May

16

Should Christians go to counseling? The arguments for.

May 16, 2008 |

Posted by ben hind · Filed Under Ethics, Christian Life, General Discussion 

Here’s the next half of the post on ’should Christians go to counseling?’ These are the arguments for going to counseling:

1. The bible does not speak directly to certain issues that the believer may face, where they would benefit from counseling. Although the bible is sufficient for instructing the Christian on how to live a righteous life, it doesn’t speak directly to problems Christians may face. For example, anorexia is a problem that some Christians go through that is not spoken of in the bible. Although Christians should apply the principles of the bible to their lives in order to help them with a problem like anorexia, it doesn’t speak directly to the issue on how to resolve it. To deal with the issue directly, then, the Christian should seek professional help.

Counter argument: Although the bible doesn’t speak directly to certain issues that the believer may face, the bible does give general principles to help the believer through the issue they’re facing. For example, the bible doesn’t speak directly to the issue of anorexia, though it does speak on how food is a positive thing that God made, rather than a negative thing to be avoided. And so, through believing and apply principles such as this the believer is more than able to overcome issues like anorexia without the need for secular counseling.

2. The bible clearly teaches that we should seek the help and advice of others when struggling with issues. For example, when God created Adam in the garden of Eden He said it was ‘not good for the man to be alone’. There were also counselors to the kings of Israel, and in proverbs it says that we should listen to wise counsel. So biblically speaking, we shouldn’t have an issue with having to go to counseling.

Counter argument: Although the bible says that we should listen to wise counsel, it also says that we should not follow the counsel of the ungodly. That means that if we are to take counseling, it should be with a godly Christian counselor based upon biblical principles, not a secular one. It also says in the bible that God is our Counselor, and that the bible is a counsel to us. So, secular counseling is unnecessary and goes against the biblical model which only allows for ‘godly counsel’.

3. The issues that Christians face are sometimes due to psychological factors that need to be addressed through counseling. Issues such as depression may not be caused by spiritual factors such as sin, but by psychological factors like a chemical imbalance of serotonin in the brain, and negative thinking. Since these are psychological factors, they need to be addressed by psychological treatments. Such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, talking therapies and sometimes medication.

Counter argument: Although there may be psychological factors involved in issues such as depression, that does not mean that psychological treatments are to be used to deal with the issue. The issue may be better dealt with through prayer, applying biblical principles and having other Christians help you through it. So, psychological treatments are not necessary to help Christians deal with psychological issues like depression.

This has been an interesting few posts for me. I hope I have dealt with the issue properly and represented both sides of the argument accurately. I would like to point out that there are not two strict categories that Christians are to adhere to. I believe some Christians are more radical than others on these positions. For example, you may believe that going to counseling is wrong when dealing with some issues rather than others. But I have had to generalize for the sake of the argument.

Although I believe that counseling is right for many Christians who are going through certain issues, I have come to respect the arguments of the other position. I didn’t realize how well thought out they were! But I guess that just shows my ignorance. :)

But what about you?

Which arguments are the strongest and weakest? Which one’s made you think differently about the issue? Have any persuaded you to change your mind about counseling? What do you believe is the right position to hold?


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