Spiritual Problem—spiritual Cure

Spiritual Problem--Spiritual Cure

I picked up a recent book which I received from the AACC Convention called "Caring for People God's Way." The book is written by three people Tim Clinton, Archibald Hart and George Ohlschlager. The book is considered a new guide for Christian Counseling and is designed to help Christian Counselors assist people in the healing process as God helps them through the healing process. The book paints a picture of how sick our current society is and the need -- the importance of becoming Christians who care for the sick God's way. They open the book with this thought:

When good King Josiah dies around 609 B.C. Israel was prosperous, strong, and safe in the world. Yet the people of Israel quickly declined both morally and spiritually, and their leaders grew corrupt. The whole nation refused to hear the prophets God sent, including Jeremiah, to call them to repentance and restoration. Amid the ongoing search for the good life, a great terror was about to befall them-the complete destruction of Jerusalem and the forced slavery of the Jews by the Babylonians in 586 B.C. -- but they would not turn their hearts. Jeremiah 6:14 captures the essence of that day, "They have healed the brokenness of my people superficially, saying, 'peace, peace,' but there is no peace" (NASB).

Interestingly, as today's prosperous generations search for purpose, meaning and value, many are experiencing a pervasive sense of emptiness and isolation. And why shouldn't they? In a world flooded with distresses like father absence, abuse, violence, marital discord, and emotional problems there is a natural epidemic of escapism through consumerism, drugs, alcohol, sex, and suicide. Earnest Becker accents this thought concluding, "Modern man is drinking or drugging himself to death...or he is shopping which is the same thing." Living in denial, today's powerful and pampered generations have become 'tranquilized by the trivial,' though they find neither solace nor healing --crying "Peace, peace,' but there is no peace." Dallas Willard concludes, "Obviously, the problem is a spiritual one. And so must be the cure."

We agree. Our pressing concern at the inception of the 21st century is that people are hurting-and searching frantically for hope and new life. If there is ever a time for godly leadership, servanthood and biblical counsel, it is now." (Pages 3, 4).