Myths, Lies, and Denial: Christian and Secular Counseling in America

In this short book, updated in 2017, a brief history of counseling and some basic Christian doctrine is given. Some serious problems which often require counseling are mentioned. The pattern of myths, lies, and denial is used to highlight issues in our culture, science, and religion which affect counseling. The concept of counseling is presented in a broad way to include everything from advice given by friends and family to help given in an institution. Major theories of personality, mental illness, and psychotherapy as well as tools for diagnosis and types of treatment are briefly mentioned, These include individual, family, and group therapy. Some of the secular techniques are compared with Pastoral counseling, Bible counseling, Inner healing, Prayer counseling, and Deliverance. Spiritual senses, offices, fruit, and gifts are mentioned as they impart counsel. Education requirements as well as guidelines and limitations for counseling are included, but this is not a "self-help" or "how to" book. Some leading figures in secular and Christian counseling and their books are mentioned. The Bibliography includes references from marriage, to child rearing, grief to old age, with both secular and Christian sources. The effort is made to draw a clear distinction between the natural and the spiritual. Each chapter ends with related scripture references. "That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh the sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust." (Matthew 5:45).