Page 79 - EMCAPP-Journal No. 6

Christian Anthropology

Shannon Wolf

Comment to

“What do Pastoral

Carers and Christian

Psychotherapists need

Theology for? Theological

Annotations for

Professional Helpers“ Shannon Wolf (USA)
Ph.D., Licensed Profes-
sional Counselor, Asso-
In his article on the need for theology to influ- ciate Professor, Master
ence professional counseling as well as pastoral of Arts in Counseling,
counseling, Ari Puonti highlights the necessity Dallas Baptist Universi-
for a more holistic doctrine to inform all areas ty.
of our lives – including our professional lives.
To be clear, theology must guide our counsel.
Throughout the article, Puonti successfully
argues for a more complete understanding of
God that includes both His love and holiness.
Indeed, the author correctly states that focu-
sing on portions of theology and ignoring other
parts essentially denies the omnipotence and
majesty of The Lord.

A pronounced strength of this article is found It is Puonti’s hope that his work will spark theo-
in Puonti’s personal journey of healing. It was logical pondering in his readers. He more than
during this time that the author came to under- succeeded. As I read this article, I was particu-
stand the relationship between correct theology, larly struck by the paragraphs concerning The
experiences, and ultimate healing. His journey Fall, specifically that Adam and Even did not
from brokenness to wholeness bears witness to recognize that they were naked prior to the sin
the power of God being a significant part of the of eating the forbidden fruit. In light of the the-
healing process. Allowing God to be an active me of the article, I realized that people continue
participant in the healing process often brings tend to hide their sexuality from God by not al-
about affective, cognitive, and spiritual growth lowing Him access into that part of their lives.
in the wounded. Therefore, Christian coun- By modeling attitudes about sexuality, these
selors, whether pastoral or professional, ought patterns continue into the next generation.
to purposefully create moments that encourage
spiritual insight with the goal of generating an Overall, this article was an excellent reminder
integrated life. One way to accomplish this task of the need for practitioners to be students of
is by including spiritual and theological truths theology and to be ever mindful that it is our
in discussions. Facilitating a deeper relationship task to give those we care for an opportunity to
with God through a more holistic theological ponder biblical truths in the healing process.
understanding of Him, is one of the greatest Hopefully, the result will be a deeper knowledge
joys of the Christian professional. of God and of self.

78