Six Crucial Issues in Contemporary Biblical Counseling according to Powilson
5. Biblical counseling must be contextualized to new audiences.
“Crucial issue 5 is a different sort of issue. a It has to do with who we speak with about
what we believe.” (Powlison, 2010, p 253) a Powlison explains that biblical counseling is
generally targeted to an audience of conservative pastors and counseling-minded laypeople,
however there needs to be a broader audience being reached.
One of the audiences which Powilson proposes be The issue that I believe to be most
significant in contemporary Biblical counseling is The relationship of biblical counseling to
secular psychology. a I think that "Every vocation is a calling in which to serve God and
others with whatever abilities God has gifted us." (Entwistle, 2015, p. 12). a There are so
many portraits of the integration of psychology in the Bible. a Jesus was our first model. a He
used parables, earthly stories with a heavenly meaning to instruct people about the proper
course of action (Mark 4:10-12). a The disciples were fishermen, then Jesus commissioned
them to be fishermen of men's souls (Matthew 4:19 KJV). a Jesus suffered and was
tempted to help anyone who was tempted (Hebrews 2:18 KJV). a Jesus had no respecter
person and used a donkey to speak to a man. a God gifted men and women with the talents
of his choice to minister to others including teaching, preaching, and counseling. a
God equips us for our ministry through experience, and education. a There are thousands of
Christian professionals such as social workers, psychiatrists, psychologists, college
psychology majors, and counselors drinking from a different well which can be won by an
approach that they can interact with and having a liking for psychology. (Powlison, 2010, p.
258). a Nothing happens without God's permission. (Proverbs, 16:1, KJV). a I believe that we
should continue a daily relationship with the Lord. a In that relationship, join Christ, where
he is working daily. a I think many of Jay Adam's principles, such as biblical counseling,
aim at changing the heart (Powlison, 2010). a I believe that "All truth is God's truth"
(Entwistle, 2015). a This statement includes both Science and the Bible. a I think in many of
his principles, but his principles and his way of counseling are not the only way.
To solely agree with critical issue number one would be to deny God's call on one’s life and
his strategy for preparedness. a Critical issue number one "same old issue” deals with the
foundation and faith in practice. a From the beginning, Jay Adams has rejected secular
psychology models of counsel and thinking even in the church of the living God (Powlison,
2010, P. 242). a The author believes that biblical counseling is the equipping and overseeing
work of the pastor. a In critical issue number three, nouthetic counseling practice is less
biblical sensitivity to the suffering of God’s people (Powlison, 2010, p. 248). a In critical issue
number four. nouthetic counseling is known for its directive, aggressive and authoritative
style of counsel. a The Bible states that to speak the truth in Love, we may grow up in all
things (Ephesians 4:15 KJV). a Finally, critical issue number five contextualize to a new
audience. Biblical counseling needs to go outside the church walls and speak to a more
intellectual segment of Christian culture. (Powlison, 2010, p. 253). a Jay Adam opposed
professionals who called themselves belonging to an elite group such as secular
psychology. He also opposed the notion that nonbiblical experts possessed psychological-
emotional behavioral, and interpersonal problems (Powlison, 2010, p.253).
Appendix 4
Cures for the soul's main goal is to transform individuals' life into the image of our Lord
and Savior Jesus Christ. a Its purpose is to assist the pastoral process in bringing change to
others. a The author states the "Bible itself teaches us that ministry does not always lead
out with a bible verse (Powlison, 2010). a a As counselors, we are to meet individuals where
they are and bring them to our level. a I believe Kollar’s assumption about solution-focused
Pastoral counseling that the Holy Spirit is at work in both the counselor and the counselee
(Kollar, 2010). a
Reference
Entwistle, D. N. (2015). Integrative approaches to psychology and Christianity: An
introduction to worldview issues, philosophical foundations, and integration models. (3rd
ed.). Eugene, OR: Cascade.
Powlison, D. (2010). Biblical Counseling Movement, The: (History and Context) United States
of America: a New Growth Press
King James Bible. King James Bible gateway online. https://www.biblegateway.com/
ing contextualized with biblical counseling is Christian colleges and seminaries. (Powlison,
2010, p 253) When I first read this I was surprised and then after some thought I realized
the true need, and I agree with this example of an unreached audience. a Biblical counseling
has proven to be effective, and life changing while being established in healthy local
churches, however it’s true that Christian colleges and seminaries lack in biblical
counseling. a If we look at secular colleges, nationwide, we will see that there are various
types of groups, organizations, and centers within and available to students.
Next, there is a definite need for biblical counseling to be contextualized in Christian
colleges and seminaries, though biblical counseling has been shut out from intellectual and
educational centers. a Much of this “being shut out” is due to the disagreements between
the Christian counselors and the professionals in secular psychology and the simplicity and
theological tradition of Christian counseling. a (Powlison, 2010, p 253) “Much of the rejection
of biblical counseling in Christian academia is because of the offense of the message. a We
have challenged the intellectual and practical habits of secular professionalism, habits that
are rampant in the education institutions and professional organizations of Christian
counseling.” (Powlison, 2010, p 254) There may be a form of communication breakdown
when biblical counseling is being contextualized to the academia audience and it needs to
be considered.
Lastly, feeling orientation also needs to be considered because it often communicates well
to the man in the pew or counseling office, but it bewilders scholars who make more sense
of human motivation and emotions. a (Powlison, 2010, p 254) We need to analyze our
audience before we alluding to misunderstandings of what our counselee is saying to us. a
Being understood is important for the message of biblical counseling to be accepted rather
than alienated. “Romans 14:19 Let us therefore follow after the things which make for
peace, and things wherewith one may edify another." (KJV)
Powlison writes, “I am convinced that we are shut up in a fairly narrow sector of believing
Christendom, and that to spread the word more widely will bless, stimulate and change us
as much as it edifies others.” (Powlison, 2010, p 255) and I couldn’t agree more.
