Book Review: Competent to Counsel by Jay Adams
Adams maintains, in his book, that the Christian is competent to advise. “As for you, my brothers, I am convinced that you are especially abundant in the highest goodness, richly endowed with perfect knowledge, and competent to advise one another.” Romans 15:14 (Williams)
Jay Adams did not use the investigation of scientific findings to determine that Christians are competent to counsel. His method is presuppositional, since he openly accepts the inerrant Bible as the standard of all faith and practice. Furthermore, he acknowledges that his interpretations and applications of Scripture are not infallible. Furthermore, he does not wish to ignore science, but instead uses it as a supplement to biblical truths. The first chapter well illustrates the condition of modern psychiatry insofar as it states: “A minister should consider referral of any kind only as a last resort. The fact that an individual has sought a Christian counselor should in itself be considered of some importance.” (p. 19)
Since counseling is the work of the Holy Spirit, one must seek His guidance to be effective. (John 14:16,17; Isaiah 9:6) “The Holy Spirit is God with us. Counselors and seekers alike must respect the sovereignty of the Holy Spirit.” (p. 22) The textbook of Christian counselors should be the Word of God.
Adams reminds us that the Bible separates organic, physically based problems from those stemming from sinful attitudes and behaviors.
After three “introduction” chapters, Adams defines “nouretic counseling” in his fourth chapter. “Jesus Christ is at the center of all true Christian counseling. Any counseling that moves Christ from that point has ceased to be Christian to the extent that he has.” The nouthetic confrontation must be carried out by the whole church, not just by the minister. (Colossians 3:16; Romans 15:14) “Nouthetic” is a transliteration. Translations of the Greek word include: admonish, warn, teach. There are three elements of nouthetic confrontation:
1) “implies a problem, and presupposes an obstacle that must be overcome; something is wrong in the life of the one who faces it.”
2) “problems are solved nouthetically by verbal means.”
3) “verbal correction is intended to benefit the” person seeking a lawyer. (pp. 44-49)
Consider these: II Timothy 3:16; Colossians 1:28; II Timothy 4:2; 2 Corinthians 11:29; 1 Timothy 1:5.
Qualifications for nouthetic counseling:
- Kindness and Knowledge – Novels 15:14
- Wisdom-Colossians 3:16; Proverbs 1:7
After dealing with a number of other topics, Adams ends his book by discussing “Christian School Teachers as Nouthetic Counselors.” “The Christian teacher (not a counseling specialist) is the key to school counseling. If the teacher is qualified to be a Christian school teacher, given conviction and a minimum of the right kind of training and experience, that teacher can give more effective advice than self-styled experts. “Like other Christians, the Christian teacher can draw on all of God’s resources: Scripture, prayer, and the church, in the context of the Holy Spirit.” (p. 252)
The classroom is the ideal environment, on a day-to-day basis with a system of punishments and rewards under the authority of God, where the student finds himself in the most productive hours of the day. Deuteronomy 6:7 and 11:19
Adams makes his case well and reminds Christians to trust the Holy Spirit to guide them in this important work.
competent to advise – available at: http://www.amazon.com
