Season 3: Episode 3 - Dr. Jenn Chen - Navigating the Intersection of Faith and Science

Episode #3 Show Notes

Host: Jinda Reinig, Kimberly Willess, Warren Lamb

Guest: Dr. Jenn Chen

 

Summary

In this episode of The Soul Care Podcast, Dr. Jenn Chen returns for a follow-up interview and shares more of her journey from a clinical psychologist to a biblical counselor. Today, the discussion emphasizes the complexities of neuroscience and the limitations of scientific research in understanding mental health. She highlights the importance of questioning mainstream psychological claims, the role of trauma, and the need for a biblical approach to counseling. The discussion also touches on the intersection of faith and science, the significance of soul-care, and the challenges of navigating mental health diagnoses in a biblical context.

 

Takeaways

• Dr. Jenn Chen emphasizes the evolving nature of science and the need to question its claims.
• Mainstream psychology often overlooks the complexities of individual experiences.
• Neuroscience provides insights but does not dictate counseling methods.
• Labels in mental health can become identities, affecting self-perception.
• Pain and suffering are integral parts of the human experience, not to be avoided.
• Biblical counseling focuses on the heart, mind, and soul rather than just symptoms.
• Trauma is often misunderstood and requires a compassionate approach.
• The church must be equipped to provide effective soul-care.
• Understanding the limitations of scientific research is crucial for Christians.
• Faith and science can coexist, but caution is needed in their integration.

 

Relevant Links

Books Mentioned

• Biblical Counseling and Mental Disorder Diagnosis (Dr. Jenn Chen)
• Science Fictions: How Fraud, Bias, Negligence, and Hype Undermine the Search for Truth (Stewart Ritchie)
• The Body Doesn’t Keep the Score: How Popular Beliefs About Trauma Are Wrong (Michael Scheeringa)
• Brainwashed: The Seductive Appeal of Mindless Neuroscience (Sally Satel and Scott O. Linienfeld)
• Spiritual Depression: Its Causes and Cure (D. Martin Lloyd-Jones)
• “The serotonin theory of depression: a systematic umbrella review of the evidence” (Moncrieff, J., Cooper, R.E., Stockmann, T. et al.)
• Rethinking Depression: Not a Sickness Not a Sin (Dr. Daniel R. Berger II)
• The Chemical Imbalance Delusion (Dr. Daniel R. Berger II)
• How Do You Help a “Psychologized” Counselee? (David Powlison)
• How to Help Psychologized Counselees (Tim Pasma interview by Dale Johnson, ACBC)
• Lies My Therapist Told Me: Why Christians Should Aim for More Than Just Treating Symptoms (Greg Gifford)
• Discipling a Fool's Heart: The Discipline of Wise Parenting, Education, Counsel, and Discipleship (Dr. Daniel R. Berger II)

 

Other Links

• Truth in Love Biblical Counseling
• Warren’s Blog

 

Warrenism of the Week: “So often we hear what a person was saved from; too seldom do we hear what a person was saved to.”