Coun 620

A 4-MAT Review System: Overview of Redemption in Counseling
Abstract
In McMinn’s textbook, Psychology, Theology, and Spirituality in Christian Counseling (1996), he emphasizes the significance of Christian Spirituality in a counseling office or setting while trying to help a client find redemption from sin. Consequently, McMinn (1996) defines “redemption” as a way of buying back (McMinn, p.241). Also, McMinn (1996) talks about our relationship with Christ. McMinn (1996) states that we should have a relationship with “Jesus Christ” that helps us to modify our comprehension of human interactions personally and professionally. McMinn (1996) dictates that there should be a good line of trust that has been created between the counselor and the client to ensure confidence within the redemption of the individual. Challenging sin is normally not advised if there is not a good level of trust between the counselor and the client.
McMinn’s (1996) text specifies that “God” is the only source to endless redemption. Moreover, according to McMinn (1996), we as people are only able to offer certain type of redemption to one another. However, this type of redemption is common bonding and knowledge in Christian counseling, according to McMinn (1996). As humans, we are able to profess our sins by discovering “…forgiveness, hope and meaning in God’s grace” (McMinn, 1996, p. 241).
McMinn (1996) acknowledged several situations where counselors could use to meet sin: silence, pondering, questioning, and direct censure. Direct censure is considered the most hazardous…because it has the likelihood to cause damage to the therapeutic relationship. McMinn (1996) says that…silence is known to be golden. Obviously, going without a conversation could be used as a mechanism to let the client reflect on the conversation that just took place in the session. Sometimes, the utilization of silence is finest to display an unbiased platform with a client. The ultimate objective in Christian counseling is to assist the client in becoming spiritual aware by bringing them nearer to God. The purpose of counseling and definitely of confrontation is to bring healing, redemption, and reconciliation… this is the counselor's goal and should be always to fully study their own intentions and explanations in confronting a client. The best interest of the client at that particular period in time should be the guiding determinant as to what form to use and whether confrontation is appropriate. Guiding a client toward therapeutic solutions and restoring their relationships between God, self, and others should give hope to the client and the counselor (1996).
McMinn (1996) indicates that many times the word confrontation is closely connected to what is called direct censure. It involves the general idea of orally summoning out sin into the atmosphere and involves a significant risk in the counseling office if the client is not emotionally and spiritually prepared or ready for this specific approach. McMinn (1996) states that the meaning of confrontation in counseling involves many different approaches such as quietness, thinking, interrogative, visualization of end outcome, and of course…prayer. Absolutely, these approaches could use as a way to encourage the client to work through sinful behavior or uncertain environments.
Concrete Response
Personally, dealing with sin, forgiveness and redemption in counseling was very taxing on my husband and me. According to McMinn (1996), the character of sin and its part in the counseling practice was interesting. McMinn (1996) denotes that commonly counselors try to evade the impression of sin in their practice. Unfortunately, this has a negative outcome, in most issues of sin. According to McMinn (1996), he suggests the integration of sin into normalcy of practicing of Christian counselors. This necessary change could add essential strength to the work of Christian counselor and be of assistance to his/her clients in growing spiritually.
Previously mentioned, I talked about infidelities of my marriage in a journal article review on “Forgiveness”. Our counselors were the Pastor of our church and an outside therapist, too. My husband had committed infidelities in our marriage that caused concern, guilt, and mistrust in our relationship. I thought I knew my husband and all of his interactions. However, I was truly wrong. A few years ago, we were at lunch and he said he needed to talk to me. In my opinion, looking at the expression on his face was daunting. I immediately thought he was dying or had some serious illness. To my dismay, he informed me that he had been unfaithful to me, our marriage and our family. In addition, he said that he had fathered a child with this other woman. Of course, I was the last to find out. My husband had already talked to our Pastor about his (our) situation and I was unaware of it. The woman was due to have the baby within the next 30 days and I was just let in the secret. He informed me that he had sought counseling with our Pastor and the Pastor had trying to get him to tell me months ago and to get me to join them in the sessions. However, my husband was terrified that I would leave him and take our family away.
Initially, I went through a rainbow of emotions on everything that was placed on my plate. Thinking to myself, how could he do this to me and our family? How could I possibly explain this to our children? How was I going to accept this child? Also, could I marriage be saved? Finally, after a couple weeks of sorting our dilemma in my head…I agreed to counseling. However, I really felt betrayed that he had not come to me first. I was embarrassed, hurt, and unclear of our future at this point in our lives. I felt as if I did something wrong in our relationship and I was to blame; however, week two or three into our counseling sessions…another revelation was presented to me. My husband was sex addict. He was addicted to it and I had no clue. So, not only had he committed adultery, fathered a child outside of our marriage, and now he was tell me that he had had many sexual partners (one-night stands) over the years in our marriage. I felt like I was having an asthma attack and I did not have my inhaler to rescue me.
Again after the fact, I found out that he had sought treatment for his addiction and apparently it was working…according to him and the therapist. Our Pastor spoke to us about sin and how it can destroy you. Also, he talked to us both about forgiveness and redemption. According to my Pastor, he told me that he thought he was making a breakthrough with my husband’s emotional and spiritual state of being. Also, my husband had not been able to forgive himself for the hurt and damage to our relationship. Our Pastor was very creative in our sessions that proved to work for us.
Time, prayer (a lot of it), and patience helped us on our way. I believe it is extremely vital for Christian counselors as my Pastor did; keep in mind the significance of attributing the particular sin to the specific persons and their situations. Our Pastor assisted us to see that “Jesus” does not necessarily condemn adulterers; yet, He does not ignore or condone the sin either. My husband and I both know that “Jesus” is positioned to forgive any sins in our lives; nevertheless, “He” does expect confession and repentance…knowing this is the way to a change heart, mind and soul in turmoil. We both believe that with “God's Love” we were able to acknowledge and accept Christ's forgiveness. McMinn (1996) does concentrate on how it is significant to observe yourself with respect to someone else’s sins.
On another note, the therapist we saw in group counseling was able to give us another outlook on our situations. It allowed us to change roles and see exactly how the other individual felt if the shoe was on the other foot. We both felt open-minded by observing our situation clearly and through forgiveness we were able to move forward in our marriage, relationship and family. I forgave him, for all that had happened and eventually, I forgave myself for feeling accountable and ashamed for something that was not my fault. However, given the sensitive nature of our interactions, it was highly significant for us to discuss the all the ways that these sins had affected our personal lives.
I am certain now…but not then, there are others who have gone through the storm and made as we did. Also, I am certain that there are those who could not weather the storm. However, we believe that those who do discover that their spouse has been unfaithful should definitely make every attempt to forgive, reconcile, and restore their relationship. Simply, because “God” has given us second chances and who are we to not forgive and start over. I would have to say that both counselors helped us intensely; they guided us to be able to face the truth, realities and surreal aspects of our lives and learned how to interact with them in our lives.
Reflection
I believe McMinn’s (1996) textbook is integral in Christian counseling. It definitely highlights the significance of trust and understanding involving the counselor and the client(s) in order to accomplish the goals in counseling. As McMinn (1996) states, the study of the Bible uses of Christian principles is quite uncommon in contemporary counseling. In McMinn’s (1996) book it intends to fill in the missing pieces of the puzzle. Also, he insists on the utilization of Biblical scriptures and prayers in counseling practice. Additionally, he gives realistic advice that is guided to help to lay the foundation in counseling. In contrast to Christian book writers, they do not journey to Psychology in their books for a platform; but, McMinn (1996) highlights the authority of scripture and details optimistic elements of using of scripture in counseling.
Nonetheless, some contemporary counselors do seldom turn to scripture to support views of counseling. McMinn (1996) did his best to bring scripture to the forefront and trying to lure counselors to the significance of utilizing scripture in counseling sessions. Also, McMinn (1996) annotates that the use of scripture during counseling sessions most likely would not be truly effective without biblical awareness. Basically, this will cause a disconnect because without the Christianity being interjected into the counseling, the client will not be exposed to the way of “Christianity” and it in short will not become a daily staple in his/her life.
Furthermore, McMinn (1996) gives a trendy visualization of a counselor. Moreover, he emphasizes that a counselor's position definitely goes to a large extent that is much further than determining the concerns/issues of his or her clients throughout a counseling session. He (McMinn, 1996) deems that Christian counselors should make spiritual interactions available in daily goings of clients and offer for them to combine Christian principles into their regular daily actions.
Action
In summation…the soul, mind, and body of Christians necessitate consistency. Christian counseling is still a work in progress; however, it is becoming better with time…as aged cheese. I am lead by the source of my strength “Christ” in my life. In my opinion, “Christ” opposes independence. “He” wants and needs to be in everything we do. He craves to be intimately involved in our lives. The Christian counselor who injects Christianity into the world of a client is interrupting the devil and his dealings. The counselor is offering a “God fearing” process that uses biblical resources to reach the counselee while allowing them to become more in tuned with “God” and they way we could and would be with Him. According to McMinn (1996), the role of a Christian counselor is one who is a devoted Christian, knowing his/her desire is to help individuals overcome their situations in a Christ-devotion way.
McMinn (1996) delivers a good integration of Christianity highlighted with Psychology throughout the chapter of his text. It also illustrates how a Christian Counselor can be more effective and flourishing through the Word of God. It will help the client to spark the light in the not so bright path of life, while giving the Christian counselor fulfillment in helping others while doing “God’s” work.
In opinion…sin, forgiveness, and redemption are essential in any type of counseling setting. McMinn (1996) notes that the three elements mention above are often addressed in counseling; however, the end-results are not always good, but could be if put into motion cautiously. But, after reading more…I believe that sin, forgiveness, and redemption should be explored and implemented as a process in counseling where it is definitely needed. McMinn’s (1996), last few chapters…hit the nail on the head for me. I believe that his insight was and is still profound and pray others are able to be as receptive as I am. Purely within my heart, we as Christians or Christian counselors are models in transition for the “final event” and we have the “Holy Spirit of God” in all we do in this world to carry us to the next.

Reference
McMinn, M. R. (1996). Psychology, Theology, and Spirituality in Christian Counseling. Forest:
Tyndale House Publishers.