Care of Souls: Revisioning Christian Nurture and Counsel

One distinctive of biblical faith is that each human being is created in the image of God (Gen 1:27). One practical implication of this image doctrine is that when you speak with someone, it is like speaking to God himself. In fact, many times God speaks to us through the people around us. A second practical implication is that each and every human has intrinsic value in the eyes of God[1]. Between the hint of the divine and this intrinsic value, every individual has an interesting story to tell—if one takes the time to listen.In his book, Care of Souls, David Benner implicitly understands and accepts the doctrine of the image. He writes:“Care refers to actions that are designed to support the well-being of something or someone. Cure refers to actions that are designed to restore well-being that has been lost.” (21)One only cares for something of value. In this case, we are talking about souls which he defines as:“soul as referring to the whole person, including the body, but with particular focus on the inner world of thinking, feeling, and willing.” (22)This is the Hebrew understanding of soul (nefesh or נַפְשִׁ֖י) which is quite distinct from the Greek understanding from Plato which divided a person into body and soul[1], which were truly divided (11).This body and soul unity is important in Benner’s thinking especially when he delves into the distinction between the conscious and non-conscious parts of our inner life. He writes:“Caring for souls is caring for people in ways that not only acknowledge them as persons but also engage and address them in the deepest and most profoundly human aspects of their lives. This is the reason for the priority of the spiritual and psychological aspects of the person’s inner world in soul care.” (23)While the cure of souls focuses on remedy for sin; care of souls focuses on the need for spiritual growth (28).Benner sees 4 elements in care of souls:Healing—“helping others overcome some impairment and move towards wholeness”,Sustaining—“acts of caring designed to help a hurting person endure and transcend” a challenging situation,Reconciling—“efforts to reestablish broken relationships”, andGuiding—“helping people make wise choices and thereby grow in spiritual maturity” (31-32)I used to use the analogy of two teammates in soccer game working with each other to succeed in their game play.Benner offers 6 helpful principles (he calls them conclusions) defining soul care. “Christian soul care”…1. “is something that we do for each other, not to ourselves.”2. “operates within a moral context.”3. “is concerned about community not just individuals.”4. “is normally provided through the medium of dialogue within the context of a relationship.”5. “does not focus on some narrow spiritual aspect of personality but addresses the whole person.”6. “is much too important to be restricted to the clergy or any other single group of people.” This last point is important—the idea of Christian friends is fundamental in Christian discipling. In fact, the first book by Benner that I read and reviewed was focused on this point[2].Another key point is that the focus in care of souls is on dialogue between equals before God. Benner distinguishes 4 types of interpersonal discourse:1. Debate—“a civilized form of combat…has a focus and implicit rules that encourage participants to stick to the understood topic”. (134)2. Discussion—“involves the advocacy of ideas and positions with resulting winners and losers” .(134)3. Conversation—“involve the exchange not just of facts and arguments but also of feelings, values, and construals” but not to the extent and with the mutual trust required for a dialogue. (135)4. Dialogue—“shared inquiry that is designed to increase awareness, understanding, and insight” among mutually trusting individuals. (131)This focus on dialogue distinguishes soul care from psychiatric care where true dialogue is not possible, in part, because those talking are inherently not equal—more of doctor-patient conversation. Dialogue is the preferred discourse in soul care because healing, sustaining, reconciling, and guiding are able to take place.Dr. David Benner works and lives in Canada. He describes himself as: "an internationally known depth psychologist, wisdom teacher, transformational coach, and author whose life’s work has been directed toward helping people walk the human path in a deeply spiritual way and the spiritual path in a deeply human way." He has held numerous faculty positions and written about 30 books [4].Benner writes in 11 chapters divided into 2 parts. These chapters are:Part 1: Understanding Soul Care1. What is Soul Care?2. The Rise of Therapeutic Soul Care3. The Boundaries of the Soul4. Psychology and Spirituality5. Christian SpiritualityPart 2: Giving and Receiving Soul Care6. The Psychospiritual Focus and Soul Care7. Dialogue in Soul Care8. Dreams, the Unconscious, and the Language of the Soul9. Forms of Christian Soul Care10 Challenges of Christian Soul Care11 Receiving Soul CareThese chapters are preceded by acknowledgments and an introduction. They are followed by notes and a topical index.David Benner’s Soul Care is a transformative text. Although I have seen some of these ideas elsewhere, many of the discussions are uniquely Benner. For example, Benner goes a lot further than many authors in offering a theological underpinning to soul care, integrates the therapeutic ideas better than other authors into his care, and spends more time in explaining the usefulness and uniqueness of dialogue. I highly recommend this book to pastors, other Christian care givers, and Christians who want to be spiritually sensitive in their ministry.In part 1 of this review, I have given an overview of Benner’s book. In part 2, I will dig deeper into some of his more interesting ideas. Part 2 will appear on T2Pneuma.net at 11 a.m. on August 19, 2015.Question: Do you think that soul care is possible outside of a therapeutic relationship? Why or why not?[1] This intrinsic value provides the philosophical foundation for human rights. In the absence of this theological doctrine, the secular interest in human rights is a philosophical orphan easily forgotten.[2] Or body, mind, and soul.[3] See (Benner 2003) Also see review: Benner Points to God (http://wp.me/p3Xeut-u3)[4] www.DrDavidGBenner.caREFERENCESBenner, David G. 2003. Sacred Companions: The Gift of Spiritual Friendship & Direction. Downers Grove: IVP Books.

Probably a half of all the books I review are in the area of psychology, spiritual formation, brain research and spiritual growth. So I was glad to get the recommendation of this book, Care of Souls by David Benner, for review. I was surprised to discover it’s a 1998 book, but recognized that Benner is one of the classic contributors in the field of soul care. His insights are invaluable for anyone concerned with people’s total well-being. The book is divided into two sections: understanding soul care, and giving and receiving soul care. In the first section Benner notes the salient differences between psychology and Christian theology, and the ways in which those two disciplines in the West have complemented and sometimes actually contradicted each other. He describes various aspects of Christian spirituality, what he calls “psycho-spiritual thinking,” and the rise of therapeutic thinking from many contributors in the field of soul care. He maintains that the care of souls from a Christian perspective involves what we do for each other, not for ourselves, within a moral context, in community, through dialogue focused on the well-being of the whole person. The second half of the book details what dialogue actually is in soul care, the distinctives of various practitioners involved in soul care, and the boundaries and challenges for care-givers.The book has a decidedly academic focus, and is far from an easy read. But I highly recommend it for all those involved in Christian counseling, Christian nurture, spiritual formation, and the healthy integration of psychology and Christian thinking in the care of souls. 5 stars M.L. Codman-Wilson, Ph.D., 1/25/19

This is not a very practical book. It doesn't give step-by-step instructions for how to do something.But it is nevertheless a very interesting read, with thought-provoking information.It is more a philosophical and ethical discussion on the idea of care, and one I enjoyed.

This was one of the texts for my foundations of counseling class in my first semester of my counseling masters program. I liked how Benner brought together in this book summaries of current and past psychotherapy, touched on a variety of different forms/types of counseling, reminded the reader how and why it's important to take of ones self, and devoted intentional space to areas of counseling that my go overlooked. This was all accomplished with the rooting of faith and strength derived from God, rather than hard work and independence.

An excellent read for those who need to know the connecting points between contemporary Christian spirituality, counseling, psychiatry, psychology, psychoanalysis and mentoring with their respective origins and influences. The subject material is thorough enough with sources included for academic use yet accessible enough for the layperson: kudos to the author and editor! Lastly, the last sections of the book bring the content from what was mostly an intellectual overview to a place of practical, relational application.

Great gift

This book is amazing. It can be a hard read due to the scholarly level. In my case I being exposed to all types of scientific scholarly studies from different fields so I find it fascinating, very realistic and helpful for the new and the not so new pastor or Christian counselor.

This book was an outstanding and profound read. I highly recommend it to all involved in ministering to the members of church. Christianity was not meant to be lived alone and this book explains why and shows how we can help one another grow spiritually.