The relationship between Psychology and Theology has become an issue of increasing concern in recent years for the Christian community. With the growing complexities of cultural differences, the moral decline of society and its drift away from a Christian worldview, the pastoral ministry seems to be as challenging as ever. The problem about the relationship between theology and psychology is that there is growing confusion in today's Christian community about the best way to help people overcome their personal problems of living. In this regard some scholars believe that Christians should only submit to Biblical counselling, while others support psychotherapy, as long as it is integrated with Biblical principles and has a firm Scriptural foundation. In researching the literature on the subject, it was found that various theoretical models have been defined and described as attempts to scientifically justify the union of the above mentioned two points of view. In this thesis the viewpoints of four prominent groups of scholars about the subject are described and analysed in order to determine to what extent will it be possible to identify common denominators amongst their different models and to eventually establish if it is possible to formulate a synthesis about the commonalities so defined. The integration models of the following four prominent groups of authors about the subject were analysed: (1) Larry Crabb (1977); (2) William T. Kirwan (1993), (3) John D. 2 Carter & Bruce Narramore (1979) and (4) Eric L. Johnson & Stanton L. Jones, eds., (2000). These scholar's contributions were chosen for analysis because, from the research about the subject, it was found that these 4 groups of authors made some of the most significant scientific contributions about the integration of theology with psychology. Before attempting to formulate a pastoral paradigm out of a synthesis of the contributions of the aforementioned scholars, it was fundamentally important to distinguish between the 3 prominent views of man. Some scholars argue that man is a monistic being, while others defend a dichotomous view of man as consisting of a body and a soul. A third significant view describes man as consisting of three significant parts, namely a body, a soul and a spirit. In this thesis it was argued that the trichotomous view of man was the most correct way of defining the fundamental composition of man. According to the researcher an understanding of the trichotomous nature of man is important as it serves as a theological basis for pastoral counselling in order to clearly communicate the precise truths of the believer's union with Christ. In the last part of the thesis a practical pastoral paradigm was proposed based on the trichotomous view of man in which psychology and theology can be harmoniously integrated by means of a meta-systemic approach. The first phase of the paradigm focused on a model within which Psychotherapy can be applied while the second phase described Spirituotherapy as a model within which pastoral counselling can be applied. / Thesis (Ph.D. (Pastoral))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2005.

Vooronderstellings by die Beradene - 'n Pastorale Studie is a doctoral dissertation which explores the proposition and find that identifying presuppositions ("core beliefs") and taking it into account enhances the effectiveness of the pastoral counselling process. The practical-theological model of Heitink is used as method to do research. It entails hermeneutical, empirical and strategic aspects: Hermeneutically 1. To show from Scripture some relevant perspectives on the research concept "presupposition", with the counselee in view. 2. To show from boarder sciences such as Philosophy and Psychology some relevant perspectives on the research concept "presupposition", with the counselee in view. Empirically 3. To determine if "presuppositions" play a role with counselees. Strategically 4. To formulate guidelines for effective counselling, identifying "presuppositions" of counselees and dealing with those "presuppositions". Given the understanding of "presupposition" as a belief that takes precedence over another and therefore serves as a criterion for another particular perspectives are shown from Scripture which narrow down basic concepts like "view of man", "perception" and "world and life view" pointing out that presuppositions of counselees should be taken into account. Jay Edward Adams's use of the word "presupposition" can be traced back via Cornelius van Til to the influential figure lmmanuel Kant. Van Til's use of the word is not the same as Adams though Adams associated himself with Van Til. Taking Idealism into account does not make Cornelius Van Til an Idealist. H.G. Stoker supplements Van Til's understanding and use of the word "presupposition". "Depth" and "coherence" come in this way to light with "symbiosis" regarding counselling. Aaron T. Beck's therapeutic model pertinently gives attention to and focuses upon the counselee, especially information processing by the counselee. Presuppositions ("core beliefs") can thus be clinically investigated, taken into account and be dealt with during counselling. An empirical investigation at Lydenburg, Mpumalanga, SA shows that the counselling process is definitely influenced by presuppositions of counsellees. It is therefore needed that counselling (by the Church) gives urgent and in-depth attention to presuppositions of counselees. From the classical reformed paradigm of doing theology Vooronderstellings by die Beradene - 'n Pastorale Studie formulates a therapeutic design called "Referential Therapy" and some preliminary guidelines to identify and deal with presuppositions of counselees. / Thesis (Ph.D. (Pastoral))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2008.

The relationship between Psychology and Theology has become an issue of increasing concern in recent years for the Christian community. With the growing complexities of cultural differences, the moral decline of society and its drift away from a Christian worldview, the pastoral ministry seems to be as challenging as ever. The problem about the relationship between theology and psychology is that there is growing confusion in today's Christian community about the best way to help people overcome their personal problems of living. In this regard some scholars believe that Christians should only submit to Biblical counselling, while others support psychotherapy, as long as it is integrated with Biblical principles and has a firm Scriptural foundation. In researching the literature on the subject, it was found that various theoretical models have been defined and described as attempts to scientifically justify the union of the above mentioned two points of view. In this thesis the viewpoints of four prominent groups of scholars about the subject are described and analysed in order to determine to what extent will it be possible to identify common denominators amongst their different models and to eventually establish if it is possible to formulate a synthesis about the commonalities so defined. The integration models of the following four prominent groups of authors about the subject were analysed: (1) Larry Crabb (1977); (2) William T. Kirwan (1993), (3) John D. 2 Carter & Bruce Narramore (1979) and (4) Eric L. Johnson & Stanton L. Jones, eds., (2000). These scholar's contributions were chosen for analysis because, from the research about the subject, it was found that these 4 groups of authors made some of the most significant scientific contributions about the integration of theology with psychology. Before attempting to formulate a pastoral paradigm out of a synthesis of the contributions of the aforementioned scholars, it was fundamentally important to distinguish between the 3 prominent views of man. Some scholars argue that man is a monistic being, while others defend a dichotomous view of man as consisting of a body and a soul. A third significant view describes man as consisting of three significant parts, namely a body, a soul and a spirit. In this thesis it was argued that the trichotomous view of man was the most correct way of defining the fundamental composition of man. According to the researcher an understanding of the trichotomous nature of man is important as it serves as a theological basis for pastoral counselling in order to clearly communicate the precise truths of the believer's union with Christ. In the last part of the thesis a practical pastoral paradigm was proposed based on the trichotomous view of man in which psychology and theology can be harmoniously integrated by means of a meta-systemic approach. The first phase of the paradigm focused on a model within which Psychotherapy can be applied while the second phase described Spirituotherapy as a model within which pastoral counselling can be applied. / Thesis (Ph.D. (Pastoral))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2005.

Vooronderstellings by die Beradene - 'n Pastorale Studie is a doctoral dissertation which explores the proposition and find that identifying presuppositions ("core beliefs") and taking it into account enhances the effectiveness of the pastoral counselling process. The practical-theological model of Heitink is used as method to do research. It entails hermeneutical, empirical and strategic aspects: Hermeneutically 1. To show from Scripture some relevant perspectives on the research concept "presupposition", with the counselee in view. 2. To show from boarder sciences such as Philosophy and Psychology some relevant perspectives on the research concept "presupposition", with the counselee in view. Empirically 3. To determine if "presuppositions" play a role with counselees. Strategically 4. To formulate guidelines for effective counselling, identifying "presuppositions" of counselees and dealing with those "presuppositions". Given the understanding of "presupposition" as a belief that takes precedence over another and therefore serves as a criterion for another particular perspectives are shown from Scripture which narrow down basic concepts like "view of man", "perception" and "world and life view" pointing out that presuppositions of counselees should be taken into account. Jay Edward Adams's use of the word "presupposition" can be traced back via Cornelius van Til to the influential figure lmmanuel Kant. Van Til's use of the word is not the same as Adams though Adams associated himself with Van Til. Taking Idealism into account does not make Cornelius Van Til an Idealist. H.G. Stoker supplements Van Til's understanding and use of the word "presupposition". "Depth" and "coherence" come in this way to light with "symbiosis" regarding counselling. Aaron T. Beck's therapeutic model pertinently gives attention to and focuses upon the counselee, especially information processing by the counselee. Presuppositions ("core beliefs") can thus be clinically investigated, taken into account and be dealt with during counselling. An empirical investigation at Lydenburg, Mpumalanga, SA shows that the counselling process is definitely influenced by presuppositions of counsellees. It is therefore needed that counselling (by the Church) gives urgent and in-depth attention to presuppositions of counselees. From the classical reformed paradigm of doing theology Vooronderstellings by die Beradene - 'n Pastorale Studie formulates a therapeutic design called "Referential Therapy" and some preliminary guidelines to identify and deal with presuppositions of counselees. / Thesis (Ph.D. (Pastoral))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2008.

Paramedics are exposed to high levels of stress and trauma in their working environment. Research has its focus on the coping mechanisms and trauma incidents escalating into Posttraumatic Stress Disorder. This study examines the paramedics’ working environment in relation to the help available, and suggests a pastoral counselling method which may be utilized as an effective method of assisting in the coping process and prevention of PTSD. Emergency Medical Services as a helping profession is mainly concerned with the welfare of their patients. This study has its focus on helping the helper, with the main focus on assisting the paramedic to cope with his working environment. Implications of the research include kerugmatik counselling and narrative therapy, incorporated in a pastoral counselling method to assist the paramedic with the healing process. The main findings were that stress and coping of the paramedic in his working environment was a reality which was often overlooked, as these paramedics had their focus on caring for their patients. In most cases there is help available, but the paramedic is hesitant to seek it out. Paramedics are mostly self-reliant in their coping mechanisms as their understanding and relationship with God and with the church had been damaged. The researcher followed the four tasks of practical theology as theoretical framework, as explained by Osmer: Descriptive-empirical Task – Priestly listening Interpretive Task – Sagely wisdom Normative Task – Prophetic discernment Pragmatic Task – Servant Leadership / Thesis (MA (Pastoral Studies))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2013.

Paramedics are exposed to high levels of stress and trauma in their working environment. Research has its focus on the coping mechanisms and trauma incidents escalating into Posttraumatic Stress Disorder. This study examines the paramedics’ working environment in relation to the help available, and suggests a pastoral counselling method which may be utilized as an effective method of assisting in the coping process and prevention of PTSD. Emergency Medical Services as a helping profession is mainly concerned with the welfare of their patients. This study has its focus on helping the helper, with the main focus on assisting the paramedic to cope with his working environment. Implications of the research include kerugmatik counselling and narrative therapy, incorporated in a pastoral counselling method to assist the paramedic with the healing process. The main findings were that stress and coping of the paramedic in his working environment was a reality which was often overlooked, as these paramedics had their focus on caring for their patients. In most cases there is help available, but the paramedic is hesitant to seek it out. Paramedics are mostly self-reliant in their coping mechanisms as their understanding and relationship with God and with the church had been damaged. The researcher followed the four tasks of practical theology as theoretical framework, as explained by Osmer: Descriptive-empirical Task – Priestly listening Interpretive Task – Sagely wisdom Normative Task – Prophetic discernment Pragmatic Task – Servant Leadership / Thesis (MA (Pastoral Studies))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2013.