Abstract
The core cosmological dimension of Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT) and Christianity emphasizes a similar truth—the future is now. As humans live in their preferred realities, they experience the future, problem free solution for their lives from a SFBT perspective. The Christian tradition emphasizes the in-breaking Kingdom of God beginning with the Christ event. The end has entered the now. However, the final consummation of the end-times is still as yet in the future which means that sin and death are part of the world. This Christian understanding of sin and fallenness provides humility to SFBT’s inherently positive view of the world (Bidwell, D. R. Am J of Pastor Couns, 3:3–21, 1999), while SFBT encourages Christians to see the kingdom of God in the now instead of the future.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Anchin, J. C. (2003). Cybernetic-systems, existential phenomenology, and solution-focused narrative: Therapeutic transformation of negative affect states through integratively oriented brief psychotherapy. Journal of Psychotherapy Integration, 13(3/4), 334–442.
Anderson, R. S. (1997). Soul of ministry. Louisville, KY: Westminster/John Knox.
Anderson, R. S. (1999). The shape of practical theology. Pasadena, CA: Fuller Seminary Press.
Anderson, H., & Goolishian, H. (1992). The client is the expert: A not-knowing approach to therapy. In S. McNamee & K. J. Gergen (Eds.) Therapy as social construction (pp. 25–39). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.
Beale, G. E. (1997). The eschatological conception of New Testament theology. In K. E. Brower & M. W. Elliot (Eds.) Eschatology in Bible & theology (pp. 11–52). Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity.
Beyebach, M., Rodriguez Sanchez, M. S., Arribas De Miguel, J., Herrero De Vega, M., Hernandez, C., & Rodriguez Morejon, A. (2000). Outcome of solution-focused therapy at a university family therapy center. Journal of Systemic Therapies, 19, 116–128.
Bidwell, D. R. (1999). Hope and possibility: the theology of culture inherent to solution-focused brief therapy. American Journal of Pastoral Counseling, 3, 3–21.
Bidwell, D. R. (2004). Short-term spiritual guidance. Minneapolis: Fortress.
Browning, D. S. (1988). Religious thought and the modern psychologies: A critical conversation in the theology of culture. Minneapolis, MN: Fortress.
Bruner, E. M. (1986). Ethnography as narrative. In V. W. Turner & E. M. Bruner (Eds.) The anthropology of experience (pp. 139–155). Chicago, IL: University of Illinois Press.
Cepeda, L. M., & Davenport, D. S. (2006). Person-centered therapy and solution-focused brief therapy: An integration of present and future awareness. Psychotherapy: Theory, Research, Practice, Training, 43, 1–12.
Cheung, S. (2005). Strategic and solution-focused couple’s therapy. In M. Harway (Ed.) Handbook of couples therapy (pp. 194–210). Hoboken, NJ: Wiley.
de Shazer, S., Dolan, Y., Korman, H., Trepper, T., McCollum, E., & Berg, I. K. (2007). More than miracles: the state of the art solution-focused brief therapy. New York: Haworth.
Foster, R. J. (1998). Streams of living water: Celebrating the great traditions of the Christian faith. San Francisco, CA: Harper.
Friedman, S., & Lipchik, E. (1999). A time-effective, solution-focused approach to couple therapy. In J. M. Donovan (Ed.) Short-term couple therapy (pp. 325–359). New York: Guilford.
Gingerich, W. J., & Eisengart, S. (2000). Solution-focused brief therapy: A review of the outcome research. Family Process, 39, 477–498.
Gutterman, J. T., & Rudes, J. (2005). A solution-focused approach to rational-emotive behavior therapy: Toward a theoretical integration. Journal of Rational-Emotive & Cognitive-Behavior Therapy, 23, 223–244.
Held, B. S. (1996). Solution-focused therapy and the postmodern: A critical analysis. In S. D. Miller, M. Hubble, & B. L. Duncan (Eds.) Handbook of solution-focused brief therapy (pp. 27–43). San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass.
Kim, S. (2002). Paul and the new perspective: Second thoughts on the origin of Paul's gospel. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans.
Kreitzer, L. J. (1993). Kingdom of God/Christ. In G. F. Hawthorne, R. P. Martin, & D. G. Reid (Eds.) Dictionary of Paul and his letters (pp. 524–526). Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity.
Lee, M. Y., Sebold, J., & Uken, A. (2003). Solution-focused treatment of domestic violence offenders: Accountability for change. New York: Oxford University Press.
Linton, J. M. (2005). Mental health counselors and substance abuse treatment: Advantages, difficulties, and practical issues to solution-focused interventions. Journal of Mental Health Counseling, 27, 297–310.
McCullum, E. E., & Trepper, T. S. (2001). Family solutions for substance abuse: Clinical and counseling approaches. New York: Haworth.
Pichot, T., & Dolan, Y. (2003). Solution-focused brief therapy: Its effective use in agency settings. New York: Haworth.
Reimer, W. L., & Chatwin, A. (2006). Effectiveness of solution focused therapy for affective and relationship problems in a private practice context. Journal of Systemic Therapies, 25, 52–67.
Walter, J. L., & Peller, J. E. (1996). Rethinking our assumptions: Assuming anew in a postmodern world. In S. D. Miller, M. Hubble, & B. L. Duncan (Eds.)Handbook of solution-focused brief therapy (pp. 9–26). San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Frederick, T.V. Solution-Focused Brief Therapy and the Kingdom of God: A Cosmological Integration. Pastoral Psychol 56, 413–419 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11089-008-0123-4
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11089-008-0123-4