Forgiveness, Certainty, and "ER"

I'm dedicating this post to my friend Jacquie, a nurse and ER fan:



YouTube Link

Two things from this video:

1. As Reformed Chicks Blogging (the place where I first saw this video) point out, "What can a chaplain, who believes in a Christ who was never resurrected, really say about forgiveness and atonement?" I have been thinking about the idea of sin a lot lately and have realized that its something that many in Christendom don't talk anywhere. Is it just me or do people either overdo it with sin (it's all about sin) or ignore it completely? The idea of needing atonement for sin is powerful and for some people it's still important. Sometimes I find myself forgetting about sin (or not feeling anything about it) and it scares me. This video reminded me how important it really is.

2. As I watched the video I was unnerved to hear what the chaplain was saying because it sounded alot like what I'm being trained to say as a counselor. Well, at least some of it. Counselors in general don't usually offer certainty to clients, instead they usually work from the framework of the client. Honestly, there is a sometimes tension between the core principles of counseling and one's principles as a Christ-follower. This video reminded me about that tension and the difficulties it can produce. As a Christian, counselor I have the opportunity to be able to offer certainty to clients and not be ashamed of it. The benefits of counseling is helping people to find answers to their problems. The benefit of Christian counseling? When people are looking for bigger answers and solutions, I have the ability to go deeper by enlightening them to what Christ desires and hopes for them. I believe the best counselor is a Christian one; well versed in psychology and well versed in theology. The best of both worlds.

May Light increase!