Issues of Divine Healing in Psychotherapy

Opening a Dialog

Bibliographic Data

ID15434657
AuthorsJohn R Belcher (0000-0002-7261-6256, University of Maryland, Baltimore, corresponding author), Brent B Benda (University of Arkansas at Little Rock)
Year2005
Volume24
Issue3
Pages21-38
Publication date2005-09-22
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenueJournal of Religion & Spirituality in Social Work Social Thought (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1542-6432 • E-ISSN: 1542-6440
PublisherTaylor & Francis (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1300/j377v24n03_03
OpenAlexW2320678480
LanguageEN
Citations received1
References cited56

Despite Biblical and empirical support for divine healing, there are several barriers to accepting it as an aspect of psychotherapy for many professionals and religious people. Two of the major barriers to the acceptance of divine healing are professional ideologies and theories. These professional stances likely play a critical role in the disinterest in religion and spiritual experiences reported by the majority of professionals that conduct psychotherapy. Another barrier is the divergent theologies regarding spiritual experiences such as divine healing. Many persons of theistic faith subscribe to theologies that often impede experiences of healing by the Holy Spirit. Finally, the scientific method is often used to address questions about spiritual experiences that are more likely conundrums. However, belief in divine healing ultimately is based on faith

Belief system · Epistemology · Faith · Faith healing · Ideology · Political science · Politics · Psychotherapist · Theism · Biblical Studies and Interpretation · Law · Philosophy · Psychology · Religion, Spirituality, and Psychology · Social Psychology · Theological Perspectives and Practices