A Word from Bob
The following was a thread I recently posted on Twitter/X.
Twitter/X Thread
Brief Ponderings on Current Attitudes and Actions in Our Modern #BibleCn #BiblicalCounseling Interactions. Two very different ways of looking at and treating fellow biblical counseling interpreters of Scripture. 1/
- Me and My People: “If someone from my biblical counseling group, tribe, or association addresses biblical counseling, I basically agree 100%. I am not a ‘Berean’ who goes back to Scripture to assess their view. In essence, I view their interpretation and application of Scripture as sufficient.” 2/
- Me and “Outsiders”: “If someone from a different biblical counseling group, tribe, or association addresses biblical counseling, I typically reject what they say. I do not carefully consider whether they have anything to offer me. In essence, I view them as disqualified from offering me iron-sharpening-iron input.” 3/
It seems the modern biblical counseling world has become enculturated into a fundamentalist tribal mindset of us-versus-them, black-and-white, all-or-nothing non-thinking where we are closeminded about anyone we deem to be an outsider or even an enemy. Sadly, we’ve been enculturated into current American political style tribal thinking. 4/
The modern biblical counseling world would be better served if we were enculturated into an ETS (Evangelical Theological Society) mindset of healthy biblical academic engagement with fellow theologian-practitioners where respectful iron-sharpening dialogue is expected, invited, and humbly appreciated. 5/
I appreciate the many ETS-style conversations that are occurring. I helped launch the BCC for that reason. I spoke for years at ETS. For years I spoke at ACBC, ABC, CCEF, BCC, including forums where we humbly listened to and learned from one another. However, any honest observer of the current terrain can, sadly, attest to the tribal conversations in our modern #BibleCn world. 6/
Today’s thread is a plea for humility and civility. It is a plea for openness to being sharpened by those we consider outside our preferred group. It is a plea to do our own homework and not believe everything someone in our group says—about BC or about other BCers. 7/
Silly, But Representative Example: Someone from our group says, “The sky is blue.” Our response: “Amazing! Brilliant! Wise!” Someone from the other group says, “The sky is blue.” Our response: “Some days, yes; others, no! What shade of blue!? Focusing on the sky is worldly! Focus on the spiritual!” 8/
Current Example: Someone from our group posts this thread. We respond: “So helpful! Spot on! Discerning! Gracious! Bridgebuilder!” Someone from outside our group posts this thread. We respond: “We all get along; stop being divisive! Explain yourself! Sneaking in integration!” 9/
