Out of the six Crucial Issues in Contemporary Biblical Counseling, the one I believe to be
the most urgent is the relationship of biblical counseling to secular psychology needs to be
publicly clarified. I chose this over the others because there's a need for clear distinction
between biblical counseling and psychology. Psychology and biblical counseling can work
together and be effective to service those in the household of faith and the community in
the healing process. Biblical counseling primary source is the Bible because the Bible is
truth. Psychology uses the secular knowledge of human reason to aid people. b According to
Entwistle (2015) states, "psychology and theology shares a common interest in human
being but has different assumptions. Psychologists rely on human reason to develop and
analyze ideas. On the other hand, Christian theology sees God's revealed Word as
discernible and views it as the guide for faith and practice." b To integrate biblical
counseling and psychology is to have an open mind and understanding of how psychology
works and process and look at it through the biblical lens. "Christianity is fundamentally
psychological in nature that is, Christianity tells us about who we are and how we ought to
be (Entwistle. 2015). Christian Counselors would have to understand that God created all
things under the sun, gain wisdom of God, and the understanding of God to better serve
those who are both believers and non-believers. On the other hand, Psychologist should
understand that they can only go so far when it comes to human reasoning and for them to
really understand the nature of humans is to see things through God's lens. According to
Powlison, (2010), " The key to both big question is the ability to reframe everything that
psychologists see and hold dear, and to reinterpret it into the categories of biblical truth."
The bible is the source to life to help guide everyone in how to live, explain our existence,
our purpose in this life, teaches us God's character, how to make peace with others etc.
The word of God says, "All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for
doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God
may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work" (II Timothy 3:16-17). The main
goal to counseling is to help the counselee identify their feelings and express their thought
process while implying the bible teaching to help the counselee change their behavior that
is inconsistent with the Word of God. Powlison (2010), states, "The Scriptures are
authoritative and sufficient for counseling; Counseling is ministry a function of the church
accomplishing sanctification." b We must always stick to the Truth and the wisdom of God
when it comes to counseling someone and keep out anything that’s goes contrary to the
Word of God. Once clear boundaries are in place and counselors utilize the Scripture as a
primary foundation then integrating psychology would be successful.
Entwistle, D. N. (2015). Integrative Approaches to Psychology and Christianity: An
Introduction to Worldview Issues, Philosophical Foundations, and Models of Integration (3rd
edition). Eugene, OR: Wipf and Stock Publishers
Powlison, D. (2010). The Biblical Counseling MovementGreensboro, NC: New Growth Press
The Holy Bible (2013). New King James, II Timothy 3:16-17: Thomas Nelson
