Write
a paragraph or two on the problem of eclecticism in counseling and your
position in reference to it.
Eclectic means;
“not following any one system, as of philosophy, medicine, etc., but selecting
and using what are considered the best elements of all systems.”1 Within counseling there are so many different
approaches/theories/methods. A few
popular forms are; Client Centered (Carl Rogers), Holistic Health
(Biopsychosocial), Strengths Based (Positive Thinking / Learned Optimism),
Cognitive Behavioral (ABC Model), Solution Focused (Where do I really want to
be?!) and Existential (Why am I here?!). Even within the term “Christian
counseling there are many “versions” available, incorporating a hybrid of views
from psychology, culture, self help/awareness concepts, with Scriptural
concepts to address the needs of people.
It’s very difficult to wade through all the jargon of each counseling
theory, and when you add in eclecticism on top of that, it’s just plain
confusing. Many are lead astray and
blindly swallow anything presented under the umbrella of “Christian” counseling
as Biblical, and truth based when there is a lot of dangerously deceptive
teaching being presented under this false pretense.
This is a
problem because there is no consistency, there are often no absolutes/standards,
and all these counseling theories and practices conflict with one another. Either the Word of God is sufficient for life
and our issues (2 Timothy 3:16), or it’s not.
Our practice proves our belief.
Do we hold to Sola Scriptura in how we conduct counseling or not?
Personally I
think psychology makes sense to the secular, unbelieving world. It’s ideas of finding someone/something/your
past/anything but you blame takes the onus of sin off the individual or renames
it, again nullifying the responsibility.
I am sure they mean well, and have sincere passion to help people. Unfortunately their anthropological view of
man, their unclear moral standard, their unwillingness to believe in or yield
to God and His authority, their worldview,
and the differences in methods used to find peace and solutions in life
are all diametrically opposed to a Biblical view of life and counsel. And Scripture warns you can’t serve two
masters (Matthew 6:24). I am not
surprised by these countless varying theories, but I don’t believe a single one
“holds water”. I would never turn to
them for help with my life, or include them in any counsel I give to anyone
else.
I do feel there
are medical situations in which psychiatry is very helpful in biological issues
of the brain (example: psychosis). There
may be aid in using psychology to describe a person’s condition, but the
remedies it offers only teach people to love self, and follow feelings, to
trade current idols that harm them for other idols that bring them contentment. Without the gospel this is all it can
accomplish, and though it
may superficially appear effective for a time, it does not treat the underlying
heart issue of sin. The Gospel alone is
the power of salvation (Romans 1:16), and people will continue to suffer in sin
(Psalm 32:3) until they understand, believe and accept the truth of their guilt
before God as sinners , their need for soul rescue, and turn to Christ as
Saviour (Romans 6:23). Then, and only
then there is hope for real, lasting change.
1 www.dictionary.com
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