Books By David Powlison

That’s a question that requires more than the space allowed in a comment post. For the differences between how people may see/perceive nouthetic counseling and biblical counseling, I would encourage you to read Heath Lambert’s work, “The Biblical Counseling Movement After Adams.” For differences between biblical counseling and Christian counseling, in terms of how those words are typically used, I would encourage you to read the “Five Views” book edited by Johnson.

Hi Bob,

What are the differences between nouthetic, biblical, and Christian counseling? Thanks!

Cinda, Without the scriptural and gospel basis for biblical counseling, it really isn’t biblical counseling, is it? We in the “second generation” of modern biblical counseling must seriously consider our stewardship and be sure that our equipping is Christ-centered and biblically-focused with a robust and relational emphasis on the sufficiency of Scripture and progressive sanctification that is Gospel-centered.

3.  I am very aware from studying under Powlison at Westminster and CCEF.  He is a master in his art of biblical counseling and teaching, as he puts God’s order in proper perspective within the secular camps.  The book “Psychology ad Christianity; Five Views” compares these, and I recommend it.  I believe we can intelligently, with God’s grace, use secular terms and prevailing science in psychology to bring the presenting spiritual root to the surface during counseling. 

1.  Yes, I do think the biblical counselors who are young and just learning are not getting the scriptural and gospel basis for their specialty.  It may become too secular and just like other camps if we continue to trend more towards cultural and worldly dictates.  We cannot forget Who the counselor is; Jesus Christ through the transforming Holy Spirit, alive and well in a believer’s therapy.  Cinda Marturano, Biblical Counselor