Scriptures are sufficient for Biblical counseling; Counseling must be biblically based; biblically accurate and biblically appropriate. It should be based on the Bible alone, and never on mere human ideas and observations. The Scripture is thoroughly adequate, the source of truth, whereas human knowledge is unable to effectively address the problems we face in life.
The Bible is practical: The Bible is not simply a theological treatise expounding on esoteric doctrinal subjects; instead it is a lamp unto our feet and a light to our path (Psa: 119:105). Bible teaches us how to live every day in a way to please God, and helps us to solve our problems. It is God’s chart to guide us and it is a love letter from God to us.
The Bible is comprehensive: Scriptures should be basis for all our counseling sessions because it deals with all the issues of life that are necessary for us to understand. “His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence.” 2 Pet: 1:3. The truth of the above Scripture certainly indicates that any secular psychological research or theory is unnecessary (at best) in the process of helping people to change spiritually.
The Bible is trust worthy: It is the only book which deals with the practical problems of life in an absolutely reliable and trustworthy fashion.” The judgements of the Lord are true; they are righteous altogether;” Psa: 19:9. “Forever, O Lord, Thy Word is settled in heaven;” Psa: 119:89. “I esteem right all Thy precepts concerning everything…;” Psa: 119:128. “The sum of Thy Word is truth, and every one of Thy righteous ordinances is everlasting;” Psa: 119:160.
The above yield a biblical epistemology that casts suspicion on any claims about human nature or spiritual truth that are not taught by Scripture. According to that epistemology, we as fallen and finite human beings can not discover the absolute truth without the special revelation of God. Our knowledge is limited because only so much we can observe and so much we can understand because of our finiteness. God on the other hand, is infinite in His knowledge and understanding; Isa: 40:14; Isa: 46:9-10. God knows the past, the present, the future, understand every part of us and every part of the world perfectly and was pleased to reveal His truth in His Word.
Apart from the Divine revelation we can not know anything absolutely because our minds have been adversely affected by sin. In our Fallenness our sinful minds tent to distort the truth. The only way we can think rightly is to allow the Holy Spirit to renew our minds. Rom 1:18-32; 12:2; Eph: 4:23. In our finiteness and fallenness we have no standard by which we can evaluate whether something is true of false except the Word of God. I will have a healthy skepticism about any theory or insight that does not proceed from Scripture.
The Bible is adequate: We have every thing we need in the Word of God to make us adequate and complete and we can not add anything to completeness. “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work;” 2 Tim 3:16-17.
‘A man who has the Bible, and the Holy Spirit in his heart, has everything which is absolutely needful to make him spiritually wise….. he has got the infallible guide, and wants no other’. - J.C. Ryle.
Scriptures are inspired by the Spirit of God, so in Biblical counselling Holy Spirit play an important role: Holy Spirit gives guidance for using the appropriate Scriptures while praying for spiritual issues, gives ‘inner promptings’ or nudges, can release healing power directly during a counselling session and brings healing and wholeness, enable the counsellor to discern the presence of ‘demonic influence’ and lead the counsellor for appropriate prayer for deliverance, and lead the counsellor to practice spiritual discipline on a regular basis.
The Bible is the only true love letter: This is God’s genuine love letter for man.
“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have ever lasting life.” John: 3:16. Freudian gospel may give a temporary experience of ecstasy, and even a bit of ‘security bout’ it is only an illusion.
Bible is practical, comprehensive, trustworthy and adequate and so as a Biblical counsellor I will study it zealously, meditate on it deeply, pray pointedly and communicate it accurately with my counselees, and it is sufficient for Biblical counseling. Scriptures have enduring power, imperial power Rom 1:16, Heb 4:12, sanctifying power Jn 17:17, Jer 31:33, revealing power, prevailing power and is very prophetic. Bible is God’s Word to man, attested by the Son of God, originated with and employed by the Spirit of God. It is authoritative because their own claims are fully vindicated, not due to human recognition but to the fact it is ‘inspired’ of God.
The Bible is Profitable: God’s Word for us is to transform lives for His glory; 2 Tim 2:15; 2 Pet 3:16. It has the transforming power to change the counsellor and the counselee into a more Christ like person.
The Bible talk about God’s General and Specific Revelation to people: General revelation reaches to all people; Matt: 5:45; Acts 14:17. It is very general in Geography; and it encompasses the whole globe Ps: 19:2. It is general in its methodology and it employs the universal means like the heat of the sun Psa: 19:4; and human conscience Rom: 2:14-15. It is a revelation that affects all people whenever they have lived it can bring light and truth to all, or if rejected, brings condemnation.1 The effect of general revelation is the guilt imputed to humans for aversion to our Creator and adopting idolatry Isa 44:9-20; Rom 1:21-23. Special revelation includes details about God’s person, nature and His plan for human life. Those acts of God whereby He makes Himself and His truth known at special times and to specific people.2
All true Biblical counselling must be done by God’s Word, and Spirit’s power, truth, love and under the Lordship of Christ, and to the glory of God.
End Notes:
1. Charles C. Ryrie, Basic Theology (Wheaton: Victor, 1988), 28. Compare Erickson’s concise definition of general revelation: Revelation which is available to all; persons at all times…..” (Erickson, Concise Dictionary)
2 Thiessen, Systematic Theology, 35. Compare Erickson’s definition: “God’s manifestation of Himself at particular times and places through particular events…” (Concise Dictionary, 144).
References:
1. John F. MacArthur, JR. Wayne A. Mack & The Master’s College Faculty, ‘Introduction To Biblical Counseling’, “A Basic Guide To The Principles And Practice Of Counseling”(Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers,1994, P. 76-77)
2. Jay E. Adams, ‘The Christian Counselor’s Manual, The Practice of Nouthetic Counseling’ (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1973, p. 15-16, 21-23; 92-97)
3. Jay E. Adams, ‘Lectures on Counseling’ (Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1978, p.192-203)
4. Lewis Sperry Chafer, ‘Systematic Theology’ Volume One, Abridged edition, John F. Walvoord, Editor, Donald K. Campbell, Roy B. Zuck, Consulting Editors, (Indiana: BMH Books, 1988, p. 94-95)
5. Wim Malgo, ‘Biblical Counseling’ From Twenty- Five Years of the International Ministry by Wim Malgo, (Columbia: The Mid Night Call, 1979, p.9-12; 20-21)
6. Gary L. Almy, M.D., ‘How Christian is Christian Counseling?’ The Dangerous Secular Influences That Keep Us From Caring For Souls, (Illinois: Crossway Books, Good News Publishers, 2000, p. 56-63)
7. J. I. Packer, Author of Knowing God, ‘Concise Theology’ A Guide To Historic Christian Beliefs, (Illinois: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc, 1993, p. 3-22)
6. Jay E. Adams, ‘Critical Stages of Biblical Counseling’ Finishing Well, Breaking Through, Getting Started, (New Jersey: Zondervan, 2002, p.6-7)
7. Jay E. Adams, ‘How to Help People Change’ The Four-step Biblical Process, (Grand rapids: Zondervan, 1986, p. 20-28)
8. David G. Benner & Peter C. Hill, ‘Baker Encyclopaedia of Psychology & Counseling’ Second Edition, (Grand Rapids: Baker Books, 1985, 1999, p.568-569)
Monday, September 27, 2010
The Goals of Biblical Counseling
Working to see real Biblical change in an individual is the goal of Biblical counselling. Scripture is the ultimate authority and source for biblical counselling. The goal during this process is to help the disciple grow to maturity in Christ, and to walk consistently according to God’s Word. The discipler equips the individual so that ultimately that person in turn begins to build biblical principles into the lives of others; 2Tim:2:2.
“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” 2 Tim 3:16-17.
“The Word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” Heb.4:12.
The Holy Spirit is the principal person in Biblical counselling because Jesus Christ now dwells in His church in the person of the Holy Spirit. Persons involved in counselling are always more than two: Counselor, the counselee, and the Holy Spirit. Holy Spirit is the ultimate source of all true healing and wholeness in biblical counselling. Training and competence in skills are needed, but such skills are used in dependence on the Holy Spirit.
a. As we do the Lord’s work Holy Spirit is always the primary counsellor and He works powerfully and sovereignly through His written Word. He brings people to the conviction of sin and to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ through His Word.
b. It is by the Scriptures he teaches them how to love God and their neighbours as themselves, to live a life of faith and obedience in response to His saving grace.
c. Through the Scriptures the Holy Spirit comforts, rebukes, corrects, and trains people in righteousness.
d. By the power of the Holy Spirit the mind is renewed, 2 Cori: 10:3-6 and the counselee becomes aware of the following steps. 1. Becoming aware of the practice (pattern of sin) that must be dehabituated (put off).2. Discovering the biblical alternative; 3. Structuring the whole situation for change; 4. Breaking links in the chain of sin; 5. Getting help from others; 6. Stressing the whole relationship to Christ; 7. Practicing the new pattern (life in Christ).
God is at the centre of counselling: The Bible is authoritative, relevant and comprehensively sufficient for counseling. Christians have Holy Spirit working through the Word of God. Commitment to God has epistemological consequences: Other sources of knowledge must be submitted to the authority of Scripture. Sciences, personal experiences, literature and so forth may be useful but may not play a constitutive role in counseling. There is a conflict of counsel built into human life; Gen 3, Psa1, and Jer 23. Counsel that contradicts God’s counsel has existed since the Garden of Eden, challenging God’s counsel and building from other presuppositions and towards other goals. False counsel and secular psychology has intruded into the domain of biblical truth. Secular theories and therapies substitute for biblical wisdom and deceive people both inside and outside the church. The false claimants to Biblical authority must be exposed and opposed.
Sin in all its dimensions (e.g., both motive and behaviour; both the sins we do and the sins done against us; both the consequences of personal sin and the consequences of Adam’s sin) must be the primary problem a Counselor must deal with. Sin is habitual and very deceptive, and much of the difficulty of counseling consists in bringing specific sins to awareness and breaking its hold. The Gospel of Jesus Christ is the answer: The forgiveness of sin and the power to change into Christ’s image are the greatest needs of mankind. Christ deals with sin: the guilt, the power, the deception, and the misery of sin. Christ reigns over our hearts by the power of the Holy Spirit and He will return to complete the redemption of His people. These core truths that must be infused in the goal of the counseling process.
In the change process, counseling aims at progressive sanctification: There are many ways of changing people but Biblical Counseling aims for nothing less than the transformation into the image of Jesus Christ amid the rough and tumble of daily life. Change is not instantaneous but progressive which is ongoing repentance, renewal of mind unto Biblical truth, and obedience in the power of the Holy Spirit. All difficulties operate within the Sovereign design of God. In these difficult situations hearts are revealed, and faith and obedience are purified through the battle between the Spirit and the flesh. In other words influential aspects of one’s life situation do not cause sin. For example: heredity, temperament, personality, culture, oppression and evil, bereavement, handicaps, old age, Satan, Physical illness are all significant for counselling but are not ultimately causative for sin.
Counseling is basically a pastoral activity so must be church based: It must be regulated under the authority of God’s appointed under-shepherds. It is connected both structurally with teaching, preaching, and prayer, and church discipline, use of gifts, missions, worship and so forth. The difference between preaching and counselling are not conceptual but only methodological. There are three important critical sessions in Biblical counselling: the first session, the turning point session and the terminating session. Biblical counsellors need to think well, pray pointedly, and discuss actively to develop energetic and creative apologetic and evangelistic efforts to help people find the answers. Biblical counselling is by definition, a helping ministry through God’s Word and Spirit.
References:
1. John F. MacArthur, JR. Wayne A. Mack & The Master’s College Faculty, ‘Introduction To Biblical Counseling’, “A Basic Guide To The Principles And Practice Of Counseling”(Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers,1994, p. 63-97)
2. Jay E. Adams, ‘The Christian Counselor’s Manual, ‘The Practice of Nouthetic Counseling’ (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1973, p. 39-44)
3. Jay E. Adams, ‘Lectures on Counseling’ (Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1978, p.179-191)
4. Wim Malgo, ‘Biblical Counseling’ From Twenty- Five Years of the International Ministry by Wim Malgo, (Columbia: The Mid Night Call, 1979, p.9-12)
5. Gary L. Almy, M.D., ‘How Christian is Christian Counseling?’ The Dangerous Secular Influences That Keep Us From Caring For Souls, (Illinois: Crossway Books, Good News Publishers, 2000, p.31-67)
6. Jay E. Adams, ‘Critical Stages of Biblical Counseling’ Finishing Well, Breaking Through, Getting Started, (New Jersey: Zondervan, 2002, p. 5-7)
7. Jay E. Adams, ‘How to Help People Change’ The Four-step Biblical Process, (Grand rapids: Zondervan, 1986, p.3-9)
8. David G. Benner & Peter C. Hill, ‘Baker Encyclopaedia of Psychology & Counseling’ Second Edition, (Grand Rapids: Baker Books, 1985, 1999, p.568-569)
9. Jay E. Adams, ‘Christian Living In the Home’ (New Jersey: Presbyterian and Reformed Publishing Company, 1972, p.9-13)
“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” 2 Tim 3:16-17.
“The Word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” Heb.4:12.
The Holy Spirit is the principal person in Biblical counselling because Jesus Christ now dwells in His church in the person of the Holy Spirit. Persons involved in counselling are always more than two: Counselor, the counselee, and the Holy Spirit. Holy Spirit is the ultimate source of all true healing and wholeness in biblical counselling. Training and competence in skills are needed, but such skills are used in dependence on the Holy Spirit.
a. As we do the Lord’s work Holy Spirit is always the primary counsellor and He works powerfully and sovereignly through His written Word. He brings people to the conviction of sin and to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ through His Word.
b. It is by the Scriptures he teaches them how to love God and their neighbours as themselves, to live a life of faith and obedience in response to His saving grace.
c. Through the Scriptures the Holy Spirit comforts, rebukes, corrects, and trains people in righteousness.
d. By the power of the Holy Spirit the mind is renewed, 2 Cori: 10:3-6 and the counselee becomes aware of the following steps. 1. Becoming aware of the practice (pattern of sin) that must be dehabituated (put off).2. Discovering the biblical alternative; 3. Structuring the whole situation for change; 4. Breaking links in the chain of sin; 5. Getting help from others; 6. Stressing the whole relationship to Christ; 7. Practicing the new pattern (life in Christ).
God is at the centre of counselling: The Bible is authoritative, relevant and comprehensively sufficient for counseling. Christians have Holy Spirit working through the Word of God. Commitment to God has epistemological consequences: Other sources of knowledge must be submitted to the authority of Scripture. Sciences, personal experiences, literature and so forth may be useful but may not play a constitutive role in counseling. There is a conflict of counsel built into human life; Gen 3, Psa1, and Jer 23. Counsel that contradicts God’s counsel has existed since the Garden of Eden, challenging God’s counsel and building from other presuppositions and towards other goals. False counsel and secular psychology has intruded into the domain of biblical truth. Secular theories and therapies substitute for biblical wisdom and deceive people both inside and outside the church. The false claimants to Biblical authority must be exposed and opposed.
Sin in all its dimensions (e.g., both motive and behaviour; both the sins we do and the sins done against us; both the consequences of personal sin and the consequences of Adam’s sin) must be the primary problem a Counselor must deal with. Sin is habitual and very deceptive, and much of the difficulty of counseling consists in bringing specific sins to awareness and breaking its hold. The Gospel of Jesus Christ is the answer: The forgiveness of sin and the power to change into Christ’s image are the greatest needs of mankind. Christ deals with sin: the guilt, the power, the deception, and the misery of sin. Christ reigns over our hearts by the power of the Holy Spirit and He will return to complete the redemption of His people. These core truths that must be infused in the goal of the counseling process.
In the change process, counseling aims at progressive sanctification: There are many ways of changing people but Biblical Counseling aims for nothing less than the transformation into the image of Jesus Christ amid the rough and tumble of daily life. Change is not instantaneous but progressive which is ongoing repentance, renewal of mind unto Biblical truth, and obedience in the power of the Holy Spirit. All difficulties operate within the Sovereign design of God. In these difficult situations hearts are revealed, and faith and obedience are purified through the battle between the Spirit and the flesh. In other words influential aspects of one’s life situation do not cause sin. For example: heredity, temperament, personality, culture, oppression and evil, bereavement, handicaps, old age, Satan, Physical illness are all significant for counselling but are not ultimately causative for sin.
Counseling is basically a pastoral activity so must be church based: It must be regulated under the authority of God’s appointed under-shepherds. It is connected both structurally with teaching, preaching, and prayer, and church discipline, use of gifts, missions, worship and so forth. The difference between preaching and counselling are not conceptual but only methodological. There are three important critical sessions in Biblical counselling: the first session, the turning point session and the terminating session. Biblical counsellors need to think well, pray pointedly, and discuss actively to develop energetic and creative apologetic and evangelistic efforts to help people find the answers. Biblical counselling is by definition, a helping ministry through God’s Word and Spirit.
References:
1. John F. MacArthur, JR. Wayne A. Mack & The Master’s College Faculty, ‘Introduction To Biblical Counseling’, “A Basic Guide To The Principles And Practice Of Counseling”(Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers,1994, p. 63-97)
2. Jay E. Adams, ‘The Christian Counselor’s Manual, ‘The Practice of Nouthetic Counseling’ (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1973, p. 39-44)
3. Jay E. Adams, ‘Lectures on Counseling’ (Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1978, p.179-191)
4. Wim Malgo, ‘Biblical Counseling’ From Twenty- Five Years of the International Ministry by Wim Malgo, (Columbia: The Mid Night Call, 1979, p.9-12)
5. Gary L. Almy, M.D., ‘How Christian is Christian Counseling?’ The Dangerous Secular Influences That Keep Us From Caring For Souls, (Illinois: Crossway Books, Good News Publishers, 2000, p.31-67)
6. Jay E. Adams, ‘Critical Stages of Biblical Counseling’ Finishing Well, Breaking Through, Getting Started, (New Jersey: Zondervan, 2002, p. 5-7)
7. Jay E. Adams, ‘How to Help People Change’ The Four-step Biblical Process, (Grand rapids: Zondervan, 1986, p.3-9)
8. David G. Benner & Peter C. Hill, ‘Baker Encyclopaedia of Psychology & Counseling’ Second Edition, (Grand Rapids: Baker Books, 1985, 1999, p.568-569)
9. Jay E. Adams, ‘Christian Living In the Home’ (New Jersey: Presbyterian and Reformed Publishing Company, 1972, p.9-13)
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