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TRANS FORMAT ION
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Paul challenged Christians to become transformed by the
renewing of their minds and not be conformed to the “pattern
of this world.” In so doing, they will “be able to test and approve
what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will” (Rom.
12:1-2 NIV). The goal of the Christian and the Christian counsel-
or is to be transformed and conformed into the likeness of Christ
(2 Cor. 3:18, Rom. 8:29). Transformed Christian counselors see
people and the world differently, and they intentionally seek trans-
formational, spiritual, and emotional maturity.
TRANSFORMED CHRISTIAN COUNSELORS SEE
THE WORLD DIFFERENTLY
In his book
The Universe Next Door
(2009, pp. 22-23), James Sire
asked seven basic questions designed to identify a person’s world-
view or their way of perceiving, understanding, and interpreting
their world. As you read these questions, ask yourself how your
answers affect or, perhaps, are failing to influence your personal life
and your counseling practices.
1.
“What is prime reality—the really real?”
This
question is foundational in understanding how we engage
our world. Is there a supreme, supernatural, spiritual
realm, or is the material universe all that exists? The
biblical worldview and, hence, biblical counseling begins
with the recognition of God as our prime reality, the one
responsible for our existence, and the one who governs
our past, present, and future.
2. “What is the nature of external reality, that
is, the world around us?”
Is our world and is life
merely molecules and matter, or is there a divine order
and an intentional purpose in life governed by a Creator
God with whom it is possible to have a personal relation-
ship? Transformed Christian counselors recognize that
there is a design and purpose to life that holds meaning
greater than that of our individual wants and needs.
3. “What is a human being?”
Transformed Christian
counselors see people as created in the image of God.
Humans are much more than highly evolved animals. Al-
though they are fallen and in a state of sin, they are loved
and have value in the eyes of God, who has provided a
way of redemption.
4. “What happens to a person at death?”
Death
is not an end for Christians. God has provided a way to
eternal life (John 14:6). Transformed Christian counsel-
ors, under the direction of the Holy Spirit, are able to
offer hope, meaning, and purpose to counselees.
5. “Why is it possible to know anything at all?”
In
the Christian world view, knowledge is possible, since we
are created in the image of an omniscient or all-knowing
God.
6. “How do we know what is right and wrong?”
Morality, choice, and knowing right from wrong are not
illusionary, arbitrary, or a matter of personal preference
in the biblical world view; rather, they are subject to the
word, will, and revelation of a righteous God.
7. “What is the meaning of human history?”
In
evolutionary and secular models, history has no ultimate
meaning or direction, but in the Christian world view
human life is intentional and purposive. History has a
beginning, middle, and end or an eschatological purpose
and hope, under the direction and control of God.
To these questions, Sire added another that focused on the
personal implications and commitment of previous questions:
“What personal, life-orienting core commitments are consistent with
this worldview?”
How do your answers to these questions make a
difference in your life? How do they shape, change, or direct your
counseling practices? Transformed Christian counselors seek first
the Kingdom of God, and they consciously and intentionally grow
in the knowledge of God and in obedience to him. A number of
factors contribute to spiritual transformation in the believer’s life.