#146 Journal Critique: Pastoral Counseling…

Introduction

The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the article Pastoral Counseling, Trinitarian Theology, and Christian Anthropology by Shirley C. Guthrie Jr. There will be a summary of the article’s content, interaction with the material, theological perspective will be considered, and implications of the article will be explored. 

Summary 

Guthrie states that the purpose of her article is to consider the “ways in which the Christian doctrine of human beings (traditionally called the doctrine of "man" ) informs, or should inform, pastoral counseling.” To this end Guthrie considers six doctrines of man from the presbyterian perspective. She explores doctrines like “Human nature and destiny are understood in relation to God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit,” “Human existence is both good and sinful,” and “Human existence is neither totally free nor totally determined.”

Critical Interaction

Thesis Development

Guthrie’s thesis is that the doctrine of man shows us that pastoral counseling is something that is a sub branch of pastoral care that all Christian’s may be called upon to use. The article supports the author's thesis by applying different doctrine’s man to the goals of pastoral counseling. This leads to the idea that all Christians ought to be able to do pastoral counseling to some degree.

Theological and Biblical Perspectives

The author writes from a Presbyterian-Reformed tradition. Guthrie does not attempt to persuade of this perspective in the article but rather to keep the theological ideas somewhat generalized. Guthrie also uses the Westminster Larger Catechism as a source for her perspective at times.

Strengths and Weaknesses of the Article

Pastoral Counseling, Trinitarian Theology, and Christian Anthropology is quite well written and convincing. Many of the espoused doctrines and conclusions make sense to me as a nondenominational Baptist. Yet the flaws in the article are quite jarring. Guthrie throughout the article fails to reference the Bible, offering no Biblical support for any of her claims. Furthermore, some of the ideas were underdeveloped for being controversial. Such as the claim that since pastoral counseling reaches into all areas of life “It is therefore as important for pastoral counselors to read Marx, for instance, as to read Freud.” It cannot be identified what is supposed to be equally important to read in this context other than the Bible; which is a false statement. 

Pastoral Counseling Implications

Conclusion 

Guthrie accomplished her goal of connecting the doctrines of man to issues in pastoral counseling. She did a decent job showing how at times all Christian’s may need to lead pastoral counseling in one way or another and that they are equipped for that role. But Guthrie failed to connect the article to the Bible in any meaningful way which hampers the value of the article.

Bibliography

Guthrie, Shirley. “Pastoral Counseling, Trinitarian Theology, and Christian Anthropology.” Interpretation 33, no. 2 (April 1979 2012): 130-143.