Tonight I’ll be speaking to a local church board on the topic of counseling models and the church. In particular, I’ll be exploring the strengths and weaknesses of biblical counseling and christian psychology. As a refresher, I looked at a draft of a review/critique of biblical counseling I once wrote but never published. Today I’ll give a summary of the finer points of biblical counseling. Tomorrow, I’ll mention some weaknesses that I would like to see addressed.
First, there is no one biblical counseling model. But, I do think most models are modern-day version of the Puritan pastoral care tradition best resurrected by Jay Adams and then a couple of generations of Christian Counseling & Educational Foundation faculty. Here are some key characteristics:
1. Its all about God’s glory and our perfection.
Since all of life is to be about the worship of God and enjoying the covenant blessings of being God’s people, then biblical counseling strives to be a combination of reorienting worship, mercy ministry, discipleship, and an aid in the process of sanctification. John Piper (2001 Living Faith Conference) offered this passionate definition that captures much of that sentiment—that biblical counseling is to be, “God-centered, Bible-saturated, emotionally-in-touch use of language to help people become God-besotted, Christ-exalting, joyfully self-forgetting lovers of people.”
Don’t mistake biblical counseling as ONLY sin focused. Like the Puritans, biblical counseling sees suffering as an opportunity to suffer faithfully and explore how we respond to suffering and sickness (either God or self oriented). Our responses to the difficulties of life do reveal what we worship and seek in this life: God? Comfort? Escape? Pleasure? Perfection? Being significant? Being Safe?
2. Sola Scriptura.
If you couldn’t tell yet, much of biblical counseling is Reformed. Scripture is central to everything post Luther and Calvin. The Bible isn’t a textbook on counseling and yet it is also more than a pointer to God. It reveals deep riches for every situation we find ourselves in. It offers rebuke, hope, comfort, training, insight, direction, and God himself.
3. Critical Evaluations of humanistic change models.
Biblical Counseling formed as a reaction to humanistic models of change that neutered the church as an agent of change. These models had lost the godward, motivational nature of human behavior. Thus the movement is quite adept at pointing out where models of change treat humans as only victims, as if they have all the power they need to change, etc.
4. Nonproprietary.
Biblical Counseling is based on the idea that every believer functions as a counselor to other believers. There is no need for secret knowledge, no guild, no professional credentials. While wisdom and Christian maturity may enable some to deal with more complex issues and people, the treatment will be the same for all: Seek the face of God, love God and others in the moment, trust God for things you cannot change and when things seem dark and dismal, repent and trust God all over again each day.
Notice this model is not particularly focused on ending suffering nor on teaching skills (but the model doesn’t oppose these either). Rather, one works with broken and sinful people in a broken and sinful world live faithfully and in daily trust of God for all things. The biblical counselor hopes to help the client respond in faith when angry, fearful, grieving, confused, etc. And when that happens, the client may experience more joy and peace and less self-induced turmoil.
But what happens when one is dealing with a bi-polar spouse? Or the relentless intrusion of disgusting and sexual imagery into the mind? Or the anxiety after sexual assault? Do biblical counselors have the tools to help end suffering where it is possible?
We’ll look at some of these questions tomorrow. But, ponder a variant of a question I was asked a number of years ago. “Does Biblical counseling work to end suffering? Does anyone who loves biblical counseling work to advance our understanding of how the body works in the finest details? Would they pursue the best forms of teaching autistic children? Would they work to understand the way the brain processes trauma? If not, why not? Why aren’t their biblical counseling scientists?”
Musings on Faith and Psychology 
Phil,
I would love to see a copy of your presentation regarding the evaluation of biblical counseling. I am a M.Div. student at TEDS and am sorting out what model makes best sense and how to faithfully counsel those whom God brings my way. Can you make your presentations available online? I know many would benefit.
Cheers,
Kyle
Great questions. I can’t wait to read some of the answers!
Kyle, sorry, I won’t be posting my presentation. It was much more dialogical and informal. I have posted some of the points I made and will post some more in the near future.
Llama Momma, here’s my answer to some of those questions. The biblical anthropology foundation of biblical counseling for all problems (whether run of the mill or rare) is solid. They have a well-articulated theology of suffering and response to suffering. It is full of grace and truth. However, I do find some christians, who have excellent theologies of pain and suffering, apply simplistic responses to their own pain. So, a person who struggles with intrusive sexual thoughts spends much judging themselves as unlike everyone else and probably reprobate. Also, there are specific techniques and interventions available to help reduce bi-polar flare ups or address disgusting intrusive thoughts. Unfortunately, many biblical counselors don’t avail themselves to this information because it is either highly scientific literature or overly humanistic in worldview.
So if a Christian is dealing with bipolar or intrusive thoughts, would you recommend more humanistic counseling if a biblical counselor didn’t avail themselves to scientific literature?
I’m curious. I saw a christian counselor many years ago for PTSD. Honestly, she did more damage than good. Is biblical counseling a solid alternative to psychotherapy? After a decade of just living with certain things, I wonder if it’s worth the trouble to try again.
Llama Momma and others… personally, as a Biblical Counselor, I think it comes down to 4 foundational topics and understandings when it comes to choosing a counselor…
1. Anthropology – What is their view of man? dichotomy vs trichotomy (labels are a good example of this… i.e. adhd, ptsd, vs what God calls them)
2. Soteirology – What is their view of Salvation? monergism vs synergism (the tension beween soveriengty and responsibility)
3. Harmitology – What is their view of sin? total depravity vs free will (effects of the fall or blame shifting)
4. Word of God – What is their view of scripture? special revelation vs general revelation (sola scriptura vs insufficiency)…
Personally, I think those are better questions… If those don’t work, then this series of questions by CCEF are fantastic! http://ccef.org/how_to_choose.asp
Llama Momma, I think there are many many excellent and capable biblical counselors. I consider myself one (uhh, biblical counselor that is) even though I am also a psychologist. I think labels are less important than capacity to understand, connect, listen, and lead well. If a counselor has had no experience with intrusive thoughts (or only a little book knowledge), I wouldn’t want to go to them. I would want someone who has really gotten inside the experience. It is when we only know a particular problem from a superficial vantage point that we are in the greatest danger of throwing advice at another. So, its not just whether one has taken the time to read about key skills in helping to defeat and ignore intrusive thoughts, its whether they care enough to really understand.
Derek, It is good to have a real grasp on each of your 4 areas. I would, however, take issue with your descriptions on 1 and 4. On 1, CCEF and others do not avoid these labels. They are merely descriptors. Folks who tend to be distractible, impulsive, etc fit the label ADHD. By the way, distractibility isn’t a sin. It is a particular tendency that may lead to some, just like those who are super organized can be tempted to pride. On 4, studying outside the scriptures isn’t saying they are insufficient. This fall, Ed Welch (CCEF) will be talking about anxiety. Given what I know of him, I am sure he reads outside the Scriptures regarding anxiety, and not just to critique but also to learn. Powlison echos this when he talks about learning from novels, newspapers, etc. Yes, Scriptures shape and put into context what we learn, but we still learn.
Phil,
Thank you for your humble and graceful response. I would like some clarification on a couple of your statements if I may?
1. “Folks who tend to be distractible, impulsive, etc fit the label ADHD. By the way, distractibility isn’t a sin. It is a particular tendency that may lead to some, just like those who are super organized can be tempted to pride.”
I was wondering if you might clarify for me where ‘disctractability’ or ‘impulsiveness’ in scripture allows me not be obedient to God? BC (Before Christ – I am a new creation right and God knows I am not perfect but He does expect me to be growing)one of the labels I had was ADD/ADHD. When I became a Christian, it was scripture like these that sobered me and caused me to confess my sin (excuses and blameshifting for not attempting to do what God requires) do these not apply to the ‘labels’ or ‘diagnosis’ you mention?
a. When I was a child, I used to speak like a child, think like a child, reason like a child; when I became a man, I did away with childish things. (1Co 13:11 NASB)
b. Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord; seeing that 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. For by these He has granted to us His precious and magnificent promises, so that by them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world by lust. Now for this very reason also, applying all diligence, in your faith supply moral excellence, and in your moral excellence, knowledge, and in your knowledge, self-control, and in your self-control, perseverance, and in your perseverance, godliness, and in your godliness, brotherly kindness, and in your brotherly kindness, love. For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they render you neither useless nor unfruitful in the true knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. For he who lacks these qualities is blind or short-sighted, having forgotten his purification from his former sins. Therefore, brethren, be all the more diligent to make certain about His calling and choosing you; for as long as you practice these things, you will never stumble; for in this way the entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ will be abundantly supplied to you. Therefore, I will always be ready to remind you of these things, even though you already know them, and have been established in the truth which is present with you. I consider it right, as long as I am in this earthly dwelling, to stir you up by way of reminder, knowing that the laying aside of my earthly dwelling is imminent, as also our Lord Jesus Christ has made clear to me. And I will also be diligent that at any time after my departure you will be able to call these things to mind.
(2Pe 1:2-15 NASB)
To me, these verse apply perfectly to my ‘distractability’ and ‘impulsive’ tendencies and remind me that I must work on growing…self-control…and that I will need to be reminded of that regularly due to my sinful nature.
2. ” am sure he reads outside the Scriptures regarding anxiety, and not just to critique but also to learn.” To learn what? Every book by Welch and course ware I have taught, Welch describes the failings of his ‘learnings’ outside of scripture;
a. “For My people have committed two evils: They have forsaken Me, The fountain of living waters, To hew for themselves cisterns, Broken cisterns That can hold no water. (Jer 2:13 NASB)
b. John 4 – women at the well – what truly satisfies?
c. Welch quote from, The Journal of Biblical Counseling • Volume 18 • Number 2 • Winter 2000, ““How valid or useful are
psychiatric labels for depression?”
1. “The presence of the label should never become an excuse to avoid the hard work of understanding someone.”
2. “Biblical counseling has always been alert to language, especially psychiatric terms. This is because a word can be more than a simple referent. Instead, a word can be dense with meaning. It can carry an entire
system of thought, rather than simply presenting a small fact or basic observation.”
3. “The problem with this language, however, is that, like clinical depression, it carries other freight. Even though the actual symptom lists are relatively innocent and descriptive, embedded in the larger definitions are words such as disorder and diagnosis, words that suggest a physical disorder. Furthermore, the entire DSM carries an assumption that most diagnoses correspond with a certain drug treatment.”
4. “When someone is persuaded that the problem is fundamentally biochemical, spiritual issues are deemed superficial.”
5. “Typically, when someone uses the word, and attaches biological baggage, it is not the time to launch into a discussion on worldviews and language. Instead, it is an opportunity to discuss Scripture’s rich descriptions of depression and surprise the depressed person with God’s penetrating and gracefilled counsel.”
3. “Powlison echos this when he talks about learning from novels, newspapers, etc.”
a. Powilson’s position actually is “Sociologists, anthropologists, and historians of psychiatry have described how most symptoms and all diagnostic labels are culture-bound. This is especially true with regard to functional problems (as opposed to the distinctly organic problems) which comprise the vast bulk of human misery and bad behavior. This relativizing observation means that diagnostic
labels are not “scientific” and “objectively true.” Labels are occasionally useful heuristically if we recognize them for what they are: crude taxonomic orderings of observations. But labels are elements within schemas of value and interpretation.
Because diagnostic categories are philosophically and theologically “loaded,” a Christian who seeks to be true to the Bible’s system of value and interpretation must generate biblical categories and must approach secular categories with extreme skepticism.” The Journal of Biblical Counseling • Volume 13 • Number 2 • Winter 1995, “Idols of the Heart and Vanity Fair”
4. Finally, in learning from the culture, I agree with you (what I think your implying) that we can investigate/learn how the world thinks, BUT never assimilate or add to God’s word on these matters which scripture clearly speaks.
a. Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord; seeing that 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. (2Pe 1:2-3 NASB)
b. Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect. (Rom 12:1-2 NASB)
c. “You shall not add to the word which I am commanding you, nor take away from it, that you may keep the commandments of the LORD your God which I command you. (Deu 4:2 NASB)
d. I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: if anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues which are written in this book; and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away his part from the tree of life and from the holy city, which are written in this book. (Rev 22:18-19 NASB)
Wink… thought this might help also in giving the ‘Biblical Counseling” view. Also, note that I am not implying that I am right or have all the answers on these matters, just seeking to provide folks whom God is drawing to Himself with living water versus water that does not satisfy. Thanks
Derek, wow. I posted my response, saw two clients and just read quickly your well articulated response. Not sure I can do justice today given my schedule but I commit to addressing some of the key issues you raise in the near future.
We can trade Powlison and Welch quotes. I have had many private conversations with both and I could allude to those as well. I will agree that CCEF has always had a ample critique of psychiatric labels and assumptions. They have been more open to techniques though I also admit that I know that from conversation more than writing. However, Ed said in a session in their last annual conference that he couldn’t understand why people thought he was against using medication. He’s not. He knows they are not a panacea, but if they help reduce suffering, no problem. The problem of course is when people put their trust in medicine. I would agree and add that when people put their trust in pointing out sin, that is a problem. I’ve had clients who are well versed in point out other people’s (and their own) idols but are only merely taking comfort in the right labels and are not being changed by the Spirit. Either way, its dangerous to take comfort in labels.
On to ADHD. I have a sone who fits the criteria times 10. There is something different about his brain than mine. It works differently. He has the capacity to intently focus on stimulating things and he has a very hard time sitting still. If I put him in a pressured situation and tell him he is being tested, you can see he nearly jumps out of his skin. If I give him 5 tasks to do, he’ll do the first and often gets “lost” before he gets to the 3rd one. Focus for him is extremely hard. His brain works differently.
Now, is there opportunity for sin? Absolutely. Saying he has ADHD doesn’t excuse him from learning self-control. It does, however, help me understand he has a different set of struggles than my other son. So, I cannot say that my 9 year old is sinning because he doesn’t pick up his room as fast as his 7 year old, more focused brother. I have to learn how to help him stay focused and to break down my instructions into chunks. “Go pick up your cars in the living room and then come to me” versus “Go pick up all your toys.”
I guess I would challenge you to consider that using labels to understand and communicate about a set of behaviors/experiences that always have biological components to them (as well as spiritual) does not mean the person is excusing behavior. If you get distracted and only do something half way, it isn’t likely a sin. Blaming someone else would be. This is also true with bi-polarity, delusions, etc. Take brain injuries for example. A person who has injured their brain and has little to no short term memory encoding skills still has to love God and neighbor. Now, you may have to tell them that truth 300 times a day but we do try to determine capacity to do that and to encourage people to do what it right. We don’t assume that they can love God and neighbor just like a fully functioning adult.
One more challenge and then I have to go for today. Watch the all/nothing categorization. Yes, when someone things a problem is fundamentally biochemical then spiritual issues are deemed superficial. However, the same problem is true in reverse. Some biblical counselors so focus on the spiritual that they discount the physical altogether and make no real allowance for broken bodies–broken in ways that we may not fully be able to describe yet. Yesterday, a person told me of the spiritual abuse a parent received because the biblical counselors/pastors demanded that parent function “like everyone else.” No understanding of certain kinds of suffering. By your points just above (c and d) you make a case that CCEF does not. They do not say that Scripture says everything about our problems. Thus, seeking out more information on how neurons work, how talk therapy and medications together help people change, etc. is not adding to Scripture. It would seem that you are saying that is the case. I would agree that the Scriptures give us everything we need for life and godliness and yet we still preach and teach every Sunday and explicate the text. One form of explicating the text is to study human functioning. Calvin even agrees with me (wink). To know God, we must know man.
Derek, one other question that would help me. What in my postings or replies led you to believe that distractibility is an excuse for sin? See your question at the top of your last post. Your thoughts on what led you to wonder that would help me out. I do think distractibility isn’t a sin. It is a state of being. Intrusive imagery may not be sin either. What I do with them may well be sin though…
“I would want someone who has really gotten inside the experience. It is when we only know a particular problem from a superficial vantage point that we are in the greatest danger of throwing advice at another.”
This is good advice, and I fear it may be where I’ve gone wrong in the past. It seems obvious that not all counselors are the same, and yet the risk of seeing another non-helpful counselor isn’t appealing at all.
Hiring a sitter once a week and going to Starbucks by myself — now that’s therapy I can count on! 🙂