FINDING HEALING THROUGH FREEDOM IN CHRIST

Discipleship Counseling: Finding Healing Through Freedom in Christ Stephanie Foster Liberty University

FINDING HEALING THROUGH FREEDOM IN CHRIST Abstract Discipleship Counseling written by Dr. Neil T. Anderson is a complete guide to helping others

walk in freedom and grow in Christ. Dr. Anderson discusses three themes that will be elaborated on in this paper: defining mental-health, the sanctifying process and integrating theology and psychology. The secular approach to mental-health addresses mental and emotional stability while failing to acknowledge spiritual issues. Anderson states that these issues, left uncorrected, will simply mask symptoms and leave the true issues unresolved. The biblical approach realizes that omitting the possibility of spiritual conflict will keep the counselee emotionally unstable, under attack, and in bondage. Anderson suggests that the sanctifying process promotes freedom from sin by genuine repentance, hence literally transforming the mind. In the ongoing battle for the mind, this transformation occurs by replacing deception and lies with biblical truths. Dr. Anderson argues that a combination of psychology and theology will facilitate a wholistic approach enabling the achievement of realistic goals.

FINDING HEALING THROUGH FREEDOM IN CHRIST Discipleship Counseling: Finding Healing Through Freedom in Christ Discipleship Counseling: The Complete Guide to Helping Others Walk in Freedom and Grow in Christ, by Dr. Neil T. Anderson, thoroughly covers the topic of Jesus Christ as the

ultimate authority in Christian counseling. Anderson seeks to help readers from all backgrounds, including pastors, church leaders, and Christian encouragers gain insight into the importance of a Biblical foundation and understanding of Christ in order to help those in need. The book covers a vast array of topics including the role of the Holy Spirit, the importance of a Biblical balance, and acknowledging the battle within the mind. Anderson concludes the book with an easy to follow step-by-step process of finding freedom in Christ. Although Anderson does an excellent job of covering each topic in detail, his discussion of defining mental-health, explaining the importance of integrating theology and psychology, and reviewing the sanctifying process are especially well laid out. Defining Mental Health According to Anderson, the secular world defines mental health as "being relatively free from anxiety and in touch with reality" (p. 44). Anderson argues that worldly ways of defining mental health are incomplete and "the scientific methods of investigation by definition leave out the reality of the spiritual world" (p. 28). He explains that the mind is an actual battlefield where the father of lies fights against the Spirit of Truth. Without acknowledging the need for a solid foundation based on Biblical truths and the power of God through Jesus Christ, counseling will be incomplete and unable to resolve the difficult conflicts present in man's life. The secular treatments are limited in their focus on neurological disorders or chemical imbalances and omitting the reality of a spiritual battle will only provide temporary relief instead of resolving the true issues at hand. Anderson sums it up by explaining

FINDING HEALING THROUGH FREEDOM IN CHRIST Secular programs are like ships in the night that pass by people who are drowning in the middle of the ocean. They can throw out life vest to keep them from sinking for a while, but they do not have any means to save the people. Only God can do that (p. 44). A study done at the University of Wisconsin, Madison attempted to define mental health well-being. The results from this study state that mapping the fundamental structure of psychological well-being is a multitask agenda, requiring ongoing syntheses of diverse sources of evidence. For now, we offer the provisional conclusion that there is more to being well than feeling happy and satisfied with life (Keyes, 1995). Although an effort was made to properly and completely define a state of well-being, the definition is incomplete as compared to Andersons. However, Anderson would agree with the point that happiness should not be the main focus when it comes to mental health, affirming the need for Jesus Christ to be the focal point of mental health.

The Sanctification Process The sanctifying process is necessary for healing and overcoming conflict. Anderson explains that "we as encouragers need to know Satan's role and how the reality of the fall and God's subsequent plan of redemption enters into every counseling session" (p. 119). Without understanding the need for Christ, man remains "spiritually dead and unable to receive from God" (p.119). Growing is a timely process in which deep spirituality remains the prize (Vaillant, 2011). Anderson specifically points out that in order for there to be effective discipleship counseling, the subjects spiritual maturity should first be evaluated in order to determine the level they are at. He describes a clear process of resolving conflict and equates this process to

FINDING HEALING THROUGH FREEDOM IN CHRIST three levels of spiritual maturity. The first level that all must complete is a decision to be firmly

rooted in Christ and an act of genuine repentance. He explains that the lies and deceitful thoughts previously within the mind must be replaced with biblical truths. In order for the counselee to move forward in the healing process, they must recognize their need to be rooted in Christ and repent, or in other words, allow for an actual changing of the mind. The second level of conflict resolution is based on an identity found in Jesus Christ and a maturing of ones faith. Finding an identity in Jesus Christ requires one being lead by the Holy Spirit to conform to the foundational truths of Gods word. A spiritual identity that is nurtured through Gods word, abiding in Him through prayer and spiritual disciplines will produce a reason and meaningful view for life. Any Christian who deeply understands his or her personal identity in Christ and whose life is characterized by the fruit of the Spirit will have a true sense of self and be mentally healthy, provided there are no neurological or physical abnormalities (p. 130). The final level of conflict resolution in the sanctifying process is resolving root issues. Resolving root issues allows the counselee to take their newly established identity in Christ and put into action their walk with Christ through the Holy Spirit. Addressing root issues provides healing and freedom in Christ that changes the thoughts, heart, mind, body, soul and actions as a result, The growth process is first knowing, then being and then doing (p. 131). Ones true character reveals itself at home. Family members hold one another accountable by responsibilities that cant be easily walked away from. God uses these two areas of committed relationships because the home is important to Him. The home is the primary place for growth, and without the growth in the home, the family is torn apart. Reading this chapter gives insight to the Christian counselor about the spiritual realm

FINDING HEALING THROUGH FREEDOM IN CHRIST addressing the battle for the mind. Without resolving these issues at home a counselor cannot be effective in the ministry for helping others. Omitting the root issues in the counseling process

will leave the counselee in spiritual bondage never allowing the true identity in Christ to grow or have a sound thought process based on Gods truths. Integrating Theology and Psychology Anderson also adds a lot to the understanding of discipleship counseling when he addresses the need to integrate theology and psychology into the counseling sessions. He explains that each counselee needs to be treated with a wholistic approach that includes studying the soul as well as studying the nature of God. Anderson states, The Bible has the only authoritative explanation of the soul, and it is imperative that we understand how the body, soul and spirit function together and how God intended us to relate to Him (p. 64). The fact the man was created by God with both natural and spiritual elements, the dust from the earth and Gods own breath for life, validates Anderson's view that man is trichotomous, body soul and spirit. Anderson also discusses the importance of looking at humans from a trichotomous perspective. Many Christian counselors take on a dichotomous perspective, viewing the soul and spirit as the same and neglecting the important differences between the soul and spirit. Research done by Clarke (2010) agrees with this trichotomous approach and serves as an excellent explanation of the model: in a way that might appear paradoxical to us today, the earliest Christian theologians talked of persons having a rational soul and a spiritual intellect. The spirit is what enables people to become aware of and appreciate intellectually the numinous, non material dimension to life, while the soul actually contains the mind and so the soul is spoken of as enabling the understanding of scientific and rational knowledge. So the spirit and soul

FINDING HEALING THROUGH FREEDOM IN CHRIST are dynamic active purposeful elements of the person which make the person capable of types of understanding. However, sometimes theologians have lapsed into shorthand where the person is spoken of as a body and soul (Clarke, 2010). Anderson also argues that as human being "we are dependent creatures who by nature look outside of ourselves for life" (p. 65). This is important because although the heart is the center of mans inner person, God intended to be within the inner person and be the Master of the heart. The indwelling of the Holy Spirit guides and leads both the encourager and counselee. The process of integrating theology and psychology requires treating the soul with the

foundations of biblical truths. Receiving a new identity in Christ means being accepted as a child of God who is filled with the Holy Spirit and Anderson argues there must be recognition of the new position now founded in the freedom in Christ. Agreeing with Anderson, Parker (2008) states, The Holy Spirit was seen to work in conferring a sense of identity and providing an environment for emergence of a strong spiritual self. (Parker, 2008) Applying the belief of these truths, the new position as being accepted in Christ, and utilizing the leadership of the Holy Spirit establishes the solid foundation for growth and living in Christ. Anderson thoroughly covers the mind as a spiritual battle and the necessity of mental health being Christ centered and founded on biblical truths. His holistic approach includes combing theology and psychology to properly address the treatment of the body, soul and spirit. The true freedom found in Christ is incorporated through the sanctifying process and leadership of the Holy Spirit. Andersons work shows that discipleship counseling can successfully achieve realistic goals when applying the steps to freedom in Christ.

FINDING HEALING THROUGH FREEDOM IN CHRIST References Anderson, D. N. (2003). Discipleship Counseling. Ventura: Regal.

Clarke, J. (2010). Body and Soul in mental health care. Mental Health, Religion & Culture, 649657. Keyes, C. D. (1995). The Structure of Psyscological Well-Being Revisisted. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 719-727. Parker, S. (2008). Winnicott's Object Relations Theory and the Work of the Holy Spirit. Journal of Psychology and Theology, 285-293. Vaillant, G. E. (2011). The Neuroendecrine System and Stress, Emotions, Thoughts and Feelings. Mens Sna Monographs, 113-128.