Week 2

PASTORAL
COUNSELING 1
Rev. Renel P. Cuaresma An introduction to the principles of
pastoral counseling. A study is made

Instructor on human behavior both from the

biblical viewpoint and in light of
modern psychological theories.
Special emphasis is placed on the
student’s own personality and
potential as a pastor-counselor. This
course focuses on the counselor.
 Lesson 2

THE
PHILOSOPHY OF
PASTORAL
COUNSELING
TODAY'S 1 Three Approaches to Counseling

AGENDA 2
Different Perspectives in Biblical Counseling

Biblical Counseling distinguish from other

3 forms of Counseling

Biblical Counseling has been

4 compromised in many ways
I=THREE APPROACHES TO COUNSELING
One's methodology, model in counseling, or method
of counseling will come from his presuppositions, or
what he believes to be true. In counseling, your method
to bring about change, or to deal with a person, will grow
out of your basic view of man. One's attitude and
treatment of people in counseling grows out of what one
believes.
I=THREE APPROACHES TO COUNSELING
A. Expert Knowledge -- Proponents:
Sigmund Freud and F. J. Skinner .

B.Common Knowledge -- Proponents:

Carl Rogers, O. Hobart & Mowrer

C.Divine Knowledge -- Proponents: Scripture,

God's Revelation (Dr. Jay Adam's terms)
I-THREE APPROACHES TO COUNSELING
Expert Knowledge:
These men held that only those possessing expert
knowledge are competent to counsel. This view is
much like Plato's, who believed that only the wisest
among men should rule. In this approach, the expert
must do it for the other person.
I-THREE APPROACHES TO COUNSELING
Expert Knowledge:
A
The Basis of Conventional Psychiatry
• Freud has been the most prominent example of the expert knowledge
approach. ( He emphasized man's inner drives.)
• Freud taught that man's main problem is poor socialization. The
counselee, according to Freud, may have been--- a. kicked around as a
child, b. raised in a strict victorian-like home, c. influenced by an overly-
dominant mother, etc.
• He taught that this kind of wrong socialization builds a conscience that is
over socialized, or overly sensitive.
I-THREE APPROACHES TO COUNSELING
Expert Knowledge:
A
The Basis of Conventional Psychiatry
4. His approach was that only the expert can solve these perplexing and
complicated problems.
5. The Freudian-trained therapist uses two expert techniques that grow out of
his expert diagnosis of the problem.
a. psychoanalysis b. psychotherapy
6. The expert knowledge approach is based squarely upon the premise (or
presupposition) that man is NOT responsible for what he does.
I-THREE APPROACHES TO COUNSELING
Expert Knowledge:
A
The Basis of Conventional Psychiatry
7. Conventional psychiatry believes that:
a. Mental illness exists.
b. Probing into the client's past life is always an essential part
of treatment. (Who did WHAT to the person?)
c. Transference is an important part of the therapy process.
d. Conventional psychotherapy is important in counseling.
(The client needs to be made aware of unconscious mental
conflicts. This is accomplished through the interpretation
of transference, dreams, and free associations. )
I-THREE APPROACHES TO COUNSELING
Expert Knowledge:
A
The Basis of Conventional Psychiatry
7. Conventional psychiatry believes that:
e. All deviate behavior must be overlooked because it is
considered a product of the mental illness! Since it is a part
of such illness the person is NOT held responsible for it.
f. In this system it is not primary their purpose to teach
people how to behave. The conventional therapist believes
the client will behave more responsibly when he comes to
better understand what is causing problems on the
subconscious level.
I-THREE APPROACHES TO COUNSELING
Expert Knowledge:
His teaching was and is considered the first force in psychology! He was an
Austrian physician who lived from 1856- l939. He popularized the study of the
unconscious mental processes. He taught that our outward behavior (especially
when abnormal) was the product of unconscious mental conflict. He placed a
great emphasis on the unconscious process and would employ the use of
hypnoses, dream analysis, and free association to ascertain what might be
troubling the person. The therapist would try to determine who did what to the
person!
I-THREE APPROACHES TO COUNSELING
Expert Knowledge:
He took a very dim view of religion, rejecting both the teaching,
doctrine, and methods of theology and its conclusions. A religious
experience to him was a child's delusion. Freud referred to himself as
a godless heathen, and a hopeless Jew. Maybe his teaching came
from what he experienced as a child, and he was responding against
his rearing and Jewish teaching.
I-THREE APPROACHES TO COUNSELING
Expert Knowledge:
B
Behaviorism -- as represented by B. J. Skinner:
• The behaviorist claims to be committed only to the use of factual evidence.
• B. F. Skinner is devoted to the belief that man is a product of evolution -- not a created
being.
• The goal is survival and natural selection is the process (that is, survival of the fittest).
(The stimulus is applied after the behavior rather than before.) Skinner taught that
mankind is a product of his environment.
• Both Freud and Skinner saw the counselees as not being responsible, but held others
responsible for their actions
I-THREE APPROACHES TO COUNSELING
Expert Knowledge:
B
Behaviorism -- as represented by B. J. Skinner:
This approach is considered the second force in psychology.
They would say... "All behavior is determined directly or
indirectly by its consequences." This approach emphasized
the outer drives and held that positive reinforcement is the
power of behavioral engineering.
I-THREE APPROACHES TO COUNSELING
Expert Knowledge:
Why Skinner's approach is wrong:
• Man is not a higher form of animal but rather a creation of God.
• Environment doesn't totally determine man's actions, and man's decisions.
• Experiments with rats do not tell us everything about man.
• According to the Scriptures man is responsible for his behavior.
• A changed environment is not man's primary need.
I-THREE APPROACHES TO COUNSELING
Expert Knowledge:
Why Skinner's approach is wrong:
6. Man cannot provide the model, the power, or the
environment for the change that he so desperately needs.
7. Man needs to be transformed. You may modify a person's
behavior by a controlled environment, but it takes the Spirit
of God to bring inward change.
8. In behaviorism there is no value, no standard, but
everything is relative. By this means they seek to recondition
the sinner.
Apply: How might the concept of 'man needing to be
transformed' be applied in a counseling setting?

Answer

Suggested answer:
In a counseling setting, this concept could be applied by recognizing the limitations
of behavior modification alone and considering the deeper spiritual or internal
transformation needed for lasting change.
I-THREE APPROACHES TO COUNSELING
Common Knowledge:
A
Non-Directive Counseling -- Carl Rogers
• Carl Rogers believed that there is no need for an expert at all. He
believed that all men have adequate knowledge and resources to handle
their own problems. He played down the depravity of man (Cf. Romans
3:9-18; Jeremiah 17:9; Isaiah 1; 64:6)
• His basic assumption was that people with unresolved problems were not
living up to their own potential.
I-THREE APPROACHES TO COUNSELING
Common Knowledge:
A
Non-Directive Counseling -- Carl Rogers
3. He taught that every person has the potential to do right. Deep within man lies the
solutions to all of his problems. He believed that man at his core was good, not evil.
(Norman Vincent Peale, Shuler, etc., lean in this direction.) He says that man has a spark
of divinity in him; the task is to plug these in and to release the power inherent within.
4. Rogers taught that no authoritative standard from the outside should be imposed upon
the counselee. No authoritative word may be spoken by the counselor to the counselee.
Roger's approach was totally non-directive .."that you should not superimpose your
convictions on someone else."
I-THREE APPROACHES TO COUNSELING
Common Knowledge:
A
Non-Directive Counseling -- Carl Rogers
5. The counselor is a listener, a sounding board, and then one who reflects back to the
counselee the ideas shared. He does not attempt to give advice, but to help the person see
his inner potential to solve his own problems. The counselor merely seeks to rephrase the
counselee's words and repeat them back to him to help him clarify his own thoughts.

6. Rogers maintained that the study of animals and mental illness is not enough, that one
must understand mental health. He taught that a study of the internal and external
behavioral aspects was not enough.
I-THREE APPROACHES TO COUNSELING
Common Knowledge:
A
Non-Directive Counseling -- Carl Rogers
7. Rogers felt that one's hopes, desires, feelings, emotions, etc., must be
studied to understand the person. And he did not feel that the professional
was the only one qualified to solve human problems.

This is often called the third force in humanistic psychology. It was suppose
to be a rebuttal to the first and second force (Freud and Skinner).
I-THREE APPROACHES TO COUNSELING
Common Knowledge:
Why Roger's approach is wrong.
• Man does not have adequate resources within.
• Man's basic problem is more serious than merely not living up to his
or her potential.
• Mankind at the core is sinful, inherently evil.
• The counselor is not a mirror to merely help the person with the
understanding of his own inner thoughts, etc.
I-THREE APPROACHES TO COUNSELING
Common Knowledge:
Why Roger's approach is wrong.
5. The Biblical counselor does impose his moral standards
on the counselee and they must be the standards of the
Word of God, for it is the authoritative WORD.
6. God is sovereign, and His will and purpose are to be
impressed upon the counselee. Human personality is not
violated by the will, purpose and plan of God for the life.
7. The counselor must not adopt an accepting attitude
toward sin.
I-THREE APPROACHES TO COUNSELING
Common Knowledge:
B
O. Hobart Mower--(noted research psychologist)
• Mowrer used words like religion-- sin-- and guilt, but drained
them of any real Biblical meaning.
• He saw man's problems as stemming from bad behavior and that
the bad behavior leads to feelings of guilt.
• He taught that guilt can be removed by confession and restitution.
(This was strictly on a horizontal level.)
I-THREE APPROACHES TO COUNSELING
Common Knowledge:
B
O. Hobart Mower--(noted research psychologist)
4. He taught also that guilt is the result of violating one's conscience. One's
conscience is usually violated by wronging another person.
5. Mowrer offers only a psychological lift-- a good feeling from owning up to one's
own sins. Confession is only on a horizontal level and cannot bring about the
change the Bible calls the new birth.
6. In his methodology he stressed group involvement, and that answers could be
found within the group. He did stress the need of honesty and openness.
I-THREE APPROACHES TO COUNSELING
Common Knowledge:
He challenged the entire field of psychiatry. His teaching had a profound impact
on conventional psychology and its view of religion. He challenged evangelical
Christianity about selling its birthright for a mess of psychological pottage.

Mowrer's method was wrong, because...

Sin is against God, and neither man nor the group can atone for man's sin. Resources are in
God alone, and confession must begin with God. Mowrer does not meet the need, but does
touch upon truth. His main emphasis is upon bad behavior which man needs to confess. His
basic idea is that one's problem stems from poor relationships with others and that through
group therapy he can get back where he belongs.
Apply: How can the concept of sin and atonement as
discussed in the text be applied to counseling practices?

Answer

Suggested answer:
Sin is against God, and neither man nor the group can atone for man's sin. Resources
are in God alone, and confession must begin with God.
15 MINS.
CLASS
BREAK Have a zip of a
hot coffee...
I-THREE APPROACHES TO COUNSELING
Divine Knowledge:
A Christian must start with a Biblical foundation and build from it a Christian
methodology of counseling which rests upon and is consistent with the
foundation - - Statement made by Dr. Jay E. Adams
A. We must begin with the Scriptures (II Timothy 3:16,17; Romans 15:4; 15:14;
I Corinthians 10:11)

B. Too often in the past counselors have begun with external data. They
have begun with the findings of B.F. Skinner, Sigmund Freud, Carl
Rogers, and others. Christian counseling must have a methodology that
is Christian or Biblical in order to be Christian Counseling.
I-THREE APPROACHES TO COUNSELING
Divine Knowledge:
C. Too often in the past the Christian has been guilty of building upon the
sinking sand of psychology. Many have tried to find Scripture texts to
support the foundation already laid from the teachings of the world.
D. Instead of beginning with psychology, we must begin with the
Scriptures. If the Bible is the Word of God, and if it is the final word for
faith and practice, then it should reign paramount.
E. We should know the Word of God so well that we can properly evaluate
teachings of psychology in the light of the "thus saith the Lord." We
should know the Scriptures thoroughly and comprehensively. note: This
is a tremendous contrast to the idea that everything is relative--what is
good today may be bad tomorrow, what is good for you may be bad for
me; every person is entitled to his own value system.
I-THREE APPROACHES TO COUNSELING
Divine Knowledge:
F. The Bible is the book on Behavior.
• It instructs us how to live and not live.
• It shows us what is acceptable behavior and unacceptable behavior. It
shows us step-by-step how we can bring about behavior and
personality change.
• The Bible lays the framework for interpersonal relationships. It gives
practical advice on solving family, marital, and personal conflicts.
I-THREE APPROACHES TO COUNSELING
Divine Knowledge:
G. Biblical Foundation
Jesus Christ is the center of all Christian counseling. He is the chief
Corner Stone. If this statement is true, then who should know more about
the human mind, personality, and behavioral change than the Lord? If
Jesus Christ is at the center, then He, as Psalm 139 indicates specifically
and intricately designed every single person. He is the master designer of
every life.
Can you explain the significance of Jesus Christ being
the center of Christian counseling?

Answer

Suggested answer:
Jesus Christ being the center of Christian counseling means that He is considered the
chief Corner Stone and the ultimate authority on human behavior and change.
I-THREE APPROACHES TO COUNSELING
Summary:
The Freudian model is characterized by some of the following:
• It presupposes that man is basically a clean slate when he is born and that any problems
he may have are due to the fact that he has been wrongly socialized by someone or
something else (e.g. parents, environment).
• Most Freudians believe that guilt is an artificial and harmful activity that is the result of
parental and societal mores.
• The primary method is to dig deep into the person’s soul (psyche) and past to try to
analyze why they are the way they are. Balance is often achieved by being able to blame
others or offer an excuse for one’s behavior
I-THREE APPROACHES TO COUNSELING
Summary:
The Rogerian model is characterized by some of the following:
• It presupposes that man has truth within him and through guided
introspection can come to a solution.
• It usually avoids any direct advice, confrontation and references to moral
absolutes.
• The counselor’s primary function is to help the counselee unlock the
inner secrets within and realize his or her inner potential. He does this my
mirroring the patient’s thoughts and restating what has been said.
I-THREE APPROACHES TO COUNSELING
Summary:
The Skinnerian model is characterized by some of the following:
• It presupposes that man is like any other animal and can be trained or
behaviorally controlled by manipulating his environment or biology.
• The primary method is to employ various behavior modification
techniques that include stimulus and response. It may include behavior
modification by the use of various drug related treatments.
I-THREE APPROACHES TO COUNSELING
Summary:
There is the biblical method popularized by Jesus and the Apostles.
Man's basic problem is depravity, hence, the need of regeneration. The
Bible must be the final authority in faith and practice. All systems of
counseling in the past (or present) must be studied in the light of the
Word of God.
This, of course, is the method that we will be pursuing in this course
about which we will give fuller definition and expression as we
continue on.
 Lesson 2

II-DIFFERENT
PERSPECTIVES
IN BIBLICAL
COUNSELING
II. DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVES IN BIBLICAL COUNSELING

MacArthur and Mack (1994:44) are of the opinion that in the 19th and
20th centuries the church lost its pastoral skill. In the 20th century the
practice of counseling became infused with secular perspectives of
understanding and helping people.

Johnson and Jones (2000:12) regard the issue of psychology and

Christianity as being on a continuum: the non-religious perspective at the
one end of the continuum and at the other, the viewpoint of
“Fundamentalistic Christians”, who accept only Biblical perspectives
II. DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVES IN BIBLICAL COUNSELING

According to Atkinson and Field (1995:82 ff.) the Christian response to

this rise from secular psychology can be regarded in terms of five
positions in pastoral counseling:
• Assimilative position – in the early years of the 20th century,
pastoral counselors increasingly relied on scientific psychology for
insight. Academic psychology, influenced by William James,
increasingly focused on Christianity, giving rise to the discipline of
the psychology of religion. Hiltner has been an important figure in
this regard.
II. DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVES IN BIBLICAL COUNSELING
According to Atkinson and Field (1995:82 ff.) the Christian response to
this rise from secular psychology can be regarded in terms of five
positions in pastoral counseling:
• Eclectic position – borrows from different sources, adopting the
relevant approach to meet the counselee’s particular need, e.g.
Clinebell’s views.
• Excluding position – some Christian counselors have adopted a
theological position, rejecting the value of psychological insight
(Worthington, 1993:32). The special revelation of God through the
created order is emphasized (e.g. Adams’ nouthetic counseling).
II. DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVES IN BIBLICAL COUNSELING

According to Atkinson and Field (1995:82 ff.) the Christian response to

this rise from secular psychology can be regarded in terms of five
positions in pastoral counseling:
• Perspectivalist position – theology and psychology are regarded as two
valid disciplines that bring complementary understandings to human
nature. While both disciplines are respected, any overlapping between
them is rejected.
• Integrational position – according to Faw (1995:15 ff.) there is an attempt
to bring together psychology and theology into specifically Christian
methodologies, regarding “all truth (moral, propositional or ontological)
as God’s truth”.
II. DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVES IN BIBLICAL COUNSELING

According to Atkinson and Field (1995:82 ff.) the Christian response to

this rise from secular psychology can be regarded in terms of five
positions in pastoral counseling:
• Integrationalist position – Gary Collins and Bruce Narramore are
exponents of this position. McMinn (1996:26, 258) regards it as necessary
to understand the relationship between psychology and theology and how
Christian faith can be used practically in counseling. Knowledge of
different disciplines can only contribute to the effectiveness of the
counseling process.
II. DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVES IN BIBLICAL COUNSELING

Bible and Psychology: The Four Perspectives (Adapted from

John D. Carter)

• Bible against Psychology.

• Psychology above Scripture
• Bible and psychology as parallels
• Bible integrate psychology
 Lesson 2

III-BIBLICAL
COUNSELING
DISTINGUISH FROM
OTHER FORMS OF
COUNSELING
III-BIBLICAL COUNSELING DISTINGUISH
FROM OTHER FORMS OF COUNSELING
Biblical counseling is to be distinguished from other forms of counseling in several
ways:
• Biblical counseling begins from the premise that man is created by God and did
not evolve from lower life forms.
• Biblical counseling, therefore, sees man as the crown of God’s creation
completely distinguished from the other animals, having a spirit, soul and a body.
• Biblical counseling acknowledges that the God who created man understands
man better than man understands himself.
• Biblical counseling accepts the fact that the God of the universe has an opinion
about most of the issues that affect mankind.
III-BIBLICAL COUNSELING DISTINGUISH
FROM OTHER FORMS OF COUNSELING
Biblical counseling is to be distinguished from other forms of counseling in several
ways:
5. Biblical counseling acknowledges that the Bible is God’s word
to man and represents His opinion relative to every area that it
addresses.
6. Biblical counseling assumes that God has given to man
everything that man needs to make right decisions and solve all
of life’s problems (II Pet. 1:2-4).
7. Biblical counseling assumes that man will never be able to
function properly unless he is in right relationship with God and
His word.
 Lesson 2

IV-BIBLICAL
COUNSELING HAS
BEEN
COMPROMISED IN
MANY WAYS.
IV-BIBLICAL COUNSELING HAS BEEN
COMPROMISED IN MANY WAYS.
• It has been compromised by the teaching of humanistic psychology
that is taught in most institutions of learning.
• It has been compromised by educators who themselves have been
trained in humanistic psychology and tend to see what they have been
taught as being superior to religious teaching or insight.
• It has been compromised by the teaching of relative truth and situation
ethics which see the Bible as an antiquated, religious relic.
IV-BIBLICAL COUNSELING HAS BEEN
COMPROMISED IN MANY WAYS.
4. It has been compromised by evolutionary concepts that pervade many
realms of society. These concepts include the ideas that:
a. Man is inherently good.
b. Man is a product of his environment.
c. There is no absolute authority (God).
d. Morality is relative and culturally developed.
IV-BIBLICAL COUNSELING HAS BEEN
COMPROMISED IN MANY WAYS.
5. It has been compromised by Christian counselors that have
blended biblical revelation with humanistic ideas.
6. It has been compromised by the attempt to reclassify sinful
behavior as diseases or disorders making it difficult to achieve
biblical solutions.
• Drunkenness becomes alcoholism
• Fornication becomes “sexually active”
• Homosexuality becomes “gay”
• Thieves become kleptomaniacs
• A variety of sinful behavior can be labeled emotional problems, codependency,
personality disorder, dysfunctionality, etc.
IV-BIBLICAL COUNSELING HAS BEEN
COMPROMISED IN MANY WAYS.
7. It has been compromised by an exaltation of the
process of counseling rather than the responsible
actions of the one being counseled.

8. It has been compromised as pastors and church leaders

are intimidated by professional counselor.
REFERENCES:
• Bill Scheidler. Introduction to Biblical Counseling: Teacher’s Manual. (pp. 4-7).

• James R. Reed. Introduction to Christian Counseling. Life Connections Counseling Center:

Florida. 2011(pp. 8-10).

• Edward Watke Jr. Biblical Counseling Seminar Materials. IBS: Arizona. 2000. (p. 4-12).

• Yvonne Campbell-Lane & George A. Lotter. Biblical counselling regarding inner change.

North-West University. (pp. 103-104)

That's all for tonight
God bless you!