Six Crucial Issues
Of the six crucial issues mentioned by Powlison (2010), I would argue that
addressing “the relationship of biblical counseling to secular psychology”
is most urgent (p. 255). Identifying biblical truths, critiquing secular
methods devoid of truth, and developing a system of “interacting with
contemporary models” will likely achieve or substantially develop
solutions the other key issues (Powlison, 2010, p. 280). Solving this issue
would clarify the differences between secular and biblical counseling,
work to establish clear methodologies in the practice of helping people,
and ultimately bring more people to Jesus.
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First, with a clear definition of what biblical counseling offers, the
similarities and differences between it and secular counseling will be
distinguished as very different options, hopefully making headway toward
the first problem, “the same old issues” (Powlison, 2010, p. 241). A
clarified approach for finding God’s truth within secular psychology is
necessary to instill biblical counseling programs within academia (issue
five). Powlison (2010) writes “are thousands of Christians who can be won
by an approach that interacts with and radically reframes what enamors
them about psychology” and that “most...become psychologists....
[because] where else can one be taught to probe the details of a life lived,
and then to offer timely and patient aid?” (pp. 272-273).
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Second, Anderson et al. (2000) writes, “although [biblical counselors]
cannot accept...secular psychology....[they] cannot reject psychology as a
disciplined science” (p. 18). If leaders within the biblical counseling
movement can “develop a strategy for evaluating secular psychology in
light of Scripture,” a wealth of information from secular psychology,
established through years of scientific studies, evaluation, and practice,
could finally be understood from the perspective of biblical truth (Crabb,
1977/2013, p. 39). This would bolster intellectual conversations within
biblical counseling and help to develop various methodologies to help
people. Further, as biblical truth found within secular psychology is
discovered, further understanding of human motivation (issue two) and
human suffering and accountability (issue three) may be revealed.
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Finally, clarifying the relationship between biblical and secular counseling
will allow for “powerful, relevant evangelism” (Powlison, 2010, p. 281). As
“accurate interpretation” and “corresponding critique” of secular
effectiveness within psychology occurs through Scripture, the true
“message of life” will become increasingly more available to those who
are looking for it (Powlison, 2010, p. 282). Biblical counseling will be
revealed as a light in the dark, offering “truth, love, and power, in the
exact areas in which people are most concerned” through the hope of
Jesus (New International Version, 1973/2011, John 8:12; Powlison, 2010, p.
282). Over time, healing, hope, and spiritual maturity in Christ, acted upon
through short- and long-term relationship building (issue four), can occur.
This is the whole, unique purpose of biblical counseling. +
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References
Anderson, N. T., Zuehlke, T. E., & Zuehlke, J. S. (2000).+Christ-centered
therapy: The practical integration of theology and psychology.+Zondervan.
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Crabb, L. 2013.+Effective biblical counseling: A model for helping caring
Christians become capable counselors.+Zondervan. (Original work
published 1977)
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The Holy Bible: New International Version. (2011). Biblica, Inc. (Original
work published 1973)
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Powlison, D. (2010).+The biblical counseling movement: History and
context. New Growth Press.
