An Analysis of the Effectiveness of Biblical Counseling at Community Bible Church in Producing Mature Followers of Jesus Christ / [print]
by Robert W. Black.
- (c)2012.
- xv-211 leaves ; 28 cm.
Includes bibliographical references.
CD-R, PDF file.
Biblical counseling is founded on the inspiration and sufficiency of Scripture. Robertson McQuilkin and David Powlison have established their own objective grids for determining what is within and without the boundaries of counseling as governed by the Bible. Jay Adams is the founder of the modern Biblical Counseling movement whose writings and interactions with evangelical psychotherapists have served to distinguish the two approaches. The movement has expanded dramatically since the 1990s. When considered in light of the changes in pastoral care since the Puritan origins of American Christianity, Biblical Counseling appears to be a recovery of theology as the basis of pastoral care. The evaluation of the effectiveness of Biblical Counseling requires a solid definition of maturity. That definition takes into account the Bible's own teaching on the subject, the role of the Holy Spirit in the process, the progressive nature of maturity and examples of teaching on maturity in the Protestant Church. The results of that study were compiled to develop a definition that is comprehensive in nature. Spiritual maturity must be considered: theologically (the progressive elements of growth); practically (the means of grace that apply to daily life); qualitatively (going beyond outward actions to qualities of the inner man); and ultimately (looking to whole-hearted love for God and man as the evidence of a growing Christian maturity). Empirical study in the field of Biblical Counseling has not been attempted until now. A study developed for the purpose of this dissertation focused on the Biblical Counseling process from a theological, practical, qualitative and ultimate standpoint. The personal accounts which are a part of the survey reflect the Scriptural truth that the hidden "inner man" is accessible to empirical study through the words and actions that stem from the heart (Matthew 12:34, 35). With the results of the survey, Biblical Counseling ministries will be better able to understand the goals and process of spiritual change. They will also possess a pattern for counseling assessment of counseling strengths and weaknesses.