Jenkins 1

Valarie Jenkins
Psychology, Theology, & Spirituality in Christian Counseling
Liberty University

Jenkins 2

Summary
In Psychology Theology, & Spirituality in Christian Counseling, McMinn allows

the reader to get a hold on information by giving scenarios. Cognitive

therapy is used throughout the text to give a Christian view. It is used as the
foundation to his work. In order for therapy to be a success, a good
relationship must be made between the counselor and client. The author
uses many different interventions from a religious perspective to show
spiritual and psychological health. The chapters in this book give us his
elaboration on the practice of scripture, prayer, sin, forgiveness, redemption,
and confession. McMinn gives the negative and positive sides of prayer. He
states that the counselors level of spiritual maturity will provide an upper
limit for the potential impact of prayer in counseling (McMinn, 2011, p.87).
McMinn lets us know the power of scripture regarding the client. The
interrelation of scripture and self gives one the ability to understand others
by the knowledge of God. McMinn feels humility begins with the confession,
which requires a persons honest. As we look at our own weakness and
strengths, the counselor can help. According to McMinn, non-Christians
understand forgiveness differently than Christians. Forgiveness finds life and
meaning in Christianity, but when the faith structure is removed, it can be
easily degenerated into the state of cold neutrality. (McMinn, 2011, p.254).

Jenkins 3
Redemption frees the individual from sin and restores them to God. When we
have a relationship with God, our thinking process changes. The way an
individual thinks and acts changes as they become one.
Concrete Response
After reading this book, I am reminded of how my former pastor preached
repentance on a weekly basis. Every week he was trying to compel others to
come to Christ. I remember him saying how, if some of us did not get it
together the Lord was going to save someone that comes right out of the
world. I remember growing up as a child my mom would teach us about the
Lord. I would always tell them that when I turn eighteen Im leaving the
church and never come back. For many years, my mom would invite me to
church, but I refused. Well, I met this young many in the summer of 1994.
We started dating for a while and soon moved in together. As time
progressed, he began to take me through some horrible situations. He would
constantly verbal and physically abuse me. Because of the abuse, I would
not go around my family. I remember one day sitting on my front steps and
saying Im tired of this. My mom came by the house one evening and asked if
they opened a church in the community would I come. I said sure to get rid
of her. With a couple of months, the church doors opened. I went one night
and refused to join. When I got home, my boyfriend treated me so badly. I
said within myself, if I can get back to that church I will join and give my life
to God. The very next service I joined and gave my life to God. When I got

Jenkins 4
home, he was so angry. He abused me so that night I had to call the police.
Since that night, he came into the church also. He gave his life to God and it
hasnt been the same. On today, he is a pastor and wonderful husband. With
Gods redemptive power, theres nothing impossible.
Response
McMinn did a good job showing how the aspects of integration in Christian
counseling. What bothered me about the book is How are to use a clear
definition of prayer in counseling? Although prayer is a good way to get a
relationship with God, it should be used as homework. The book is a good
resource for counselors to use on integrating psychology, theology, and
spirituality. It shows the different studies of positive and negative approaches
in counseling. The themes used were a good way to integrate spirituality into
the sessions as a method of teaching a counselor thats confused.
Action
This book was really a good instrument in teaching one how to multitask in
therapy counseling. In order to help the client, the counselor must be able to
integrate psychology, theology, and spirituality. By using the three
effectively, the counselor will give the client the help needed. I will
personally take the information learned from McMinns book and continue to
enhance my knowledge. After reading this book, I will gladly share the
knowledge with others. While integrating scripture and prayer, there are
negative effects that come with interventions of scripture.

Jenkins 5

Reference
McMinn, Mark R., (2011). Psychology, Theology, and Spirituality in Christian
Counseling.