In Point 5, the author talks about academia and its dismissal of Nouthetic or biblical counseling. One
of the reasons Powlison cites for this is that they “haven’t spoken their language”(p.254) and haven’t
truly tried to foster greater understanding of the method. Powlison goes on to say, “we need to speak
a different language to target a different people group.”(p.255). Academia has adopted many of the
secular world’s practices and theories which not only threatens Biblical counseling, but the “local
church.”(p.255). This resonated with me because when I first began in my studies, I was inclined to
feel the same as the academics. I was more of an integration minded counselor, and I still have those
leanings, but I now find they concern me. Biblical thinking and belief must be fostered among every
Christian front or our practice in faith is in danger of becoming diluted. Powlison stresses this threat
when he makes a statement regarding the address of academia by saying, “I think it is a crucial issue
now. The future of the local church is involved!”(p.255). That is a very serious statement to make. As
I read through the other points, they either came back to “misunderstanding” or a lack of
communication in one form or another. When stripped down, they all appear to stem from one side
misunderstanding the other whether it be within the ranks or between the two sides, and most times
this is due to a lack of effort or negligence. I still believe it is dangerous to discount the secular world
of psychiatry however I believe strongly that it should be run through the test of scriptural integrity.
Especially if we are to call ourselves Biblical, Christian, or Pastoral counselors.
b b b b b b b b It is for these reasons that I believe crucial issues 5 and 6 are the most important with issue 1
following closely behind. They both address communication, edification, education, and a clearer
understanding of the goals of nouthetic/biblical counseling. If the field is to survive, it has to start
there, and I agree the educational institutions and organizations must be assisted in their ability to
understand the method and its intent. While Powlison did say in Appendix 4 that he “believes the two
visions are still fundamentally incompatible” he went on to say, “But I also believe that our current
situation is ripe for a fresh articulation of the issues.”(p.275). To me, this reinforces the fact that true
effort and attempts at fostering understanding have yet to happen. As communication, education, and
attempts at helping the “other side” to understand occur, I believe the other crucial issues will be
addressed or at least have a better chance of being addressed.
b b b b b b b b Whichever way we choose to slice it, God and His word are now and always have been the
guidebook for life. I can’t think of a better manual for counseling than that.
References
Powlison, D. (2010). The Biblical Counseling Movement (History and Context), New Growth Press
