Counseling: Counseling Philosophies

Question 1

What is the meaning of proverbs 23:7 that says “As a man thinks in his heart, so is he”?

Answer 1

What you believe to be true and the reality of your heart, causes you to act and respond the way that you do.

Question 2

Which philosophy underpins psychoanalytic, humanism and behaviourism?

Answer 2

Evolution. A view that denies God.

Question 3

How does the Bible differ from the philosophy of humanism

Answer 3

Humanism promotes the idea that in order to actualize our potential, we need to cast off all authority and be guided by our own inner light. That through self-effort, we can realize our full potential

By doing what is right in our own eyes we become like the people in Judges 21:25, who kept on sinking to new lows and depravity

25 In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes.

In terms of self-actualization, Jesus states that we can do nothing without him

Question 4

What does Psalm 1 tell us about psychological theories

Answer 4

Not to trust or listen to man-made theories (counsel of the wicked), which ultimately lead to our destruction, but to trust in the counsel of God.

Question 5

What is person-centered therapy

Answer 5

Humanistic in philosophy, person-centered therapy assumes that people are generally trustworthy, capable of self-reflection, and capable of self-directed growth (toward self-actualization). Given the proper environment, people will live up to their capabilities.

Question 6

What is the biblical view on the humanistic claims of self-actualization and self-directed growth?

Answer 6

Biblically, there is a glaring problem with person-centered therapy in terms of its view of humanity. Humans are not inherently motivated toward positive growth. We were created in God’s image; we do have eternity in our hearts (Ecclesiastes 3:11); we know there is something better. But Adam and Eve sinned, introducing a sinful nature into the rest of humanity (Romans 5:12). Without God, our hearts are deceitful (Jeremiah 17:9), we desire that which is evil (Galatians 5:17-21), and we are dead in sin (Colossians 2:13). We may desire to somehow be restored to our original purpose, to gain a sense of satisfaction and rightness in the way we are living. We miss Eden, but we cannot get back to it. It is not through our own effort or through a positive relationship with a counselor that we will grow. It is only by the work of the Holy Spirit (2 Corinthians 5:17, 21; Philippians 1:6; Ephesians 4:22-24). Also, we need more than growth. We need salvation; we need sanctification. Our sinful nature needs to be overcome for us to be fully restored.

Question 7

What is the problem with Cognitive Behavioural Therapy?

Answer 7

The goal is to change a person’s thinking in a way that produces the desired outcome.

The problem however is that there is no standard of truth to appeal to for right thinking.

It is unchristian at its core as it describes behaviour to be primarily driven by cognition, whereas the bible states that behaviour is driven by the heart

Like the Pharisees, we can change our thinking to get the desired behaviours, but that does not necessarily change the heart

To get a change in behaviour and to live righteously the bible tells us to ‘put to death’ the sin in our hearts (desires, passions)

Question 8

What is the only thing that can help us discern the depths and motivations of the heart?

Answer 8

The bible

Question 9

What happens when we use philosophy or theory that is built upon a faulty foundation?

Answer 9

You will end up with a faulty remedy.

Question 10

Psychological ideology: Human Nature

Answer 10

Human nature is basically good

Question 11

Psychological ideology: The source of our solutions

Answer 11

People have the answers to their problems inside themselves

Question 12

Psychological ideology: The root of a person’s problems

Answer 12

In a person’s past, and or primarily caused by other people

Question 13

Psychological ideology: The nature of human problems

Answer 13

Purely psychological in nature, unrelated to any spiritual or physical condition

Question 14

Psychological ideology: The solution to problems

Answer 14

Deep seated problems can only be solved through professional counselors, using therapy

Question 15

Psychological ideology: Religion

Answer 15

Scripture, prayer and the Holy Spirit are inadequate and simplistic resources for solving certain types of problems.

Question 16

Four questions for evaluating counseling theories

Answer 16

1. Who is God?
2. Who is man?
3. What is man’s problem?
4. What is the solution?

Question 17

Why can’t we integrate psychological theories with the Gospel?

Answer 17

They are not complimentary theories and approaches, but competing ideologies

Question 18

Four questions: Theology

Answer 18

1. Who is God?
2. The Bible teaches that God is the creator, ruler, and sustainer of all things.
3. What does the theory teach about God or some other supernatural influence?
4. Does the theory deny the immaterial or unseen things?
5. Who or what is the primary motive for change in the theory?
6. Who or what is the source of power or ability to change the human condition in
   this theory?
7. What is the source of wisdom for this theory?

Question 19

How does Biblical counseling differ from psychological counceling?

Answer 19

A. Biblical Counseling begins with an understanding of the nature and character of
God as revealed in Scripture, followed by a biblical view of man.
B. Scripture is superior to Human Wisdom (1 Corinthians 3:19)
C. The Word of God is a more effective discerner of the human heart than any
earthly means (Hebrews 4:12)
D. The Spirit of God is the only effective agent of recovery and regeneration
(Ephesians 5:18-19)
E. The goal is progressive sanctification (1 Thessalonians 4:3)
F. Biblical Counseling offers real hope for change in life and eternal change to
come. (John 10:10, Titus 2:12-13, Revelation 21:5)
G. All the treasures of wisdom and knowledge are found in Christ. (Colossians 2:3)
H. The Scripture is totally sufficient for the counseling task and the care of souls. (2
Timothy 3:14-17)

Question 20

4 Questions: Hamartiology

Answer 20

1. What is Man’s Problem?
2. The Bible teaches the significance and the prevalence of sin. All have
   sinned and none are righteous (Ro. 3:10-12, 3:23). The penalty for sin
   apart from Christ’s salvation is death (Ro. 6:23).
3. What does the theory claim is the primary cause or causes of human
   problems?
4. Does the theory you are evaluating make mention of or allow for the possibility of sin?
5. What does it use to explain why people struggle or why there is suffering?
   A Comparison of Counseling Philosophies – Dale Johnson
6. Is repentance mentioned?

Question 21

4 Questions: Soteriology

Answer 21

1. What is the solution?
2. The Bible teaches that the solution to struggles and problems that people
   encounter begins with God’s love for us and his provision of forgiveness
   of sin through a relationship with Christ as one’s Lord and Savior (Jn.
   3:16; Ro. 6:23; 10:9-11; 1 Cor 15:3-4). God provides true hope that things
   can change and instruction and encouragement through the Scriptures (Ro.
   15:4, 13).
3. What does the theory present as the solution to problems that people face?
4. Does the theory provide any true hope for healing and change or just for
   the possibility of better ability to cope?
5. What other information about solutions to psychological issues is
   presented in the theory?

Question 22

Authority

Answer 22

A. The Bible teaches clearly that Scripture is authoritative. It is the source of Truth
God has given to provide direction and answers for life. It is “God-breathed” and
as such is inerrant (2Ti. 3:16-17). It is qualitatively unique in that it is living and
active and it is able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart (He. 4:12).
B. What sources of authority did the original theorist base his theory upon?
C. Is the theory based on the idea that there is objective truth and a clear right and
wrong?
D. What other information about authority or the lack or authority is communicated
in the theory?