Counsel
from the Cross presents a different approach to Christian counseling. Most Christian counseling uses an integrative
approach combining humanistic psychology and Scripture. The authors, Elyse M. Fitzpatrick and Dennis
E. Johnson argue that integrative approach has not been effective because
humanistic psychology stands in the opposite of the Scripture. Humanistic psychology focuses on “self-reformation”
(:98). On the other hand, the gospel reminds
us of our impotence of reforming our sinful nature; only in the power of the
Cross lies the assurance of forgiveness and the hope of transformation of which
the authors refer to the twin messages of the Cross (:12). These twin messages form their counseling
approach—gospel-centered counseling.
Gospel-centered
counseling invites a counselee to reflect what the Scripture declares about
him/her (gospel declaration) and what the Scripture demands them to do (gospel obligation)
(:92). The authors derive these two approaches based on Ephesians 4:22-24—old
identity and new identity. The gospel
declares that we have died to our old identity.
It is not through self-reformation.
In its place, the gospel declares that we have received a new identity.
Therefore, we can live a life free from self-doubt and guilt—our sinful desires
have no power to rule over us (:94). With
our new identity, the gospel instructs that we must stop practicing sinful habits;
instead, we must practice godly living (:97).
We
may ask how the gospel obligations differ from obeying the law. Isn’t is still
legalistic? The authors explain that we
practice gospel obligations from a changed heart—transformed by grace. We no longer obey God because we need to earn
his favor. That is a legalistic thinking
relying on our efforts. It is the reason
why Christ opposes the Pharisees and teachers of the law who like to show their
outward signs of self-righteousness. Gospel-centered Christians understand that
we are accepted by God only by grace in Jesus Christ. He died for our trespasses. For his
grace, we desire to live differently. Our obedience comes from our grateful
heart (:181).
In
summary, gospel-centered counseling is different from other types of Christian
counseling because it invites a counselee to live a new life from the Cross of
Christ. Other types of counseling focus
on self-reformation that leads to a false belief that they can obtain glory by
hard work and self-discipline (:169). Rather
than attempting to reach our “glory story”, we need to focus on the gospel
story that we have been given the victory from sins because of our crucified
Christ and risen Lord (:180). His cross
gives us the power to be free from addiction. His cross transforms us from self-reliance to
God-reliance. With this perspective, we
have the spiritual motivation for a righteous living. We obey God not as “slaves to the law but as
thankful children” (:181).
I highly recommend this book because it
helps clarify the pitfall of our attempts to live a righteous life. Until we
recognize our dependence on the grace of Christ, we will continue to fall into
a trap of self-reformation not knowing that it is precisely the sin of Pharisees
that only leads to judgment and pride. This
book invites us to return to the Cross of Christ. Only by his cross, we have been redeemed, and
we receive our assurance of hope of a transformed life.
