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Embracing the Nature: Toward a Christian Ecotherapy Informed by H. Clinebell

  • Journal of Counseling and Gospel
  • Abbr : Jocag
  • 2021, 29(2), pp.137-161
  • DOI : 10.17841/jocag.2021.29.2.137
  • Publisher : Korean Evangelical Counseling Society
  • Research Area : Humanities > Christian Theology > Pastoral Counseling
  • Received : September 28, 2021
  • Accepted : November 8, 2021
  • Published : November 30, 2021

Song, Kyung Hwa 1

1월드미션대학교

Accredited

ABSTRACT

In this paper, I propose a Christian ecotherapy which facilitates clients’ healing and growth through their relationship with the Nature that is already damaged beyond its capacity of self-recovery. I address the current state of exploitation of the Nature from the theological perspective, and argue that it is all Christians’ responsibility to make efforts for the recovery of the balance, interdependence, and co-existence of all God’s creatures. Considering that various techniques of ecotherapy have been developed and introduced in the 21st century, I suggest that Christian counselors also need to appropriate those techniques for their counseling ministry. However, we need further theological reflection on this because the usage of the Nature for the benefit of human’s mental health is along the same line with the anthropocentrism and dualism that have been philosophical foundation of the exploitation of the Nature. In this paper, referring to Howard Clinebell, I propose a Christian ecotherapy balanced among self-care, soul-care, and earth-care through the intimate relationship with the Nature. Through the proposed Christian ecotherapy, Christian counselors can encourage their clients to be healed by the Nature, to encounter God deeply, and to participate in earth-healing project as stewards of the Nature, and eventually to experience the holistic growth and healing.

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