The Christian Counselor's Manual CH 5

Basic Presuppositions and Principles

Supporting the use of scripture during counseling the author states that when asking the questions from Chapter 4 (What is the specific problem? What biblical principles apply? What needs to happen to solve the problem with these principles?) the counselor will find that “…every biblical assumption or principle relates either directly or indirectly to some aspect of the counseling situation” (Adams, J.E., 1973, p. 33).

The author discusses psychology and believes that this explanation of man “…can lead only to the grossest misstatements regarding man and the solutions to his problems” (Adams, J.E., 1973, p. 33) as it is apart from Christ. And that in this attempt at fulfilling man’s worth and deepest desires through any other means apart from the Lord is meaningless. Therefore when thinking about psychology, “…all temporal activity is meaningless” (Adams, J.E., 1973, p. 35) because “In Him alone may be found the possibility of living ‘abundantly’” (Adams, J.E., 1973, p. 36).
The author discusses breakdowns as a shaking of a person’s foundation and a loss of hope that the counselor is to attempt to restore by restoring the counselees foundation in Christ.

Adams, J.E. (1973). The Christian Counselor’s Manual. p. 33-38. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Zondervan.