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. It has to do with who we speak with about
what we believe.” (Powlison, 2010, p 253) c 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. c c 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). c There are
so many portraits of the integration of psychology in the Bible. c Jesus was our first
model. c He used parables, earthly stories with a heavenly meaning to instruct people
about the proper course of action (Mark 4:10-12). c The disciples were fishermen, then
Jesus commissioned them to be fishermen of men's souls (Matthew 4:19 KJV). c Jesus
suffered and was tempted to help anyone who was tempted (Hebrews 2:18 KJV). c Jesus
had no respecter person and used a donkey to speak to a man. c God gifted men and
women with the talents of his choice to minister to others including teaching, preaching,
and counseling. c
God equips us for our ministry through experience, and education. c 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). c Nothing happens without God's permission. (Proverbs, 16:1, KJV). c I
believe that we should continue a daily relationship with the Lord. c In that relationship,
join Christ, where he is working daily. c I think many of Jay Adam's principles, such as
biblical counseling, aim at changing the heart (Powlison, 2010). c I believe that "All truth
is God's truth" (Entwistle, 2015). This statement includes both Science and the Bible. c 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. c Critical issue number one "same old issue” deals
with the foundation and faith in practice. c 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). c The author believes that biblical counseling is the equipping
and overseeing work of the pastor. In critical issue number three, nouthetic counseling
practice is less biblical sensitivity to the suffering of God’s people (Powlison, 2010, p.
248). c In critical issue number four. nouthetic counseling is known for its directive,
aggressive and authoritative style of counsel. c The Bible states that to speak the truth in
Love, we may grow up in all things (Ephesians 4:15 KJV). 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). c 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. c Its purpose is to assist the pastoral process in bringing change
to others. c The author states the "Bible itself teaches us that ministry does not always
lead out with a bible verse (Powlison, 2010). c c As counselors, we are to meet individuals
where they are and bring them to our level. c 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). c
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: c 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. c 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. c 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. c 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. c (Powlison, 2010, p 253)
“Much of the rejection of biblical counseling in Christian academia is because of the
offense of the message. c 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. c (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.
