2025, Vol.33, No.3

Journal of Counseling and Gospel 2024 KCI Impact Factor : 0.91

pISSN : 1739-0745 / eISSN : 2799-6530
https://journal.kci.go.kr/jocag

This study aims to analyze the nature of the anxiety experienced by Job, a biblical figure, and to explore how he overcame it, in order to offer theological and counseling insights relevant to a modern society ruled by anxiety. The research employs a literary-theological analysis of Job 1–42 with anxiety as the central motif, integrating structural exegesis and counseling theory—particularly the concept of reframing. The findings reveal that Job exhibited internalized anxiety even before his calamities, shown in his perfectionistic religiosity and preventive sacrifices for his children. The subsequent debates with his friends expose the instability of the traditional deed–consequence (retribution) principle and the theological insecurity it produced, yet these debates failed to resolve Job’s anxiety. True resolution occurred through Job’s personal encounter with God (Job 38–42), where he reinterpreted divine order and regained trust and peace. This study concludes that anxiety, in Job’s case, stems from a distorted perception of God and the human desire for control. Overcoming such anxiety requires an experiential, relational encounter with God, which offers an integrated theological and counseling framework for addressing anxiety in contemporary contexts.

The primary objective of this study is to provide a framework for understanding psychological assessment tools from a biblical perspective and to identify practical applications for biblical counseling. In general, psychological assessments offer valuable insights into a client's emotional, cognitive, and personality characteristics during the initial stages of counseling, helping to inform diagnosis and develop effective intervention strategies. However, existing psychological assessment tools, developed with a secular mindset and statistical analysis in mind, have a fundamental flaw in that they fail to fully capture the spiritual dimension of human existence and the nuances of human understanding as presented in the Bible. This study aims to provide a practical example of reinterpreting and applying psychological test results from a biblical perspective by integrating Powlison's biblical change model and the X-ray question technique to overcome the limitations of existing approaches. Through the research method, the distorted aspects of internal motivation and faith were interpreted based on the client's reports from actual counseling sessions, where MMPI-2 and sentence completion tests were administered. These findings suggest that actual change is possible through the restoration of relationships with God, and they propose that psychological testing can be a valuable tool in facilitating spiritual and spiritual insights in the practice of biblical counseling.

This study examines in depth the theoretical foundation of the Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapy model and its potential for integration into Christian counseling. IFS is an evidence-based psychotherapy approach that promotes healing and harmony among diverse internal parts through the understanding, care, and compassion of an internal leader known as the Self. This framework represents a form of common grace that Christian counselors can utilize effectively in assisting clients. The paper introduces the fundamental concepts and therapeutic processes of IFS and explores its spiritual dimensions in relation to Christian counseling. Highlighting the perspective that views the Self as a spiritual entity distinct from psychological parts, the study recognizes the healing power of a transcendent presence observed during the counseling process. Accordingly, it proposes specific spiritual interventions inviting the Holy Spirit and the aid of Jesus Christ to be incorporated actively during therapy. Building upon the Christian adaptations of Cook and Miller (2025), this study outlines spiritually grounded interventions appropriate to each stage of the IFS healing process. Clinical case examples demonstrating these interventions are analyzed to evaluate their efficacy and potential. The findings strongly suggest that integrating IFS with Christian faith provides an effective counseling model that promotes holistic healing and spiritual growth for clients.