Epworth Georgia doesn’t have a gas station, grocery store, or even a Starbucks, but it does have a great little used bookstore (http://www.higdonsbookstore.com/). If you are in Epworth, check it out.
While in Higdon's last week I found and bought 3 classics. Two were written by Jay Adams (The Christian Counselor’s Manual and Competent to Counsel) and one by Martin & Deidre Bobgan (The Psychological Way/The Spiritual Way).
Dr. Adams and the Bobgans are standard bearers for “Biblical counseling.”
In The Christian Counselor’s Manual Dr. Adams writes, “There are, in the Scriptures, only three specified sources of personal problems in living: demonic activity (principally possession), personal sin, and organic illness. These three are interrelated. All options are covered under these heads, leaving no room for a fourth: non-organic mental illness. There is, therefore, no place in a biblical scheme for the psychiatrist as separate practitioner.”
In contrast, Christianpsychiatry.com writes of “Christian counseling;”
Christians are not perfect. Christians can get sick just like anyone else. Christians have emotional and spiritual problems just like everyone else. Chemical imbalances strike the brains of Christians just like they strike others. Even the heroes of the Bible occasionally fell prey to anxiety, depression or grave spiritual problems.
If you are a Christian suffering from intense spiritual or emotional problems, you have all the hope in the world! With God's help, Christians are treatable with excellent results in almost every case. The goal of christianpsychiatry.com is to assist you in finding a qualified Christian Psychiatrist, Psychologist, Therapist or Counselor near your home.
“Biblical” counseling is to “Christian” counseling as Barack Obama is to George Bush. They’re both presidents and politicians, but the agreement stops there. Biblical counselors and Christian counselors are Christians and counselors, but the agreement stops there.
When I read the debate, argument, and (sometimes) name-calling between Biblical and Christian counselors over the causes and cures for mental suffering, I am reminded of three things. I am reminded of Jesus’ high priestly prayer. I am reminded that psychiatry and psychology are not synonymous. I am reminded of the pastor’s wife who came for counseling at the community mental health center.
I will write about each of those remembrances in my next posts.
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