Christian Counselor as Ethicist

In chapter 8 of Christian Counseling: An Introduction, Maloney and Augsbuger take on the issues of ethics. But they are not focusing on professional ethics codes of conduct. Morality and ethics play a part in every counseling session. They remind the reader that “value-free” therapy is not possible
and authenticity without pursuit of ideals is unwise. They see the focus on “effectiveness” as
shortsighted when it ignores values and ends.

The Christian counselor however should not attempt to obligate the counselee to particular set of morals. Instead of being prescriptive (focusing on the “oughts” or boundaries of acceptable behavior), the counselor ought to be illuminative (pointing out the reality of desires, choices, etc.). To make their point about the value of illumination, they re-tell the story of Carl Rogers’ response to a woman’s request to help her stop feeling guilty for wanting to have sex outside of marriage. The woman admits her conscience accuses her. Rogers says, “You want to go against your conscience and still feel good about it? That sounds like a pretty tall order to me.”  

Definitions offered in the chapter:
ethics: study and theory of morality
morality: the guidance of conduct, practice of ethics, the choosing of the right over the wrong.
It is important to distinguish morality from moralism; judgment from judgmentalism. Positive regard for the other person is the primary tool to prevent from slipping into the ism. However, even
positive regard can have its problems. When we communicate positive regard it is easier to be
informative (illuminative) rather than abruptly evaluative (which often turns into devaluative). The illuminative style fosters agency while the other fosters passive/aggressive responses. If the counselor holds on to the assumptions of the worth/value/createdness/equality of all humans, then it will be harder to use biblical morals to attack and devalue.

The authors then go into a discussion of “sacred texts.” Is the bible’s use of “thou shalts” divine commands to be done whether you want to or not OR are they ultimate reality of what is best, the ultimate constructive way to live?

And so how do counselors address ethical/moral issues? The authors describe two types:
1. Decisionist ethics (what is wrong, what are the options, what is right, what ought we to do)
2. Visional ethics (virtues, character, how (and not just what to do)

The chapter ends with calling counselors to embody (thereby inviting) the following visional/virtue ethics: truthful, trustworthy, just, equal, mutual, courageous, risk-taking, caring.   

Commentary:I think this chapter is one of their best (so far). I really like their way of distinguishing illuminative morality and prescriptive morality. The process by which we help our clients make good choices is not the repeated telling them what to do but helping them see the values behind their choices and the other (healthier and holier) options/goals available to them. I really like their requoting of Don Browning: “The counselor’s task is…to nurture and maintain the normative values and commitments of the community. As one builds the moral community, one contributes to its health and to the health of the wiser society and its members.”

Now, I disagree that the bible’s divine commands ought to be just seen as what is good for you. In fact, some of the commands may cause pain and heartache. I think they confuse the problem of creatures acting as divine commander vs. God’s right to do so. One is power, the other abuses power.