In this third chapter, the authors consider the substance of Christian counseling. They present the apologetic that all counseling (secular to Christian) is evangelistic in nature. “It is now accepted that all counseling is impositional. Every counselor imposes a point of view on those who come for help. All counseling is rhetoric–that is, designed to [...]
Entries from May 2007
May 30, 2007
Sandy Cove retreat
Normally, I don’t much enjoy faculty retreats. Now I like the company but it usually entails lots of sitting and takes me away from home. But, this year we are at Sandy Cove (a retreat on the top of the Chesapeake Bay). Had my coffee, paper, bible, etc. this am out on the peaceful dock. [...]
May 30, 2007
What is Christian Counseling? Chapter 2
In this chapter of Christian Counseling, Maloney & Augsburger articulate the differences between those who want explicit Christian counseling and those who want Christians who counsel. They detail many reasons why clients seek out Christians.
May 29, 2007
What is Christian Counseling? Chapter 1
Returning to Maloney & Augsburger’s, Christian Counseling: An Introduction (see initial post on 5/22/07) we see them tackle the topic of what makes Christian counseling Christian. This chapter sets an overview for the remaining chapters in this section on foundational assumptions. Here are some points they make:
May 28, 2007
Unscience Monday: Insane reporting rules
At last staff meeting, Diane Langberg reviewed some new rules for PA re: abuse reporting that she learned at a recent CE seminar. Some of these make your head spin.
1. Psychologists are mandated to report to child and family any child engaging in sex (not well defined) before age of 13. Okay, this is good.
2. [...]
May 24, 2007
Keller on sacrifical love
Today at staff meeting, we listened to a Tim Keller sermon (in the Mark series). His main point is that all love must sacrificial, hence Jesus had to die. Whether it is a parent who gives up the right to serve his/her own interests for a child or a victim who gives up the “right” [...]
May 23, 2007
Squirrels!!!
Got any great suggestions on how to stop squirrels from eating my strawberries? I have several nice plants with ripening fruit. So far I have yet to eat a strawberry because the little varmits got to them first. I put some plastic netting over the plants but they just crawled under and took what they [...]
May 22, 2007
What is Christian Counseling, anyway? A review
Today I’m going to start a careful review of a new book by H. Newton Malony and David Augsburger entitled, Christian Counseling: An introduction (Abingdon Press, 2007). Malony and Augsburger are well established professors at Fuller Seminary. In this book they attempt to answer the question, What should Christian Counseling look like? How will they [...]
May 21, 2007
Science Monday: What is the best way to teach ethics to counselors?
Saturday marked the first class of my Ethics class. In honor of that, I want to use this space to talk a bit about the teaching of ethics. What is the best way to teach aspiring counselors the ins/outs of ethical care of their counselees. Here are some options:
May 18, 2007
2007 NBCA Conference Presentation
Lord willing, tonight I will be addressing the attendees of the 2007 National Biblical Counselors Association conference. I plan to review the present state and future of the biblical counseling movement. The last written review of the movement was published in 1988 by David Powlison (Journal of Pastoral Practice, vol. 9). Its time we took stock of ourselves [...]
