{{_ BIBLICAL COUNSELING —
{{_ "If churches were functioning biblically, there would be no need for the contemporary biblical counseling movement. Counseling is often a substitute for a church gone wrong. In a church gone right there is no need for biblical counseling as it is commonly practiced and as it poses a threat to the spiritual headship of men…." [2/5 P.A.L.]
{{_ [ CALVARY CONTENDER - April 2005 ]}}
(Unable to find source of quote. Calvary Contender abbreviation page does not list P.A.L and brief Vivisimo search not helpful.)
The objection to counseling as superceding family authorities is quite valid.
Problems in inter-personal relationships have their beginnings in the family of origin and have their worst signs and symptoms in the present family.
A splendid secular attack on psychotherapy and counseling is found in Against Therapy
by Jeffrey Moussaieff Masson.
From a review at Amazon.com:
A revised edition of a controversial attack on modern psychological therapy, from Freud to Carl Rogers. The author begins with the premise that the aim of therapy is to change people. He then argues that if the direction of change, indeed the definition of success in therapy, is determined chiefly by the therapist, then therapy is an inherently corrupt interaction. Why? Because the autocratic structure of therapy serves the interests of the therapist, not the patient. [ … ]Biblical and traditional and natural family authority is too often replaced without due notice by counselors, simply as part of what they do.
Pastors, elders, and Christian self-help groups have similar problems.
But a more central problem for the believer is the lack of support for self-examination, aided or unaided, in the New Testament. The two references are limited. Instead, believers are told:
KJV Phil. 4:8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
This the believer's source of authority. What the spiritually refreshed mind has to tell him of his new identity in Christ Jesus. And the efficacy of this mental focus is stated in:
KJV 2nd Cor. 3:18 But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.
And fellow believers are given the duty to assist in certain ways under certain circumstances:
KJV Gal. 6:1 Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.
KJV Titus 23-5 The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things; That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.
