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. b It has to do with who we speak with about
what we believe.” (Powlison, 2010, p 253) b 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 being 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. b 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. b 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. b 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. b (Powlison, 2010, p 253) “Much of the rejection
of biblical counseling in Christian academia is because of the offense of the message. b 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. b (Powlison, 2010, p 254) We need to analyze our
audience before we alluding to misunderstandings of what our counselee is saying to us.
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.
