PSYCHOTHERAPY AS WORK IN THE SPIRIT - THINKING THEOLOGICALLY ABOUT PSYCHOTHERAPY

This article is an exploration of the meaning, value, and function of psychotherapy within a theology of work, Using Volf's (1991) three-fol d model of ''work in the Spirit'' psychotherapy is seen as cooperation with God, as eschatological work, and as pneumatological or Spirit-ce ntered work. Psychotherapy's most basic goal is to repair the broken p ersonality, The work of psychotherapy is cooperation with God in God's own work of preserving and transforming the original, now-fallen crea tion. The fruit of such work-the healed and restored human person-will be the raw material from which God will build the new creation. Thus, the work of psychotherapy is God's work in both its intrinsic and ins trumental value, as it honors the original creation and makes way for the new. Finally, psychotherapy is seen as God's work in that it is em powered by the Holy Spirit, who gifts, calls, and enables psychotherap ists to participate in God's own preserving and transforming work in t he world.