Absolutely #canconfirm. My doctorate in ministry is specifically in biblical counseling. I can confirm that, after 9 years in Seminary, I had only (1) class in anthropology. I can tell you what was missing in my Seminary education that, at a minimum, makes me an "incompetent counselor" without the additional training I've pursued (abuse, trauma). Even having said that, I still don't feel competent to counsel and defer to my licensed brother's and sisters expertise. I advocate instead. I will also say, however, that not all licensed therapists have abuse or trauma training either. You provide very wise advice to enter into those relationships eyes wide open (ask lots of questions). As Dr. Heather Davediuk Gingrich writes in "Restoring the Shattered Self," there is a valid place for lay counselors in the church. But it is incredibly important we remain solidly in our lane and leave what we don't know to those who do.
I’m a counselor who is a Christian. Working towards a license as a clinical mental health counselor. I’m also an elder at my church of approximately 1000.
I have people that wanted to see me but were hesitant because of my position in the church. Someone who knew me said “no, he’s gonna talk about everything, not just the Bible.”
I don’t even use the Bible until they bring it up. I am also armed with scientific knowledge so they know I don’t have to lean on the Bible as a source for betterment.
This allows me to broaden my range of clients. If you’re a believer, I’ll tell you what the Bible says. If you’re not, I’ll tell you about the recent study I read.
Your points are spot-on and well written. Nouthetic counseling did nothing but re-traumatize me, so I left quickly. One counselor's supervisor called me later, apologizing for how lousy I'd been treated. "She meant well," I was told. "Please come back." Uh, nope. I realize years later these particular counselors have no trauma background or competence in the field without additional training.
Nouthetic counseling is a hot mess. Your conclusions are spot on. Psychology is not “of the devil”as my nouthetic-counselor-pastor-father said. My current counselor is an incredible woman who holds up a mirror of where I’ve been and what Gods doing in my life yet gently helps me see where I can take the next step forward.
I first heard the ‘hot mess’ analogy from my daughter. The context was completely different. It struck me as so funny I about tripped over my own butt.
Your remark? Jay Adams must be turning in his grave — and I love it.
When did I dismiss the font of all wisdom? I recognize what Scripture is as God-breathed, but that it’s also not a book of neuroscience, psychology or sociology, and that God couples his special revelation with general revelation. This is the order of things.
It’s not that we don’t look to Scripture. I note this in my article. But biblical counseling sees Scripture as the primary, if not sole, text for counseling. But it isn’t a specific counseling textbook, nor did the ancients understand psychology and neuroscience as we do today. It doesn’t make them wrong or dumb; rather, it just is.
It is both God-breathed & the words of ancients. This is why we study archaeology, history, anthropology, semiotics, languages, etc. This is why we are grateful for God’s general revelation given to us.
And we should never conflate the Scripture with an answer book for all areas. To do so is to ask Scripture to do what it does not promise to do & to discard the good things God has given, even given these before Scripture was written & compiled.
Absolutely #canconfirm. My doctorate in ministry is specifically in biblical counseling. I can confirm that, after 9 years in Seminary, I had only (1) class in anthropology. I can tell you what was missing in my Seminary education that, at a minimum, makes me an "incompetent counselor" without the additional training I've pursued (abuse, trauma). Even having said that, I still don't feel competent to counsel and defer to my licensed brother's and sisters expertise. I advocate instead. I will also say, however, that not all licensed therapists have abuse or trauma training either. You provide very wise advice to enter into those relationships eyes wide open (ask lots of questions). As Dr. Heather Davediuk Gingrich writes in "Restoring the Shattered Self," there is a valid place for lay counselors in the church. But it is incredibly important we remain solidly in our lane and leave what we don't know to those who do.
I’m a counselor who is a Christian. Working towards a license as a clinical mental health counselor. I’m also an elder at my church of approximately 1000.
I have people that wanted to see me but were hesitant because of my position in the church. Someone who knew me said “no, he’s gonna talk about everything, not just the Bible.”
I don’t even use the Bible until they bring it up. I am also armed with scientific knowledge so they know I don’t have to lean on the Bible as a source for betterment.
This allows me to broaden my range of clients. If you’re a believer, I’ll tell you what the Bible says. If you’re not, I’ll tell you about the recent study I read.
It should not exist. so called Biblical counseling. Queer folks have ended their lives because of it.
Your points are spot-on and well written. Nouthetic counseling did nothing but re-traumatize me, so I left quickly. One counselor's supervisor called me later, apologizing for how lousy I'd been treated. "She meant well," I was told. "Please come back." Uh, nope. I realize years later these particular counselors have no trauma background or competence in the field without additional training.
Nouthetic counseling is a hot mess. Your conclusions are spot on. Psychology is not “of the devil”as my nouthetic-counselor-pastor-father said. My current counselor is an incredible woman who holds up a mirror of where I’ve been and what Gods doing in my life yet gently helps me see where I can take the next step forward.
‘Nouthetic counseling is a hot mess.’
I first heard the ‘hot mess’ analogy from my daughter. The context was completely different. It struck me as so funny I about tripped over my own butt.
Your remark? Jay Adams must be turning in his grave — and I love it.
His perv self needs to spin. 🙄 Bill Gothard can join him.
The devout Christian of course should turn to Scripture in times of personal crisis.
The Christian counselor should rely on Scripture to aid those in personal crisis.
What manner of Christian would reject God's Word in the moment when God's guidance is most needed?
When did I dismiss the font of all wisdom? I recognize what Scripture is as God-breathed, but that it’s also not a book of neuroscience, psychology or sociology, and that God couples his special revelation with general revelation. This is the order of things.
It’s not that we don’t look to Scripture. I note this in my article. But biblical counseling sees Scripture as the primary, if not sole, text for counseling. But it isn’t a specific counseling textbook, nor did the ancients understand psychology and neuroscience as we do today. It doesn’t make them wrong or dumb; rather, it just is.
Scripture is not the words of “ancients”. Scripture is the Word of God.
It is both God-breathed & the words of ancients. This is why we study archaeology, history, anthropology, semiotics, languages, etc. This is why we are grateful for God’s general revelation given to us.
We properly reverence all the knowledge of this world which God has gifted Mankind.
In that spirit of reverence, we should never conflate that knowledge with the wisdom which is God's Word.
The Christian in personal crisis stands in sore need of wisdom, not superficial knowledge.
For wisdom we go to the source, and that is God's Word.
To do otherwise is arrogant foolishness.
And we should never conflate the Scripture with an answer book for all areas. To do so is to ask Scripture to do what it does not promise to do & to discard the good things God has given, even given these before Scripture was written & compiled.
To dismiss the font of all wisdom is arrogant foolishness.
It cannot ever be otherwise.
This is the order of things.
It's Neither.
?