Ed Welch is, in my mind, one of the best thinkers and writers on Biblical Counseling today. He is involved with the Christian Counseling and Education Foundation, and teaches in conjunction with Westminster Seminary. CCEF also produces the Journal of Biblical Counseling, which I have found interesting and helpful as well. Welch's books are well-written, and very helpful in thinking through the process of biblical change.
This interview with Mark Dever of 9 Marks Ministries is worth the hour or so it will take to listen to it. It is a pretty fast moving interview, never spending enough time on answering the question. (And I like Dever, but sometimes he interrupts too much.)
Welch has written a number of books including Addictions: Banquet in a Grave, When People are Big and God is Small, and Blame It On the Brain?.
One comment from this interview really jumped out at me (though there is much to be gleaned from it). He talked of the rise of secular counseling after WWII in the late 40s, and called these counselors "secular priests." I thought that was a great description of how many people view counselors. They are priests who can somehow help to absolve them of their guilt, or help them to resolve their problems through some special insight.
I believe we as counselors need to be careful not to become a priest to people who need the Great High Priest. Our job is to point them to Him, and the hope that is found in Him alone.
Counseling is not a simple issue, but neither is it as complex as some people try to make it. Welch, and others as CCEF that I have read, seem to do a good job in sorting through the issues and helping to eradicate some of the nonsense.
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I just came across your blog. I have been a biblically-based counselor since 1980, and agree with your comments. A couple thoughts: Secular counselors/psychologists/psychiatrists often look upon thmeselves as "priests," but so do many biblical counselors. It can feel good to be respected and "needed." I have known men who conisdered themselves to be biblical counselors who have fallen into sin with the people they were supposed to be helping. As you said, we need to be careful ... and remember that Jesus and his Word is what we are offering.
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