JESUS OUR DOCTOR

DIVINE VERSUS HUMAN

 

In South Africa, there is a real tension between these opposite approaches to drug counselling, namely the Divine point of view versus the human point of view. From the faith-based perspective, we are facing tremendous obstacles in terms of restrictions written into current laws, that favour the old regime based on psychological and psychiatric models. They insist on qualified staff with degrees in these disciplines in centres that closely resemble hospitals in terms of equipment and facilities.

 

  • This first of all makes “professional” treatment exceedingly expensive and out of the reach of most addicts.
  • Secondly, it creates a sterile environment which impacts very negatively on the addict’s self-worth. They are anti-institutional at the best of times and these types of facilities scare the wits out of them. It is cold, clinical and impersonal and makes them feel even more like “patients” who “have to be treated”.

YOU NEED TO KNOW YOUR STUFF

 

Some faith-based organizations have however ventured into a world they know very little of. They started up with the best of intentions but have failed to understand the mentality of the people they are dealing with. You need people who are street-wise, tough and fair, with real passion and love in order to work with addicts.

 

GOOD BUSINESS MANAGEMENT

 

You need minimum standards that provide facilities that are clean, safe and manageable. You also need staff who are properly trained not only in the application of the Word of God but also in managing business and people. You must also adhere to codes of ethics that are in line with recognized international best practice.

 

MAKING A QUICK BUCK

 

This has not been the case and many charlatans have opened up centres “in the name of the Lord” with false credentials and no ethics hoping to make a quick buck from desperate people. They have done far more damage than good and have made it very difficult for people who really are sincere and concerned about doing what is right in the eyes of the Lord.

 

A HANDFUL OF PROFESSIONAL HEALTH SERVICES

 

God has warned us about this current epidemic long before these other professional practices were invented. They have had more than enough time to prove their theories and medications. They refer their basket cases to us but are not prepared to give accreditation where it is due. We know and understand that they have to protect their jobs and their industry but as the WHO findings prove, there are far to few “professional health services” to cope with the incoming tide.

 

PREACHING THE COMMISSION OF JESUS

 

Sure we will get our house in order and get our training to the highest level of excellence we can muster in Christ. And sure we will remain transparent with our practices and in managing our affairs according to health and bylaws. And we will not promise what we cannot deliver. But do not prevent us from carrying out the great commission of Jesus, namely, to preach the good news of salvation and deliverance, to teach the nations, and to heal (therapeou) the sick and to cast out devils.

 

THE END RESULT

 

So what are we hoping to achieve with the discussion?

 

  • Simply that it is time to give the Word of God its rightful place in the healing process of people addicted to substances.
  • I also hope that this dissertation will aid others in starting a debate in their own ministries and sphere of influence, regarding the necessity of the Church to get into the business of helping people who are in bondage and to stop referring them elsewhere.
  • This dissertation will also serve as a starting point for a book. This book will serve as a manual for the philosophy and practice in the expansion of our existing network of regeneration centres in South Africa and Internationally.
  • Lastly, I hope this dissertation persuades my mentor that I have done my work well enough to qualify as a servant/doctor towards others in their training. I desire to help fellow Christians to become the best therapists and counsellors they can be, to the glory of our Master/Doctor Jesus.

 

DR KRIGE AND HOUSE REGENERATION

 

This adapted content was extracted from A Biblical Approach to Psychotherapy authored by Dr Ado Krige, the Founding Director of House Regeneration, a South African drug rehabilitation centre offering a comprehensive discipleship training program. By applying principles of Biblical Therapy, using the Scriptures to teach, rebuke, correct, and train in righteousness, House Regeneration counsellors show anyone who has suffered from addiction how to fully understand why they do what they do and how to bring their belief systems in line with the Word of God.