The Counsel of Heaven on Earth: Foundations for Biblical Christian Counseling
Book Review Details
Author: Ian F. Jones, Ph.D.
Author: Ian F. Jones, Ph.D.
Publisher: Broadman & Holman (2006)
Category: Biblical Counseling, Christian Counseling, Christian Living, Discipleship
Reviewed: 05/22/09 by Bob Kellemen, Ph.D., LCPC, Author of Soul Physicians, Spiritual Friends, Sacred Friendships, and Beyond the Suffering (order here: http://www.rpmministries.org/)
Recommended: A valued addition to the field of biblical Christian counseling that is well-balanced, practical, and theologically-sound.
Review: What Makes Biblical Counseling Truly Biblical?
In The Counsel of Heaven on Earth, Dr. Ian Jones, Chair of the Counseling Department at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, outlines the essential features of biblical counseling. He clearly demonstrates how the Bible from cover to cover provides Christian counselors with the blueprint for developing an effective counseling ministry.
Dr. Jones is a bridge-builder, as depicted even in his subtitle: Foundations for Biblical Christian Counseling. In our day, few, unfortunately, make “biblical” and “Christian” synonymous when describing counseling models. Jones refuses to evade the issue, addressing the “alphabet soup” of counseling models, even in Christian circles. However, rather than being a “basher” of other approaches, Jones seeks to provide his readers not with THE one model, but with a foundational approach from which they can build a model that is truly Christian and biblical.
Jones’ foundation follows the CFR Narrative: Creation, Fall, Redemption. He rightly sees Creation as the starting point for biblical Christian counseling, building on the imago Dei and the truth that we are born to relationship. He moves from our family of origin to the distorted image and the deceit in our family history. Jones places us in the Fall, calling our lostness “the human location.” Appropriately, Jones does not leave us in our lost condition, moving his readers to “the supreme rescue”—Redemption.
Jones’ foundation follows the CFR Narrative: Creation, Fall, Redemption. He rightly sees Creation as the starting point for biblical Christian counseling, building on the imago Dei and the truth that we are born to relationship. He moves from our family of origin to the distorted image and the deceit in our family history. Jones places us in the Fall, calling our lostness “the human location.” Appropriately, Jones does not leave us in our lost condition, moving his readers to “the supreme rescue”—Redemption.
Having laid the theological foundation of Creation, Fall, Redemption (people, problems, and solutions), Jones moves his readers to methodology. This is where all too many biblical/Christian counseling texts become bogged down. Presenting solid theology, they assume a somewhat simplistic “information in” approach to the counseling relationship. Rather than saying, “Just pour truth into the brains of your counselees,” Jones focuses his readers on “the guiding commandment in Biblical Christian counseling”—Matthew 22:35-40.
Thus Jesus, the Counselor of heaven on earth, becomes our primary model. Jesus’ commandment to love God and others becomes the essential guide for “methods” in counseling. In this, Jones follows the Apostle Paul, who in 1 Thessalonians 2:8 stated that he loved the believers so much that he gave them not only the Scriptures, but his own soul. Scripture and soul, truth and relationship, are the twin compass points for the truly biblical Christian counselor. Jones spends several chapters then developing the “relational how to” of communicating truth in love in the counseling process.
Jones also links biblical Christian counseling with spirituality through chapters on the Holy Spirit, spiritual gifts, the fruit of the Spirit, spiritual disciplines, and spiritual formation. Thus “counseling” for Jones is discipleship that forms the image of Christ in the counselee through dependence upon the work of the Holy Spirit.
Jones augments each chapter with personal illustrations, counseling narratives, and descriptions of counseling in the local church. Additionally, the built-in discussion/application guide, along with extensive references, make The Counsel of Heaven on Earth a valued addition to the field of biblical Christian counseling.
Thus Jesus, the Counselor of heaven on earth, becomes our primary model. Jesus’ commandment to love God and others becomes the essential guide for “methods” in counseling. In this, Jones follows the Apostle Paul, who in 1 Thessalonians 2:8 stated that he loved the believers so much that he gave them not only the Scriptures, but his own soul. Scripture and soul, truth and relationship, are the twin compass points for the truly biblical Christian counselor. Jones spends several chapters then developing the “relational how to” of communicating truth in love in the counseling process.
Jones also links biblical Christian counseling with spirituality through chapters on the Holy Spirit, spiritual gifts, the fruit of the Spirit, spiritual disciplines, and spiritual formation. Thus “counseling” for Jones is discipleship that forms the image of Christ in the counselee through dependence upon the work of the Holy Spirit.
Jones augments each chapter with personal illustrations, counseling narratives, and descriptions of counseling in the local church. Additionally, the built-in discussion/application guide, along with extensive references, make The Counsel of Heaven on Earth a valued addition to the field of biblical Christian counseling.
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