by Josh Liu
Every person (and counseling system) operates on a presupposed worldview. That set of beliefs form a system through which a person interprets his observations, thoughts, experiences, actions, feelings, past, values, problems, etc. Therefore, it is critical to establish or define the biblical counselor’s worldview—this series introduces the underlying theology that makes biblical counseling biblical.
Focusing on the fields of counseling and mental health, many cast doubts on the sufficiency of Scripture to provide understanding and true help. In particular, integrationists and/or Christian psychologists often either imply or directly state that secular theories and/or practices of psychology are necessary for counseling. In other words, it is argued that psychology offers what Scripture lacks in counseling, therapy, and help. Is Scripture insufficient to provide answers and help? We first briefly explain the doctrine of the sufficiency of Scripture, then apply it to the area of counseling and psychology.
Since the Word of God is divinely inspired and without error, it truly reveals God and guides man. Dr. James Mook describes the doctrine of the sufficiency of God’s Word as the following:
The Scriptures give man adequate information about the nature and will of God, and the nature of spiritual and physical realities. This assertion does not mean that God has revealed everything about Himself and everything He has created. But it does mean that God has revealed all that He deemed necessary to know about Him, His salvation, and His will for man and the rest of creation [Deut 29:29; John 20:30-31; 2 Pet 1:3-4]. [1]
Stated another way, the Westminster Confession states,
The whole counsel of God, concerning all things necessary for his glory, man’s salvation, faith, and life, is either expressly set down in scripture, or by good and necessary consequence may be deduced from scripture; unto which nothing at any time is to be added, whether by new revelations of the Spirit, or traditions of men (1:6).
To put it succinctly, God has provided in His Word all that man needs to know, either by precept or principle. [2] While Scripture ultimately speaks about Christ and redemption (see Luke 24:27, 44), it includes all aspects of creation—history, science, health, relationships, emotions, etc. Scripture is direct revelation from God and is the authoritative source of truth (inspiration); it is completely without error (inerrant). It also provides all that man requires to know God and live for Him (sufficient). Thus, the Christian counselor is equipped by Scripture to understand man and respond to his problems; Scripture accurately and comprehensively teaches the biblical counselor about man, his problems, and the solutions. The biblical counselor (and Scripture) is not lacking such that other sources must be used (i.e., secular psychologies). John MacArthur expounds on Psalm 19:7-14, showing how “God’s Word is sufficient to meet every need of the human soul…” [3] Scripture is perfect, restoring the soul; trustworthy, imparting wisdom; right, causing joy; pure, enlightening the eyes; clean, enduring forever; true, altogether righteous.
By contrast, integrationists, broadly, adopt psychologies’ theories or paradigms and implement secular psychotherapy on the basis of the insufficiency of Scripture and the “scientific” claims in psychology. This results in potentially confusing and dangerous conclusions regarding the source of truth. For example, Gary Collins says, “All truth as God’s truth has equal warrant, whether truth from nature or Scripture. Therefore, the truths of psychology (general revelation) are neither contradictory nor contrary to revealed truth (special revelation) but are integrative in a harmonious whole.” [4]
Psychology may provide accurate observations about God’s creation. However, psychology is founded on an atheistic worldview. Its interpretations of its observations will be skewed. So, the Christian counselor is left with the following question: Is any scientific claim or observation from nature equal to the general revelation of God and, thus, appropriate to incorporate into counseling models? Biblical counselors would answer, “no.” General revelation is “the general (unrestricted), non-verbal disclosing of God’s existence and perfections (including His truth) to all people by means of nature, conscience, and history.” [5] For example, Psalm 19 begins with, “The heavens are telling of the glory of God…” and Romans 1:20 says, “For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse.” In other words, general revelation always relates to God. Psychology is fundamentally atheistic—attempting to remove God. Moreover, psychology is not unbiased, pure, or amoral; it is observations interpreted by depraved persons (see 1 Cor 2:6-16; Acts 14:8-18). Psychology and Scripture, then, are paradigmatically opposed to one another. There are important differences between general revelation and scientific claims. Scientific claims can be accurate and significant since Scripture does not provide comprehensive information about all things. For example, Scripture records the presence of diseases (see Mat. 4:23), yet it is not a medical textbook on diseases; (medical) science can provide accurate information concerning true diseases. However, scientific claims are insufficient to position psychology as co-authoritative with Scripture in counseling. Scripture identifies man’s true problem (his spiritual condition) and provides true help. Scripture is totally sufficient to understand man and creation, God’s purposes, and man’s responsibilities.
[1] James Mook, “Theology 1: Section 2: Bibliology, Part 4: Revelation Distinguished from Other Doctrines,” (Lecture, The Master’s Seminary, Sun Valley, CA, Summer 2014), 79.
[2] Ernie Baker, “Introduction to Biblical Counseling,” (lecture, MABC SIP, Santa Clarita, CA, July 14, 2011).
[3] John MacArthur, “The Sufficiency of Scripture,” The Master’s Seminary Journal 15, no. 2 (Fall 2004): 165 [https://www.tms.edu/m/tmsj15g.pdf].
[4] Quoted by Jeffery Forrey, “Where Do We Find Truth?” Scripture and Counseling, edited by Bob Kellemen and Jeff Forrey (Grand Rapids: Zondervan. 2014), 71.
[5] James Mook, “Theology 1: Section 2: Bibliology, Part 1: General/Natural Revelation,” (Lecture, The Master’s Seminary, Sun Valley, CA, Summer 2014), 33.