Page 91 - EMCAPP-Journal No. 5

Church Traditions for a Christian Psychology

ses Christ’s work on the cross because it is the is offered by Jones (2006) in his seminal work,
only remedy for humanity’s alienation from a The Counsel of Heaven on Earth. According to
Holy God (Guretzk, 2012.) Jones,
The centrality of the cross in the evangelical
tradition strongly impacts the understanding Christian counseling is a dynamic process of
of authority. In doing so, crucicentrism keeps communication between a representative of
matters of faith firmly under the authority and God and a person, family, or group in need
sovereignty of God. Therefore, crucicentrism designed to achieve healing in the relati-
onship of that personal, family, or group to
for the evangelical reminds Christians that all God, to self, and to others. Since we are rela-
history, culture, values, and matters of spiritua- tional beings, the process addresses the uni-
lity and faith are evaluated in light of the gospel. verse of interdependent relationships that
Indeed, all areas of the Christian’s life are judged influences us, and it draws attention to our
by the gospel message as presented in scripture. roles and needs and our godly calling of ser-
vice to others. Such counseling has a purpose
Activism of assisting people to live more fully and to
Mainly based on the Christian mission state- deal responsibly with issues, problems, and
ment found in Matthew 28:19, “Therefore go relationships in life. It seeks progress and de-
velopment toward health and wholeness in
and make disciples of all nations, baptizing the will of God. (Jones, 2006, p. 59)
them in the name of the Father, and of the Son,
and of the Holy Spirit.” Evangelicals believe that It is important to note that the imperative to act
faith in Christ compels the Christian to do good on one’s faith in Christ frequently manifests it-
works, share their faith with others, promote self in the counseling room. For the evangelical
social reform, and live a life that demonstrates therapist, the mandate to care for others is often
that they are followers of Christ. played out through therapy.
While the Christian life includes baptism,
church membership, communion, and serving Evangelical Worldview in Therapy
others, these observances will not lead to sal- That therapists’ foundational spiritual beliefs
vation. Rather, these behaviors are indicators of affect their professional performance is appa-
what God has done in the life of the individual rent. While a competing thought in the field
but cannot offer salvation in and of themselves. of psychology suggests that personal matters
Salvation based on the notion of good works of faith should never influence the counselor,
is strongly resisted by evangelicals. The passa- evangelicals argue that to attempt to separate
ge found in Ephesians 2:8-10 is often cited as a the clinician’s personal relationship with God is
fundamental test to support this belief. “For it unreasonable and in fact creates a type of disso-
is by grace you have been saved, through faith nance. Because evangelicals strive to live a life
–and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of that honors God, including their professional
God – not by works, so that no one can boast. life, it is of the upmost importance that evan-
For we are God’s workmanship created in Christ gelical professionals resist compartmentalizing
Jesus to do good works which God prepared in their values from their craft. To accomplish this,
advance for us to do.” Three of the five great an understanding of and articulation of world-
sola’s of the faith, which are of supreme impor- views must be accomplished.
tance to evangelical soteriology, are found in The call for the development of the Christian
the above passage: sola fide (by faith alone) sola mind alongside professional scholarship is typi-
gratia (through grace alone) and solo Christo fied by Willard’s (2004) assertions that spiritual
(in Christ alone.) formation must stem from spiritual disciplines,
biblical revelation, and liturgical life while ur-
Exploring Christian Counseling through an ging Christian practitioners to include such in
Evangelical Lens their professional and personal development.
Perhaps the most succinct definition of Chri- Moreover, he writes, “There is, then, a desperate
stian counseling for the evangelical practitioner need for the collaboration of biblical faith and

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