Crucial Issues in Contemporary Biblical Counseling (1988)
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.
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.
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
