Oates' Theological Model for Psychology and Pastoral Counseling

Abstract

WADE ROWATT examines the contribution of Wayne E. Oates to the field of pastoral care by examining two articles which Oates wrote for Review & Expositor, “The Gospel and Modern Psychology” 46 (1949): 181–98, and “The Theological Context of Pastoral Counseling” 94 (1997): 521–29. Rowatt briefly outlines Oates' major emphasis, which is the healing ministry of Jesus that is described in the gospel accounts. According to Oates, Jesus was the model healer and he passed the ministry of healing along to his followers. But the Church has sidelined the healing aspect of its mission, concentrating instead on its role as mediator of salvation. Rowatt discusses how Oates called the Church back to its role as healer and outlined the ways in which the modern pastor can function as counselor and healer. And Rowatt points out that, for Oates, the key to the Church fulfilling that role is Holy Spirit. The Spirit gives insight into the ways in which the pastor/counselor might “walk the healing journey with the counselees” and “see, think, and feel with others' point of suffering.”