Book Review: Competent to Counsel by Jay Adams
Adams maintains, in his book, that the Christian is competent to advise. “As for you, my brethren, I am convinced that you are especially abundant in the highest goodness, richly provided 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 advise. 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 the Scriptures are not inerrant. Furthermore, he does not want to ignore science, but rather uses it as a supplement to Biblical truths. The first chapter illustrates well 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 “. 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. Both counselors and counsel-seekers must respect the sovereignty of the Holy Spirit.” (p. 22) The textbook for Christian counselors must be the Word of God.
Adams reminds us that the Bible separates organic, physical-based problems from those that stem from sinful attitudes and behavior.
After three “introductory” 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.” Noutetic confrontation should be done by the whole church, not just the minister. (Colossians 3:16; Romans 15:14) “Noutetic” is a transliteration. Translations of the Greek word include: admonish, warn, teach. There are three elements of noutetic confrontation:
1) “it implies a problem, and it presupposes an obstacle that must be overcome; something is wrong in the life of the one who is faced with it.”
2) “problems are solved noutetically 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 Noutical Counseling:
- Goodness 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 counseling in the school. 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 church—in the context of the Holy Spirit.” (p. 252)
The classroom is the ideal environment, in the day to day with a system of punishments and rewards under the authority of God where the student is 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