblical view points, the roles and responsibilities of every individual including God. He also explores the ways to deal with external and spiritual resistance. Next, Anderson begins to bring the counselee in close relationship with God and addresses as who should be counseled, praying partners and defenses. He then states the ways how to overcome spiritual weaknesses like deception, rebellion, pride, habitual sins and finally ancestral sins. The Concept of Counseling in Christ. Anderson states: “Western rationalism and naturalism is out of balance with biblical reality.” (Neil T. Anderson, 2003) . The thought presented is that the modern psychology fails to distinguish the needs of a holistic individual paying no attention to the spiritual reality educated by the scriptures. According to various surveys it has been proved that one out of every five Christians does not actually know his position in Christ and the purpose of his life. When explaining mental fitness, Anderson says that the secular school of thought is unable to resolve problems as it considers spiritual problems as mental sickness. According to a research, mental and emotional problems might be a cause of spiritual imbalance and that the only treatment can be done from Bible (D. James Kennedy, 2005). As from the biblical point of view, mental fitness can be defined as the true nature of God as depicted in scriptures and your own nature to understand who you are and what is your relation to God. The distortion of any of these beliefs by Satan causes mental sickness. However, at times it is confusing as what conditions should be treated as spiritual or psychological. For this, Anderson explains that this is opposing to the holistic counselees as there would be no single time when the present condition would not be affected by physical conditions and there is never a possibility when God ceases to be God. The discipleship counseling involves two fundamental principles; the Gospel treated as the central source, and a definite, precise Biblical viewpoint. The first principle of making use of Bible is actually how the counselee is being ministered, either encouraging him to walk on the path of faith or reproaching him to the laws of scriptures, and then assisting him to adore God for which he will have be rewarded by God. To have a correct Biblical viewpoint is very important because if the counselee is not able to understand the roles of different identities, their responsibilities and where does the power of healing emerges from, it is meaningless. The concept of integrating psychology with theology in Christ-centered counseling is a dispute. Theological professors argue that psychology can never be integrated to theology as there are no common grounds in both of these. They have entirely different viewpoints having different methodologies, understandings, behaviors and a different view of the truth. (Ann Belford Ulanov, 1971). Another school of thought says that: “Integration is a personal process that orients one’s entire life” (John D. Carter, 1979) However, Anderson states clearly that he simple disagrees with secular psychology, he considers that psychology is the study of the soul likewise theology is the study of God and hence makes up a vital component in Christian counseling. Formation of an organization for counseling The second important concept that Anderson has expressed is that there exists an organizational hierarchy that should be followed. Being the Christ-centered hierarchy obviously God is at the top of this hierarchy. Without God’s guidance, nobody can achieve anything. It should be further split between the man’s roles and responsibilities and the God’s dominion. God has never forced us to do what is being asked through scriptures and the man cannot do what only God Almighty can. However, there are a few responsibilities on the shoulders of the counselee for a successful completion of counseling. The first and foremost responsibility that the counselee has is to pray for himself to God. As the bible says: “Is anyone among you in trouble? Let them pray” (James 5:13) Another illustration has been stated as follows: “For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus” (Timothy 2:5) This explains that the counselor should not be treated as Jesus by the counselee and that only Christ can mediate with God. Besides this, it is also a responsibility of the counselee to be spiritually well and the last responsibility is to confess for his sins and repent. There are also some responsibilities for the counselor, he should be totally dependent on God and should consider himself as His servant, he should not be too argumentative for which Anderson quotes John Scott “You cannot pander to mankind’s intellectual arrogance, but you must cater to their intellectual integrity” Empathy and compassion are also the responsibilities of the counselor; he should help the counselee from his exemplary kind behavior. Patience is another responsibility, as it is not easy for the counselee to unburden himself from all his life’s psychological and spiritual problems. The final responsibility of the counselor is not to forget his own righteous path. He should not only pray for his counselees but also pray for himself. As the Bible says: “But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses.” (Timothy 6:11) Obstacles Faced in counseling. The third point of discussion within the scope of this paper is that there are obstacles that the counselee has to face in order to restore his relation with God. Anderson describes the core of knowledge that Jesus refers to (Luke 11:52) and the ray of light which reveals the evil deeds. One kind of external obstacle might be a sinner who is not regretful on his wrong doings. He knows that they he is a sinner but runs away from confessing and repenting. Another kind of sinners include people whose hearts have been hardened by God, they become rebellions and do not consider their sins as sins. There are also people who try to attack those who are trying to build a good relationship with God. Anderson states the seven steps to be followed to find liberty in Christ. Step one declares that the counselee should abandon any involvement in activities against scriptures. Anderson insists of giving a loud declaration to abandon all activities against scriptures. This step promotes prayers and further committing of sins by the counselee. The next step that is step two teaches to overcome deception, for this purpose; prayers are offered asking God to disclose the deceptions in the counselee’s life. Step three is about overcoming bitterness. The counselee is asked to pray and make a list of people who hurt him and the people whom he had hurt in the past. He is then encouraged to release his bitterness and forgive everyone. Step four is about overcoming rebellion, the purpose of which for the counselee is to learn appropriate submission to God. The next step covers overcoming pride. Anderson states that: “Pride is the origin of evil.” (P. 294) In this step the counselee is encouraged to get rid of prejudice, pride and racism. This step makes an impact on a realistic viewpoint for the world. The sixth step is overcoming habitual sins which itself is monitored with a separate 12 steps process. Anderson considers it as a kind of open door where the counselee keeps on trying to repent for his sins but does not find any power to do that. Prayers are encouraged in this step but this is admitted by Anderson himself that this step is a challenge. The seventh and the final step is about ancestral sins, which are sins inherited form the family. After prayers have been administered the counselee is announced to turn into a new leaf as it is said: “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” (Corinthians 5:17) Generally, Anderson has given several examples from which one can learn more about the legitimacy in Christ. Since there is not much content written on the topic of Christian counseling, Anderson has done a great job. Important to note that Anderson’s work has been regarded as legitimate by American Psychology Association and American Medical Association still some of the churches do not follow it. Bibliography Ann Belford Ulanov, 1. (1971). The Feminine in Jungian Psychology and in Christian Theology. Northwestern University Press. D. James Kennedy, 2. (2005). Lord of All: Developing a Christian World-and-Life View. Crossway Books. John D. Carter, 1. (1979). Integration of Psychology and Theology. Zondervan. Neil T. Anderson, 2. (2003). Discipleship Counseling: The Complete Guide to Helping Others Walk in Freedom and Grow in Christ. Regal. Read More