Christian Psychology

This study will investigate the nature and significance of Christian psychology. The study will use the approach of Ronald Koteskey as presented in that author's General Psychology for Christian Counselors. Koteskey writes that his book "shows how a Christian perspective brings unity to psychology and emphasizes the interconnectedness of all areas of general psychology . . . It points out several important areas ignored in secular general psychology, discusses these areas from a Christian perspective, and applies them to disorders and treatment" (1983, p. 7).

In other words, this study, in general, will explore the ways in which Christian perspectives and general psychology complement one another. The attitude of too many Christian counselors and secular psychologists is that the two approaches to healing are not amenable to such complementary interaction. The result of such an attitude, based on fear and prejudice and provincialism on the part of both Christian counselors and secular psychologists, is that the individual who could benefit from such complementary interaction is cheated out of a profoundly important part of the healing experience.

The title of this section of the study is the title of perhaps the most important chapter in Koteskey's book. While this study (and Koteskey's book) approach Christian psychology with an emphasis on the Christian part of that term, it is crucial to at the same time stress that the

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esitant to go to a Christian counselor because he fears that he will be judged a sinner, that the Christian counselor will immediately come to a conclusion about the nature of the individuals problem, that the counselor will see all problems as matters which simply need prayer or a quotation from the Bible. The Christian counselor who wishes to be effective and to approach the individual from a God-like and loving perspective will allow the counseling process to evolve gradually so that trust for the counselor on the part of the individual will grow and so that the individual will see that the counselor will be as open-minded as secular counselors in allowing the individual to slowly but surely expose the real nature of his problem or problems. In another work, Narramore writes that the Christian counselor, in effect, should apply the basic principles of secular psychology in respecting the needs of the individual seeking counseling. For example, Narramore writes to the Christian counselor, "When counseling, do not be offended if a client questions your ability to safeguard confidences. Merely work with the person until he arrives at his own conclusion that you are a person of integrity--one who is highly confidential and c

Category: Psychology - C