Mind and Ministry: To What Extent is Secular Psychotherapy Compatible with Christian Pastoral Care?

Rebecca Guildea

Book 10 of the ‘Braemor Series‘.

This book explores the potential for engagement with modern psychotherapy for those in Christian ministry. In the face of a deepening mental health crisis in Irish society, pastors are increasingly likely to encounter situations of mental illness in their ministry, yet may be hesitant to recommend secular psychotherapy to sufferers.

The aim of this text is to answer, theologically, certain basic questions that may surface when those in ministry encounter the field of psychotherapy. It attempts to: provide a foundation for reconciling biblical anthropology and concepts of ensoulment with a psychological and neuroscientific understanding of the person; explore the reconciliation of a New Testament understanding of grace and sanctification with the role of modern psychology in inner healing; discuss the commonalities and potential conflict areas between discipleship in the Christian tradition, and modern psychotherapeutic technique; and finally, analyse the variant viewpoints on the demonological nature of certain mental illnesses is offered.

• Publisher

  Church of Ireland Publishing

• Year

  2019

• Cover

  Paperback

• Pages

  87

• ISBN

  978-1-904884-67-5

• Width

  152 mm

• Height

  229 mm