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)
No comments:
Post a Comment