4 Mat Review McMinn
La Dawn M. Brooks
Psychology Theology and Spirituality in Christian Counseling
Liberty University
April 25, 2015
Summary The book review that will be given in this paper is that of Dr. Mark McMinn’s Psychology, Theology, and Spirituality in Christian Counseling. In the first chapter opening pages McMinn briefly writes about religion within the counseling office environment, and exposes the oppositions Christian counselors face as they incorporate religious interventions in regards to integration. He reveals the focal point of the book which is intra-disciplinary integration and is define by the author as what “occurs within a discipline”, as he states “my goal is to provide a practical resource within the fields of counseling and psychology that is theologically and spiritually responsible.” (McMinn, (2011) p.29) He does just that as he continues to lay the foundation for learning competency in the field of Christian counseling. It is highlighted in chapter two with the usage of different maps that has been updated to show the areas in which Christian counseling can make an impact on the client’s life by giving them an accurate sense of self, sense of need and healing relationships. For the Christian counselor to able to obtain this takes not just a psychological or theological view but also spiritual discipline. It is from this point that we find McMinn begins to teach on intra- disciplinary with the incorporation of the theological themes, beginning with prayer. McMinn (2011) in this chapter immediately recognizes two categories of prayer in psychology; the effects of prayer and using prayer in Christian counseling. In theology prayer is petition asking God and worship reflecting on God’s character. (McMinn, (2011) pg.79) He moves through this chapter outlining prayer as it pertains to counseling in the sense of what to pray and when to pray for a client within or outside the therapy session and the necessity of prayer
Psychology Theology and Spirituality in Christian Counseling
Liberty University
April 25, 2015
Summary The book review that will be given in this paper is that of Dr. Mark McMinn’s Psychology, Theology, and Spirituality in Christian Counseling. In the first chapter opening pages McMinn briefly writes about religion within the counseling office environment, and exposes the oppositions Christian counselors face as they incorporate religious interventions in regards to integration. He reveals the focal point of the book which is intra-disciplinary integration and is define by the author as what “occurs within a discipline”, as he states “my goal is to provide a practical resource within the fields of counseling and psychology that is theologically and spiritually responsible.” (McMinn, (2011) p.29) He does just that as he continues to lay the foundation for learning competency in the field of Christian counseling. It is highlighted in chapter two with the usage of different maps that has been updated to show the areas in which Christian counseling can make an impact on the client’s life by giving them an accurate sense of self, sense of need and healing relationships. For the Christian counselor to able to obtain this takes not just a psychological or theological view but also spiritual discipline. It is from this point that we find McMinn begins to teach on intra- disciplinary with the incorporation of the theological themes, beginning with prayer. McMinn (2011) in this chapter immediately recognizes two categories of prayer in psychology; the effects of prayer and using prayer in Christian counseling. In theology prayer is petition asking God and worship reflecting on God’s character. (McMinn, (2011) pg.79) He moves through this chapter outlining prayer as it pertains to counseling in the sense of what to pray and when to pray for a client within or outside the therapy session and the necessity of prayer
References: McMinn, Mark R. PH.D. (2011): Psychology, Theology, and Spirituality in Christian Counseling; Tyndale House Publishing Inc.; Wilmington, IL. http://www.openbible/topics (English Standard Version) accessed 5/2/15 McMinn, Mark R., PH.D., (2011) Psychology, Theology, and Spirituality in Christian counseling; Wheaton, Ill, Tyndale House http://biblehub.com/1_john/4-9.htm Accessed 04/25/15