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Hübner’s1 statement important, that the cons- understanding of nature and the functionality
cience should be regarded as the orientatio- of the conscience, but also represents clear sup-
nal function of the spirit. This orientation and port in overcoming evil and realising the good,
guidance is possible only in relation to Christ 3) psychotherapy is an important part of pasto-
and the Holy Spirit. ral and counselling activity. Psychotherapy re-
moves the existing human side of slavery and
The experience of discrepancy between one’s hindrances on the way to God.
own attitude and divine inspiration calls for
efforts in therapy to heal this gap. Thanks to It is however important to remember that God
the pastoral perspective, we can recognise the works the willing and the doing in us.
significance of a therapy which places itself in
relation to the Christian faith. It appears that
the place of psychotherapy is to be found so-
mewhere in the precursory stages to religious
life. To the person whose trust has been broken
by damage, suffering and senseless behaviour,
psychotherapy should restore faith and hope of
God’s help. Faith then enables the individual to
see himself from God’s perspective: as a beloved
child of God, as the lost sheep, the prodigal son
or daughter. This experience helps in develo-
ping a healthy identity, one of which the apostle
Paul says: “I live, but not I, but Christ lives in
me.” (Gal 2, 20).

And psychotherapy and counselling are there-
fore helpful, and strengthen the moral and
spiritual health of the conscience. I share the
author’s opinion when he writes that the impor-
tance of the conscience for human behaviour
and action, particularly in an individualised
and simultaneously connectivised social envi-
ronment, must be emphasised and, for the psy-
chotherapeutic work process, represented and
justified.
Every good therapy leads along the path of faith
to change, to repentance, to remorse, in order
to create a space in which grace can work un-
hindered.

It is good to remember that

1) the essence of conscience, as an internal
guardian of unchangeable values, consists in a
special relationship with God,

2) religious faith is not only the basis for a better

1 Hübner P., Der Mythos der Neutralität. Zur Disjunktivität
von Gut und Böse, in: IGNIS-Journal 2-91, Kitzingen, 1991
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