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Jay Edward Adams

Theology of Christian Counseling, A Paperback – June 28, 1986

by Jay E. Adams (Author)

257 ratings

Part of: Jay Adams Library (6 books)

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Connecting sound biblical doctrine to the practice of effective counseling.

Jay E. Adams—vocal advocate of a strictly biblical approach to counseling and author of the highly influential book Competent to Counsel—firmly believes that the Bible itself provides all the principles needed for understanding and engaging in holistic counseling.

But in order to bring the practice of counseling—whether by professional therapists or by the church—under biblical guidance, we first have to deepen our understanding of Scripture.

A Theology of Christian Counseling is the connection between solid theology (the study of God) and its practical application. Each of its sections are devoted to increasing our understanding of counseling's potential by looking at it through the lens of doctrines such as:

Prayer (and the doctrine of God).
Human Sin (and the doctrine of Man).
Redemption (and the doctrine of Salvation).
Forgiveness (and the doctrine of Sanctification).

"No counseling system that is based on some other foundation can begin to offer what Christian counseling offers…No matter what the problem is, no matter how greatly sin has abounded, the Christian counselor's stance is struck by the far-more-abounding nature of the grace of Jesus Christ in redemption. What a difference this makes in counseling!" (Jay E. Adams).

With this book, you'll gain insight into the rich theological framework that supports and directs your approach to how you help people change.

Print length

352 pages
Language

English
Publisher

Zondervan
Publication date

June 28, 1986
Dimensions

5.5 x 0.9 x 8.5 inches
ISBN-10

0310511011
ISBN-13

978-0310511014
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Editorial Reviews

From the Author

Dr. Jay E. Adams is Director of Advanced Studies and Professor of Practical Theology at Westminster Theological Seminary in Escondido, California. He received his B.A. from Johns Hopkins University, his B.D. from the Reformed Episcopal Theological Seminary, his S.T.M. from Temple University, and his Ph.D. from the University of Missouri. In addition to having served as a pastor and then a Professor of Practical Theology at Westminster Theological Seminary in Philadelphia, Dr. Adams has been the Dean of the Christian Counseling and Educational Foundation, Laverock, Pennsylvania, since its founding in the early 1970s. He has written over fifty books, translated the New Testament into English (The Christian Counselors New Testament), and lectured throughout the world. His books deal with many aspects of pastoral ministry and counseling as well as Bible study and practical Christian living

From the Back Cover

A Theology of Christian Counseling connects biblical doctrine with practical living. Salvation, that central concern of Protestant theology, is often too narrowly defined. It is thought of as “being saved from the consequences of sin.” But God is doing much more. He is making something new out of the old sinful nature. He is, in Christ, making new creatures.

“No counseling system that is based on some other foundation can begin to offer what Christian counseling offers. . . . No matter what the problem is, no matter how greatly sin has abounded, the Christian counselor's stance is struck by the far-more-abounding nature of the grace of Jesus Christ in redemption. What a difference this makes in counseling!”

In this book the reader will gain an insight into the rich theological framework that supports and directs a biblical approach to counseling. And the connection between solid theology and practical application will become compelling. This book is one-of-a-kind.

Start reading A Theology of Christian Counseling on your Kindle in under a minute.

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Product details

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Zondervan; 5/29/86 edition (June 28, 1986)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Paperback ‏ : ‎ 352 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0310511011
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0310511014
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 13.1 ounces
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.5 x 0.9 x 8.5 inches

Best Sellers Rank: #325,207 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #168 in Christian Counseling (Books)
- #203 in Psychology & Religion
- #225 in Religious Counseling

Customer Reviews:
257 ratings

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Jay Edward Adams

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Jay E. Adams (PhD, University of Missouri) is a former director of advanced studies and professor of practical theology at Westminster Theological Seminary, as well as a retired pastor. He has written over fifty books on pastoral ministry, preaching, counseling, Bible study, and Christian living. His books include Competent to Counsel, The Christian Counselor’s Manual, and Marriage, Divorce, and Remarriage in the Bible.

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bcogbill

Good Introduction to How Systematics Informs Counseling

Reviewed in the United States on January 8, 2020

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For those wondering if Theology has anything to contribute to counseling, this is a great intro. Adams does a good job covering the basics of systematics and showing how they can and should inform every counseling situation.

All suffering is from sin, even if it's only Adam's (first man, not Jay), and as such the gospel is the only news that can bring about healing.

Adams begins with the Doctrine of God, moves into the Doctrine of Man, Salvation, Sanctification, the Church, and Eschatology. Adams argues that a biblical understanding of each of these topics is vital for the counselee to find "more than redemption," and therefore the counselor must equip him/herself accordingly.

I especially appreciate Adams's conviction that if these doctrines are embraced and obeyed by the counselee, he/she can actually trust that their situation won't just be "fixed," but that they will find themselves in an even better place than they were before the need for counseling presented itself.

As someone who struggles with fear of man, I also appreciate Adams's ability to call sin sin. I know his personality can rub some folks the wrong way, but I, personally, can learn to be more like him in this way.

I also believe Adams is right, that pastor(s) should be the best counselors, but I find myself intimidated by the professionals. I often struggle with insecurities, particularly in this sphere, but Adams work helped me see those feelings are rooted in my lack of faith in the sufficiency and authority of God's Word.

This book was a good reminder that God really has given us all we need for life and godliness, and He's done so in His Word and by His Spirit.

If you want an overview of basic theology and help applying a biblical framework to your life, all Christians could benefit from A Theology of Christian Counseling.

5 people found this helpful

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A. Starkey

a great resource

Reviewed in the United States on June 2, 2019

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Adams has taken the difficult subject of theology and narrowed the subject down to what a biblical counselor needs to know to be successful in his counseling. Most theology books have hundreds of theories from various viewpoints on almost every subject, which confuses a layperson. This book on theology sticks to subjects necessary for counseling, and focuses on bible beliefs which are relevant to persons struggling with personal and family turmoil. It is a great help.

One person found this helpful

Helpful

PughKidz

Another Helpful Resource by Jay Adams

Reviewed in the United States on November 28, 2009

Verified Purchase

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..."

15 people found this helpful

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Jonathan Painter

A great read!

Reviewed in the United States on May 23, 2014

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I enjoyed reading this book throroughly. I have a BS degree in Psychology and was considering getting a Master's Degree in Marriage an Family Therapy, but this book has opened my eyes to the need for couselors who will use the Bible as the basis for all of their counseling efforts. In studying psychology I never really placed much faith in the theories that were proposed by people like Freud and Skinner, and the like. As a matter of fact in looking for something concrete in any of these theories, I became bored with the subject matter. I believe after reading this book that I understand why: the basis for all of these theories is humanistic/atheistic ideals that do not tap into the real source of counsel that is found in God's Word. Adams really put the terms "godly counsel" and "ungodly counsel" into perspective in this book. A great read!

11 people found this helpful

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Anita Hunter

Theology oc Chhristian Counseling

Reviewed in the United States on April 4, 2022

Verified Purchase

Good book, good price used. & needed for class

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Amy L. Cantilina

Thorough, Thoughtful, Clear

Reviewed in the United States on September 24, 2019

Verified Purchase

As part of a reading program for a certified Biblical counseling program, this book has given me a strong and broad foundation from which to build.

2 people found this helpful

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Stephen A.

Another good book! If this topic interests you

Reviewed in the United States on April 28, 2018

Verified Purchase

For counseling, my opinion is that other than scripture itself, you can’t beat Jay Adams. Another good book! If this topic interests you, get all his books.

2 people found this helpful

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