Integration: The Battle between Psychology and Christianity

The counseling program we are enrolled in is integrative, having roots in both psychology and Christianity. Many of the books that we have read this semester have stemmed from combining aspects of psychology and Christianity together. Integration of psychology and Christianity has been debatable by some and admirable by others. There are some aspects of psychology such as techniques, goals, and research that are beneficial to a client in the counseling process that Christianity does not specify. Psychology can benefit the counseling process in several ways.
In talking with one of my dear friends yesterday, she had become frustrated between the whole debate between psychology and Christianity. Her philosophy was that if she couldn't openly tell people about Christ, then she didn't want some man made standard of ethics to contain her. Psychology has many positive aspects of Christianity entangled in it. Yet, it is still giving the credit to man, not Christ. Her view point confused and intrigued me. She has been trained in psychology and knew the positive effect that psychology can have on mental health. However, she couldn't pursue psychology anymore at the time. She had to give credit where credit was due. It then really got me to think. Yes, I can incorporate Biblical principles with future clients. However, when people are at their most desperate times, what do I do when I can't freely share the gospel of Christ due to the setting that I am working?
I don't know my stance. I have been wrestling with the thought all morning. Because I am a student, I have not yet been in a counseling situation in which I have felt that I have had to compromise my commitment to Christ of sharing to gospel to the ethical standards of psychology. I want to help people while following Christ. I'm still not sure what that looks like, what setting that may be, or what philosophy will be used in counseling. I'm thankful that this class and other people have made me take a deep look at what really matters while I am still learning on this journey.

Emotions in Justice

The death of Osama bin Laden has been the biggest news for the past day. This article on Osama bin Laden shows the reactions of people around the world in response to his death. Excitement was shown through the cheering crowds in Washington D. C. and NYC. Many Americans, including Muslims as well, were relieved. The reactions across the world. Israel supported this, whereas the president of Afghanistan voiced his confirmation that terrorism was not in Afghanistan but in Pakistan. Indian officials used this news to confirm their thoughts that Pakistan has different terrorist groups within its borders. Leaders from Pakistan were concerned that this news will make their country look bad now. There are also several warnings occurring about possible future attacks.
At a time like this, there is a lot of emotion toward Osama's death and the implications that it has for different people. Most people were excited and relieved while others were scared or concerned. I know that this news is especially a relief to the loved ones of the victims of the 9/11 tragedy. In class, we discussed how one's cognitions can relate to the emotions experienced. These cognitions can then trigger a physiological response. Excitement and relief were seen last night in the USA. Finally, the social context influences the cognitions and the physiological response. The emotions and responses shown in the USA last night may have not been the exact same shown in Afghanistan or Pakistan. Now that there is a greater security alert, some of the excitement that Americans had may turn to fear.
Emotions can change rapidly based on cognitions, physiological responses, and the social context. Americans have experienced several positive emotions in the past few hours: relief, joy, and gratitude, to name a few. As a Christian, I am thankful for God's justice. So many people have given their lives throughout the past few years for this cause. Through the appreciation, may we continue to seek God in this situation in order for our response to be Christlike to the world.

True Intimacy

Sex outside of wedlock is definitely the norm in today's society. This article on teenage pregnancy shows how sex has lost its sacredness and value in today's world through people engaging in it outside of wedlock. The author of the article notes that sexual activities and cyber sex have become the norm. This is a sin that is ridding the meaning of what sex was intended to be.
A couple of weeks ago in class we talked about intimacy. The concept of intimacy was shown in the marriage relationship. God designed man and woman to have complete intimacy spiritually, emotionally, and physically within the marriage relationship. However, for a couple to experience true spiritual intimacy, it must be done God's way. Having sex outside of marriage is going against God's standards. Although a couple may feel like they are being more intimate in one degree or another, they are actually robbing themselves of true intimacy by acting outside of God's standards. Intimacy is truly shown in the trinity between God the Son, God the Father, and God the Holy Spirit.
No human relationship will ever experience true intimacy to the degree that the trinity experiences true intimacy. However, a marriage pleasing to the Lord is the closest that humans can experience this oneness. As much as the world tells us that we only need the physical and emotional intimacy, this view is so tainted. So much is lost that could be ours. The intimacy that comes between a man and woman in marriage is beautiful when they are both seeking the Lord with all of their heart first. He is what can draw them to him and to each other. Instead of listening to the world's view on intimacy, we can start looking at how our God models this view for us.

The Cycle of Hurt

Abuse and sexual assault is quite prevalent. The article states that two girls ages 12 and 14 were accused of sexual assault while they were babysitting a 4-year old relative. The 4-year old showed signs of physical trauma. The girls faced charges in juvenile court.
The fact is that it is a fairly common occurrence for things like this to occur in our world today is disturbing. This is just sexual assault alone. There's also a worldwide problem of sex trafficking, physical abuse, and addiction that are prevalent problems. Divorce is breaking up families, unfaithfulness is destroying marriages, and betrayal is diminishing relationships. There is some evil that is easily depicted in the world while the effects of sin still cause other things to remain broken. We are currently reading a book in class called, "Hurt People, Hurt People." It makes me think about the cycle of sin in relationships with other people. As horrific of an act that these girls committed to the 4-year old, I wonder what their past lives have been like. I wonder what hurt they have endured. Was the sexual assault something that was common to their lives? How will the act that was done to the 4-year old little girl effect her in the future?
This just reminds me again that left to ourselves in this world, we will continue to be hurt and hurt others. Being a Christian does not make one immune to that pain either. We live in a fallen world. Christians can cause pain to others too, even unintentionally. It is important as a Christian that we recognize the areas where we have been hurt as well as the areas we have hurt others. Forgiveness is necessary. It is especially important as future counselors that we are dealing with our own pain in order for us to better help others deal with the pain they have had. Our desire to want to be used greatly by God should drive us to work through the hurt in our personal lives, even when it's painful.

Japan and Hopelessness

Every day the numbers are rising with how many people were killed due to the tsunami in Japan. At first, it was thought to be a couple of hundred. This article on deaths in Japan report that there have now been nearly 10,000 people confirmed dead and over 16,000 still missing. There's still nuclear crisis.
What does all of this have to do with counseling? I honestly do not know for sure. Yet, I do know that there are times when I do not have the answers. This situation just reminds me how little I am in the big scheme of things. Even out of a desire to help others, at times counseling techniques will not do; no response will fix the situation; and hope may seem impossible to attain.
My heart breaks. I want to do something, and yet I feel so helpless. So many questions come to mind. Why was that them and not us? Why am I still living my comfortable life when their lives have been turned upside down? What is God's purpose in this? How would I be responding right now if I was in the midst of disaster? In discussing this situation with my roommate the other night, I was just made aware again of how God uses prayer. So many times prayer is the last response we want to take. Yet, it should be the first and the most fervent response that we have. Prayer leads to solutions. I want to pray and intercede to a sovereign and loving God for hurting people and a broken nation. Instead of saying, "I can't do anything," I can confidently go before the throne and say, "but my God can do everything."

Acts of Spirituality and Sanctification

Shane Claiborne is one of the leaders of an organization called The Simple Way. The Simple Way has 12 Marks of New Monasticism. Basically these marks call people to live in peaceful community with each other, whatever stage of life they're in. They sacrifice and share with one another in these communities. Shane Claiborne is an advocate for peace and literally living out the gospel today in community with others.
Part of me thinks this guy is crazy. Another part of me longs for a life like this. Although I don't know this guy, I have a feeling that his faith deeds are increasing his sense of spirituality. The Holy Spirit within him is continually sanctifying him to be like Christ. As he is growing in community with other believers and living out the gospel for the lost, he is growing in His relationship with Christ. You can tell by his book, the Irresistible Revolution, that this guy is radical in his faith deeds to Jesus. Yet, I do believe that his deeds are coming from a sincere desire within to want to live a life like Jesus.
Although his way of living is very different, it doesn't seem legalistic to me. That's where I think Christian deeds are different than other religion's deeds. Sure, the Bible gives us stuff to do as a Christian, but the focus is not on the deeds themselves. The focus is on the desire to become like Christ. Therefore, these deeds may look different for each believer. Maybe one person should live in a commune with other people. Maybe someone else should spend his or her entire life overseas. The most important thing is that we are abiding in Him and growing in our relationship with Christ.

Grace and Deeds

In the movie About the Grace Card that is to open this Friday, February 25th, a policeman has recently lost his son in an accident. His police partner is also a part-time pastor who is questioning if what he is doing with his life is what he is supposed to be doing.
In class this past week we were discussing whether or not one's acts of faith can make one more spiritual or not. I believe that we came to a consensus as a class that every person who was created also has a spiritual side. When one becomes a Christian, the Holy Spirit then dwells in that person. Now he or she is able to be shaped more into the image of Jesus through acts of faith that build spirituality. We discussed a few other religious faiths. Acts of faith can increase devoutness in another's religious faith. However, only in Christianity are those acts of faith allowing the spiritual to become more in tune with what it was created to be. There is still the question: where does grace fit into this?
As believers in Jesus Christ we believe that grace is what saves us. Grace is what allows us to approach a holy God as an imperfect person. The trailer for this movie reminded me that one may be struggling for hope at times. A Christian may not feel that the acts of faith are enough. Although acts of faith are important in the Christian's life, they are not an end to the means. Out of desire and love should acts of faith flow. Most importantly though, we cannot lose sight of the grace that saves us in the beginning and the grace that keeps us in a relationship with God. There will be times during our Christian walk when acts of faith simply seem like we are going through the motions. At times we may question if our acts of faith are good enough for God. Then we can be reminded again that it is God who chose to have grace on us.