An Apologetic for Christian Counseling

Why is counseling necessary?
All Christians live out the three parts of the Biblical drama; we are created, fallen, and redeemed. It is within the context of these three phases of the Biblical story that counseling ministries unfold. We were created imago dei to live within the context of relationship. Even before that relationship was broken, Adam and Eve were dependent on God and in need of His counsel. With the fall, the ability to perfectly image God and to live in perfect union with Him and with one another was destroyed, which has left our relationships marred by sin and suffering. It is both the pre-Fall dependence and the post-Fall sin and suffering that counselors seek to address in their mercy ministries, with the ultimate goal of redemption. When viewed in this light, counseling is not only a means of addressing sin and suffering, but also a ministry to entice us towards the Gospel, modeling the pre-Fall dependence on God.

The goal of redemption is accomplished through a ministry of walking alongside others as they struggle with their creational dependence on God, as they deal with suffering and sin related to the fall, and, ultimately, as the Holy Spirit extends the grace of redemption. In modeling Christ's kenotic ministry, counselors need to empty themselves to be used by the Holy Spirit to transform hearts and change lives.

How does it help the church?
I believe this model translates well into the ecclesial ministry where faith and action collide. Modeling Christ's example as image bearers, Christian counselors can radiate the gospel through a unique, redemptive ministry, which is meant to support the work of Christ as already established by the leaders of the church. Therefore, a Christian counselor's role is not to usurp the authority of the church but to assist pastors, elders, and deacons in their ministries. There may be mental health issues that pastors feel require more clinical counseling than they are equipped to offer, or seminars that can be given on marriage and family issues, or ways to walk alongside the church leaders through support, consultation, and counseling. The ultimate unified goal of redemption is what establishes a working relationship between counseling and the church. Counseling is a ministry that can be offered to Christians and non-Christians alike to either entice them towards the gospel or bring them into closer communion with their Savior--soli deo gloria.

Amy Price is a Clinical Professional Counselor for Wellspring Counseling Center in Towson, Maryland. She works with children, adolescents, adults, and marriage and family issues. For more information, or to set up an appointment, please contact Wellspring at (410) 321-6035, or e-mail her.