Question

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The author’s argument is the imprecatory psalms can be used in Christian counseling.

According to Dominick Hankle, (2010), “the psalms lend themselves nicely to emotional expression. They are an excellent vehicle for resolving emotional stress leading to psychological and spiritual benefits” (p. 275). He states, “Negative emotions can play a part in healing from past trauma when properly experienced” (Hankle, 2010. p.275). However, he cautions, “Biblical interpretation requires the ability to provide a proper exegesis of the text at hand. One must understand the proper context from a historical, cultural, and literary perspective to gain full insight into textual meaning” (P.275). He argues, “A therapist can draw on the scriptures to assist clients in giving voice to emotional difficulties they have experienced” (p. 276). Also, “the Scriptures not only provide the client with a voice for his or her pain, but they also provide conduit from which the divine speaks to the sufferer” (Hankle, 2010. p.276). Interestingly, “within the psalms, one finds a great amount of somatic and psychological vocabulary expressing emotional distress” (Hankle, 2010. p.276.) The psalms can be used as “powerful therapeutic tools” for the therapist who works with “individuals feeling stuck and trapped” (p.276.) He claims, “Expressing feelings such as anger and resentment can lead to the restoration of relationships and spiritual health” (Hankle, 2010. p.276.)

He admonishes, “Having identified some psychological justification for the need to express emotions and recognizing the psalms as a means of emotional expression one must contend with how this can be done in an orthodox way without causing undue psychological damage” (Hankle, 2010. p. 277). It is important to note that “the creative use of the psalms within pastoral visits has a long history of bringing comfort and care to those suffering. So it important to use them effectively and properly” (Hankle, 2010. p.277.) There is “renewed interest in spirituality has prompted many mental health professionals to consider the use of scripture and other spiritual interventions (Hankle, 2010. p. 277).

“Pastoral psychology” from a Christian perspective “must contend with the idea that it is appropriate to express anger and that the imprecatory psalms provide a mechanism to do so” (Hankle, 2010. p.277.) He asks, “How does the Christian counselor use imprecatory psalms to give voice to negative emotions while assisting the client in discovering peace and resolution? The Christian counselor will “first need to understand how one theologically comes to terms with these psalms to successfully build psychological interventions. To do so, we must review the theological implications of the imprecatory psalms (Hankle, 2010. p.277). He believes “the psalms provide the reader with a very real sense of human emotion” (Hankle, 2010. p. 278). In addition, he says, “The terminologies we find in the imprecatory psalms are reflective of the trust the psalmist has in God’s commitment to the covenant. So what we read in the imprecatory psalms are real human emotions expressed in a manner demonstrating a trust in God’s justice and commitment to the covenant made with his people (Hankle, 2010. p. 278). Therefore, “the job of the therapist is to walk with the client through the expanded exegetical principles of the psalms to encounter Christ within them” (Hankle, 2010. p. 278). He believes the client must trust in God who delivers justice to his people (Hankle, 2010. p. 279). Hence, “these psalms are very useful in exploring the violence and anger latent in a client. Within the therapeutic context, this exploration can lead to growth and self-understanding” (Hankle, 2010.p. 279).

The author effectively communicated his thesis. He quoted from various experts and research findings. He emphasized the importance of theological understanding of the imprecatory psalms so that it can be properly applied to a client’s situation. He clearly showed the relationship of the psalms and the human condition. He also discusses the danger of a client holding in emotions and the benefit

Reference

Hankle, D. D. (2010). The Therapeutic Implications of the Imprecatory Psalms in the Christian Counseling Setting. Journal of Psychology and Theology. Regent University.

Answer 1

The author’s argument is that imprecatory psalms can be used in Christian counseling. According to Hankle (2010) “The psalms lend themselves nicely to emotional expression. They are an excellent vehicle for resolving emotional stress leading to psychological and spiritual benefits”. He states that, “Negative emotions can play a part in healing from past trauma when properly experienced”, however, he cautions, “Biblical interpretation requires the ability to provide a proper exegesis of the text at hand. One must understand the proper context from a historical, cultural and literary perspective to gain full insight into textual meaning”. He argues that, “A therapist can draw on the scriptures to assist clients in giving voice to the emotional difficulties they have experienced” , also, “Scriptures not only provide the client with a voice for his or her pain, but they also provide conduit from which the divine speaks to the sufferer". Interestingly, “within the psalms, one finds a great amount of somatic and psychological vocabulary expressing emotional distress”. The psalms can be used as “powerful therapeutic tools” for the therapist who works with “individuals feeling - stuck and trapped”. He claims, “Expressing feelings such as anger and resentment can lead to the restoration of relationships and spiritual health”.

He admonishes, “Having identified some psychological justification for the need to express emotions and recognizing the psalms as a means of emotional expression one must contend with how this can be done in an orthodox way without causing undue psychological damage”. It is important to note that “the creative use of the psalms within pastoral visits has a long history of bringing comfort and care to those suffering. So it important to use them effectively and properly”. There is renewed interest in spirituality which has prompted many mental health professionals to consider the use of scripture and other spiritual interventions.

Pastoral psychology from a Christian perspective "must contend with the idea that it is appropriate to express anger and that the imprecatory psalms provide a mechanism to do so. He asks, “How does the Christian counselor use imprecatory psalms to give voice to negative emotions while assisting the client in discovering peace and resolution?" The Christian counselor will “first need to understand how one theologically comes to terms with these psalms to successfully build psychological interventions." To do so, we must review the theological implications of the imprecatory psalms. He believes “the psalms provide the reader with a very real sense of human emotion”. In addition, he says, “The terminologies we find in the imprecatory psalms are reflective of the trust the psalmist has in God’s commitment to the covenant." So what we read in the imprecatory psalms are real human emotions ,demonstrating trust in God’s justice and commitment to the covenant made with his people. Therefore, “the job of the therapist is to walk with the client through the expanded exegetical principles of the psalms to encounter Christ within them”. He believes the client must trust in God who delivers justice to his people. Hence, “these psalms are very useful in exploring the violence and anger latent in a client. Within the therapeutic context, this exploration can lead to growth and self-understanding”.

The author has effectively communicated his thesis. He quoted from various experts and research findings. He has emphasized the importance of theological understanding of the imprecatory psalms so that it can be properly applied to a client’s situation. He clearly showed the relationship of the psalms and the human condition. He also discussed the danger of a client holding in emotions and the benefit of the same.

Reference

Hankle, D. D. (2010). The Therapeutic Implications of the Imprecatory Psalms in the Christian Counseling Setting. Journal of Psychology and Theology, 275-278.