THEO 525 Practical Theology The Word of God Assignment Biblical Counseling Project
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Practical Theology: The Word of God Assignment
(Bibliology: Divine Revelation and Personal Discipleship)
Andrew Pedde
THEO 525-B03
September 29, 2023
Contents
Introduction………………………..…..…………………………………………….3
Summary………………………………….…………………………………………4
Critical Evaluation………………………………………………………………
......
7
Conclusion……………..………………………………………….…...………..…..8
Bibliography………………………………………………………………………..10
Introduction
The Bible, as a divine message from God to humanity, holds immense authority and is
entirely truthful. It offers profound insights into realities that God has chosen to reveal. While
some individuals approach it skeptically, believing their judgment supersedes any external rules,
the Bible stands as God's unique revelation, encompassing both general and special revelations
about Himself. This sacred text addresses a wide range of topics, including matters such as
divorce and singleness. This paper will underscore the significance of divine revelation and personal discipleship
found in God's Word. It will emphasize the importance of relying on the Bible during
challenging times and demanding struggles such as a couple going through divorce.
The Non-Biblical and Biblical View of Divorce
The divorce rate in the United States has reached unprecedented levels and continues to rise, leading to significant disruptions and changes in family dynamics. When exploring the biblical foundations of marriage, it is possible to transition from principles to practical applications without compromising the hermeneutical integrity of the Word of God.
Matthew 19 provides valuable insights into Jesus' teachings on divorce and remarriage, while 1 Corinthians 7, authored by Paul, also emphasizes the importance of understanding the marital bond and its dissolution according to biblical principles.
The Bible offers various insights into divorce and provides clear reasons for it. Couples may consider divorce for reasons such as physical abuse, mental or verbal abuse, substance addiction,
physical neglect, and other valid justifications. The New Testament articulates biblical grounds for divorce, including sexual immorality and abandonment.
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As stated in Matthew 19:9 (ESV), "And I say to you: whoever divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another, commits adultery." Additionally, 1 Corinthians 7:15 affirms the allowance for separation in cases of abandonment, emphasizing the importance of pursuing peace in such circumstances.
Consequences Stemming from Divorce
Different reasons for divorce carry various consequences, one of which involves trading one set of problems for another. However, a critical consequence often overlooked, depending on the individuals involved, is the impact on children. Research indicates that the pain experienced by children when their parents' marriage ends can persist for years, even into adulthood, affecting their personalities and life choices.
Before considering divorce, it's essential to ask crucial questions such as whether either party feels physically threatened or has experienced any form of abuse—whether physical, verbal, mental, or sexual. If the answer is affirmative, ensuring the safety of the abused individual and their children is paramount before any counseling can commence.
As someone who counsels prisoners, my role involves sharing what the Scriptures say about divorce, incorporating God's Word into the counseling session. The Bible serves as a reliable guide during times of hardship and grief, providing a firm foundation for navigating life's most devastating circumstances. Holding firmly to one's theology of God and the Bible is essential. This approach aligns with the notion that divine action plays a role in producing and transmitting
biblical texts, emphasizing the importance of personal theology in interpreting and applying His Word. Therefore, wisdom and sound doctrine should guide one's theological framework when interpreting the biblical text.
Divine Revelation
Hermeneutics refers to the discipline focused on interpreting the Bible, and it plays a crucial role in justifying one's theological understanding. According to Millard Erickson, Childs's hermeneutic aims to apply historical contexts to modern religious settings, emphasizing the relevance of the Bible's historical past to the contemporary church.
Child's approach is valuable in highlighting the Bible's fundamental purpose, rooted in the life
of the church. However, it predominantly centers on the church and may not fully account for the
individual's personal interpretation. It is essential for individuals to engage with Scripture, formulating their own theology based on their understanding of God's Word and how it personally impacts their lives.
In the context of a significant life event like divorce, placing trust in one's theology and translating faith into action becomes critical. Believers facing divorce must rely on their personal
understanding of God's Word to navigate this challenging experience. This individualized approach allows them to apply their theological beliefs to their unique circumstances and seek guidance and comfort from their faith during difficult times.
Personal Discipleship
Personal discipleship plays a crucial role in an individual's spiritual journey towards becoming more Christ-like. This journey involves elements like repentance, understanding salvation, and embracing the Great Commission. These aspects become particularly significant when facing or contemplating divorce, as they help believers make informed decisions based on their biblical knowledge and heart attitude, ultimately aligning them more closely with Jesus.
When counseling someone contemplating divorce, it's essential to convey both God's perspective on divorce and His deep dislike for it due to the pain it inflicts on His people. While God loves the individuals involved, divorce was not part of His original plan. The Bible allows for divorce only in cases of ongoing sexual sin outside of marriage or abandonment, although it is not a command but an option. Restoration and forgiveness can occur if the offending partner genuinely repents.
As a Biblical counselor, it's crucial to empathize with the emotional turmoil and pain experienced by the counselee(s). Divorce brings about new challenges, such as financial difficulties, custody battles, single parenthood stress, guilt, anger, grief, depression, and hopelessness. Encouraging the individual to seek support through support groups, church activities, and the presence of supportive friends and family is vital, especially if children are involved.
Reminding the divorced individual that God is aware of their struggles and that He empathizes with their pain is paramount. Using passages like Isaiah 40:27-28, one can emphasize
that God's understanding is boundless, and He experienced feelings of betrayal and rejection during His earthly life, making Him uniquely qualified to comfort and guide those going through
divorce.
Dealing With Grief Stemming from Divorce
The process of grieving the end of a relationship is a time-consuming journey, typically spanning two to five years, as individuals navigate through the five stages of grief: denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance. It's essential to recognize that these stages may occur in varying sequences and may be revisited until healing takes place.
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Validation of the pain and suffering experienced by the victim is a crucial aspect of counseling. Encouraging the counselee to see themselves as survivors and offering hope that God
can bring good out of their situation is essential, drawing inspiration from Romans 8:28, which reminds us that all things work together for good for those who love God.
Feelings of shame, guilt, and unjust judgment from others are common among victims. It is vital to counsel the individual not to accept the burden of shame but to redirect it towards the spouse who wronged them. Forgiveness, both of oneself and the spouse, is emphasized as a path to true healing. Holding onto anger and resentment keeps the victim trapped in their pain. Luke 7:40-47 illustrates the importance of forgiving those who have wronged us, acknowledging that forgiveness doesn't excuse wrongdoing but releases the victim from the burden of wanting to hurt the other person. It involves placing trust in God to handle the situation.
Ultimately, the victim's journey toward healing involves experiencing empathy for the spouse,
recognizing one's own shortcomings, and expressing gratitude for the forgiveness received from God and others. This process leads to emotional and spiritual healing, allowing the individual to move forward with their life.
How to Handle a Couple Contemplating Divorce
When counseling a couple considering divorce, several key points can guide them. Firstly, it's crucial to advise them to temporarily postpone divorce proceedings and instead consider attending marriage counseling. Saving the marriage should be the initial goal, with a reevaluation
of the decision at the conclusion of counseling. Secondly, I would recommend finding a trained marriage mentoring couple to offer support and guidance. The couple can research such mentors or work with a pastoral care staff member to locate suitable resources. Lastly, suggesting relevant
books and resources to help improve their relationship and foster a healthy marriage is essential.
For individuals navigating divorce, whether it was their choice or a result of a spouse's infidelity or abandonment, there are critical action steps to take. Firstly, joining a recovery group,
often available in larger churches, can provide valuable support and help in grieving the loss of the relationship. Some groups offer structured programs like the 12-step model, meeting regularly. Secondly, seeking individual counseling on a weekly basis is crucial for initiating the healing journey and processing emotions effectively.
Another significant step is to refrain from making major life decisions without consulting a pastor or counselor for at least a year. This precaution guards against impulsive decisions during a period of emotional vulnerability. Additionally, it's advisable not to rush into new romantic relationships; the focus should be on personal healing before entering a new relationship. Lastly, becoming involved in a church or taking part in church-related classes can provide a support network of same-sex friends with whom the individual can connect and engage in activities, including serving others when they feel ready.