Adams, Backus and Chapian.docx

Running head: ADAMS WITH BACKUS AND CHAPIAN 1

ADAMS WITH BACKUS AND CHAPIAN THEORY CRITIQUE

Surprize Stephenson

Liberty University

ADAMS WITH BACKUS AND CHAPIAN 2

A Critique of Two Theoretical Models: How to Help People Change by Jay E. Adams

and Telling Yourself the Truth by William Backus and Marie Chapian

Introduction

This paper will offer a thorough critique of two Biblical Counseling theories as proposed

by Jay E. Adams in How to Help People Change and William Backus with Marie Chapian in

their book Telling Yourself the Truth. The focus of both theories presented is to aid in change for

an individual all the while growing in Christ. In this paper the author will present a thorough

precise summary, the perceived strengths and weaknesses and personal reflection and application

of each model.

Summary

In today’s society there is a constant tug of war battle over the integration of psychology

and Christianity in regards to successfully counseling people. The stance taken by many

Christian counselors today is that the Word of God does not need psychology or any of its

practices or techniques to facilitate healing for counselees; this is the view of Dr. Jay Adams as

well. Dr. Adams’ objective in his theory is change in a person which is pleasing to God and not

others (Adams, 1986). In his book Adams (1986) boldly suggests that the absolute truth can only

be found in the bible and any source needed by a Christian counselor can only be found there; he

believes that psychology and Christianity have no need to mingle amongst each other.

With this view, Adams (1986) created a four- step Biblical process that he based on the

scripture 2 Timothy 3: 14-17; from this scripture Adams states that Christian counselors are

equipped with the skills to facilitate the process. The four steps presented by Dr. Adams (1986)

which must happen one behind the other are teaching, conviction, correction and discipline

training in righteousness. According to Adams (1986) before a Christian counselor attempts to


facilitate this process, he/she must be knowledgeable as well as a doer and follower of God’s

word. A Christian counselor must engage in teaching the counselee the true word of God. While

teaching the client the way God will have them to go; the counselor should show an undeniable

love and respect for God and His standards set for His people (Adams, 1986). With the

fulfillment of step one the door is opened for step two where one begins to feel conviction within

their heart and begin to recognize God’s commandments (Adams, 1986). Step three encourages

the client to take the word of God and stand firm on it; which focuses them on walking in the

light if the Lord. Lastly, step four which committed “practice”, if you will, to the will of God

(Adams, 1986).

In their book Telling Yourself the Truth Drs. William Backus and Marie Chapian (2000)

suggest that many of the issues that people face stem from the way they think. Faulty thinking,

referred to as misbeliefs, can evoke wrong emotions, wrong behaviors which lead to the so called

mental problems seen by counselors today (Backus and Chapian, 2000). Backus and Chapian

(2000) puts the focus on helping the client battle the misbeliefs they have developed and help

them find the truth which can only be found in the bible. The suggestion is that the client take

their negative self-talk and replace it with positive biblical self-talk (Backus and Chapian, 2000).

Backus and Chapian (2000) define self-talk as “the words we tell ourselves in our thoughts”;

these thoughts may be about personal life experiences, in reference to others and many other

issues in one’s life.

The process presented by Backus and Chapian (2000), called Misbelief Therapy, begins

with determining the misbeliefs one has developed. The counselor then aids the client in

comparing these misbeliefs to the truths of the bible and then together they discredit the lies and

faulty thoughts. The client then begins to replace the previously believed lies with the truth of


God. When the client is able to see the absolute truth of God, then He begins to make them free.

When one is able to know the truth they can develop healthy positive feelings, emotions and

behaviors (Backus and Chapian, 2000).

Strengths and Weaknesses

How to Help People Change by Dr. Adams (1986) is definitely not a comprehensive

model. A good comprehensive model recognizes the practices of psychology and Christianity Dr.

Adams only credits the Scripture of God and Christianity as the avenue to helping anyone. Dr.

Adams (1986) feels that there is no need for psychology to be considered during Christian

counseling. His view is a reflection of Crabb’s (1986) Nothing Buttery approach to integration;

which ignores psychology altogether. This weakness makes what could have been a great model

very difficult to utilize with the nonbeliever. Adams (1986) also has positioned his model to the

believer that may have fallen from the way of the Lord, but what about the person who does not

know the Lord? Does he not need help or a way to Christ as well? I believe that God has allowed

the advancement of psychology, which represents His modern day works, to aid in understanding

and helping His people. I do however believe that Adams (1986) counseling process enables

clients to face their life experiences armed with the word of God to be convicted in their spirit in

order for change to take place; this should be the ultimate goal.

Backus and Chapian (2000) present a great self-help Christian perspective counseling

model which is comprehensive in nature; specifically being that it utilizes and is even considered

a type of Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy. This model considers psychological matters of

development stemming from childhood as well as the sin and distance from God that leads to the

faulty thoughts and “maladaptive behaviors” that one may present with (Backus and Chapian,


2000, p. 17). Backus and Chapian (2000) respect that all people need to be helped not just

Christians and this model is easily adaptable for all, all while offering the truth of God.

Personal Reflection and Application

Personally I have a stronger connection to the model posed by Backus and Chapian

(2000) over that of Dr. Adams (1986).

References

Crabb, L. J. Jr., (1977). Effective Biblical counseling: A model for helping caring Christians

become capable counselors. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House.

Hawkins, R. E. (n.d.). [Speaker]. Model for guiding the counseling process. Lynchburg, VA:

Liberty University.


THEORY CRITIQUE GRADING RUBRIC

COUN 507- Theology and Spirituality in Counseling

Please include the following topics for each section of your theory critique

Content Points Earned: Comments:

Concise Summary of Theory (40 points)

At least one page of typed text

Summary demonstrates a solid understanding

of the material presented

Summary presents the core ideas of each

Christian theory of counseling

Summary is sufficiently thorough (covers the

essential concepts of the theory) but also

concise (tightly worded and eliminates


peripheral ideas)

Evaluation of Strengths and Weakness (25 points)

One page

This section demonstrates critical thinking in

the analysis and critique of the material.

This section identifies the strengths/weaknesses

of the theory (from your perspective) and

provides your rationale for your critique. With

what do you agree and disagree? This section

does not merely add more information about

the theory, but provides critique.

This section comments on the efficacy of the

theory—does the theory provide a

comprehensive theory of counseling?

Personal Reflection and Application (20 points)

One page

This section provides personal example(s) of

how you personally relate to the content of the

theory


This section provides clear connections

between the life episode and the core concepts

(not peripheral ideas in the theory)

This section describes what you may use from

the theory in your own counseling

Writing 10 Points Points Earned Comments

Paper is written in an organized manner,

following graduate level writing expectations

Paper is free from mechanical errors

APA 5 Points Points Earned Comments:

The paper follows current APA guidelines for

format and includes a title page as well as a

reference page; each page utilizes a running head

and page number.

All pages double spaced, per APA. Citations and

reference listings follow APA guidelines.

Total 100 PointsTotal Points

Earned

Final

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Adams, Backus and Chapian.docx