Archive for Nouthetic Counseling
The Inerrancy Debate and Counseling
Posted by: | CommentsThe Inerrancy Debate and the Use of Scripture in Counseling
In attempting to side-step the crucial implications of the current inerrancy debate, many evangelicals have tried to suggest that the controversy is nothing more than a semantical battle of terminologies and definitions. In this article, the inerrancy debate is viewed as it affects the role of pastoral counseling. In particular, the author examines the issues of “Christian” feminism and homosexuality, concluding that a weak view of the Scripture will always lead to a weak view of morality. Serious problems result from allowing cultural hermeneutics to redefine clear biblical revelation.
Why Biblical Counsel?
Posted by: | CommentsWhy Biblical Counsel?
In this article I will investigate the distinctives of a biblical orientation to counseling. While models are numerous in both biblical and nonbiblical traditions, examples from both will be limited. In particular, a discussion of the nouthetic model of biblical counsel will be addressed as an example of a well-developed approach. A general discussion of biblical counsel including distinctives, goals, and the role of the Holy Spirit will also be included.
The Godward Focus of Biblical Counseling
Posted by: | CommentsBy definition, the biblical counselor is one who is persuaded of and allegiant to a Christian worldview, that is, one who functions within a frame of reference that consciously sees all of the realities and relationships of life from a perspective that is biblically coherent and consistent, and thus honors the God of Scriptures. The one element of such a worldview that most dramatically distinguishes it from all pretenders is the commitment to a theocentric perspective on all of life and thought. Thus any model of counseling that is authentically biblical will be framed, designed, and executed in happy submission to the biblical demand that our lives be lived out entirely for the glory of God! In short, biblical counseling is animated by a godward focus.
Biblical Counseling: Nouthetic Counseling
Posted by: | CommentsI personally received an M.A. in counseling several years ago. The program it seemed at the time was aimed heavily at imparting the knowledge and expertise needed to gain state licensure. As a result the courses and texts were mainly composed of secular texts. Even the it was a Christian Seminary, I cannot remember in three years ever discussing how the Gifts of the Spirit can be brought and encouraged in counseling sessions.
In fact many of the theories that were discussed were not conducive to integrating Christian thought, let alone the Bible. The two I did like were: Dr. Jay Adams Nouthetic Counseling and Dr. Larry Crabb’s "Biblical Counseling." The approach of the counselor is very strongly governed by the theories that back up their counseling. I decided that most counselors entering the areas I am interested in probably would not have a graduate degree in counseling, but like the two men I interviewed Biblical training. With this idea I believe that Dr. Jay Adams ideas capitalize on the biblical knowledge and training of many. The one area that is really lacking though in his system is a more in-depth emphasis on the gifts. I am going to first look at his system of thought and counseling, and then take a further look at how the gifts can be encouraged working from within a modified version of his system.