Dr. Newcomer's View on Counseling
 

It is a great joy for me to oversee the counseling training here at Central Baptist Theological Seminary.  Our core Introduction course, our two counseling electives, and our two directed study counseling options provide a well-rounded feast of preparation for ministry counseling.
 
When asked how I view counseling, I do so with four brushstrokes:
 
Biblical Counseling is to be Text-Driven.  Both Testaments are replete with explicit affirmations of Scripture’s absolute sufficiency to address any spiritual need in any man in any generation (e.g. Ps 19:7-9, 119).  The confidence of the Psalm writer in 119:128 (“I esteem right all Your precepts concerning everything, I hate every false way.”) clearly contrasts the hopelessness of the only alternative (“The way of the wicked is like darkness; They do not know over what they stumble.”—Prov 4:19; cf. Ps 1:1-6).  Any counsel concerning any spiritual issue (including reacting to outward circumstances as well as to health issues) will find a sufficient guide in the pages of special revelation.  It provides not only wisdom leading to salvation but also any necessary instruction for progressive sanctification and ministry (2Tim 3:15-17).
 
Biblical Counseling is to be Redemption-Anchored.Merely opening a Bible and reaching for topical treatments of counseling themes does not alone constitute “Biblical” counseling.  Such an approach may even produce a transaction-mindset (i.e. legalism) that makes demands such as, “I have read and understood what the Bible says about my problem, so God must change everything now.”  For the child of God, all spiritual changes are directly tied to the Gospel (Rom 6-8, Eph 4, Col 3).  In other words, once a person has experienced regeneration, any spiritual issue he will ever face will have its solution anchored in his positional status and resources in Christ (2Pet 1:2-4).  To give answers, even “biblical” answers, that are not direct extensions of redemptive truth is to be inconsistent with the Gospel.
 
Biblical Counseling is to be Christ-Exalting.  Jesus Christ is the centerpiece of every local church (Col 1:18, Eph 1:22).  He is the One who redeemed it (Acts 20:28, Col 1:14), equipped it (1Cor 12, Eph 4:7-12), is building it (Matt 16:18), is purifying it (Matt 18:15-20; Eph 5:26-27) and will receive it to Himself at His return (Col 3:4, 1Jn 3:2).  Consequently, it is He alone who receives all the glory in the transformation of the member of His Church into His image (2Cor 3:18).  All discipleship answers to spiritual issues must demonstrate the Christ-centrality of the Scriptures.
 
Biblical Counseling is to be Local Church-Centered.  In light of the aforementioned three convictions, it is finally my conviction that the body of Christ is the most suitable and equipped locale for giving spiritual answers to man’s problems (Eph 4:7-16, 1Cor 12).  The Church is the “pillar and support of the truth” (1Tim 3:15), the ordained center for spiritual accountability (Matt 18:15-20, 1Cor 5) and the repository of equipped disciplers (Matt 28:19-20, Eph 4:12-16).   

If you are just beginging to counsel and would like more resources I have two books that I always recommend to those involved in counseling. Introduction to Biblical Counseling  by John MacArthur and Wayne Mack, and How People Change by Paul Tripp and Tim Lane.
 

    
 

You can purchase both of these books through the CBTS Amazon bookstore. Click on the books for more details and to purchase.