The Future of Biblical Counseling, Part Three

Welcome to a multi-part Blog on The Future of Biblical Counseling. We need clarity on the issue of what makes biblical counseling biblical. I invite you to join the conversation.

Perhaps we should say, as we do in later “dreams,” that biblical counseling will be holistically theological. The “modern” biblical counseling “movement” has at times been limited in it’s theological focus, emphasizing humanity’s Fall into sin and the effects of depravity, while tending to neglect our Creation in God’s image and our Redemption in Christ.

The CFR Narrative

I was introduced to the “CFR Narrative” as an eighteen-year-old freshman at Baptist Bible College in Old Testament survey. Dr. Lawlor’s reputation as a exacting professor preceded him into the classroom. So when he stepped to the lectern the first day to address a room full of over 100 intimidated students and said, “Repeat after me,” we would have said most anything.

“Creation. Fall. Redemption,” he said.

“Creation. Fall. Redemption,” we repeated.

“Remember those three terms and you will remember everything you need to know about biblical theology.”

I’ve never forgotten Dr. Lawlor’s lesson. Nor should any biblical counselor.

Creation, Fall, Redemption: People, Problems, Solutions, Psychology, Psychopathology, and Psychotherapy

As already stated, too often, current models of biblical counseling start and end at the Fall—focusing almost exclusively on human depravity. As a result, they often counsel Christians as if they are still unsaved—apart from the justifying, redeeming, regenerating, and reconciling work of Christ.

Biblical counseling will unite Creation, Fall, and Redemption.

In studying a biblical theology of Creation, biblical counseling will examine people—God’s original design for the soul (anthropology).

In probing the Fall, biblical counseling will examine problems—how sin brought personal depravity and suffering (hamartiology).

In investigating the Bible’s teaching on Redemption, biblical counseling will examine solutions—the gospel of Christ’s grace which offers eternal salvation and provides us with daily victory in our ongoing battle against the world, the flesh, and the devil (soteriology).

Creation, Fall, and Redemption also have psychological correlates. Creation is biblical psychology—the biblical study of the soul. The Fall is biblical psychopathology—the biblical study of the sickness of sin. Redemption is biblical psychotherapy—the biblical study of God’s healing of the soul through Christ.

Reclaiming What Is Rightfully Ours

In the minds of some, the use of these psychological terms is invalid. How sad that we have allowed the world to steal these solidly biblical, theological, and historical terms. It is time that we took back our heritage and redefined these terms. Franz Delitzsch, writing in 1861 (before the advent of modern secular psychology), noted that “biblical psychology is no science of yesterday. It is one of the oldest sciences of the church.”[i]

Psychology is native to our faith. Not secular psychology, but biblical psychology—understanding and ministering to the soul designed by God, disordered by sin, and redeemed by grace.[ii]


[i]Franz Delitzsch, A System of Biblical Psychology. Second edition. Eugene, OR: Wipf & Stock, 1861, p. 3.
[ii]See Eric Johnson, “Christ: The Lord of Psychology,” Journal of Psychology and Theology 25(1), 1997, pp. 11-27. See also, Robert Kellemen, Soul Physicians: A Theology of Soul Care and Spiritual Direction. Winona Lake, IN: BMH Books, 2007, pp. 131-141.