Biblical Concepts of Mental Health

Week 5 Assignment
E. Ann Gaines Ali
Mid-America Christian University
Biblical Concepts of Mental Health
PSYC 4103
Professor J . Dozier
October 23, 2012

Week 5 Assignment

1. Give one circumstance in which forgiveness would be a reasonable short term goal. Then give one circumstance where forgiveness would be a long term goal? Is there ever a circumstance where forgiveness might not be a goal in the counseling process?

A circumstance where forgiveness would be a reasonable short term goal, would be an instance where someone may have spoken ill about another person, and that person found out about it. A circumstance in which forgiveness would be a long term goal, could be the biblical example of Joseph and his brothers (found in Genesis 37-50). In my opinion, there can never be a circumstance where forgiveness might not be a goal in the counseling process. Why? Because, as Christian counselors, we must stand on what the Bible teaches, and it teaches forgiveness “seventy times seven (Matthew 18:21-22).

2. Name and describe the many misconceptions of what forgiveness is.

According to McMinn, forgiving is sometimes excused with excusing. Excusing is casual and routine, but forgiveness requires sustained effort, usually over a long period of time. Any form of interpersonal forgiveness that is portrayed as quick and easy cannot be true forgiveness, though it is also true that forgiveness becomes easier with practice and spiritual development. Forgiveness is sometimes confused with denial or passive acceptance. Passive acceptance emphasizes keeping peace at any cost, even if silent resentments are harbored for years; whereas forgiveness first involves recognizing and grieving over the damage that has been done, then choosing to release the negative emotions associated with the offender. Third, forgiveness is not self-blame. Forgiving another does not require us to accept responsibility for what went wrong. Fourth, forgiveness is not always associated with remorse and repentance on the part of the offending party. Fifth, forgiveness and reconciliation are not the same. Though reconciliation requires forgiveness, forgiveness does not always require reconciliation. (McMinn, 2011, p. 250-251)

3. What are the (A) Psychological, (B) Theological, and (C) Spiritual benefits of forgiveness?

(A). Psychological-The psychological benefits of forgiveness are inclusive of ideologies. For the record, psychologists have strong and varying amounts of opinions about the place of forgiveness in psychology. There are at least three perspectives . First, some psychologists are opposed to any use of forgiveness in therapy. Second, some see forgiveness as beneficial because it promotes the mental health of the forgiver. Here forgiveness is essentially reduced to a clinical technique aimed at providing the client with relief from the often destructive consequences of relational struggles-consequences such as anger, bitterness, and resentment. Third, some counselors consider forgiveness to be an extension of Christian duty. Some in this third group also fit in the second group. That is, they see forgiveness as a response of obedience to God with personally beneficial consequences. (, p. 252)

(B). Theological- It is exclusively through God’s forgiveness that humanity heals. Without God’s forgiveness, people remain in a broken and isolated state; with God’s forgiveness they receive new life. A Christian understanding of forgiveness begins with a recognition of the depravity inherent in humanity. “Our approach to the problems of society will be governed by our view of sin.” If sin is ubiquitous, affecting every person, then we are all an active part of the human problem. As we comprehend human weakness and propensity for evil, both in their wider historical context and in our own individual lives, we recognize our need both to give and to receive forgiveness. With a mature understanding of our own sin and God’s mercy, we are increasingly able to see ourselves as we view the wrongdoing of others. This is not to suggest that forgiveness is easy but that forgiveness is facilitated by empathy and humility. (, p. 257,259)

(C) Spiritual-Forgiveness, is an act of compassion that comes from one person’s identifying with another. It suggests that two people are equally fallible, one responding to the offense of the other in loving identification. Healing comes as we see ourselves in those who hurt us. We come face-to-face with our own sin and can turn to God for cleansing. This type of humility enables us to forgive. (, p. 260)

Christian counselors who sensitively integrate psychological, theological, and spiritual perspectives on forgiveness are distinguished by several characteristics: 1. They recognize the potential damage of introducing forgiveness as a therapeutic goal too early in the treatment relationship;

2. They value techniques that emphasize forgiveness while recognizing that forgiveness requires inner transformation as well as behavioral change; 3. They recognize a Christian duty to forgive but do not use that duty to coerce or manipulate clients; 4. They remember that forgiveness was not invented by counselors or psychologists but by God, who chose to redeem humanity through the sacrificial work of Jesus Christ; 5. They see a connection between sin, confession, and forgiveness, understanding that forgiveness properly flows out of humble self-awareness and gratitude to a forgiving God. (McMinn, 2011, p. 261-262)

4. What is the role of redemption in the counseling process? By definition, redemption means the act of buying back, or recovering by paying a price. (McMinn, 2011, p. 291) Christian counselors with a redemptive worldview respond to others with humility because they recognize that from which they have been redeemed, with compassion because they experience God’s grace, and with gratitude because of God’s sustaining presence. (McMinn, 2011, p.315) McMinn states that redemption is found not primarily in counseling techniques but in the nature of a caring counseling relationship. The capacity to engage in redemptive counseling relationships comes with psychological, theological, and spiritual insight and growth. The essence of good counseling and human redemption, consists of buying back people’s dignity by investing in their lives, treating them with respect and affirmation. Counselors serve as “transitional objects,” providing temporary relationships that helps clients gain insight and relate better to others in relationships that are more permanent than counseling relationships. In this sense, Christian counselors help their clients understand God by demonstrating redemption. (McMinn, 2011, pp. 292-294)

5. What are the (A) Psychological, (B) Theological, and (C) Spiritual conclusions about redemption in the counseling process?
They are as follows: 1. Spiritual redemption can be found only in Christ, who provided the ransom to free us from our captivity to sin. In this sense, redemption is a one-time work fulfilled in Christ’s atonement; 2. Spiritual redemption is also a process whereby God draws us closer and saves us from addiction to the pleasures of sin. This process of redemption both requires and produces humility as we recognize our desperate need for a gracious God; 3. God not only redeems us spiritually but also delivers us from many perils and hardships, often through the kindness of others; 4. As God’s redemption transforms our affections, we are motivated to be God’s agents of redemption, helping those in need find hope and relief from trials; 5. Counseling provides opportunities to be redemptive agents in a fallen and needy world; 6. A redemptive worldview in counseling calls us not necessarily to specific techniques or theoretical frameworks but to counseling relationships that reflect the grace and kindness we understand through God’s redemptive love. (McMinn, 2011, p.302)

References
McMinn, M. R. (2011). Psychology theology and spirituality in christian counseling (Revised ed.). Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale.
McMinn, M. R. (2011). Psychology theology and sprituality in christian counseling (Revised ed.). Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale.

References: McMinn, M. R. (2011). Psychology theology and spirituality in christian counseling (Revised ed.). Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale. McMinn, M. R. (2011). Psychology theology and sprituality in christian counseling (Revised ed.). Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale.