Psychological Theory and Christian Principles

Hawkins and Clinton Book Review

Summary

Hawkins and Clinton\\\\\\\'s 2015 book, The New Christian Counselor, provides a summative approach to Christian counseling. It offers a biblical foundation and framework that focuses on the use of scripture in counseling while highlighting the need for understanding and applying transformational principles in order to help people make lasting change. The authors acknowledge the importance of incorporating psychological theories and evidence-based intervention strategies into the counseling context while still maintaining a faith-based approach. They also provide practical guidance on using sound clinical practices that are rooted in Christian principles. For instance, the authors write that “the new Christian counselor is committed to definitions of Christian counseling that do justice to biblical truth regarding sin and the brokenness of damage people experience because of sin” (p. 37). Thus, they pinpoint the locus of psychological illness on sin. However, they go on to say that the new Christian counselor must “address the complexity of human nature, including hidden elements that are often the true source of distress” and thus should be willing and able to “use every compatible resource in the medical community, the psychological community, and the pastoral community” to effect positive transformation (p. 37).

Out of that framework follow the eight main points of the book, which focus on what Christian counselors should do in counseling:

1. Incorporate scripture into counseling (p. 184)

2. Understand and apply transformational principles (p. 211)

3. Implement faith-based intervention strategies (p. 17)

4. Combine current psychological theories with spiritual practices (p. 260)

5. Create a safe, confidential environment (p. 181)

6. Introduce prayer and spiritual disciplines (p. 332)

7. Find hope, healing, and restoration (p. 322)

8. Root counseling and evidence-based practices in Christian principles (p. 167)

Analysis

Hawkins and Clinton\\\\\\\'s approach to integration is based on a holistic model—one that combines medical, psychological, and pastoral tools. Throughout the book, the authors refer to other works, both medical and pastoral to support their arguments. For instance, they cite Moon (2004) when they state that “in spiritual life, we experience a constant battle between willingness and willfulness” (p. 130). They also refer to the Bible for support, as they do when they discuss the example of Abraham, who was tasked with sacrificing his own son for God’s sake. They turn to Romans 7 to explain how just because one is a Christian does not mean one is free from the conflict in the spiritual life. The faith may be had, but the battle for eternity remains. At the same time, they push the message of hope, noting that those who live in Christ will not be abandoned by God. They recognize that there are both psychological and spiritual issues at play, though they emphasize that spiritual issues should be addressed first to create a more effective and meaningful counseling experience. For example, they discuss the issue of addiction, and how it distorts the balance of perspective—i.e., the faith that one should have. Every chapter concludes with a list of references cited in the text, which helps to give the reader further support for examining the principles and ideas discussed from one chapter to the next.

Overall, psychological theory and research is important in the Hawkins & Clinton approach, but only to the extent that it aligns with the overarching Christian principles of faith, hope, and love. The ultimate reality is that sin and the soul are real, God is real, God’s love through Christ is real, God’s grace can heal, and all of this is what the Christian counselor understands. Faith is important to the healing process, as is prayer. Psychological theory can be helpful in understanding how the mind works, but it is not plumbing the depths to the fullest in the way that spiritual insight and understanding can. As the authors note, “I became convinced that what people really needed was God, because ultimately, spiritual issues are at the root of all of life’s problems. Quite often, however, a person’s troubles are connected to deeply habituated thought and behavior” (Hawkins & Clinton, 2015, p. 32). In other words, the Christian counselor has to be both minister and psychologist to help untangle all these many interwoven knots.

Application

When applying the principles discussed by Hawkins & Clinton to counseling in a human services setting, it is important to provide a safe and confidential environment for clients. Clients come for counseling often because they feel lost and because they have lost their faith due to things like addiction (p. 130). Because these are spiritual problems at root, the authors recommend that the new Christian counselor be open to incorporating prayer and spiritual disciplines into the counseling process, as this can offer a deeper insight and understanding between the counselor and client. However, they should also be open to applying psychological theories and evidence-based interventions that go well with faith-based practices, so that clients can find lasting healing and restoration. The point is to use whatever the medical, psychological, and pastoral communities have to offer to help in the positive transformation process. To that end, counselors must be aware of the importance of balancing a Christian worldview with evidence-based clinical practices and therapeutic interventions. They are neither wholly ministers nor wholly secular psychologists: they bridge Christian ministry and psychology—and that is why they are called into service and what they are asked to do for clients.