I have just finished reading, Counseling One Another: A Theology of Interpersonal Discipleship,
by Paul Tautges.
The author begins with a historical
anecdote about Fuller Seminary in which he credits the seminary’s departure
from an orthodox view of the Scripture to the incorporation of nascent physiological
teaching (12ff).
He the moves to give this definition of
biblical counseling: “Biblical counseling
is an intensely focused and person aspect of the discipleship procession, where
y believers come alongside one another for three main purposes: first, to help the other person to
consistently apply Scriptural theology to his or her life in order to
experience victory over sin through obedience to Christ; second, by warning
their spiritual friend, in love, of the consequences of sinful actions; and
third, by leading that brother or sister to make consistent progress in the
ongoing process of biblical change in order that he or she, too, may become a
spiritually reproductive disciple-maker” (20).
For Tautges, counseling is the normal
framework of carrying out the Great Commission (or Great Command, as he would
have it) in the sense that biblical counselling is discipleship (23).
Since sin affects every part of every mere
human being since the Fall, all humans are in need of communal counseling that
together all progress towards holiness (45).
Most cases in which one would seek out
psychiatric or psychological care are based on the need to root out, confess,
repent, and stop sinning. However, (and
I am very grateful for this sentence): “I am not eliminating the legitimate use
of medical physicians and treatment
of problems which may truly have an organic, biological cause” (102, emphasis
his).
In the final chapter, he discusses what
seems to me to be the biggest hurdle for the 21st century
church: being the biblical community we
are called to be (chapter 8, 157ff). We,
as a church have so separated ourselves from the biblically communal life of
the church that returning to a place with such trust and accountability seems,
almost, wishful thinking. Not that
Christians ought not to work towards this – this would best be done with a
strong leader who holds the Scripture as the only authority, but it must be
understood that this may be a longer road to hoe than one might hope.
I would benefit from reading him explain
how to “push off” as it were with, as in my case, a small, elderly
congregation, who are faithful, but outside of morning worship, there is little
connection.
The author writes in a readable style and
is well-grounded in the Scripture – also quoting from Christians throughout the
centuries
Each chapter ends with a summary of the
chapter and discussion questions to help think through and remember the
chapter.
The book ends with an index and
bibliography which this reader found very difficult to read in the font used.
This book is a very positive move in
fostering biblical health and growth in the church. May her tribe grow.
#CounselingOneAnother
[This review appears on my blog and
Amazon.com. I received this book free in
exchange for an honest review.]
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