Competent to Counsel - Ch 6

Summary

This chapter rails against the practice of Rogerian counseling and compares it to nouthetic counseling. Rogerian counseling, so called after Carl Rogers' model of "client-centered counseling", takes a non-directive approach in which the fundamental presupposition is that "the solution to man's problems lies in the man himself"(1, p. 81), thereby taking God out of the picture. "Conservatives" (which I believe references Christians here) are encouraged to reject this form of counseling based on its "humanistic presuppositions alone."(1, p. 82) Rogerians don't give advice, and don't challenge sin, they instead offer acceptance for the person to express their feelings. Rogerian counseling was in fact used by many pastoral counselors at the time this book was written (1970).

In contrast, nouthetic counseling focuses more on behavior rather than feelings, because feelings spring from behavior, which can be see in Scripture in Genesis 4:3-7. God confronts Cain when he is angry, he points out that "his face fell"(vs. 5) and tells him if he does what is right, his face will be lifted up. Not to say that feelings are to be ignored, rather they are an indication that something is amiss, the author compares this to a flashing red light on your car's dashboard. When you see the flashing red light, its a warning that something is not right with your conscience. "Visceral discomfort is a God-structured means of telling human beings that they have violated their standards"(1, p. 94) and "psychic pain is inflicted by the Holy Spirit as He created the conviction of sin, a conviction which testifies that God's law has been broken."(2)

Furthermore, the counselee needs to be able to "learn to listen to words of counsel, reproof, commandment and instruction. "(1, p. 100) The Bible is full of such admonitions(Proverbs 2:1-6), especially in the book of Proverbs, which nouthetic counselors are encouraged to give samplings of to their counselees, as in pamphlet form.

Lastly Rogerian counselors, in their avoidance of confrontation of the sin issue, are in essence condoning and accepting the sin, which is sin too. But the fundamental failure of this counseling method for Christians, as the author states, is that its premise is wrong to begin with. Reject the the premise, and you reject the methodology. Plain and simple.

Personal reflection

I love the logic behind this reasoning: reject the presupposition, and you can easily reject the methodology. This can be used for SO many things which can be useful in decision-making and setting goals. If the basic precept on which something stands doesn't line in with Scripture, its futile! (1 Corinthians 3:19-21)

Scripture

Genesis 4:3-7 3 In the course of time Cain brought some of the fruits of the soil as an offering to the LORD. 4 But Abel brought fat portions from some of the firstborn of his flock. The LORD looked with favor on Abel and his offering, 5 but on Cain and his offering he did not look with favor. So Cain was very angry, and his face was downcast.
6 Then the LORD said to Cain, "Why are you angry? Why is your face downcast? 7 If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must master it."

Proverbs 2:1-6 1 My son, if you accept my words and store up my commands within you,
2 turning your ear to wisdom and applying your heart to understanding,
3 and if you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding,
4 and if you look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure,
5 then you will understand the fear of the LORD and find the knowledge of God.
6 For the LORD gives wisdom, and from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.

Micah 6:8 8 He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.

Romans 1:21-22 21For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. 22Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools

1 Corinthians 3:19-21 21For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. 22Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools

(1) Adams, J.E. (1970). Competent to Counsel. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Zondervan.

(2) Vernon Grounds, "When and Why the Psychiatrist Can't Help You," Seminary Study Series (Denver: Conservative Baptist Theological Seminary, n.d.), p.3.