12 Endorsements for Gospel-Centered Counseling 

A Note from Bob: I’m humbled by and extremely grateful for these dozen endorsements for Gospel-Centered Counseling from Brad Bigney, Robert Cheong, Jonathan Dodson, Mike Emlet, Elyse Fitzpatrick, Garrett Higbee, Jeremy Lelek, Lee Lewis, Jim Newheiser, Randy Patten, Steve Viars, and Charles Ware. 

“What a gift Bob Kellemen is to the church today! Bob has all the academic excellence needed for the tough issues of counseling, but he’s not allowed his heart to get lost along the way, even though he’s been in the counseling trenches for three decades now. In Gospel-Centered Counseling Bob weaves together a practical approach to helping real people with real problems, while never forgetting that they are, in fact, people who are suffering and therefore don’t just need counsel, they need compassion. To root this compassion at the heart of his counsel, he takes a verse I’ve prayed for myself for over twenty years now and he graciously weaves it through the counseling process, showing us what it would look like to apply 1 Thessalonians 2:8 that says, ‘We loved you so much that we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our own lives as well, because you had become so dear to us.’ Get this book is you love God, love people, and really want to help.”—Brad Bigney, Sr. Pastor Grace Fellowship Church, Author of Gospel Treason 

“Counseling is not biblical unless it is driven by the gospel in theory and reflects the gospel in practice. Bob Kellemen not only shows how gospel-centered counseling flows from the Scriptures and aims at ‘growth in Christ-likeness for the glory of Christ,’ but also shows how we journey alongside others with the same gospel we all desperately need. Gospel-Centered Counseling reflects deep layers of experience and wisdom forged over three decades as Bob has served faithfully as shepherd and teacher with God and his people. Bob understands the deep dynamic struggles of body and soul in our suffering and sin while rightfully addressing our affections and imagination in ways that few others do. Gospel-Centered Counseling is a ‘must have’ as you seek to care for and equip others to minister to one another with the gospel as a church.”—Robert K. Cheong, Pastor of Care, Sojourn Community Church, Author of God Redeeming His Bride  

“Gospel-Centered Counseling is an immense help to both counselor and counselee in our calling to follow Jesus. Bob frames every counseling issue within the drama of redemption and in the hope of the gospel. The result? A book that belongs on every pastor’s shelf! It is wise, filled with exegetical insights that flower into rich everyday counsel. It is deep, addressing the whole person, mind, body, and spirit. It is broad, deftly moving from Scripture, into the soul, and back out into real life with wonderful clarity. It is compassionate. I felt loved and understood by Bob, signs of a good counselor. Most of all, it is true, imparting the hope of Christ into the heart of people—‘Behold, I am making all things new!’”—Jonathan K. Dodson, Lead Pastor City Life Church, Author of Gospel-Centered Discipleship 

“In Gospel-Centered Counseling, Bob Kellemen demonstrates convincingly that biblical theology and systematic theology are indeed practical theology. Embedding his methodology in the unfolding redemptive narrative of the Bible, he works out the practical implications of our multi-faceted salvation in Jesus Christ and shows their impact for interpersonal ministry. Full of rich biblical insight and examples from Bob’s many years of pastoral and biblical counseling ministry, Gospel-Centered Counseling will benefit anyone who longs to help others live with joyful fidelity to our triune God.”—Michael R. Emlet, M.Div., M.D., Faculty and Counselor at CCEF; Author of CrossTalk: Where Life and Scripture Meet

“As I read through Gospel-Centered Counseling, I kept finding myself responding to the words I was reading…and that response was vocal. I was amazed. Blessed. Enlightened. Encouraged. Reminded. Bob Kellemen understands grace and the gospel in ways that are profound, beautiful, and astonishing. I love this book and the gospel that is so beautifully portrayed here where the rubber meets the road, in our daily lives, in our struggle to believe and to live in the light of all He’s done. What a blessing!”—Elyse Fitzpatrick, Author of Good News for Weary Women and Give Them Grace 

“Gospel-Centered Counseling is more than a book on how to counsel others. It is a clear and compelling presentation of how the gospel changes everything. Bob has weaved the grand narrative of Scripture with practical application for everyday life. He has called us to be wise counselors who care about orthodoxy but bring the Word to hurting people with such love and care that grace is in no way compromised on the road to truth. I would recommend this book first for your personal edification and second as a guide to helping others grow and change.”—Garrett Higbee, Executive Director of Biblical Soul Care, Harvest Bible Chapel 

“Insightful and practical, Dr. Kellemen’s Gospel-Centered Counseling provides a comprehensive guide for leading readers deep into the contours of genuine biblical soul care. His ability to effectively apply rich gospel-saturated theology to the here-and-now struggles of the human soul is impressive. This is an excellent read for anyone wanting to enhance their understanding of Scripture and how it applies to the complexities of the human estate.”—Jeremy Lelek, Ph.D., LPC-S, President, Association of Biblical Counselors   

“Bob’s heart for other people to know and understand the true heart behind biblical counseling is clearly articulated in this book. With so many competing voices and ideas as to where life change and healing come from, Bob has captured the heart and essence of the grand narrative of grace and redemption with this work. Gospel-Centered Counseling challenges the professional minister, pastor, counselor, and lay person to remember what they have been saved from and what they have been save to through the Gospel. This book encourages me as it can be so easy as a minister of the gospel to forget what should propel our work in the ministry.”—Lee Lewis, Biblical Counselor, Council Board Member, Biblical Counseling Coalition 

“Gospel-Centered Counseling comprehensively applies our theology to our counseling—theology for life. It will be a vital resource for those who seek to be equipped to use God’s Word to help people in community. The extensive use of cases makes the book easy and enjoyable to read while also showing how key principles work in practical real-life situations. The frequent “tweet-size” summaries are helpful and memorable. They also keep the reader on track with the book’s main message: the Gospel of grace is the foundation for change. Theology matters.”—Jim Newheiser, Executive Director of the Institute for Biblical Counseling and Discipleship 

“Gospel-Centered Counseling is like a smart phone. That is, it can be helpful in multiple ways. Beginning biblical counselors will benefit from the case studies which model how to minister the Word rather than just dispensing it. Experienced counselors will be prompted to evaluate whether or not their counseling truly reflects the major themes of the Scripture with appropriate application to the problems of life and living. Leaders seeking to disciple others will find in Gospel-Centered Counselinga book that teaches theology in a warm, equipping-for-life fashion. Preachers will find seeds of helpful sermon series. Every reader will be more thankful for Christ and the good news of the gospel.”—Randy Patten, Director of Training and Advancement, Association of Certified Biblical Counselors 

“Gospel-Centered Counseling is a book that ought to be in every biblical counselor’s library. Bob Kellemen has dedicated his life to thinking deeply about the way the good news of Jesus Christ intersects all of life and ministry. Bob writes as both a careful theologian and a compassionate counselor. His love for Jesus coupled with careful scholarship will help readers gain a greater understanding of the grand story of redemption. This book will change you for the better and equip you to help others in that same marvelous process. These are exciting days for the biblical counseling movement because there are more great resources than ever before. This book is more evidence that Jesus is carefully building His church. To Him be the glory.”—Steve Viars, Sr. Pastor Faith Church, Author of Putting Your Past in its Place 

“The Scriptures were never intended to be a weekend medication to dull the pain of the weekly real life questions that confuse, burden, depress and weaken us. Rather, God gave us the Scriptures to provide daily practical discernment and nourishment, centered in the cross, that enables us to treat deadly diseases originating from unbiblical worldviews. Sounds fine for the professionals, but how does an ordinary, nonprofessional answer life’s most critical questions for himself and others? Dr. Kellemen in Gospel-Centered Counseling provides a seven-days-a-week cohesive perspective of Christian living and heart transformation that will help you and those you counsel to experience healthy heart transformation. Written in a style that combine stories, theology, and practical application, Gospel-Centered Counseling keeps you engaged! For a thoughtful, creative, practical, memorable, and scriptural answer to life’s most critical questions read this book.”—Dr. A. Charles Ware, President of Crossroads Bible College, Co-author of One Race One Blood