Chapter Five

bdsqbtn.gif (1060 bytes) STEP THREE: REDEMPTIVE CONFRONTATION

In the context of this procedure, "confront" is defined as: "to cause to meet: bring face to face." Webster's Ninth New Collegiate Dictionary.

Redemptive confrontation, as the third step of Biblical Directionism counseling, is the natural concomitant (sequentially) to determinative profiling and comparative silhouetting. First, the counselee's profile is developed to the point where an accurate silhouette is projected comparatively upon the silhouette of a particular biblical norm.

From these two steps, the counselor is able to reach certain viable conclusions regarding the counselee's state of being. Quite logically, the third step involves the need to confront the counselee with these conclusions; that is, bring him or her face to face with the results of the comparative analysis between who, what, and where the infallible standard of God's Word declares he or she ought to be.

Redemptive confrontation is often difficult and disagreeable. People are not always prepared to accept responsibility for their actions or be told certain lifestyle elements are destructive. Here is where discretion, tact, and professionalism are essential. Simply knowing the truth of a given situation is not license for unbridled brashness.

The biblical witness at this point is found in Ephesians 4:15 --- "Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into Him Who is the head, that is, Christ." A counselor's love for his client ought to compel him to confront but to do so in love and with the mind of Christ.

The methods employed in redemptive confrontation are varied and open to adaptation according to the individual situation; but essentially, redemptive confrontation is revealing to the counselee the reality of his or her situation as it is reflected back to them from God's Word. Eventually, however, the time must come when the counselor makes it unequivocally clear to the counselee that certain facts exist in relation to his or her situation; that is, he must bring the counselee face to face with what the standard of God's Word reveals, whether for good or for bad.

The acceptance of redemptive confrontation as the third and logically sequential third step in Biblical Directionism counseling is based upon the belief that God desires that man know the reasons for his condition, whatever those reasons might happen to be.

bdsqbtn.gif (1060 bytes) Scriptural Methodology

Essential to change is the ability and opportunity to know why change is necessary. Without confrontation, such an opportunity does not exist. The Scriptural premise from which this third step is derived is found in the Book of Ezekiel. "Will you judge them? Then confront them...and say to them: 'This is what the Sovereign Lord says.'" Ezekiel 20:4-5.

The Hebrew word translated "judge" in the NIV is "shapat"; and, in this context, seems to convey a sense of passing judgment or condemning. The Hebrew word translated "confront" in the NIV is translated "cause them to know" in the KJV. The word represented here is, "yada" meaning, in this context, "a knowledge of one's relation to the divine." Consequently, "judging" and "confronting" are related in that a particular decision is reached on the part of the one judging, and the one upon whom that decision is passed is brought face to face with whatever that decision is.

As confrontation relates to the third step of Biblical Directionism counseling, it is simply bringing the counselee face to face with what he or she really needs to know regarding his or her relationship to the divine, that is, God's infallible absolutes.

bdsqbtn.gif (1060 bytes) Why God Must Confront Mankind

The need for confrontation arises primarily out of the universally sinful condition of man's mind. Being opposed to the things of God, man is naturally prone to wandering from righteousness, justice, and wholeness. Unless confronted with his condition, man remains unrestrained and unrelenting in his quest for carnal satisfaction and self-assertiveness. Confrontation is essential to choice, and choice is essential to change.

That God, in his love and predestination, has  elected that man will be free to make certain spiritual and moral choices is the reason for man's capacity for change. But, man is seemingly unable to choose until he is confronted with the options of choice and, hence, unable to change if not confronted. This, then, is why God's confrontation is always redemptive in nature. God never points man to the source of his problem without also directing him toward a solution.

bdsqbtn.gif (1060 bytes) God confronts in order to redeem.

The redemptive nature of God's confrontation is both the foundation for, and purpose of, confrontation in Biblical Directionism counseling.  Therefore, biblically oriented confrontation must only be understood as redemptive in nature and, hence, it is always "redemptive confrontation." That man will not change (for the better), unless confronted, is succinctly testified to in the account of David's wicked son Adonijah.  Of Adonijah's wickedness the Scripture says, "His father had never interfered with him by asking, 'Why do you behave as you do?'" I Kings 1:6.

David's failure to confront Adonijah resulted in a son who eventually disgraced his family and died in his sins. Had David loved Adonijah as God loved David, Adonijah would have been confronted and might possibly have chosen to change for the better. Because God loves us, it is His will to redeem us, thus, He confronts us.

bdsqbtn.gif (1060 bytes) How God Confronts Mankind

As noted previously, the process of confrontation is not exclusively the work of the human counselor. In fact, God has ordained a variety of methods by which man may be confronted with the truth. The following examples cover the general scope of God's confrontational methods.

A. Direct Divine Intervention.
(God himself speaking) Psalm 139:1-24.

B. The Written Word.
(The Bible) Hebrews 4:12.

C. The Living Word.
(Jesus Christ) John 1:1-5.

D. The Other Counselor.
(The Holy Spirit) John 16:5-15.

E. Human Instruments.
(Counselors, teachers, preachers, etc.) Ephesians 4:11-13.

F. Individual God-consciousness.
(Conviction by reason of conscience) Romans 1:18-20.

Even though God has and does employ a variety of methods whereby He confronts man, it yet pleases God to make use of human assistants in connection with His healing systems. How God accomplishes this is clearly documented in Scripture.

bdsqbtn.gif (1060 bytes) Experiential Methodology

If confrontation is the generic third step in biblical counseling, the Scriptures ought to abound with clear evidence of it. The following selections are only representative of a vast quantity of such evidence.

Biblical Case Studies

The angel counsels Balaam.

"The angel of the Lord asked him, 'Why have you beaten your donkey these three times? I have come here to oppose you because your path is a reckless one before me. The donkey saw me and turned away from me these three times. If she had not turned away, I would certainly have killed you by now, but I would have spared her.'" Numbers 22:32-33.

This case is quite clear. Balaam's donkey prevented Balaam's death, and the angel of the Lord confronted Balaam with the facts of his near death and the reason why.

Joshua counsels the nation of Israel.

"Joshua said to the people, 'You are not able to serve the Lord. He is a Holy God; He is a jealous God. He will not forgive your rebellion and your sins. If you forsake the Lord and serve foreign gods, He will turn and bring disaster on you, and make an end of you, after He has been good to you.' But the people said to Joshua, 'No!  We will serve the Lord.'" Joshua 24:19-24.

After properly profiling and silhouetting the condition of the nation of Israel, Joshua confronts them with the facts of their present state of being.

Deborah Counsels Barak.

"Barak said to her, 'If you go with me, I will go; but if you don't go with me, I won't go.' 'Very well,' Deborah said, 'I will go with you. But because of the way you are going about this, the honor will not be yours, for the Lord will hand Sisera over to a woman.' So Deborah went with Barak to Kedesh." Judges 4:8-9.

Having explained to Barak God's plan for the deliverance of Israel out of the hands of Jabin, a Canaanite king, Deborah is faced with Barak's hesitation. Deborah confronts Barak with the consequences of his decision.

Peter counsels Ananias and Sapphira.

"Then Peter said, 'Ananias, how is it that Satan has so filled your heart that you have lied to the Holy Spirit and have kept for yourself some of the money you received for the land? Didn't it belong to you before it was sold? And after it was sold, wasn't the money at your disposal? What made you think of doing such a thing?   You have not lied to men but to God.' When Ananias heard this, he fell down and died. And great fear seized all who heard what had happened." Acts 5:3-5.

In this terrifying account of rebellion against God's standard of righteousness, Peter confronts Ananias (and later his wife, Sapphira) with the consequence of his violation.

Premier Case Study: Nathan counsels David.

"Then Nathan said to David, 'You are the man!'" II Samuel 12:7a.

Nathan had received an exact profile of David from God; he skillfully silhouetted David's past action by the use of a parable and now confronts David with the reality of the situation.

bdsqbtn.gif (1060 bytes) The Results

The angel counsels Balaam (Numbers 22:32-33).

The result of confrontation here is that Balaam is brought face to face with how close he had come to death and why he had been spared.

Joshua counsels the nation of Israel (Joshua 24:19-20).

The result of confrontation here is that the nation of Israel is faced with the reality of their condition, being made aware that a choice must be made and what they may expect as a result of such a choice.

Deborah counsels Barak (Judges 4:8-9).

The result of confrontation here is that Barak is brought face to face with the consequences of his fearful hesitation and lack of faith in God's plan.

Peter counsels Ananias and Sapphira ( Acts 5:3-5).

The results of confrontation here is graphic and terrifying. Both Ananias and his wife die instantly of the shock of the confrontation. This narrative serves as an example and unsettling reminder that confrontation may not always result in an opportunity to change. There may be actions against God's standards which are irrevocable. There may be times when confrontation only brings the individual face to face with hard consequences for which forgiveness alone may be the answer.

Premier Case Study: Nathan counsels David (II Samuel 12:7).

The result of confrontation here is to bring David face to face with the fact that neither God nor man had whitewashed the king's awful atrocity against Uriah. And that, in this case, there would be a serious price to pay along with the need for a decision of profound importance.

In each case, the results of confrontation involved the explanation of how the counselee's present state of being was the result of a failure to have lived in accordance with the standard of God's word. It also involved pointing out what was to be expected as a result of the present condition.

To attempt to assist an individual through counseling without coming, at the proper point in time, to a place of confrontation, is to violate a simple and basic premise of sound reason. If confrontation is given no place in the counseling process, how is one to determine the nature of past actions, their possible consequences, and the possibility of corrective actions?

"What will I do when God confronts me? What will I answer when called to account?" Job 31:14.

"Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting." Psalm 139:23-24.

"A fool spurns his father's discipline, but whoever heeds correction shows prudence." Proverbs 15:5.

"Then Samuel said to the people, 'It is the Lord who appointed Moses and Aaron and brought your forefathers up out of Egypt. Now then, stand here, because I am going to confront you with evidence before the Lord as to all the righteous acts performed by the Lord for you and your fathers.'" I Samuel 12:6-7.

 


END OF CHAPTER QUESTIONS

Chapter 5

Instructions:  After reading the chapter, study each question.  Try to determine the correct answer without referring back.   Check the accuracy of your answer by clicking the hyperlinked portion of the question.  The link takes you to the correct place in the chapter.

Q.1  Why is "REDEMPTIVE CONFRONTATION" dependent upon the first two (2) steps of Directionism?

Q.2  As the third step of Directionism, " redemptive confrontation" is based upon what essential belief?

Q.3  Why is confrontation essential to change?

Q.4  Define the Hebrew words, "SHAPAT" and "YADA" as used in Ezekiel 20:4,5. How do these two (2) words help define the process of "redemptive confrontation"?

Q.5  Explain why God must confront mankind.

Q.6  Give the six (6) methods God uses to confront mankind.

 


bdsqbtn.gif (1060 bytes) Course Navigator: [Table of Contents]  [Introduction]   [Chapter One]  [Chapter Two]   [Chapter Three]  [Chapter Four]   [Chapter Five]  [Chapter Six]   [Chapter Seven]  [Bibliography]