People may not like Nouthetic Counseling (articles appear from time to time attempting to debunk it). But that’s to be expected. Whenever anyone tries to do something to serve the Lord there will be opposition.
What we ask for is an honest appraisal of what we teach—nothing more. We don’t expect everyone to see eye to eye with us. Far from it. But when they differ, we would like them to represent our views fairly.
To say that we believe everything bad that happens in a person’s life is due to his personal sin, is a calumny. We have never taught any such thing. Yet, this is frequently parroted by those unsympathetic with NC. Trouble comes our way because of Adam’s sin, yes. But certainly not all of it because of the sin of individuals since. This was made perfectly clear in Competent to Counsel as early as 1970!
Additionally, to say that we don’t believe in doing good to unbelievers is equally false. We would want to feed them if hungry, clothe them if needy, and so forth. But to ask them to do what only Christians can do is not only to treat them unkindly, it is counterproductive. It is one thing to do good to another; something quite different to ask him to do the same.
In a recent blog we were accused of teaching that the counselor cannot be wrong—only the counselee. That is nonsense! We have said so much about how a counselor can go wrong that there is hardly anything left to say. For instance, we have set forth Fifty Failure Factors for counselors to use in order discover possible ways in which they might be failing counselees.
In this same blog, the writer claims that the goal on NC is control. Yes, control of one’s own lifestyle by the Spirit—but never control of counselees by counselors. In Galatians 5, Paul speaks of the fruit of the Spirit, one piece of which is “self-control.” That is precisely the goal of our counseling. It is always interesting to note how far from the actual practice of NC a critic can come, but it would be nice if he would read far enough in the literature to know what he is criticizing.
I appreciate the Biblical stand NC takes. Thank you for standing on Scripture.
Thank you Jay for being willing to be used by God to stand on The Truth of God’s Word! God has used you in a mighty way to raise the banner high of God’s sufficient Word in times when many would refuse it. I remember first reading your books in college and developing a love and understanding for the fact that God’s Word is totally sufficient. Thank you again!
Thank you Dr. Adams for your love and care for the Church. Thanks for your ongoing blogging. You have mentored so many. Many evenings have I labored in prayer studying your books in the consideration of God’s Word and its impact on my heart/ man’s heart. You have been a friend to me teaching me the fear of God and His wisdom.
I wanted to see what better job some friends and I can do to more rightly address a counseling situation, so I found and read those 50 Counselor Evaluation Questions to which you referred.
Would you welcome a few questions?
I am glad to answer questions. Email me at [email protected]
Donn R Arms