Kellemen’s Christian The Best Of Guide
The Best of Books on The Theology of Biblical Counseling and Spiritual Formation
Kellemen’s Christian The Best of Guide: Making your life easier by finding, summarizing, evaluating, and posting the best resources on a wide variety of topics from a Christian perspective.
The Twenty Most Influential Books on The Theology of Biblical Counseling and Spiritual Formation
Note: The following books focus on a theology/theory of biblical counseling and spiritual formation. They do not highlight methodology/practice. They focus on a broad theory of people, problems, and solutions. They do not highlight specific “issues” in “counseling” (such as depression, anxiety, etc.).
Note: For the sake of space, I have not reviewed each of these books. However, I do have a 55-page document that reviews over 125 books on Biblical Counseling and Spiritual Formation. Learn more about it at the RPM Store. The fuller document explains that I do not endorse everything in all the books below. That’s why my subtitle to this post is: “The Twenty Most Influential” rather than “The Best Of.”
Bibliography
Adams, Jay E. A Theology of Christian Counseling: More Than Redemption. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1986.
Anderson, Neil T., Terry Zuehlke, and Julianne S. Zuehlke. Christ-Centered Therapy: The Practical Integration of Psychology and Theology. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2000.
Bredfeldt, Gary J. and Harry Shields. Caring for Souls: Counseling Under the Authority of Scripture. Chicago: Moody, 2001.
Clinton, Tim and George Ohlschlager, eds. Competent Christian Counseling. Volume One: Foundations and Practice of Compassionate Soul Care. Colorado Springs: Waterbrook, 2002.
Collins, Gary. Christian Counseling: A Comprehensive Guide. Revised edition. Nashville: Nelson, 1988.
Crabb, Larry. Understanding People. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1987.
Eyrich, Howard A. and William L. Hines. Curing the Heart: A Model for Biblical Counseling. Ross-shire, UK: Christian Focus Publications, 2002.
Fitzpatrick, Elyse. Idols of the Heart: Learning to Long for God Alone. Phillipsburg, NJ: P & R Publishing, 2001.
Johnson, Eric. Foundations for Soul Care: A Christian Psychology Proposal. Downers Grove, IL: IVP Academic, 2007.
Jones, Ian. The Counsel of Heaven on Earth: Foundations for Biblical Christian Counseling. Nashville: B&H, 2006.
Jones, Stanton and Eric Johnson, eds. Psychology and Christianity. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity, 2000.
Kellemen, Robert W. Soul Physicians: A Theology of Soul Care and Spiritual Direction. Revised Edition. Winona Lake, IN: BMH Books, 2007.
Lake, Frank. Clinical Theology: A Theological and Psychiatric Basis to Clinical Pastoral Care. Vol. 1. Lexington, KY: Emeth Press, 2006.
Lane, Tim, and Paul Tripp. How People Change. Second Edition. Greensboro, NC: New Growth Press, 2008.
MacArthur, John F., Jr. and Wayne A. Mack. Introduction to Biblical Counseling. Nashville: W Publishing Group, 1994.
McMinn, Mark. Psychology, Theology, and Spirituality in Christian Counseling. Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale, 1996.
Peterson, Eugene. Christ Plays in Ten Thousand Places: A Conversation in Spiritual Theology. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2005.
Powlison, David. Seeing with New Eyes: Counseling and the Human Condition through the Lens of Scripture. Phillipsburg, NJ: P & R, 2003.
Pugh, John. Christian Formational Counseling: The Work of the Spirit in the Human Race. Mustang, OK: Tate Publishing, 2008.
Tripp, Paul David. Instruments in the Redeemer’s Hands: People in Need of Change Helping People in Need of Change. Phillipsburg, NJ: P & R, 2002.
Important Stuff
*Your Guide: Bob Kellemen, Ph.D., LCPC, is the Founder and CEO of RPM Ministries (www.rpmministries.org) through which he writes, speaks, and consults to equip God’s people to change lives with Christ’s changeless truth. He blogs daily here.
*My Necessary Disclaimer: Of course, I don’t endorse everything in every article, book, or link that you’ll find in Kellemen’s Christian The Best of Guide. I report, you decide.
*Your Suggestions Are Welcomed: Feel free to post comments and/or send emails (rpm.ministries@gmail.com) about resources that you think deserve attention in various categories covered in Kellemen’s Christian The Best of Guide.
Doc K, what are your thoughts on Dr. gary Almy's How Christian is Christian Counseling"? When I came across this book several years ago it was a good read. Is it to hostile towards integrative biblical counseling?
Blessings
your Friend
Dale B
Dr. Buff, Honestly, it has been many years since I purchased Almy's book. And even more honestly, I only browse-read it. While I believe God calls some of us to a "prophetic ministry" of "calling out" "psycho-heresy" that is definitely not my ministry. With the little time I have on planet earth, I expend it on positve explorations of biblical truth applied to daily life. So books of the nature of Dr. Almy's are not normally high on my reading list. Some people may take issue with me on that, but, we each decide what we read and where we place our finite energies. That's my long answer. My short answer to your question: Yes, given my quick read of the book, I think the book tended toward too much hostility and that it painted with too broad a brush-stroke. Thanks for the good question. Bob