The purpose of this article is to find some links between Reformed Life Theology (RLT) and pastoral counseling and to attempt to associate some pastoral counseling concepts with main thoughts of RLT. It is also to identify some implications in which those concepts from RLT and pastoral counseling may have for identities and visions of Christian colleges. First of all, RLT and pastoral counseling are defined. Then the writer attempts to show that main statements of RLT proposed by Dr. Chong Hyun Chang are basically congruent with what this writer has emphasized in his published books and articles. This writer proposed a few ideas from a perspective of pastoral counseling that need to be considered for better educational environments by Christian colleges and seminaries, including Baekseok University that aims to become a model for Christian colleges with the vision “A Global Leader among Christian Universities.” First, Christian colleges must provide “holding environments” in which positive changes and healing can take place holistically among students through “good object relations” between faculty members and students. Second, administrative persons who have powers and responsibilities in a Christian college are not to be negligent in self-awareness and self-reflection. Third, Christian colleges need to recover their distinctive holiness differently from secular colleges. Fourth, in addition to evangelistic approaches some psychotherapeutic programs need to be utilized for students to experience some healing in their hearts and minds. Lastly, faculty members in a Christian college must equip themselves with excellent supervisory qualities. Principles of RLT, as we understand it as a practical movement, should be applied not only to redemptive ministries that may recover vitality in an individual``s life but also to other systems beyond a person. In conclusion, it is pointed out that pastoral counseling has much to do with RLT in a sense that counseling approaches and therapeutic processes that are good for selfawareness and self-knowledge may help Christians, including theologians and professors who endeavor to develop RLT and to live out RLT in practice. |