Its seems clear that we are dealing with two kinds of epistemolgy. The
method of authority and the scientific method. The method of authority,
which we all use when we look up a word in a dictionary, utilizes a source
which is generally agreed upon as the final answer. If you spell the word
declivaty in that way it is "wrong" and the dictionary is the authority. The
scientific method attempts to determine knowledge by examining data. Those
using the method of authority cannot be dissuaded by data, statistics or
anything else. Those that believe in the Bible as the innerrant word of God,
will find justification for their answers in the "authority" There cannot be
a meaningful dialogue about whether a fact is right or wrong if the two
individuals use different epistemological sources
Both methods can be useful, but the wise person knows which to use in what
situation.
A counselor who accepts the Bible as the final authority and who encounters
a situation in which psychological theory is in conflict which the Bible,
must rely on "authority". Unfortunately, Biblical authority often conflicts
with psychological theory hence the these discussions.
Harry Avis Ph.D.
Sierra College
Rocklin, CA 95677
Life is opinion - Marcus Aurelius
There is nothing that is good or bad, but that thinking makes it so -
Shakespeare
>From: Rick Froman <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
>To: "'[EMAIL PROTECTED]'" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
>Subject: RE: question for all of you
>Date: Thu, 1 Mar 2001 17:01:16 -0600
>
>On Thu, 1 Mar 2001, Mike Scoles wrote:
>
>Is it possible to keep this "Jesus is the only way" perspective out of a
>counseling
>relationship? I have heard good Christian counselors say, "There is no way
>I could
>deal with a gay client." (Well, I suppose that the person *might* be able
>to deal
>with a gay client if the client wanted to be saved and go straight.)
>
>To which Robin Pearce added:
>I wonder about this myself. How could a Biblically-literal Christian even
>bring him- or her-self to treat a nonbeliever? If you believe someone will
>be tortured forever for not believing in the right way, isn't helping them
>to be better-adjusted here on earth a major case of rearranging the deck
>chairs on the Titanic?
>-------------------------
>My response:
>
>It seems it might also be difficult for an agnostic or atheistic counselor
>to feel any empathy for a christian client when the counselor thinks that
>the client is believing in religious delusions and the client is, by his
>very beliefs, nonverbally condemning the counselor to Hell.
>--------------------------
>Mike Scoles wrote in response to Jim Guinee's (Jim's comments in >):
>
>Is it difficult to see just how offensive this is to people of other
>faiths?
>
> > Christians should not view themselves as
> > better than non-Christians (although this is a common problem), just
> > reconciled with God.
>
>And, that this is equally offensive to atheists? What a crock, "I'm not
>saying that I am *better*, just reconciled with God. I mean golly, don't
>take it so personally."
>----------------------------
>My question is: if the whole idea of religious belief is such a ludicrous
>delusion, why would anyone feel insulted or condemned? I wouldn't feel
>insulted if a psychotic individual held the delusion that I was going to
>burn in Hell unless I performed a solo tango at midnight (everyone knows
>this is a delusion since it obviously takes two to tango). I would just
>consider the source. I guess people are just more easily offended today.
>
>If I believe that there are many people around the world tonight who will
>die by tomorrow from starvation and exposure to the elements, does it make
>me hateful or condescending to believe that I will not suffer the same fate
>tonight. Of course, it would show a lack of compassion if I did nothing to
>attempt to reach out to help those that were condemned to die. And my
>belief
>about their sorry state certainly wouldn't translate into my hatred of them
>although some of them might think my efforts condescending or even
>Euro-centric.
>
>But what about Galileo and the Inquisition, you ask? Let's leave that for
>another time.
>
>Rick
>
>Dr. Richard L. Froman
>Psychology Department
>John Brown University
>Siloam Springs, AR 72761
>e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
>http://www.jbu.edu/sbs/psych/froman.htm
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