A humble but curious man sharing some of his insights and yet unknown thoughts about science, the inner life, scripture, and the Spirit as we seek to facilitate growth from the Fall back to the Garden. Three years after receiving a Doctorate I heard Dr. James Kallas discuss the various theological basis of different European nations. He stared that the differences among the legal issues, habits, customs, and personal ideas about health comes from their different faiths and how they understand why people sin and what we need to look at to resolve sin, sickness, soul care, mental illnesses. Catholic Guilt, Reformed Bondage. Baptists Rebellion. I saw that the same ideas were foundational to understanding Psychological models. As I pondered these ideas, I added shame. I think Shame is not usually considered by Western theology to be a basic response of fallen nature, biblically it is a more focus than guilt. It is deeply relevant to every human but a focus to Pietists. Now, I consider all four to be issues to every human so all four must be addressed in our theology and church practices. Including what we call psychology, soul care, and counseling as well as evangelism. The Jay Adams group claim to be Reformed and say only God can change a person but their interventions are primarily focused on Rebellion not prayer, or listening, loving, and encouragement to heal the brokenhearted. A balanced approach always demands an accurate assessment of the problem. Is it Bondage, Rebellion, True Guilt, or Shame? Then decide the wisest way to intervene when we can choose from several things like prayer, confession and forgiveness, medication, James 5 includes all four interventions. Dr. McMinn wisely focuses on multiple ways to promote human flourishing.
All Christians are called to counsel one another as we grow into Christlikeness. And yet, contrary to a secular approach, we are to encourage and admonish one another with the Scriptures. Rather than adapt the Bible to fit a secular psychology, let's redeem psychology and return it to its rightful place; as the "study of soul" in the service of the Church.
This is why we need philosophers in the Church. Those advocated opposing views of soul care often talk past each other because they've yet to grasp the categories in which they're operating.
"Competent To Counsel" appears to have a hard edge, perhaps given the environment in which it was written. Jay Adams wasn't shy about his frustration over farming out to secular professionals those everyday issues that Christians were facing. But as the prototypical work for the nascent Christian counseling movement it's still worth reading.
Quick, exciting answer Mark McMinn. Studying his thought and book for biblical counseling, Definitely looking forward to listening more about his experiences and ideas. Thanks, God bless.
Thank you for your work. I love the intersection of psychology and theology. I started my studies in grad school in psychology but withdrew from doctoral studies at Florida to get an MDiv. This is a very important interaction and interplay between these two disciplines. I hit on this from time to time on my own channel. Keep up the great work!
Its time for a Christian Psychology Association. May they accredit Christian psychologists. GOD will bless this, He is doing a new work. There is a market, and there is a movement anointed by GOD. I feel His Spirit on this heavy. Build
