Scriptures sufficient for biblical counseling?

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)