What I Became A Christian Woman 's Life

Hawkins and Clinton (2015), stated that using the knowledge of counseling and incorporating it in the theology and spirituality, delivers a deeper counseling session with clients seeking a closer connection to God and a sense of hope (p. 8). Psychological issues apart from spiritual issues are presented in the text. Hawkins and Clinton (2015) argue the “overcoming the faith gap” as an issue, and state that the most challenging part for clients seeking services is doubting the fact that, incorporating theology/spirituality counseling may not fulfill their needs (p.

The first chapter of Christian Thought and Practice, by Natalie Kertes Weaver introduced theology of Christianity. This was broken up into five major topics. The topics are: terms used in the study of religion, a functional understanding of Christian theology, facets of Christian theology, types of theology, and audiences and practitioners of Christian thought. The author explains the importance in detail of all of the above points.

Christian counseling and secular has primarily the same goal and desire, that is to assist people with overcoming life obstacles that they are facing. In addition, they both seek to help their clients find balance in life, find joy, and be healthy and adaptable individuals, mentally, physically, and emotionally. Furthermore, there are many difference between the two. However, there are many approaches that a Christian counselor could use. Although, both Christian counseling and professional counseling have their place, there are models that can be integrated that will lead to healthy sessions with clients. The purpose of this paper is to look at those applications of biblical truth that is accepted in secular counseling techniques,

Few people in the United States, whether a member of the Christian church or not, would argue with the statement that the American Christian Church has external and internal struggles it has been facing for years. An issue that the American church has really struggled with recently is the issue of homosexuality and the sinfulness of it. The book Struggling with Scripture by authors Walter Brueggemann, William C. Placher, and Brian K. Blount each write their thoughts on the interpretation of scripture and how it relates to this issue. These authors present an overarching message that to struggle with the scriptures is a true sign of a person’s religious faithfulness. They deliver their opinions and thoughts from a place of both personal devotion to the bible and intense study of the scriptures. This book encourages the reader that the Christian life is not one of ease, but is instead one of struggling with the living Word leading to growth and revelation of God’s presence.

I have read the book called Darkness is my only Companion: A Christian response to Mental Illness by Kathryn Greene-McCreight. This book gave an in depth look into the mind of the someone suffering from a mental disorder and through the eyes of a christian, and not as a new christian but a Minister of the gospel. She takes the reader on a journey as she tries to answer the questions that many are too afraid too ask. Such as Why am I suffering? Did I do something wrong? Is God even there? The purpose of this paper is to examine Kathryn Greene-McCreight’s insight of her struggle with bipolar disorder and find places of improvement.

Both assessments also placed him in the Secure/ low avoidance category. Upon consideration of the participant’s answers to the assessment’s questions, he is currently in Elkind’s final stage, the search for comprehension and Fowler’s fifth stage, Conjunctive Faith. The participant in this interview has indeed reach a point in his spiritual growth where he can see the underlying meaning/reasoning of his relationships. While some times still baffled by the behavior of his father, the relationship that he has with his father, other constants in his life, have meaning can ultimately explained through scripture and personal a connection with God. According to Elkind, religion is a natural result of mental development with such complexities, that it ultimately requires our intellectual needs to be gratified by spiritual development as we progress in age, and it is evident that the interviewee has allowed spiritual development to satisfy and bring meaning to that which he could not understand on his own (Hood, Hill, &Spilka, 2009). As for Fowler’s stage of Conjunctive Faith, it is described as place in one’s development where a willingness to converse with those of other faiths in the belief that they might learn something that will allow them to correct their own truths. As minister and someone that has studied theology, the interviewee has had the opportunity to dialogue with several people different faiths and openly admitted that many of them have contributed to his spiritual growth. No longer viewing everything that is found in biblical scripture in a literal sense, he views the theological challenges that are presented to him by those of a different faith as tool to discover as

In 2011 Mark McMinn updates his book on Psychology, Theology, and Spirituality in Christian Counseling, which discloses three important perspectives of Christian counseling. This recently evolving frontier for Christian counselors is what McMinn calls interdisciplinary integration. The relationship between psychology and theology is not the vital key component, but it’s how Christian faith is practiced in counseling. Bringing religion into the counseling office will bring challenges but with personal spiritual training and professional development it can be accomplished. McMinn shares a theoretical map on the prospective values and dangers of using religious interventions in counseling. In the first two chapters McMinn establishes a framework on the variety of religious interventions like prayer, the use of Scripture, forgiveness, and so on. Theses chapters would be part 1 of a 2 broad part that lays down a foundation for the rest of the book. The chapters that follow would be part 2 that explains the indispensable components in McMinn’s methodology to the integration of psychology, theology, and spiritualty in counseling. Psychology, theology, and spirituality is highlighted in the sessions of Christian counseling by guiding the person who reads an insightful understanding of integrating stages of: prayer, scripture, sin, confession,

The purpose of this book is meant to create a foundation for Christian lifestyles. It addresses the origin of Christian values, and portrays the evolution of Christian worldviews throughout history. It briefly explains the biblical narrative and develops ideas in which Christians are able to live out their faith and deal with other worldviews existing in our world today.

Psychology, Theology and Spirituality in Christian Counseling by Mark R. McMinn (McMinn, 1996) covers a Christian counselor's life in and out of counseling sessions. McMinn's book is dedicated to recognizing and developing the relationship between counseling and Christian faith rather than a dry Theology. This resource work divides the discussion into 8 chapters, each addressing a vital aspect of Christian psychological counseling and each having a section outlining challenges, methods and anticipated outcomes. The first chapter is co-written with James C. Wilhoit and stresses the importance of the counseling/faith relationship while presenting various challenges confronting the counselor and possible approaches to facing those challenges. The second chapter enumerates the Christian faith's major

The new Christian Counsellor: A fresh Biblical and Transformational Approach is a book that aims to teach people and empower them to take possession of their souls in the contemporary life of a multi-faceted approach design. The authors are seasoned Christian counsellors who have a vast experience in dealing with people’s psycho-spiritual issues from a Christian point of view (Hawkins & Clinton, 2015 p.6). Through their noble ideas, the professors seek to guide their reads through the power of the Holy Spirit in their lives, under the influence of God’s word and in a manner that is supportive of the accountability ideas of the entire community.

McMinn, M. (2011). Psychology, Theology, and Spirituality in Christian Counseling (p. 254). Carol Stream, Illinois: Tyndale House Publishers.

There are many cultures around the world that do not expect clergy celibacy (Daly, 2009) including Christian denominations who allow ministers/priests to marry. These Churches demonstrate how marriage is compatible with the priestly life. These churches present a great example of how familial responsibilities are compatible with religious commitments. A study of married Evangelical ministers and Roman Catholic priests revealed that there were no significant differences in dimensions of religiosity or commitments to the parish between the celibate and married clergymen (Swenson, 1998). Both are

As I thought about all the topics we have read and studied in this class there was one topic that I really did enjoy and changed the way I thought about the topic and gave me a whole new perspective on how I look at religion now. I chose the topic of feminism and Christianity and how the authority of the women gender role in religion has been a struggle for many years. I think Lynn Japinga did a very good job in writing about this topic in her book, “Feminism and Christianity: An Essential Guide”. Japinga includes in her book the use of the male dominated language in the Bible, the blame for the original sin, and the lack of women gender clerical role authority within the religion world.

Divorce and remarriage is one prime example where God’s word and humanity intersect. God’s divine plan and our human sinfulness and weakness meet each other and we are sometimes left with more questions than answers. However, if we are looking for a concrete answer we may feel disappointed. Rather, if we look to the bible for forgiveness and healing we can begin to move forward in a new direction.

In 1994, after twenty years of being in and out of relationship with God, I was ready to seriously turn towards Him and away from the orientation of my fallen will. Looking back at my mid-thirties, it is easy to see why I married a man that I could not withstand and sought approval through work. When that marriage dissolved, it did not matter all the wrong things I had done, I was willing to do whatever it took to regain a relationship with God. As I learned it was as simple as the Ent, Treebeard turning to head south in the Lord of the Rings.