In a report published in the January 1994 issue of Psychological Science a review of 42 different studies comparing professionally licensed and paraprofessional therapists determined that professional psychotherapy is no more helpful than paraprofessional counseling. In fact, 12 studies found that paraprofessionals such as pastors are more successful than psychologists and psychiatrists in meeting the counseling needs of distressed individuals. Studies since that time have not dispelled these findings and a June 2005 article in Psychology Today confirms that individuals are abandoning psychotherapy and flocking to Christian counseling.
But, what is the difference between Christian counseling and psychotherapy? More importantly, is the Bible and Christian counseling sufficient for the counseling needs of individuals in today’s complex, modern society?
At their core, the difference between Christian counseling and psychotherapy is simple. Psychotherapy is based on scientific studies and therapies formed to address the findings of such studies. Christian counseling is based on the teachings of the Bible and, specifically, faith in Jesus Christ as described in the Bible. This raises the question: Is the Bible, a 2000 year old text, sufficient for counseling in today’s complex, modern society?
Is the Bible Sufficient for Counseling?
One good place to examine this question is the Bible. [You may question whether the Bible is the proper authority to reference to determine if it is sufficient for counseling, but referencing the Bible to determine if it is sufficient for counseling is no different than referencing a particular book on psychology to determine if it states it is sufficient for psychotherapy.] Does the Bible teach that it is sufficient for counseling?
Second Timothy 3:16-17 provides guidance as follows:
All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work. (New Living Translation)
This Bible passage provides us with the following insights:
· All Scripture is inspired (or breathed) by God;
· All Scripture (not just parts of it) is useful to teach us what is true;
· All Scripture is useful to make us realize what is wrong in our lives (which is the reason most individuals seek counseling);
· All Scripture is useful to correct us when we are wrong;
· All Scripture is useful to teach us to do what is right; and
· All Scripture prepares and equips us to do every good work.
Similarly, Christ in the Sermon on the Mount, provides a parable that illustrates how individuals can survive the storms and turbulence of life:
Anyone who listens to my teaching and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock. Though the rain comes in torrents and the floodwaters rise and the winds beat against that house, it won’t collapse because it is built on bedrock. But anyone who hears my teaching and doesn’t obey it is foolish, like a person who builds a house on sand. When the rains and floods come and the winds beat against that house, it will collapse with a mighty crash. Matthew 7:24-27
Jesus makes it clear in this parable that those who apply God’s Word to life will be able to withstand its storms. Those individuals who do not follow the teaching contained in God’s Word do not have a solid foundation and will find life collapsing around them when they suffer the storms of life.
The Bible teaches that man is a moral being with the ability to know and choose between right and wrong (Joshua 24:15; Deuteronomy 30:19). God is the One who determines right and wrong (Genesis 2:16-17; John 12:48; Romans 2:16). As a moral being with the ability to choose between right and wrong, man is responsible for his choices and behavior (Ezekiel 18:4; Romans 14:12).
Additionally, the Bible explains how being without sin is man’s “normal” state of intended existence (Genesis 1:27, 31). Man lost his normality when he sinned (Genesis 3:6-19) and the image of God in all people has been marred by the curse of sin (Jeremiah 17:9; Romans 3:10-19). In fact, all humanity is sin cursed and, as a result, all people are abnormal (Romans 3:23).
The only normal person who lived his entire life free of sin is Jesus Christ (Hebrews 4:15). Normality is learned through studying Jesus Christ, not through the research of sin cursed people studying other sin cursed people.
The way to become more normal is to become more like Jesus Christ, which is the goal for every Christian (2 Corinthians 3:18; 5:9; Romans 8:28-29). The manner of change from abnormal to normal is also described by the Bible (Ephesians 4:22-24; Colossians 3:9-10).
Thus, from God’s Word pastoral counselors have specific time tested facts instead of a theory of psychotherapy. The Bible is filled with actual instances of abnormal behavior and God’s specific response to such abnormal behavior. The Bible is also filled with instruction on how to change from abnormal to normal and live a normal life.
In other words, the Bible provides solutions to the issues and problems man faces every day (Romans 10:9-10; Romans 6:17; Luke 10:27). In addition to providing solutions and a process for change (Ephesians 4:22-24), Scriptures describe life resulting from applying the solutions it provides.
So, What is the Difference between Christian Counseling and Psychotherapy?
The answer is simple: Psychotherapy is based on scientific theory and Christian counseling is based on Biblical fact. Biblical counseling is the oldest and most reliable form of counseling in the world dating back thousands of years. Christian counseling has been consistently proven to work – psychotherapy has not. Moreover, Biblical counseling is less expensive than psychotherapy, usually requires only two to six months of weekly sessions, and seldom involves prescribing expensive pharmaceutical drugs.
For more about Christian counseling go to www.lifepointecounseling.com.
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