What is going on at Master's College with Biblical Counseling?

This posting is a reprint of: "The Master’s College: On the Downgrade?"

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The initial impetus for the biblical counseling movement was to encourage pastors to use the Word of God and to rely on the Holy spirit when ministering to individuals suffering problems of living. Because we saw the dangers of integrating psychology into Christianity, we encouraged biblical counseling. However, as our readers know, our concerns with psychoheresy are no longer limited to "Christian psychology" and "Christian counselors." We have a growing concern about the biblical counseling movement. We delineate some of these concerns in our book Against Biblical Counseling: For the Bible.

We had previously recommended the Christian Counseling and Educational Foundation, the National Association of Biblical Counselors, the Biblical Counseling Foundation and other biblical counseling organizations. But when we began to see serious flaws in their teachings, materials, and practices, we began to realize that some of the very same problems of psychoheresy had infected the biblical counseling movement.

Classes in biblical counseling often employ psychological theories, methods, and techniques. An example of how those techniques are brought in under the designation of biblical counseling is Dr. Wayne Mack’s section in the book Introduction to Biblical Counseling by John MacArthur, Jr., Wayne Mack and The Master’s College Faculty. As we have indicated elsewhere, Mack’s use of the acronym SOLVER is an example of blatant borrowing from secular counseling techniques.¹

Because for a long time we believed that biblical counseling was the answer to psychoheresy, we rejoiced when The Master’s College took the step of closing down its Behavioral Studies Department and its additional step of beginning a Biblical Counseling major in the Department of Biblical Studies. However, as we have observed the development of that department under the direction of Dr. Bob Smith and Dr. Wayne Mack, we became convinced that Biblical Counseling courses are often unbiblical and doomed to repeat the errors of secular counseling classes.

We use The Master’s College merely as an example of what can happen in this rush to develop and expand programs in biblical counseling. The Master’s College recently employed David Harrell as a faculty member in the expanding Department of Biblical Studies. According to Dr. John Stead, who was Vice President of Academic Affairs at the time, Harrell was hired at the recommendation of Dr. Wayne Mack.

Harrell has a B.S. in psychology and an M.A. in biblical counseling. He earned the M.A. under the leadership of Dr. Larry Crabb at Grace Theological Seminary. This is a one-year degree program compared with an M.Div., which usually takes three years. At one time Harrell attended Tennessee State University and was majoring in Psychology.

Harrell also has a D. Phil. degree from Oxford Graduate School, which sounds rather prestigious until one learns that this Oxford is unaccredited and is essentially a correspondence school in Tennessee.

Harrell is cofounder and Executive Vice President of Buyer’s Healthcare Cooperative, Inc. (BHC). We called BHC and found that Harrell was there from 1989 through 1995 until he left for The Master’s College. During his first six months at BHC Harrell worked part-time and counseled part-time. During the past five years he was full-time at BHC. Harrell is a member of the board of BHC and is one of five shareholders.

BHC negotiates discounts for employees for health care services. The employees work for businesses that are represented by BHC. The health care services include the usual psychiatric and mental health services that similar plans offer. For a little less than one year, prior to coming to The Master’s College, Harrell was both full-time at BHC and the pastor of Calvary Bible Church in Joelton, Tennessee.

While we do not believe one needs programs and degrees to give godly counsel, one would expect accredited Bible Colleges and Seminaries to follow academic standards of sound biblical scholarship in the Biblical Studies departments. Therefore we looked into what is usually required of prospective faculty members in accredited, academically oriented Biblical Studies departments in liberal arts Christian colleges.

After interviewing a number of department chairs of such colleges, we conclude that Harrell would not likely have even been considered by those institutions, let alone be hired, because he lacks the educational and experiential background requirements for teaching in a Biblical Studies department at an accredited Christian college. In addition, The Master’s College lists Harrell’s D. Phil. from Oxford, even though the Christian colleges we called do not permit recognition for work or degrees received from unaccredited institutions.

With a B.A. in psychology, an attempt at a doctorate in psychology, and an M.A. in an integrationist biblical counseling program under Crabb, we are concerned about a possible incongruity between Harrell’s educational interests and his current position in a Biblical Studies department.

Based upon our interviews with department chairs at other Christian colleges, we also conclude that in addition to being academically unprepared, Harrell is experientially unprepared. He has no real college teaching experience. Both college teaching experience and recency of college teaching experience are important factors in consideration for employment at other Christian colleges similar to The Master’s College. The only college teaching experience we are aware of occurred as a part-time hourly instructor under Crabb at Grace Theological Seminary during 1984-85. We were told by an administrator at Grace that this involved "very little teaching." If this is true, he has no teaching experience similar to what he is required to do at The Master’s College. And, the limited amount of teaching he has done was supervised by Crabb.

The fact that Harrell’s business, BHC, negotiates mental health care services for employees seems a bit contradictory if one stands for the Bible as the source for dealing with problems of living. We understand how this would occur if one were merely an employee, but question a Christian who is an owner doing it. We wonder how many Christian employees have used the mental health services as a result of Harrell’s company’s negotiations. If Harrell is now opposed to such services, has he been public in his opposition to the use of the usual psychotherapy provided by such services?

Harrell has written three brief articles during his career. The first was for IBC Perspectives, a publication from the Institute for Biblical Counseling headed by Crabb. We could not obtain a copy of this article. The other two brief articles were in Parent Life. Parent Life is a mixed bag of soundly biblical teachings and psychoheresy. We give one example of Parent Life’s psychoheresy in our July-August PsychoHeresy Awareness Letter. If invited, individuals who are truly biblical should not provide articles for such a publication.

We were aware that Harrell charged fees for biblical counseling in the past. When asked about charging, he said, "I’ve repented of that." We wonder if he has apologized to those whom he charged or offered to return their money.

As we said above, Harrell taught for Crabb at Grace Theological Seminary. Although Harrell claims to be converted from Crabb’s influence, Harrell has done Crabb-inspired integration counseling over a longer period of time than biblical counseling, since he has done little counseling during the past five years. How could he? A wife and three children and a full-time position at BHC, which he partly owns, along with his interest in "hunting, fishing, shooting sports, reading, writing, and family camping" (Handbook of the Biblical Studies Department, p. 7) would leave little to no time during the past five years to counsel, which is the very activity about which he is employed to teach. According to Harrell his change of heart began about five years ago. This raises the question: why would Mack recommend someone as a faculty member to teach classes in biblical counseling when Harrell has counseled so little in the past five years? And his prior counseling was Crabb-inspired.

With all of the deficiencies discussed above, it is startling that Harrell was employed at The Master’s College and as an Associate Professor, when the usual entry level is that of an Assistant Professor. Harrell claims that he has additional background that would shed light on why he was employed over others. We wrote to him and asked him for the additional background. We followed up with a phone call in which he said that he would provide the information. Though he has had plenty of time to respond, to the date of completing this issue of PAL, we have received nothing.

This unusual hiring of Harrell and his immediate elevation to Associate Professor causes us to wonder why he was chosen over others. Why were the usual hiring standards set aside? Why wasn’t someone with a better academic and experiential background employed? Our guess is that Dr. Wayne Mack, who has more than a taint of integrationism about him, selected someone who would be compatible with his own position on recycling (euphemism for integration) of psychological teachings. Considering Harrell’s interest in psychology with a B.A. and attempted doctorate augmented with an integrationist MA under Crabb, this surely makes sense.

A Little Leaven

Just as a little leaven will leaven the whole loaf, will the Biblical Counseling Department leaven The Master’s College and eventually all facets of the ministries led by MacArthur? Is the Biblical Counseling Department the beginning of a downgrade in these ministries? As the Biblical Counseling Department grows, will there be a deeper danger?

If there is true belief in the sufficiency of Scripture in matters of life and godliness and if The Master’s College is to reflect this belief, then the Biblical Counseling Department needs to be eliminated as was the Behavioral Studies Department. If the Bible were properly taught, there would be no need for a Biblical Counseling Department. After all, what did the church do for nearly two thousand years without the biblical counseling movement? It is grievous to see a well-intentioned institution arrive at a place where, because of increasing popularity, the Biblical Counseling Department may eventually eclipse the entire Department of Biblical Studies.

While this situation at The Master’s College may seem like an insignificant mistake, simply a local concern, we see this as having broader implications. This unusual hiring is a symptom of the rising popularity of biblical counseling. Could it be that such a move might be an indication that the biblical counseling movement is becoming more important than the Bible itself?

The sad state of many Bible colleges and seminaries is revealed in this testimony from a pastor who says:

• As I went into seminary hungry to discover more life changing truths from the Scriptures, I was instead shocked to be taught that they were somehow deficient, and if I was to really help mankind, I needed psychological methodologies. I left seminary somewhat less confident in the resources of God and deeply disappointed because of it.²

This is a very common testimony of many who train to be pastors. However, the answer is not the biblical counseling movement (with all its flaws, fallacies, and failures) used as a substitute for what Christian educational institutions should provide. Nor is it necessary to add a Biblical Counseling Department to an existent Biblical Studies program. The answer lies in arming pastors with the Word of God rather than with the wisdom of men to make them more confident in God’s Word empowered by the Holy Spirit in the lives of men.

Because many Christians are now realizing the errors and futility of psychological counseling and its underlying theories, many colleges are starting to incorporate Biblical Counseling classes and majors. However, we contend that Bible colleges and seminaries that truly teach the Word of God as sufficient and efficacious in the lives of believers should stick with teaching the Bible, rather than incorporating classes in biblical counseling.

We raise these concerns as more and more Bible Colleges and Seminaries are rushing pell-mell to establish or expand biblical counseling programs. This will surely happen because many Christians have caught on to the fact that the Word of God is truly sharper than any two-edged sword and is sufficient for matters of life and godliness. Moreover many students will be attracted to those programs just as students are attracted to psychology programs in other institutions. The financial incentives associated with increasing enrollments in biblical counseling programs are great, but the biblical justification is lacking. However, we contend that such a move is totally unnecessary. Moreover, if such majors follow the trend of the biblical counseling movement, one will simply see a further expansion of psychoheresy even more deceptively packaged under the label of "Biblical Counseling."

¹PsychoHeresy Awareness Letter, Vol. 3, No. 1, Jan-Feb, 1995, p. 4.

²Gary Rieben, BCF Counseling Notes, November, 1995.

Insidious Incursion: The Subtle Deceptions of “Biblical Counseling”

Insidious Incursion: The Subtle Deceptions of “Biblical Counseling”

By Bruce F. Levi, ICARE Ministries

Insidious is an adjective that describes something that is:

1. intended to entrap or beguile: an insidious plan.

2. stealthily treacherous or deceitful: an insidious enemy.

3. operating or proceeding in an inconspicuous or seemingly harmless way

but actually with grave effect: an insidious disease.

I do not use the word insidious mistakenly or flippantly in regards to so-called “Biblical Counseling” as the title of this article states. What is called “Biblical Counseling” and “Nouthetic Counseling” is not really biblical.

“Biblical Counseling” entraps and beguiles Christians with its false claims of being “biblical.

“Biblical Counseling” is stealthy and deceitful in its use of biblical terms and “dressing up like a Christian” while mixing in false, unbiblical ideas.

“Biblical Counseling” operates in a seemingly harmless way, but is actually very damaging to people who are subjected to it and to core Christian doctrines.

Because “Biblical Counseling” followed Humanistic Psychology and Psychotherapy into the church, a bit of background and a couple of questions seem appropriate:

Would you send a sick family member to a phony doctor?

Would you send a friend to an unethical investment agency that is misusing the investors' money?

Who would knowingly do such unethical, harmful, and foolish things?

Strange Practices for “Christians”

Despite the unethical and sinful nature of the above kind of actions, every year Christian leaders send thousands of their fellow Christians to the spiritual equivalent of “phony doctors” or “unethical agencies.” This happens when Christians leaders send Christians to Humanistic Psychologists and Psychotherapists for “counseling.”

Amazingly, Christian leaders are reportedly the main source of such referrals to Humanistic Psychologists and Psychiatrists!

As a picture of just how wide the deception of Psychology is in the modern church, one of the most popular Christian radio programs and its related huge ministry were founded and led by a “psychologist and author” who openly promoted Psychological ideas and frequently interviewed and recommended Psychologists on his nationwide radio program. http://www.pamweb.org/dobsonbk.html).

Most moderately-mature Christians already know that Humanistic Psychology and Psychotherapy are rooted in and operate under anti-Christian, anti-Bible ideas and are therefore very dangerous and inappropriate.

Sigmund Freud, the “father of psychotherapy” was openly anti-Christian and had an affinity for witchcraft and the occult (http://www.theotokos.org.uk/pages/churpsyc/freud.html).

Carl Jung communicated with demons (http://www.crossroad.to/articles2/08/nathanjung.htm).

To learn more how Psychology has infiltrated the Church and deceived many, read Psychology and the Church: Critical Questions, Crucial Answers, by Dave Hunt and T.A McMahon.

We highly recommend The Psychological Way:The Spiritual Way, by Dr. Martin and Deidre Bobgan, for a comparison of how God heals souls versus mankind's weak and inferior ways. Visit the Bobgan's website for more information: www.psychoheresy-aware.org. You will find many helpful books and articles on this topic.

Is Not the Bible Sufficient?

The Bible is clear about how we are to cure afflicted and hurting souls - it is not to be done through man-made, or demon-inspired methods. The Apostle Peter wrote: According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue: (2 Peter 1:2-4.)

Is the Bible God's perfect Word for us, or did God update the Bible via unsaved, ungodly psychologists? Perish the thought! What possibly can be added to the “all” that is the Word of God? Nothing, of course. Because Peter wrote clearly way back in the first century that the church already possessed “all things that pertain unto life and godliness,” just what business do Christians have with Psychology and Psychotherapy?

In a similar vein, Paul wrote: All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works (2 Timothy 3:16-17).

Because God has already clearly stated that Christian can be “made perfect” (complete) by the scriptures, then just what can Humanistic thought in the form of Psychotherapy possibly have to offer? Is not Psychotherapy rather an attempt by forces of evil to dismantle what the Bible does in the hearts and minds of believers? We think so.

The writer of Hebrews weighs in: For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart (Hebrews 4:12).

Because the Bible is so incredibly insightful and powerful, why would any Christian want to resort to the imperfect, fallible, and changing ways of mankind found in Psychology and Psychotherapy? Why would a Christian downgrade to a such an ungodly system?

An Insidious Incursion Into the Church

In a similar way that Psychology and Psychotherapy have entered into the church and deceived many, so-called “Biblical Counseling” has made an insidious incursion. “Biblical Counseling: has it roots in Psychology, and also is deceiving many Christians.

“Biblically Counseling” is similar to the Emerging Church movement in that is subtly attacks core doctrines of Christianity.

(http://www.albertmohler.com/2011/04/15/a-massive-shift-coming-in-what-it-means-to-be-a-christian-time-magazine-considers-rob-bell)

“Biblical Counseling” is a movement among professing Christians. But this dangerous movement attacks the doctrine of the sufficiency of Scripture and the centrality of God's grace – it does this while claiming to be “biblical.” Insidious indeed!

Some of the dangerous errors of “Biblical Counseling” are:

. Direct attack on the doctrine of the sufficiency of the Scriptures. Jay Adams, the “father” of “Biblical Counseling,” crafted his own translation of the Bible (http://bibles.wikidot.com/adams-ccnt) in which he promoted Psychological terms and concepts. No wonder, for Jay Adams studied psychology under Psychologist Orval Hobart Mowrer. Mowrer died by suicide in 1982. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orval_Hobart_Mowrer).

. Adding to scripture. “Biblical Counseling” mistakenly adds the office or calling of “counselor” to the church when no such office exists. God condemns the action of adding to His Word (Revelation 22:19). “Biblical Counseling” promotes the use of “counselors” rather than the person-to-person ministry or care of souls that the Bible describes and asks Christians to do. See Person to Person Ministry – Soul Care in the Body of Christ at http://www.pamweb.org/e-books/PPM-ebk.pdf

. Eisegesis of scripture. Eisegesis is the reading of a meaning or bias into the text, when no such meaning is there. In his translation, Jay Adams changed many words so he could use the Psychological term “counseling” and its variations. (See http://www.pamweb.org/e-books/PPM-ebk.pdf, Person to Person Ministry – Soul Care in the Body of Christ. Scroll down to page 42 to see the many errors of Jay Adams' thinking.

. Humanism. With its focusing on mankind's problems, rather than on Jesus Christ, His atonement, and His healing power for the hurting soul, “Biblical Counseling” is Humanistic and not God-honoring. To focus on man's problems is to focus on man, which is to not focus on Jesus, which is a subtle denial of God's power, which is which is gross sin. (A focus on man's problems = Not to focus on Jesus = Humanism = Sin).

. Attacks the doctrine of salvation. “Biblical Counseling” fails to incorporate “...grace, the idea which is the most essential in bringing about genuine change in people. It [Biblical Counseling] is centered on problems instead of the person. See http://cafn.wordpress.com/2011/03/29/nouthetic-counseling-scripture-as-a-standard-guideline-for-directional-counsel/

. Legalism. “Biblical Counseling” focuses on the Law of Moses and applies it to the church rather than to Israel, where it belongs. Thus, “Biblical Counseling” misses the whole point of God's redemption of the Church and His healing power and binds people with the Law, from which we were delivered by Jesus (Romans 8:2). To put oneself, or those he “counsels” under the Law, is Legalism.

. Behaviorism. Behaviorism is a type of Humanistic Psychology that focuses on the outward appearance. Behaviorism, as seen in its problem-centered focus, is a hallmark of the falsely-named “Biblical Counseling” movement. Problem-centered counseling is essentially Psychological Behaviorism under another name. Behaviorism is just another form of legalism, as the “counselee” is told to follow a list of do's and don'ts rather than focus on God's grace.

. Authoritarianism. “Biblical Counseling” is very authoritarian in nature with its elevating of the “counselor” who “lords it over” and holds himself superior to the “counselee.” This violates the doctrine of the priesthood of all believers seen in 1 Peter 2:5 and Jesus strong words in Matthew 20:25-27: But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Ye know that the princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them, and they that are great exercise authority upon them. But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister; and whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant...

. Undermines of the biblical doctrine of male leadership. “Biblical Counseling” promotes an environment that is particularly dysfunctional for men. As the male counselor usurps the role of the husband, the husband is denigrated in front of his wife and the wife now looks to her “counselor” who is not her “own husband” - in violation of Ephesians 5:22. Some “Biblical Counseling” that I have directly observed, had a woman counseling a man – all the while the local church which perpetrated this error pretended to hold to the doctrine of male leadership!

. Feminism. “Biblical Counseling” teaches and encourages wives to rebel against and disrespect their husbands, in violation of the Bible's clear teachings at Ephesians 5:22 and other places.

. Promoting various ungodly practices such as: gossiping, tale-bearing, sinful/filthy conversations, dishonoring of parents and spouse, dwelling on past sins, etc. This violates 1 Corinthians 13 and many other commands in the Bible.

. Simony. “Biblical Counseling” promotes the selling of spiritual care for money, which is forbidden in Acts 8:18.

Just What Is “Biblical Counseling?”

The “father” of “Biblical Counseling” is Jay E. Adams. Adams was born in 1929 and is perhaps best known for his book Competent to Counsel, © 1970. Adams developed and widely advocates a method or system that he named Nouthetic Counseling, which is also known as “Biblical Counseling.” Adams originated his teachings while at Westminster Theological Seminary, but that institution does not use his system Wikipedia.com).

As mentioned above, Jay Adams studied Psychology under Psychologist Orval Hobart Mowrer. Mowrer suffered from depression and psychosis and was treated by pharmaceuticals. Adams practiced psychotherapy and came to see its inabilities and developed his own system, which he named “Nouthetic Counseling.”

Adams asserted that the concept of nouthetic is taught in the Bible, but has never given any rationale for it. See how he talks around it here: http://www.ibcd.org/articles/68-what-is-nouthetic-counseling.

Adams further stated that nouthetic activities are related to preaching and discipline, which he claims are central to counseling. However, these are often NOT the keys to effective counseling! This teaching seems to be the source of the heavy-handed, authoritarian, spiritually-abusive nature of “Biblical Counseling.” Jay Adams and others who followed him into the “Biblical Counseling” movement have truly missed the mark here and thereby advocate a biblically incomplete system, which means it is not actually “biblical.” (http://cafn.wordpress.com/2011/03/29/nouthetic-counseling-scripture-as-a-standard-guideline-for-directional-counsel/)

The thee main branches and organizations which promote the insidious “Biblical Counseling” movement are:

1.The National Association of Nouthetic Counselors (NANC), which was founded by Jay Adams.

2.The Christian Counseling and Educational Foundation (CCEF).

3.The Biblical Counseling Foundation (BCF).

Several evangelical Christian colleges and seminaries have adopted the nouthetic/Biblical Counseling approach, including Central Baptist Seminary, Calvary Baptist Theological Seminary, Bob Jones University, Maranatha Baptist Bible College, Calvary Bible College and Theological Seminary, Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, and The Master's College (Wikipedia.com).

Hundreds of local church leaders and Christians in general use this biblically-incomplete (= unbiblical) system. This may be happening out of tradition, lack of scholarship, being deceived by the movement's claim and label of being “biblical,” etc. I am convinced that many already heavy-handed and authoritarian “Christian leaders” use this system because it fits their modus operandi and strengthens their spiritually-abusive ways. I have seen this first hand – it is an ugly thing. This is exactly what Jesus strongly warned against in Matthew 20:25-27 and Luke 22:25-27.

We call on all these schools, organizations, and all others who have adopted so-called “Biblical Counseling” or Nouthetic Counseling to repent and turn to the Scriptures for the healing of souls.

“Biblical Counseling” has a view of man that is unbiblical because it is “...almost completely external and behavioral” and “does not bring into perspective the New Testament concepts of spirit, soul, heart, and the flesh.” Jay Adams, the “father of biblical counseling fails to adequately define “inner or central aspects of human nature” because they “....do not lend themselves to a behavioral (mere outward actions) definition. “Biblical Counseling” discusses sanctification but does not adequately define what the Christian is being sanctified from. It is thus not really biblical. Jesus, on the other hand, focused on the heart over the external and mere outward behavior, which are simply “legalism.” See John D. Carter as quoted in http://cafn.wordpress.com/2011/03/29/nouthetic-counseling-scripture-as-a-standard-guideline-for-directional-counsel/

Adams also “...excludes spiritual issues that underlie behavior...the conceptual status of the inner aspect of man (heart, soul, and spirit) and the inner nature of sin (the flesh) is so fundamental that no model of man and counseling can be called biblical without it.” Again, Adams and “Biblical Counseling” offer an incomplete, and therefore unbiblical system. They are selling “shoddy goods” to the church. See http://cafn.wordpress.com/2011/03/29/nouthetic-counseling-scripture-as-a-standard-guideline-for-directional-counsel/

Biblical counseling....represented by the Nouthetic school of counseling, is unbiblical, not because it does not use the Bible...but because it is not biblical enough...it leaves out certain aspects of human life and function that are essential to having a holistic Biblical perspective. Prasha Maharjn at:

http://cafn.wordpress.com/2011/03/29/nouthetic-counseling-scripture-as-a-standard-guideline-for-directional-counsel/

Despite the claims of “Biblical Counseling”movement and its popularity among some Christians, major problems and deficiencies exist with this methodology in terms of its non-adherence to the Bible. We hold that so-called “Biblical Counseling” (a.k.a. Nouthetic Counseling) is grossly misnamed, is not really biblical, and is a dangerous movement that insidiously infiltrated the modern church – it is to be avoided.

A careful analysis of the the above, and more, unbiblical teachings and practices of Jay Adams of “NANC” and David Powlison of “CCFE” can be found in the book, Person to Person Ministry – Soul Care in the Body of Christ. It is available free online at: http://www.pamweb.org/e-books/PPM-ebk.pdf

An expose of the Biblical Counseling Foundation can be seen at: http://www.psychoheresy-aware.org/images/bcfpaper.pdf

Yes, it's true, if you want to know the Truth like the Bereans in Acts 17:11, you will need to do some study and work: “These were more noble...in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.”

To learn more about what merely purports to be “biblical counseling” but is man-centered and continues to operate at various Christian colleges and churches, see the book, Against Biblical Counseling: For the Bible http://www.psychoheresy-aware.org/e-books/ABC-webbk.pdf.

See also: Competent to Minister - The Biblical Care of Souls http://www.psychoheresy-aware.org/e-books/CTM-ebk.pdf

Here is a new book that also covers this topic: Stop Counseling! Start Ministering! http://www.pamweb.org/e-books/Stop-Start_ebk.pdf

To read how problem-centered, Humanistic “counselor” Larry Crabb infiltrated a well known Christian organization, where he taught for years even after being exposed, see the following articles.

http://www.pamweb.org/macarthresp.html

http://www.pamweb.org/scottgcc.html

http://www.psychoheresy-aware.org/masters.html

http://www.rapidnet.com/~jbeard/bdm/exposes/crabb/crabb.htm)

Unfortunately, this well-known Christian organization remains loyal to and employs teachers who follow the misnamed “Biblical Counseling” movement and its spiritually-dangerous ideas. This can readily be seen in the book, Counseling, © 2005, by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Pages 11, 18, 21-25, 89, 101, and 109 are a veritable praise-fest of Jay Adams. On page 258 Adams' ideas are named “balanced, thoughtful.” The above-named problem-centered “counselor” David Powlison is a co-author of this book! The book also praises Wayne Mack - but what is Mack really up to? See

http://www.psychoheresy-aware.org/macarthbc.html.

I have interviewed a man who has years of firsthand experience with the dangers and horrific results of the “biblical counseling” movement. He was in Family Life Church in Rancho Mirage, California in the late 1980's to early 1990's when Senior Pastor, Bracy Ball, co-authored the Biblical Counseling Foundation's Self-Confrontation Manual. That manual (1991 edition), page 6, describes Jay Adams' significant influence in its development. Some 40 marriages and families were literally destroyed at that church by the application of the ungodly, problem-centered methods of “Biblical Counseling.” This large church of about 800 people eventually imploded and disbanded as a result of the spiritually-abusive ideas that came from “Biblical Counseling.” The local Christian school experienced great turmoil from the many children who had been indoctrinated with “Biblical Counseling.” One of the control techniques of this church's leaders, as taught and encouraged by “Biblical Counseling,” was heavy-handed authoritarianism. Bracy Ball even humiliated his own wife in front of the entire church, based on the false principles of this dangerous movement.

What should a Christian do? Should he/she follow the Bible or the misguided ideas of men? What is most authoritative – the Bible, or mankind's ideas? What will you do – stand for the Bible or a college or church's bylaws? What is your real authority for Truth?

Why not stand up and do what is right? Avoid "Nouthetic Counseling" and "Biblical Counseling" like the plague. If your chruch's leadership endorses and uses this unbiblical system, print out and give to them the e-books referred to above. Tell them about this article. If they insist on using anti-biblical materials, get out of that church immediately.