Page 5 - Advanced Biblical Counseling Student Textbook

general. This means that the knowledge needed to engage in counseling is seen only as available to
those who have received the proper education, i.e. professionals.

This approach to Christian counseling borders on a form of Gnosticism wherein specially trained
individuals are able to dispense deep knowledge that would not otherwise be available to the average
person.

Though the counselor may not understand the knowledge to have come from a spiritual source known
only to himself, the reality is that many “professional” counselors believe that only those who have been
appropriately trained in psychology are able to dispense true help to the “mentally ill.” They possess a
repository of knowledge that is only accessible to them. This was the essence of Gnosticism.

The role of churches/clergy in counseling
Because mental illness is considered primarily biological, churches help in the same ways they would
help someone dealing with physical illness. They can encourage and support the person but should
refer the person to someone who has been trained in dealing with biological illnesses.

Pastors should help to reinforce the work of mental health professionals. Pastors should never seek to
replace the professionals.

Some view the problems people face as strictly spiritual (e.g. demonic or spirit world driven) so help
from the church should come from gifted specialists (e.g. faith healers, witch doctors, etc.). They believe
that the pastor may be the one specially gifted and should work out of that gifting. Or they believe that
other “gifted healers” may be able to solve these kinds of problems. They may believe that the pastor
may have no role at all and should let the gifted do the work.

The New Apostolic Reformation is a powerful movement within the broader Pentecostal movement. Its
proponents believe we are in a period of reform wherein the offices of Apostle and Prophet are being
restored, among other things. Churches within this movement will seek spiritual warfare ministries and
will often seek to help people with problems by way of “deliverance” ministries. Among many other
dangerous beliefs, they hold to the availability of extra-biblical revelations. These revelations will not
contradict the Bible but will supplement it. C. Peter Wagner is one of the key leaders of this movement.

Many of the same belief hold that modern-day apostles have gifts of the Spirit that include the ability to
cast out demons and minister physical healing, etc. Faith Healers claim to heal both body and soul in a
miraculous manner. The healing accomplished in this manner is complete and lasting.

The role of professionals
Psychiatrists and psychologists play a major role in dealing with mental illness or counseling.
Psychiatrists are medical doctors specially trained in brain function and psychology. They tend to treat
problems from a biological perspective and can prescribe medication which is most often done to solve
mental problems.

Psychologists have academic doctorates and tend to focus on behavior and emotion. They generally
cannot prescribe medication.

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