Recent orders
Discipleship Counseling
Discipleship Counseling
Contents
TOC o “1-3” h z u HYPERLINK l “_Toc379208072” Abstract PAGEREF _Toc379208072 h 1
HYPERLINK l “_Toc379208073” Introduction PAGEREF _Toc379208073 h 1
HYPERLINK l “_Toc379208074” Themes PAGEREF _Toc379208074 h 2
HYPERLINK l “_Toc379208075” Relationship between Psychology and Theology PAGEREF _Toc379208075 h 2
HYPERLINK l “_Toc379208076” Christ as the Ultimate Counselor PAGEREF _Toc379208076 h 4
HYPERLINK l “_Toc379208077” Freedom in Christ as a Contrivance of Discipleship PAGEREF _Toc379208077 h 5
HYPERLINK l “_Toc379208078” Conclusion PAGEREF _Toc379208078 h 6
AbstractIn his book, Discipleship Counseling, Anderson examines the significance of discipleship counseling to both the counselor and the counselee. As he presents his ideas in the book, three main themes are brought out including the relationship between psychology and theology, Christ as the ultimate counselor, and the concept of freedom in Christ as a tool for discipleship. These three themes have been the highlight of the book, and the author uses them to pass his message regarding discipleship counseling across. The themes have been used, not only to advise counselors on the approaches towards discipleship counseling, but also as a way of creating understanding on the importance of discipleship counseling.
Key Words: Discipleship Counseling, Psychology, Theology, Freedom in Christ
IntroductionDiscipleship and the path towards religious fulfillment have been identified as one of the most complicated processes for individuals today. This is especially so in modern day because of the religious dilution that characterizes society, thus making it hard for people to practice their religions accordingly (Putman & Duek, 2011). Having established this, religious leaders have identified the need for discipleship counseling, which involves providing guidance to individuals regarding discipleship and religion. This form of counseling is much different from secular counseling, as it involves encouraging individuals to live spiritual lives, in accordance with the expectations of their respective religions. Neil Anderson, an author and a religious leader, expounds on this concept in his book, Discipleship Counseling. In this book, Anderson explains the significance of discipleship counseling, as well as, the various approaches towards discipleship counseling.
This paper provides an analysis of the book, Discipleship Counseling, by Neil Anderson. Specifically, the paper examines three themes brought out in the book, as well as, their relationship with the entire context of the book.
ThemesUpon a closer examination of Anderson’s book, it is evident that the author wishes to expound on the concept of discipleship counseling. This includes providing information regarding some of the basic approaches towards the practice. Throughout the book, the author explains some of the concepts and methodologies applied in discipleship counseling, all of which bring are used to build on some themes in this practice. Accordingly, three main themes are brought out in the book including a relationship between psychology and theology, Christ as the ultimate counselor, as well as, freedom in Christ as a contrivance of discipleship.
Relationship between Psychology and TheologyThe relationship between psychology and theology is the central theme of the book. This is mainly because the book is centered on discipleship counseling, which is the process of guiding individuals into attaining their full spiritual potential and following the path of Christ (Anderson, 2003). As the author explains, theology and psychology have a close relation, unlike popular belief. Anderson explains that psychology is the study of the human soul, and it is in these souls that faith and religion are ingrained in individuals. Theology, on the other hand, is the study of God and religion, thus explaining the relationship between the two concepts. Accordingly, psychology also embraces human thought and imagination, which is also the root of one’s religious beliefs and practices (Anderson, 2003). Psychology entails an examination of the concept of spirituality, and the significance of this to individuals, something that is part and parcel of theology. As evident from the readings, the entire book examines how psychology can be used to encourage, and in some cases manipulate one’s thoughts regarding their spirituality and religious beliefs (Wade et al., 2007).
As the author explains, cognitive therapy, which is a technique used in discipleship counseling, plays a influential role in shaping one’s beliefs. Human beings lack the ability to control their emotions, but their thought and beliefs can be controlled or manipulated (Anderson, 2003). The author explains that most religious leaders have utilized this strategy to gain discipleship. This, in turn, illustrates the relationship between theology and psychology, and how this is brought out as a theme in the book. Further still, the book examines the role of counseling in human spirituality and religion. As the author explains, most people, especially those that are spiritually oppressed require guidance when it comes to religion. This guidance can be provided either through counselors, or through Christ, which further draws on the relationship between psychology and theology. Being spiritually or mentally oppressed means that individuals are out of touch with their spiritual side, thus requiring the help of another to regain this (Anderson, 2003). Through the help of psychology, individuals have the ability to stabilize their religious wisdom, which further illustrates the relationship between theology and psychology.
Christ as the Ultimate CounselorAdmittedly, this book concerns the provision of counseling for discipleship and throughout the book the readers are introduced to the various approaches in counseling for discipleship. Accordingly, a counselor is defined as a guide: a person who directs another in their path towards spirituality. The author explains that, in most cases, the counselor is usually a human being who seeks to help another in becoming a religious disciple. Though the author describes the counselor as taking the form of a person or a human being, it is clear that Jesus Christ is the ultimate counselor. This can be examined from two main perspectives, Christ as the counselor to the ‘human’ counselor, as well as, Christ as the counselor to the counselee (Anderson, 2003). First and foremost, it is important to understand that for one to be a counselor, he, or she must have achieved the spiritual echelon that they intend their counselee to attain. This means that the ‘human’ counselor ought to have attained this spiritual height, he or she needed to have received counseling from another.
In essence, Christ is identified as the supreme counselor in relation to discipleship (Anderson, 2003). This is because Christ provides the necessary spiritual guidance for these ‘human’ counselors to guide others, as well as, themselves in the path towards Christianity. It is through the help of Christ that these counselors can guide their counselees into achieving the life that they seek in Christ. The author explains that because Christ is not physically present to provide counseling for his believers, the Bible, which is the holy book, explains what Christ expects from his followers. By reading the Bible, individuals are, therefore, guided into the ideal, Christian way of life (Anderson, 2003). Counselors, as well as, counselees get to understand what is expected of Christians, and for that reason, allow them to practice this accordingly.
Freedom in Christ as a Contrivance of DiscipleshipThe third and last theme brought out in the book is the theme of freedom in Christ, especially in relation to discipleship. Chapters nine through to fifteen elucidate on the concept of freedom in Christ, as well as, the different types of freedoms that individuals can attain. Accordingly, these chapters also reveal an underlying theme regarding discipleship, which is freedom in Christ as a contrivance of discipleship. As the author explains, the journey towards achieving discipleship comes with plenty of demands and sacrifices (Garzon et al., 2009). To attain spirituality and discipleship as required, individuals need to exercise freedom in Christ, which is defined as an encounter with God that is free from unnecessary ties and attachments. In essence, freedom in Christ involves the affirmation of individuals’ identities in Christ, renouncing all lies and deceptions, opting for the truth as presented in the Bible, as well as, the resolution of any personal or spiritual conflict that made interfere with the relationship with Christ (Anderson, 2003).
By adhering to these demands of freedom in Christ, individuals are, therefore, granted the ability to walk as disciples of God. As the author explains, it is only through the freedom in Christ that individuals will have the ability to acknowledge their discipleship to Christ and God. In support of this, the author provides a list of things that individuals need to free themselves including deception, bitterness, rebellion, pride, as well as, habitual and ancestral sins (Anderson, 2003).
ConclusionDiscipleship counseling is a crucial aspect in theology and religious studies. Anderson has successfully managed to explain this concept to interested readers in his book, thus encouraging awareness and comprehension on the practice. Accordingly, the readings in Andersons book reveal three underlying themes, all of which build on the concept of discipleship counseling. Understanding the relationship between psychology and theology, Christ as the supreme counselor, as well as, freedom in Christ as a tool for discipleship enables individuals to engage in discipleship counseling accordingly.
References
Anderson, N. T. (2003). Discipleship Counseling. USA: Gospel Light.
Garzon, F. L. et al. (2009). Lay Christian Counseling and Client Expectations for Integration in
Therapy. Journal of Psychology and Christianity, 28(2): 113-120.
Putman, K. & Duek, A. (2011). Community Psychology, The Church, and Theological
Perspectives: Introduction to the Special Issue. Journal of Psychology and Theology, 39(1): 183-185.
Wade, N. G. et al. (2007). Effectiveness of religiously tailored interventions in Christian therapy.
Psychotherapy Research, 17(1): 91-105.
Reflection Before and After Boot Camp Business Fraud
Reflection Before and After Boot Camp: Business Fraud
Business fraud is one of the most common issues that many business globally face while undertaking their day to day operations. As a result, many individuals have knowledge of what business fraud is, have experienced it, or know a person who has gone through it. I have read about issues classified as fraud on the internet, on the news, and even in class. However, despite the facts that a vast majority of individuals have a rough idea what business fraud is, it is imperative to note that there is more to business fraud that meets the eye.
I always thought business fraud to be a simple concept that involves illegal and dishonest activities that are conducted by different individuals within the organizations in order to gain advantageous financial outcomes for themselves or the establishment. Actually, I thought business fraud as a sought of corrupt ring of individuals working for big corporates in an attempt to make it big. I always thought of business fraud as a factor that only affects large organizations and their financials, but in fact this is not always the case. Before the boot camp, I had not given the issue much thought beyond the stereotypical definition of it.
After attending the boot camp, I think I now understand business fraud to be a deep concept embedded in ethics, organizational culture, and the business environment at large. In regard to the business environment, fraudulent activities not only affect the financial status of individuals and the company but also its reputation. At boot camp, I learned about Enron, the Volkswagen emissions saga, the Wells Fargo fake accounts fraud scandal, Capital One credit card compromise, Huawei’s involvement with data theft, and the Lehman Brothers deals that facilitated the 2008-2009 global financial crisis. When different individuals engage in business fraud for the purpose of financial gain, for instance, in financial institutions, this greatly affects the reputation of the company due to the fact that, individuals will not be willing to acquire services from a company involving itself with illegal and dishonest activities (Hassink et al., 2009). The learning experience gave a new meaning to fraudulent business activities to include all illegal activities at every level of an organization undertaken in a manner regarded as unethical and dishonest designed to gain an advantage or any other gains.
At boot camp, I was introduced to the issue of ethics and how it defines relations in business. I was able to understand that business fraud is considered one of the most prominent corporate ethical issues that affect numerous organizations. By engaging in fraudulent business activities, many organizations put themselves in a situation of moral conflict that in one way or another results to their moral standards being question. By engaging business fraud, organizations go against their morals of conducts and as a result causing doubt in eyes of the general public.
Looking back from my prior knowledge before boot camp, I now understand business fraud to have far-reaching consequences. Business fraud takes place in the organization in various forms. For example, for a majority of organizations fraud occurs in the financial system through the pay roll system. I was able to understand that employees within the organization could lie about their productivity in different operations, sale hours worked with an aim to get a higher pay at the end of their shifts. In other areas, these employees may also request to be paid in advance without any intent of paying back the money or doing the job awarded. In this case, payroll fraud affects many businesses especially small scale businesses due to the fact that they do not have anti-fraud systems and measures such as insurance.
Apart from manifesting itself as payroll fraud, I also came to understand that business fraud within an organization can also manifest itself as asset misappropriation commonly known as skimming. I was able to learn that, asset misappropriation is considered one of the most common form of business fraud that affect business organizations in terms of organizational success and reputation (Jackson et al., 2010). In addition, I also learn that this form of fraud is also considered the easiest to identify within a business. Based on this, I understood that the best and most appropriate ways of identifying this type of fraud is by watching out for missing inventory, forged checks, and missing accounts which do not add up in the company’s account books. In addition, I also realized any individuals could be a victim to skimming, which in simple terms involves the act of taking finances from a company or a client without recording these transactions in company’s books as per the regulations.
Beyond misappropriation and skimming, I was also able to understand that invoice fraud scheme is another major form of business fraud that happens within many business organizations on a daily basis. Through much research studies in boot camp, I learnt that, this form of fraud occurs when organizational employees during sales operations often create invoices which in the eyes of the company are considered fake with an aim of stealing fiancés from the organization. By engaging in this fraud, it simply means that fake invoices on services and products which are written as brought, indeed is not true. By creating fake suppliers and supplies, I was able to understand that in this case, organization employees are engaging in business fraud activities which in the long run affect the profits, success and the reputations of the organization.
There are many other forms of fraud occurring in the business world. Besides invoice fraud schemes, tax fraud is another major business fraud that I learnt organizations and its employees engage in. while many individual only know this form of business fraud as tax fraud, I was able to understand that tax fraud is indeed a common form of business fraud that we encounter on a daily basis as it involves tax evasion. It occurs when organizational employees fail to report their expenses and earnings to relevant authorities such as the IRS which tackles issues regard taxes. Bearing in mind that this form of business fraud exists in every sector of business, I was therefore able to understand that business fraud is in indeed embedded within the business environment.
Finally, I can say that I have gained a lot of insight in relation to fraud in business. I have gained a new realization that business fraud is indeed a common concept that is embedded within every business organization. I also know that it can be disseminated by anyone at any given level in an organization. The case examples show that fraud may originate from a simple idea to gain a market advantage such as the Wells Fargo case or through a greedy venture to take on an entire industry as the Lehman Brothers did brining about a global impact. In other cases, it is just a case of covering up for a mistake like Volkswagen’s decision to cover up the real emissions numbers for their diesel cars. In addition I was also able to understand that business fraud manifests itself in various ways, for instance, as payroll fraud, misappropriation of funds, and invoice fraud scheme.
References
Hassink, H. F., Bollen, L. H., Meuwissen, R. H., & de Vries, M. J. (2009). Corporate fraud and
the audit expectations gap: A study among business managers. Journal of international accounting, auditing and taxation, 18(2), 85-100.Jackson, K., Holland, D. V., Albrecht, C., & Woolstenhulme, D. R. (2010). Fraud isn’t just for
big business: Understanding the drivers, consequences, and prevention of fraud in small business. Journal of International Management Studies, 5(1), 160-164.
Reflection Article Assignment Instructions for the Discussion Forum
Reflection Article Assignment: Instructions for the Discussion Forum
It provides an opportunity for you to virtually connect and ask questions and comment on the assigned article and other posts each week (An article per week).
Initial Substantive Posts:
Students are expected to read the article and post at least TWO thoughtful comments and/or question regarding the assigned article (approximately a page and half in length) in the discussion forum each week. For example, you may describe the key points and/or core arguments were made by the presenters and/or explain new pieces of information that you learned from each article. Moreover, at least 1 outside source (you may NOT include your textbook) cited (in proper APA format) in your posting to support your rationale and thoughts. A reference listing at the end of your posting in proper APA format is also required.
Required Replies:
In addition, students are also required to response to their classmates’ posts (e.g., comments, opinion, and questions). Your replies should build on the concept discussed, offer a question to consider, or add a differing perspective, etc. Rather than responding with, “Good post,” explain why the post is “good” (why it is important, useful, insightful, etc.). Or, if you disagree, respectfully share your alternative perspective. Just saying “I agree” or “Good idea” is not sufficient for the posts you would like graded.
Important Note: The initial post Posts on the Discussion Forum should be made before Thursday 11:59 PM each week. The post on peers can be made by Sunday 11:59 PM each week.