Competent to Counsel

1. Psychiatry's Flaws: A Call for Biblical Counsel

The great revolution in psychiatry has solved few problems… One wonders how long the hoary errors of Freud will continue to plague psychiatry.

Psychiatry's struggles. Modern psychiatry, despite its claims, is facing a crisis of effectiveness. Many of its methods, rooted in Freudian principles, have failed to produce lasting results, leaving patients disillusioned and questioning the value of long-term analysis. The medical model, which treats behavioral problems as diseases, often removes personal responsibility and leads to a search for external blame rather than internal change.

• Psychotherapy has not proven more effective than general medical counseling for neurosis or psychosis.
• Patients often improve regardless of the treatment they receive.
• Many psychiatrists are now challenging the need for long-drawn-out excavations of the subconscious.

A Christian response. This failure of secular approaches presents a unique opportunity for Christians to offer a more effective, biblically-based alternative. The church, equipped with the Word of God and the power of the Holy Spirit, is uniquely positioned to address the root causes of human suffering, which are often spiritual and moral in nature. It's time for Christians to re-evaluate the propaganda of the last generation and ask anew, “How much can I do?”

Reclaiming the territory. Instead of deferring to secular experts, ministers and Christian workers should reassume their privileges and responsibilities as counselors. The real issue is referral: can the church do something for those who are suffering, or must they be sent to a psychiatrist? The answer lies in a return to the Scriptures and a rejection of humanistic dogma.

2. The Holy Spirit: The True Counselor's Power Source

Counseling is the work of the Holy Spirit. Effective counseling cannot be done apart from him.

The Spirit's role. True Christian counseling is not a human endeavor but a work of the Holy Spirit. He is the ultimate counselor, the source of all genuine personality change and sanctification. Unsaved counselors, lacking the Spirit, cannot offer the same transformative power.

• The Holy Spirit is the source of all holiness and the fruit of the Spirit (love, joy, peace, etc.).
• Counseling must be carried out in harmony with the Spirit's regenerating and sanctifying work.
• Bypassing the Spirit denies human depravity and affirms man's innate goodness.

Working through means. The Spirit works through the means of grace: the Word, sacraments, prayer, and fellowship. Counseling that is removed from these means cannot expect to effect permanent change. The Holy Spirit works when, where, and how he pleases, and counselors must respect his sovereignty.

• The Spirit works in conjunction with the proper exercise of the gifts he has given.
• The Spirit works through the Scriptures, not apart from them.
• Counseling without the Scriptures is counseling without the Holy Spirit.

Reliance on the Spirit. Counselors must rely on the Spirit's power, not their own abilities or techniques. While methodology and skill are important, they must be used in subjection to the Spirit. The Spirit does not foolishly give gifts that he does not intend to use. The use of human agency in counseling, then, does not in itself bypass the work of the Spirit.

3. Sin, Not Sickness: The Root of Many "Mental" Ills

Apart from organically generated difficulties, the “mentally ill” are really people with unsolved personal problems.

The "mental illness" misnomer. The term "mental illness" is often used ambiguously, masking the true nature of many human problems. While organic malfunctions affecting the brain are genuine illnesses, many other difficulties are not diseases at all, but rather the result of sinful attitudes and behaviors.

• The Scriptures speak of both organic and non-organic problems, but not a third source of "mental illness."
• The term "mental illness" is often a figure of speech, and a poor one at that.
• Psychosomatic illnesses are bodily problems caused by inner psychological stress, not the other way around.

Camouflage and avoidance. Many people with personal problems use bizarre behavior as camouflage to avoid detection and responsibility. This behavior, often rewarded in the past, becomes a habitual means of avoiding facing up to sin.

• Bizarre behavior is often a cover-up for deviant behavior.
• People may feign illness to avoid responsibility.
• Sick treatment only makes such people worse.

Homosexuality as a learned behavior. Homosexuality, like other sinful behaviors, is not a genetic condition but a learned activity. It is a way some people have attempted to solve sexual difficulties. The homosexual lifestyle often involves lying, fear, and guilt.

4. Nouthetic Counseling: Confrontation with Love

We proclaim him confronting every man nouthetically, and teaching every man with all wisdom in order that we may present every man complete in Christ.

Nouthetic definition. Nouthetic counseling, derived from the Greek words nouthesia and noutheteo, involves three key elements:

1. Problem recognition: Identifying a problem, sin, or obstacle that needs to be addressed.
2. Verbal confrontation: Using words to bring about change, not punishment.
3. Beneficent motive: Seeking the counselee's good, not merely to punish or control.

Scriptural basis. Nouthetic counseling aligns with the purpose of Scripture, which is to teach, reprove, correct, and train in righteousness. It is a scriptural confrontation, bringing God's Word to bear on people's lives to expose sin and establish new ways of life.

• The Scriptures are useful for nouthetic purposes.
• Nouthetic confrontation is scriptural confrontation.
• The goal is to effect personality and behavioral change.

Involvement and love. Nouthetic counseling requires deep involvement and concern for the counselee. It is not a detached, clinical approach but a loving, personal engagement. The goal is to foster love from a pure heart, a good conscience, and a sincere faith.

5. The Pastor's Role: Shepherd, Not Referral Agent

The thesis of this book is that qualified Christian counselors properly trained in the Scriptures are competent to counsel—more competent than psychiatrists or anyone else.

The pastor as shepherd. The pastor is called to be a shepherd, caring for the weary, discouraged sheep. This includes reviving their souls, leading them to rest, and protecting them from danger. He cannot delegate this responsibility to a psychiatrist.

• Pastoral work involves reviving, resting, and protecting sheep.
• Pastors must take up their ministry to men in misery.
• Nouthetic confrontation is an essential part of pastoral responsibility.

Evangelism and counseling. Christian counseling must be evangelistic, recognizing that man's fundamental problem is sin and his need for a Savior. Counseling should follow God's order in redemption: grace, then faith; gospel, then sanctification.

• Counseling is redemptive and must be evangelistic.
• Man cannot be helped apart from the gospel of Jesus Christ.
• Counselors must present the claims of Christ.

Sanctification and change. Nouthetic counseling is an application of the means of sanctification. It involves helping Christians to put off old sinful patterns and put on new biblical ones. Personality can be changed, and Christians must grow in grace and knowledge.

• Sanctification means change and growth in holiness.
• Christians must change to become more like Christ.
• Counseling helps Christians to become sanctified.

6. Rejecting Rogerianism: Embracing Biblical Authority

The fundamental presupposition of the Rogerian system is perfectly consistent with liberal and humanistic thought, namely, that the solution to man’s problems lies in the man himself.

Rogerian presuppositions. Rogerian counseling, with its emphasis on non-directiveness and client autonomy, is fundamentally flawed. It assumes that man has the resources within himself to solve his problems, ignoring the need for God's intervention and guidance.

• Rogerianism is based on humanistic presuppositions.
• It denies the authority of God and the Scriptures.
• It undermines responsibility by emphasizing acceptance over admonishment.

The problem with neutrality. The idea of a neutral, non-judgmental counselor is unbiblical. Christians are called to make moral judgments and offer biblical solutions to problems. The pastor cannot set aside his convictions, even temporarily.

• There is no morally neutral stance in counseling.
• The pastor must not act like a parakeet, but a paraclete.
• The Christian counselor must be nouthetically involved.

Listening vs. reflecting. Rogerian counselors do not truly listen; they merely reflect back the client's feelings, ignoring the content of what is said. Nouthetic counselors, on the other hand, listen to gather data and offer biblical advice.

• Rogerians are not interested in gathering data.
• They focus on feelings, not content.
• Nouthetic counselors listen in order to advise.

7. Confession and Forgiveness: The Path to Healing

He who conceals his transgressions will not prosper: but he who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy.

Confession as a remedy. The Scriptures teach that confession is God's remedy for man's problems. Concealing sin brings misery, while confessing and forsaking it brings mercy and relief. James 5:14-16 highlights the connection between sin and sickness.

• Confession is God's remedy for man's problems.
• Sickness may stem from sin.
• Confession must be made to God and to those wronged.

Confession to others. Confession to others involves admitting wrongdoing and seeking forgiveness. It is not merely a technique but a means to reconciliation. Rehearsal and role-playing can help prepare for such confrontations.

• Confession involves agreeing with God's judgment about one's behavior.
• It is not merely a means to relieve misery.
• It is a means to reconciliation.

Psychosomatic effects of sin. Unconfessed sin can have severe psychosomatic effects, causing physical and emotional distress. The Psalms vividly portray the misery of hidden sin and the joy of forgiveness.

• Guilt can cause physical and emotional distress.
• Confession brings relief and happiness.
• The goal is to set the conscience at rest.

8. Problem Solving: God's Way, Not Man's

The fundamental bent of fallen human nature is away from God.

Man's lost dominion. Man was created to subdue the earth, but sin has reversed this, causing the earth to have dominion over man. The "mentally ill" are often those who have allowed their environment to control them.

• Man was created to rule, but sin has reversed this.
• The "mentally ill" are often controlled by their environment.
• Christians are called to master their environment.

Four responses to problems. There are four ways people respond to problems: going around, going aside, going back, and going through. Only the last, which involves facing the problem head-on with biblical solutions, is truly Christian.

• Going around, aside, or back leaves the problem intact.
• Going through means solving the problem, not adapting to it.
• There is a biblical solution to every problem.

"You can't say can't." Christians cannot say "can't" because God has promised that no test is beyond their ability to withstand. He will provide a way of escape. This promise is a source of hope and encouragement.

• No test is unique or beyond a Christian's ability to withstand.
• God is faithful and will provide a way of escape.
• The word "can't" is taboo in nouthetic counseling.

9. Discipline and Structure: Keys to Lasting Change

The goal of our authoritative instruction is love from a pure heart, and a good conscience, and a sincere faith.

Love as the goal. The goal of nouthetic counseling is to foster love toward God and neighbor, which is the fulfillment of God's commandments. Love is a responsible relationship to God and man, conditioned upon obedience to God's law.

• Love is the goal of all Christian instruction.
• Love is the fulfillment of God's commandments.
• Love is a responsible relationship to God and man.

Authoritative instruction. Christian counseling involves authoritative instruction, using directive, nouthetic techniques. The end does not justify the means; rather, it regulates the means.

• Christian counseling involves authoritative instruction.
• Technique must grow out of purpose and content.
• Love will blossom as counselors focus on purification of the heart.

Sanctification and change. Sanctification means change, and Christians must not be static. They must grow in grace and knowledge, putting off old patterns and putting on new ones.

• Personality can be changed.
• Christians must grow in grace and knowledge.
• Change is a thrilling adventure into God's newness.

10. Communication: The Bridge to Reconciliation

The goal of our instruction is love from a pure heart, and a good conscience, and a sincere faith.

The broken bridge. Communication, a gift from God, was broken by sin in the Garden of Eden. Man's attempts to restore communication often fail, further complicating the problem.

• Sin broke communication with God and man.
• Man's attempts to restore communication often fail.
• The solution is found in the gospel of Jesus Christ.

God's solution. God's solution for his church is found in Ephesians 4, which calls for truth, love, and forgiveness. Christians must speak the truth in love, putting away bitterness and resentment.

• Communication must be based on truth.
• Christians must speak the truth in love.
• They must put away bitterness and resentment.

Daily reconciliation. Christians must not let the sun go down on their anger. They must deal with problems daily, seeking reconciliation with those they have wronged.

• Anger must be dealt with daily.
• Resentment must be avoided.
• Reconciliation is a priority.

11. Christian Teachers: Nouthetic Counselors in the Classroom

The Christian teacher (not a counseling specialist) is the key to counseling in the school.

The teacher's potential. The Christian school teacher, equipped with the Word of God and the power of the Holy Spirit, is uniquely positioned to be an effective counselor. The classroom context provides an ideal environment for establishing and changing life patterns.

• The classroom is ideally suited to counseling.
• The teacher has a daily, sustained influence.
• The teacher can use the penalty and reward system.

Proper assumptions. Teachers must assume that every child has unsolved problems and needs God's grace. They must also recognize that the problems of "problem" students are not essentially different from those of other students.

• Every child has unsolved problems and needs God's grace.
• Problems do not differ in kind.
• Teachers must have hope and confidence.

Counseling as problem-solving. Counseling in the Christian school is about helping students solve problems God's way. This includes problems they bring into the school, problems that arise within the school, and problems they will face after leaving.

• Counseling is about helping students solve problems God's way.
• It includes problems within and without the school.
• It involves establishing and changing life patterns.

Last updated: January 15, 2025