In formulating a biblical worldview, it is helpful to consider the balance between the natural and the spiritual, between the true nature of humanity (anthropology) and the true nature of God (theology), and their respective roles and responsibilities. Here, our education and experiences significantly shape our viewpoint. The balanced worldview should work in harmony, not conflict. My Therapeutic Art technique combines cognitive psychology with Christ-centered theology to foster spirituality. At the center of humanity and theology is Jesus Christ, both fully human and fully God, possessing both human and divine qualities. Christ lived in both the spiritual and natural world, yet he was the only one perfectly balanced and perfectly sinless.
In christ centered therapy, there is a practical integration of theology and psychology. Today, the western worldview, compared to the rest of the world, is significantly skewed toward the natural. Humanism (to a lesser extent, utopianism) has been the dominant worldview shaping the development of #psychology. This view considers and advocates the natural person living in the material world (All mental health services keep a strict separation between church and state). In recent years, contemporary counselors have shifted from a humanism perspective, to a -new age- perspective. The new age perspective -doesn’t #align- with biblical theology and is found to profoundly impact education, medicine, and psychotherapy. The prevailing religion in american universities and society today has shifted from christian to new age. Even western rationalism and naturalism has significantly influenced theology in a way that emphasizes scholarship over spiritual formation, reducing our walk with God to an intellectual exercise... We know “all about” God, but hardly “know” him. In much too many instances, (for instance, the catholic church) bad theology and legalism (orthodoxy) has negatively affected biblical truth and caused people to turn away- unable to see, believe, understand, or relate to the Gospel. (Subsequently when we capture the letter of the law, we know little of the spirit of the law). Today- this IS changing, (fundamental biblical truth is unchanging), as many cultural traditions and customs are decreasing- people are committing themselves to #Jesus #Christ and not institutions or denominations. In this way, the body of christ (the church) is shifting toward spiritism.
Spirituality can be found in many places, but the relationship with God and healing power of The work of Christ through the Holy Spirit is found in Jesus alone, through scripture, alone. God's saving Grace is found in redemption through the savior by the seed of faith. understanding scripture helps us grow in discernment of spiritual truth. in other words, the Holy Spirit is distinguishable between theistic spiritism (that may have evolved from theistic naturalism). Particularly during tribulation, spiritual revelation is increasingly profound and more people are discovering their spiritual #identity in christ and the power of the holy spirit in a newfound spiritual #reality. This shift from humanism to spiritism is exactly what Jesus proclaimed in the new covenant, which we now find In the new era (digital age)- the Gospel is unveiling more rapidly due to technological advances, revealing (fulfilling) much of the symbolism depicted in the book of Daniel.
Anyway- back to the point: We often fall back on the question- Does our 'Faith" in Jesus (or even victory in Jesus) depend fully on God, or does it rest fully on Humans? This answer will take a lot of unpacking as there is more diversity in counseling style and theory among counselors who are Christian than there is unity in style and theory. It's no secret that the Bible has been debated of it's meaning since the beginning of time. This circles back to how how education and experiences shape our viewpoints on what constitutes living in Christ's example, showing unconditional love and dignity toward others, and speaking in alignment with God's Truth.
The Bible, God's Word, is deep, rich, expansive and layered. It unravels, connects and unifies varies stages oh human history over thousands of years- both collectively as a fully cohesive, unifying theme- and separately through smaller, reoccurring themes. prophecies are foretold and fulfilled, and historical events replicate in different places and contexts. Every sentence of scripture is similar to one piece of a million piece puzzle. Each puzzle piece as a specific placement that is both dependent on its surrounding context and historical disposition as well as illustrating deeper layers of meaning in and of itself through allegory and symbolism. Truth is foundational and unchangeable- however, what exactly that is revealed of scriptural truth, particularity in our own lives and personal relationship with God is unique to our unique being. Our relationships, teachings, and experiences significantly shape our reception of scripture, and those attributes all partake in in God's unique and individual calling of us. When god reveals insight and spiritual wisdom to us through special revelation, it is because he is pointing us toward our unique position in the body of Christ. All partakers of the Holy Spirit have different positions in aiding the kingdom of God and mission of Christ because we have different traits, qualities, and life paths. Just as our body is made up of different parts- so is the kingdom.
Biblical concepts integrated with physiological methods and visual expression, (such as approaching cognitive behavior therapy through the use of Therapeutic art techniques) can be a successful tool when embracing the Holy Spirit in ways that are seen, resonated, understood and connected. In return, we can see this internal spiritual manifestation reaping outward benefits in more significant and powerful ways than human nature and psychology can do alone.
"The extraordinary power of God lies in the melding of the sacred with the human in the search for significance."
RSS Feed
