I don’t find the list given above as illustrative of ‘biblical/Christian’ counseling but rather a simple declaration of what ought to be obvious to a redeemed child of God.

I would contend there is a problem with those who would hold credentials within a secular psychology educational environment (which they have to keep current) and then use it as a [partial] framework in their approach to hamartiology and thus, necessarily, soteriology. Their hermeneutic is flawed from the get go.

The biblical/Christian counseling movement is nothing more than a false belief that we need to have some kind of equal but opposite answer to secular psychology. It creates an unbiblical hierarchy (counselor above counselee), which more often than not, sits outside of an ecclesiastical environment and which is in opposition to Galatians 6:1. Professionalizing such an approach with the final words, “Will that be cash or charge” is, I believe, an abomination before the LORD.

I would not deny the role of biblical counseling. However it is not dependent on the study of general revelation (what other people ‘seem’ to know – Freud, Adler), it does not need credentials from CCEF to uphold its veracity (there is sufficiency in Christ and His Word) and should be carried out more in keeping with Hebrews 3. For a church (pastors and elders) to seek a CCEF approved counselor as a resource (a place to ‘send’ congregants) speaks to the state of evangelicalism today.

Ed Welch, “Can We Be Positive about Psychiatric Medications?”
http://shar.es/T4BWT

There is a wide spectrum of counseling techniques. As I understand it, CCEF, of which David Powlison is a part, is considered biblical counseling but would not shy away from using medication if necessary. Nouthetic biblical counseling (Jay Adams) would not use medicine.

Integration is more than just medicine. It is also integrating practices. There is a “five views” book that should explain it a bit better for you (and includes Powlison).

http://www.amazon.com/dp/0830828486/ref=cm_sw_r_udp_awd_EOhutb0NRT10Q

Personally, I appreciate CCEF and others like The Barnabas Center that believe in biblical counseling but also see that medicine can be helpful as well. I think there has been an over-reaction to drugs due to over-prescribing.

Blessings,

Ethan

So glad you took notes at this. What an excellent talk!

alan