Body: | The Biblical pattern of counseling
Click to View
Prerequisites Qualifications & Requirements of the councilor
Introduction:
Historically, elders of a local church are the most qualified
councilors on earth to deal with the behaviours associated with all mental
illnesses including schizophrenic. The Bible uses all the terms
"elder/presbyter, pastor/shepherd, bishop/overseer in reference to a single
office in the church in an interchangeable way. The qualifications are set
forth in simple detail in 1 Tim 3 and Titus 1.
Just as the Bible sets out the prerequisites qualifications &
requirements of being an elder in the church, so too the Bible gives the
qualifications of the councilor.
11 years of university education doesn't make someone suddenly able
to cure mental illness. Psychiatrists can prescribe drugs, but they do not
cure, only stupefy and sedate people. Having a degree in sociology or
counseling is often a hindrance to helping mentally ill people.
Psychologists often do more harm than good when working with the mentally
ill.
Christians make the best counselors in the world, but not every
Christian! There are indeed special qualifications.
"Therapy has also been shown to be more effective than drugs in
helping patients diagnosed with their first "schizophrenic" break. Nowadays
it is argued that these people must have drugs and that psychotherapy is
futile; yet nothing could be further from the truth. In controlled studies,
untrained therapists in a home-like setting have proven more successful
than drugs and mental hospitals in treating patients diagnosed with their
first episode of schizophrenia. A key factor was the caring, noncoercive
approach of these therapists." (Your Drug May Be Your Problem, Peter
Breggin, David Cohen, 2007 AD, p 59)
"the psychiatrist's special training is said to equip him "no better
. . . than any other human being of similar age and similar experience of
working directly with disturbed people," . Werry sees psychiatric training
as largely irrelevant to the work he must pursue. (John S. Werry's "The
Psychiatrist and Society," Discoverer, Vol. 5, No. 3, August 1968, p. 8)
"I will at a number of points bring into question whether the
special technical knowledge the doctor presumably has, is significant in
effecting a change in the patient's life." (Bernard Steinzor)
Psychiatrist Peter Breggin identifies the Elders of the church as
the most qualified type of people on earth to help in cases of mental
illness and insanity: Older men who have the experience in raising their
family. "Advanced degrees, such as an M.D. or Ph.D., contribute little or
nothing to a person's ability to do therapy. Instead, contemporary academic
training and supervision can stifle intuitive skills and spontaneous
caring. The competitiveness of the academic process winnows out more
empathic people in favor of more obsessive and competitive ones. The
arduous and largely irrelevant training required to obtain professional
credentials encourages the graduates to demand higher prices for their
services. The difficulty of getting the required degrees and the myth that
the degrees confer an automatic level of expertise allow professionals to
create licensure monopolies to enforce their higher prices. Mature
adults-with or without academic credentials-could be easily trained in
psychotherapy institutes in two or three years time. An especially good
source of candidates would be among women who had completed raising their
children or men and women who had reached retirement age. If a college
degree and superior academic performance were not requirements for
admission to these institutes, candidates could be selected on the basis of
more relevant human capacities, such as personal responsibility empathy,
and healing presence." (The Heart of Being Helpful, Peter Breggin, 1997 AD.
p 69)
A. Knowledge of the Bible
This is one of the primary qualifications of being able to council someone.
It is a deal breaker and is what disqualifies any Psychiatrist who is an
atheist, regardless of how many Ph.D.'s he has.
The councilor must have a good working knowledge of the Bible which
is able to equip him for even mental illness: "equipped for every good
work." 2 Timothy 3:16-17
"Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself and God our Father, who has
loved us and given us eternal comfort and good hope by grace, comfort
[pleading for one to take action: parakaleo] and strengthen [to fix as with
a nail so it will not move: sterizo] your hearts in every good work and
word." 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17
"holding fast the faithful word which is in accordance with the
teaching [formal instruction, like in school: didache], so that he will be
able both to exhort [pleading for one to take action: parakaleo] in sound
doctrine [formal instruction, like in school: didache] and to refute
[telling someone they are wrong: Elencho] those who contradict." Titus 1:9
"And concerning you, my brethren, I myself also am convinced that
you yourselves are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge and able
also to admonish [verbal council to put what is right and wrong into
another's mind: nouthesia] one another." Romans 15:14
"Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom
teaching [formal instruction, like in school: didasko] and admonishing
[verbal council to put what is right and wrong into another's mind:
nouthesia] one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing
with thankfulness in your hearts to God." Colossians 3:16
B. Be Spiritual
This means to have a heavenly outlook, not caught up in the world. To be
free of entanglement in the temptations of the world.
The councilor must be described as "spiritual": one who lives the
way Jesus wants him to live.
"Brethren, even if anyone is caught in any trespass, you who are
spiritual, restore [katartizo] such a one in a spirit of gentleness; each
one looking to yourself, so that you too will not be tempted." Galatians
6:1
C. Willing to boldly judge sin
Always keep in mind that there is not exception for sin because of mental
illness in the Bible. Working with mentally ill people often gives them a
free pass, "be easy on her, she might explode", "he can't really help it
right now". It is important to sharply and strongly rebuke mentally ill
people of this sinful actions. You might be the first one they have
encountered what treats them like "everyone else" who is not mentally ill.
They are not used to this and will get mad, act offended and complain to
others about how harsh you were. Good work! The stronger the rebuke when
needed, the more likely you will cure them of their mental illness.
"Do not participate in the unfruitful deeds of darkness, but instead
even expose [telling someone they are wrong: Elencho] them ;" Ephesians
5:11
"Be on your guard! If your brother sins, rebuke [strongly rebuke:
epitimao] him; and if he repents, forgive him." Luke 17:3
"instructing [long term parental guidance of a child to mold and
modify behaviour: paideuo] us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and
to live sensibly, righteously and godly in the present age," Titus 2:12
"Those who continue in sin, rebuke [telling someone they are wrong:
Elencho] in the presence of all, so that the rest also will be fearful of
sinning." 1 Timothy 5:20
"This testimony is true. For this reason reprove [telling someone
they are wrong: Elencho] them severely [sharp cutting criticism: apotomos]
so that they may be sound in the faith," Titus 1:13
"Reject a factious man after a first and second warning [verbal
council to put what is right and wrong into another's mind: nouthesia],"
Titus 3:10
D. Fearlessly fight for what is right
The counselor is like a Jedi Knight fighting for God. It is a war between
good and evil. The mentally ill person is in the clutches of the devil.
Fight for their soul.
"Beloved, while I was making every effort to write you about our
common salvation, I felt the necessity to write to you appealing [pleading
for one to take action: parakaleo] that you contend earnestly [fight like a
Jedi Knight: epagonizomai] for the faith which was once for all handed down
to the saints." Jude 3
"All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching
[formal instruction, like in school: didache], for reproof [rebuke,
identifying sinful behaviour: elenxis], for correction [someone is driving
in the ditch and you put the car back on the road in the proper lane:
epanorthosis], for training [long term parental guidance of a child to mold
and modify behaviour: paideuo] in righteousness; so that the man of God may
be adequate, equipped for every good work." 2 Timothy 3:16-17
"preach [proclaim, herald, publish: kerusso] the word; be ready in
season and out of season; reprove [telling someone they are wrong:
Elencho], rebuke [strongly rebuke: epitimao], exhort [pleading for one to
take action: parakaleo], with great patience [do not blow up like when a
match is thrown in gasoline: makrothumia] and instruction [formal
instruction, like in school: didache]." 2 Timothy 4:2
"holding fast the faithful word which is in accordance with the
teaching [formal instruction, like in school: didache], so that he will be
able both to exhort [pleading for one to take action: parakaleo] in sound
doctrine [formal instruction, like in school: didache] and to refute
[telling someone they are wrong: Elencho] those who contradict." Titus 1:9
"These things speak and exhort [pleading for one to take action:
parakaleo] and reprove [telling someone they are wrong: Elencho] with all
authority. Let no one disregard you." Titus 2:15
"We proclaim Him, admonishing [verbal council to put what is right
and wrong into another's mind: nouthesia] every man and teaching [formal
instruction, like in school: didasko] every man with all wisdom, so that we
may present every man complete in Christ." Colossians 1:28
"just as you know how we were exhorting [pleading for one to take
action: parakaleo] and encouraging [quiet, tender, intimate, soothing,
consoling, talk: paramutheomai] and imploring [solemly and formally speak
truth as though in open court: marturomai] each one of you as a father
would his own children" 1 Thessalonians 2:11
"Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself and God our Father, who has
loved us and given us eternal comfort and good hope by grace, comfort
[pleading for one to take action: parakaleo] and strengthen [to fix as with
a nail so it will not move: sterizo] your hearts in every good work and
word." 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17
"Teach [formal instruction, like in school: didasko] and preach
[pleading for one to take action: parakaleo] these principles." 1 Timothy
6:2
E. Self Confidence and faith in God
People don't like to be told they are wrong and they will call you down and
criticize you for rebuking them. Remember that your self confidence lies in
you faith that God has revealed the perfect way in the Bible.
This confidence comes from faith in God that He has provided
everything you need to know about every life situation, including mental
illness.
Many will disregard your confidence, but ignore them and proceed:
"These things speak and exhort [pleading for one to take action: parakaleo]
and reprove [telling someone they are wrong: Elencho] with all authority.
Let no one disregard you." Titus 2:15
F. Proper final goals in view
Christians have firm tangible, objective goals where they want the person
they are counseling to attain. Psychiatrists and psychologists on the
contrary, cannot agree with themselves as to what their goal should be in
counseling people. They often have no idea what direction they should take
a person in the counseling. Most often they lead people no where, but
simply ask questions like, "What do you think is best for you?"
Psychiatrists and psychologists lack the divine road map of God's word.
Complete in Christ: "We proclaim Him, admonishing [verbal council to
put what is right and wrong into another's mind: nouthesia] every man and
teaching [formal instruction, like in school: didasko] every man with all
wisdom, so that we may present every man complete in Christ." Colossians
1:28
Sound in the faith: "This testimony is true. For this reason reprove
[telling someone they are wrong: Elencho] them severely [sharp cutting
criticism: apotomos] so that they may be sound in the faith," Titus 1:13
Focus on good things: "Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever
is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely,
whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything
worthy of praise, dwell on these things. The things you have learned and
received and heard and seen in me, practice these things, and the God of
peace will be with you." Philippians 4:8-9
Restoration: "Brethren, even if anyone is caught in any trespass,
you who are spiritual, restore [katartizo] such a one in a spirit of
gentleness; each one looking to yourself, so that you too will not be
tempted." Galatians 6:1 [katartizo (2675), to mend, to furnish completely,
is translated "restore" in Gal. 6:1, metaphorically, of the restoration, by
those who are spiritual, of one overtaken in a trespass, such a one being
as a dislocated member of the spiritual body. The tense is the continuous
present, suggesting the necessity for patience and perseverance in the
process. (Vine, restore) "A pupil is not above his teacher; but everyone,
after he has been fully trained [katartizo], will be like his teacher."
Luke 6:40]
Transformation: "And do not be conformed to this world, but be
transformed [metamorphosis] by the renewing of your mind, so that you may
prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and
perfect." Romans 12:2
A renewed, new self, putting off old self: "and that you be renewed
in the spirit of your mind, and put on the new self, which in the likeness
of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth."
Ephesians 4:23-24 "and have put on the new self who is being renewed to a
true knowledge according to the image of the One who created him"
Colossians 3:10
Fruit of the Spirit: "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy,
peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness,
self-control; against such things there is no law. Now those who belong to
Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires."
Galatians 5:22-24
Sensible, righteous, godly living: "instructing [long term parental
guidance of a child to mold and modify behaviour: paideuo] us to deny
ungodliness and worldly desires and to live sensibly, righteously and godly
in the present age," Titus 2:12
G. Wisdom to know which approach to use and when
The counselor has a bazooka in one hand and a squirt gun in the other. One
can do great damage the other merely grab attention. The counselor needs to
know when to use which gun under different circumstances.
"We proclaim Him, admonishing [verbal council to put what is right
and wrong into another's mind: nouthesia] every man and teaching [formal
instruction, like in school: didasko] every man with all wisdom, so that we
may present every man complete in Christ." Colossians 1:28
"Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom
teaching [formal instruction, like in school: didasko] and admonishing
[verbal council to put what is right and wrong into another's mind:
nouthesia] one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing
with thankfulness in your hearts to God." Colossians 3:16
"We urge you, brethren, admonish [verbal council to put what is
right and wrong into another's mind: nouthesia] the unruly, encourage
[quiet, tender, intimate, soothing, consoling, talk: paramutheomai] the
fainthearted, help the weak, be patient [makrothumia] with everyone." 1
Thessalonians 5:14
"And have mercy on some, who are doubting; save others, snatching
them out of the fire; and on some have mercy with fear, hating even the
garment polluted by the flesh." Jude 22-23
"Among these are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I have handed over to
Satan, so that they will be taught [long term parental guidance of a child
to mold and modify behaviour: paideuo] not to blaspheme." 1 Timothy 1:20
"Let your speech always be with grace, as though seasoned with salt,
so that you will know how you should respond to each person." Colossians
4:6
H. With genuine love (Not an enemy, but as brother or own child)
Genuine love for the soul of the mentally ill person is critical. Scripture
advises us to treat them with the love of our own children or brother, not
as an enemy.
"just as you know how we were exhorting [pleading for one to take
action: parakaleo] and encouraging [quiet, tender, intimate, soothing,
consoling, talk: paramutheomai] and imploring [solemly and formally speak
truth as though in open court: marturomai] each one of you as a father
would his own children" 1 Thessalonians 2:11
"Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up
in the discipline [long term parental guidance of a child to mold and
modify behaviour: paideuo] and instruction [verbal council to put what is
right and wrong into another's mind: nouthesia] of the Lord." Ephesians 6:4
"I do not write these things to shame you, but to admonish [verbal
council to put what is right and wrong into another's mind: nouthesia] you
as my beloved children." 1 Corinthians 4:14
"If anyone does not obey our instruction in this letter, take
special note of that person and do not associate with him, so that he will
be put to shame. Yet do not regard him as an enemy, but admonish [verbal
council to put what is right and wrong into another's mind: nouthesia] him
as a brother." 2 Thessalonians 3:14-15
I. Gentleness
You need to learn to be gentle. The word gentle or meek, is used to
describe a strong stallion that can be turned with the slightest touch of
the rider. Gentleness means "great power under control", not weakness. As a
counselor, you have great power that must be used carefully in order to
avoid doing damage.
"with gentleness correcting [long term parental guidance of a child
to mold and modify behaviour: paideuo] those who are in opposition, if
perhaps God may grant them repentance leading to the knowledge of the
truth," 2 Timothy 2:25
J. Reliance upon God
Ultimately, the counselor knows that for all his wisdom, knowledge and
power, it is God who makes the changes take place in the heart of the
mentally ill. You are merely a tool being used by God to perform surgery on
a sinner.
"with gentleness correcting [long term parental guidance of a child
to mold and modify behaviour: paideuo] those who are in opposition, if
perhaps God may grant them repentance leading to the knowledge of the
truth," 2 Timothy 2:25
K. Overview of what the councilor must do:
Detailed study of the Greek words for counseling.
offer sharp cutting criticism (apotomos, 664)
offer formal instruction, like in school. (didache, 1322, didasko,
1321)
bluntly tell someone they are wrong (Elencho, 1651)
strongly rebuke, identifying sinful behaviour (epitimao, 2008,
elenxis. 1649))
fight like a Jedi Knight for right (epagonizomai, 1864)
When someone is driving in the ditch and you put their car back on
the road in the proper lane. (epanorthosis, 1882)
Be patient. Do not be like what happens when you put a match on
gasoline. Do not be explosive, fast, instant but slow, unchangeable,
patient, suffering for a long time before you have a noticeable change in
your actions. (makrothumia, 3115)
Speak truth as though in open court. Do not get charged with
contempt of court by God! (marturomai, 3143)
verbal council to put what is right and wrong into another's mind
(nouthesia, 3559)
long term parental guidance of a child to mold and modify behaviour
to mold and modify behaviour (paideuo, 3811)
demanding one to put an idea into action, pleading for one to put
your words into deeds, pleading for one to take action (parakaleo, 3870)
quiet, tender, intimate, soothing, consoling, talk when needed
(paramutheomai, 3888)
Your faith and judgement must be firm and committed and fixed as
with a nail so it will not move (sterizo, 4741)
Conclusion:
The Christian counselor is uniquely qualified to help mentally ill
people.
Using the Bible as a divine roadmap and pattern, people's lives can
be lifted out of the ditch and placed on the highway of holiness: "A
highway will be there, a roadway, And it will be called the Highway of
Holiness. The unclean will not travel on it, But it will be for him who
walks that way, And fools will not wander on it." Isaiah 35:8
By Steve Rudd: Contact the author for comments, input or corrections.
Send us your story about your experience with modern Psychiatry
Click to View
Go To Start: WWW.BIBLE.CA
|