“What is the gift of encouragement?”…The gift of encouragement or exhortation is found in Paul's list of gifts in Romans 12:7-8. The word translated "encourage" or "exhortation" is the Greek word paracletos", or "paraclete" which basically means "to call to one's side." ……"Paracletos" can have several meanings, including exhort, urge, encourage, and comfort. All of […]
“What is nouthetic counseling?”……Quite simply, "nouthetic" counseling is biblical counseling-it gets its name from the Greek work noutheteo which is usually translated "admonish" Romans 15:14…I am fully convinced, my dear brothers and sisters, that you are full of goodness. You know these things so well you can teach each other all about them.. It means […]
“Are faith healers for real? Does a faith healer heal with the same power as Jesus?”……There is no doubt that God has the power to heal anyone at any time. The question is whether He chooses to do so through those who are called "faith healers." These individuals typically convince their audiences that God wants […]
“What is fengshui? Should a Christian practice fengshui?”……Fengshui, which literally means "wind-water," is an ancient Chinese system of aesthetics believed to use the laws heaven and earth (astronomy and geography) to help one improve life by receiving positive "qi" or energy flow. Fengshui has a long and complex history as to its uses, techniques, and […]
“What does the Bible say about Bipolar Disorder / Manic Depression?”……Note: as with many psychological issues, there are often both a physical and spiritual aspect of manic depression / bipolar disorder. While we believe psychologists often miss the true spiritual nature of the sickness, we strongly encourage anyone suffering with a mental illness to seek […]
“What is cognitive-behavior therapy, and is it biblical?”……Cognitive-behavioral therapy, which is widely used today, grew out of behavioral therapy. Though many Christians are leery of psychology in general, cognitive-behavior theory seems to be more in sync with biblical principles. The following are a brief explanation of cognitive-behavior therapy and a biblical analysis of its concepts.……Explanation […]
“Does the Bible mention schizophrenia?”……Schizophrenia is mentioned nowhere explicitly in the Bible. Schizophrenia is a psychological disorder characterized most commonly by hearing voices and having hallucinations, delusions, disorganized thinking, and, at times, paranoia. Often mistaken for what was once called split personality/multiple personality disorder, schizophrenia is not associated with dissociative identity disorder. The symptoms can […]