Foundations of Biblical Counseling Midterm

Definition of Biblical Counseling

Biblical counseling is discerning thinking and behavior that God wants to change.

According to 2 Timothy 3:16-17, what is Scripture profitable for?

Doctrine, reproof, correction, and instruction in righteousness.

Doctrine

What is right.

Reproof

What is wrong

Correction

How to get it right.

Instruction in Righteousness

How to keep it right.

Biblical counseling is superior because.. (1)

it uses a superior authority (God’s Word)

Biblical counseling is superior because… (2)

it has a superior belief system (doctrine).

Biblical counseling is superior because… (3)

it has a superior treatment goal (the glory of God).

Goal of Biblical Counseling

Conformity to Christ

Failure of Christian Counseling 1

There is often an absence of the Holy Spirit

Failure of Christian Counseling 2

There is a neglect of the role and authority of the local church.

Failure of Christian Counseling 3

There is often a lack of emphasis on prayer.

Failure of Christian Counseling 4

There is no commitment to the sufficiency of Scripture.

Failure of Christian Counseling 5

Sin is renamed (disorders, etc.) and repentance is omitted.

Failure of Christian Counseling 6

Counsel is feelings oriented/needs oriented (i.e. it is man-centered)

All sin is…

a worship disorder.

Worship is…

The purpose for which we were created.

We should glorify God… (1)

with our actions

We should glorify God… (2)

with our bodies.

We should glorify God… (3)

in all things.

Trait of Good Counseling 1

It clarifies priorities and motivations

Trait of Good Counseling 2

It distinguishes between knowing it and and knowing Him

Trait of Good Counseling 3

It places a heavy emphasis on the sovereignty of God.

Trait of Good Counseling 4

It relies on the Savior’s strength.

Trait of Good Counseling 5

It embraces the cross

Trait of Good Counseling 6

It points to our eternal hope

Sufficiency of Scripture

“The Bible is an adequate guide for all matters of faith and practice” (MacArthur).

Progressive Sufficiency

The amount of revelation that God’s people have at any point in history is enough.

Completed Sufficiency

The canon is closed to further revelation: it is enough for this dispensation.

Formal Sufficiency

Scripture contains everything needed for its own interpretation.

Material Sufficiency

The Bible tells us everything we need to know from God about any given topic.

Difference Between Christian and Biblical Counseling 1

Source of authority; we can effectively help provide counsel to hurting people without any knowledge of psychology because we have the authoritative truth of Scripture.

Bible + psychology = integration

Difference Between Christian and Biblical Counseling 2

The nature of the problem is a sinful heart, not DNA or the environment.

Difference Between Christian and Biblical Counseling 3

The solution flows from a correct view of the problem and a correct authority.

Noetic Effect of Sin

Our hearts are corrupted with sin, and this corruption affects the way we think, behave, and emote. This in turn affects our relationship with others.

How is psychology beneficial to the counselor?

It is beneficial for observation, but not for interpretation.

All psychological theories are essentially theories of…

motivation.

One’s view of motivation will…

align and color every detail of theory and practice.

Christ’s transformational work operates in which two dimensions of our lives?

Vertical and Horizontal.

X-ray questions circle around the same basic issue:…

who or what is your functional God/god?

God must show us how to interpret our wants because we are compulsive…

misinterpreters.

The most significant conflict in a Christian’s life is between what the Spirit wants and…

what you want.

Temptations and sufferings do push our buttons, but they don’t…

create those buttons.

Can you change what you want or desire?

YES!!

The key to change lies between you and God, not between you and…

another person.