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Theology of Christian Counseling, A

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In this book, Dr. Adams identifies Biblical truths that relate specifically to problems that are faced by many people that go for counseling. He discusses how these truths, since they come from God's perfect revelation, are to be followed instead of man's faulty reason. Dr. Adams writes from the perspective of Reformed theology. Though he summarizes teachings from that perspective, it would be best for the reader to be familiar with it before reading this book (and the author says as much).

As a layman with only personal curiosity in the topic, I didn't know what to expect. This is the first book I've read in the area of Christian counseling, and so don't have background knowledge in the field to guide me. However, I found a very readable, in-depth survey of how Biblical doctrine applies to the counseling situation. If I were to give this book a different title, it would be: "Applying Reformed Theology To Our Everyday Lives." I learned a great deal about how doctrines such as original sin, the Trinity, and sanctification work out practically, and even found guidance for some personal struggles I was going through at the time. (I would not recommend this book as an alternative to counseling.) I also learned about the meaning and process of counseling as a Christian.

The paperback is a nice, sturdy one, printed on good paper. There are some typos throughout the book, but the correct meaning is usually clear.

I recommend this book for those with a background in Reformed theology and are interested in learning more about counseling and/or how that system of theology works our practically in the situations of life.

In, "A Theology of Christian Counseling: More Than Redemption," biblical counseling pioneer, Dr. Jay Adams, offers a solid theological foundation for Christian counseling. As he notes, many people have written theologies, many have written counseling manuals, but until his book, no one in the 20th century had attempted a focused theology of counseling.

Dr. Adams discusses the ten classic doctrines of the historic Christian tradition, providing an introduction to evangelical theology. He then relates each doctrine to the field of biblical counseling.

As his subtitle suggests ("More Than Redemption"), the Christian life does not end at redemption, but begins there. Thus, much of "A Theology of Christian Counseling" appropriately focuses upon sanctification (the doctrine of the Christian's growth in grace). Adams is at his best here as he dissects the process of putting off the old way (mortification or, as he calls it, "dehabituation") and putting on the new way (vivification or, as he calls it, "rehabituation").

In his introduction, Dr. Adams states that "A Theology of Christian Counseling" was meant only to be a first salvo. He asks that others come behind him and develop more in-depth theologies related specifically to biblical counseling. In this sense, Dr. Adams stated the one limitation of his own book--though an excellent start, its breadth of coverage leaves it lacking somewhat in depth of theology and in depth of methodological application. However, as an introduction to the field, there is none better.

Reviewer: Dr. Bob Kellemen, author of "Soul Physicians: A Theology of Soul Care and Spiritual Direction" and "Spiritual Friends: A Methodology of Soul Care and Spiritual Direction."

This wonderful, thought provoking book by Jay Adams has opened my eyes to new techniques in the Biblical Counseling field. He has given precise, accurate information that is easy to read from a more reformed position. A must read.

Theology and Counseling - Do they go together?

Absolutely! In fact, you can't have true biblical counseling without doctrine. Adams wrote this book almost 30 years ago to "convince the reader that truth and godliness are interrelated in such a way that it isn't possible to have one without the other, and that, therefore, counselors must become biblical theologians..." (pg 307) This is a follow-on to Adam's book "Competent to Counsel" that I have also reviewed and found to be very helpful.

I can recommend this book as generally beneficial but not as much so as "Competent to Counsel", "Instruments in the Redeemer's Hands" by Paul David Tripp, and "How People Change" by Timothy Lane and Paul David Tripp. The point of such nouthetic counseling books is that counseling must be grounded in Scripture, specifically in the Gospel of Jesus Christ who can transform the heart - to the ends that the soul finds satisfaction in the preeminence and glory of Christ Himself.

The book is laid out much like a systematic theology. Adams connects issues of counseling with various biblical doctrines. For example,

1. Related to the doctrine of the Scriptures (pg 16-56)...

All other eclectic counseling methods are setting up rival systems that compete with the Bible (v8-9). We must know what Scripture says and that it communicates authoritatively to counselees (pg 13). The authority does not come from the counselor (pg 20). Only the scriptures have the power to transform( 2 Tim 3:15-17) (pg 36-37). We understand our environment that surrounds us from the scriptures (pg 38-56).

2. Related to the doctrine of God (pg 57-93)...

The Believer can find encouragement in the names of God (pg 57-60). Counselees should understand that all that is happening is taking place in the presence of God, for His glory and they should be dependent on Him in Prayer (pg 61-87)...as opposed to self-sufficiency (pg 67). C.f. study of the words/synonyms for prayer - pg 71-74. God does hear hypocritical, resentful , pharisaical, self-centered, unbiblical, and self-addressed prayers (pg 78-87). I would have like to seen here more exposition of texts that boast in the glories of Jesus Christ Himself.

3. Related to the doctrine of Man (pg 94-173)...

Normally, in psychology, the therapist is determining the "standard" of behavior and how the counselee should live (pg 102). Rather, the standard is Jesus Christ in all of His perfections, and we should look unto Him and depend on His righteousness (pg 100-105). Man is basically a dichotomy of body and soul/spirit (unified yet two-fold) (pg 110-117). Man is responsible for his sin and totally depraved (in all parts and aspects, man is corrupt) (pg 141-143). God is NOT in the business of just "reforming" behavior but RENEWING through the Gospel in regeneration (pg 120-121).

4. Related to the doctrine of Salvation (pg 174-232)...

Adams coins the term "super redemption" to refer to Christ's amazing work of grace in elevating a person positionally in Christ. That same power allows us not to "settle" for anything less than what God designed for our lives. As a result of salvation, Christians are able to forgive and ask forgiveness of others (pg 184-232).

5. Related to the doctrine of Sanctification (pg 233-275)...

The Gospel results in change in person, not merely actions (pg 238). We are not merely to stop doing something. We are to "put off" and "put on" (pg 240), all grounded in the grace of Jesus Christ's work. We continue our walk in obedience (endurance) (pg 244). We must walk by the Spirit and depend on Him for the fruit of the Spirit (Gal 5, 1 Tim 6:11, 2 Tim 2:22) (pg 249-262). We must take definitive, concrete action ("radical amputation") in dealing with our sin (Matt 5:27-30) (pg 263-270). We will also have a different view of suffering than an unbeliever and should be counseled that way (2 Cor 4:17) (pg 271-275). We need each other within the context of the church to aid in our growth through discipleship in the Word of God (pg 276-306).

The back of the books says it all..."No counseling system...can offer what Christian counseling offers...the Christian Counselor's stance is struck by the far-more-abounding nature of the grace of Jesus Christ in Redemption..."

Dr. Adams is THE authority when it comes to Biblical Counseling. He doesn't just call it 'Biblical' and then again uses Freudian, Rogerian or other psychology - no, Adams solely uses Scripture, which is sufficient for instruction in righteousness. Adams' main strength is that he is exegetical and therefore very well balanced. This book is almost a full systematic theology - it's just excellent!!

If you are pursuing counseling, trying to get your degree in a particular mental health field, this is a must read. All the secular humanistic and optimistic views of the human being in gneral require the christian counselor to be grounded so he will be swayed to the right or left but remember the grace was given to him on the cross and the reason for the cross. In this day and age is to easy to make Jesus death out to be of no meaning because we all have "good" in us. So i encourage anyone who is trying to be a counselor or just desiring to grounded more dotrinally for there own faith to read this. Jay E. Adams is th founder of "Christian Counsleing Education Founation." A biblically based counseloing progam. Check it out "www.ccef.org." Any of their resources are rich in truth and knowledge.

This volume is indispensible for anyone who presumes to call himself a "Christian" counselor, because the Scriptures must be the bedrock authority for any such claim. Jay Adams begins by dispelling any misconceptions about the advisability of trying to syncretize biblical counseling with worldly methods and theories. He then continues to explore, in very practical terms, how the Scriptures relate to various aspects of counseling doctrine and practice. The format and structure resemble a systematic theology text. Given the breadth of the potential subject matter, this volume is not, and indeed cannot be, exhaustive in its coverage. However, there is sufficient treatment of most important areas of counseling practice and the critical importance on using the Scriptures to the exclusion of competing resources. My only negative comment is Adams' distracting writing style, with its excessive use of parentheticals and, to a lesser extent, footnotes. However, these do not detract from the substantive value of his commentary. Excellent book!

For anyone interested in Christian counseling presented and taught according to God's divine plan this is a great book for your study of Christian counseling. I had the honor of hearing Dr.Adam's speak at the National Association of Nouthetic Counselors this year(2006) in Indiana. His focus, his books, his views on Christian counseling are all biblically based on the inerrant Word of God and directed by the presence and person of the Holy Spirit who indwells him.