The Journal of Biblical Counseling: Volume 13, Number 1, Fall 1994
Overview
For nearly 30 years, the Journal of Biblical Counseling (previously the Journal of Pastoral Practice) of CCEF (the Christian Counseling and Educational Foundation) has provided a forum for biblical counseling’s development and application. The journal’s mission is to develop clear thinking and effective practice in biblical counseling through articles that faithfully bring the God of truth, mercy, and power to the issues faced by ministries of counseling and discipleship.
Top Highlights
“However, it has a number of implications that are not obvious at first glance. For example, this model has made a dramatic statement about our deepest problem: it is longings, not sin. Followed consistently, the model would then suggest that the gospel is, most deeply, intended to meet psychological needs more than cleanse from sin. The ‘hollow core’ of longings becomes our basic problem. Taken to its logical conclusion, Christ becomes first a need meeter (for our deepest need) then, secondarily, a redeemer (for the wrong ways we react to our deepest need).” (Page 30)
“This means that the essence of the image of God in man is that we rejoice in God’s presence, love Him above all else, and live for God’s glory, not our own. As we learn by grace to love God and love our neighbor, we express the glory-image of God. The center of gravity in the universe is God and His glory-holiness—not our longings. And the most basic question of human existence becomes ‘How can I bring glory to God?,’ not ‘How will I meet my longings?’ These differences yield very different tugs on our hearts: one constantly pulls us outward to God as servants of His will; the other pulls God inward as servant of our longings.” (Page 33)
“Does the Scripture say anywhere that we need relationship in order to be filled? Does it say that we have a God-given longing for significance and worth in a meaningless world? No. The Scripture indicates that we need God, but we need Him as the image we are to reflect, we need Him because we have spiritual needs, and we need Him for life itself. The Scripture also indicates that we need each other, but we don’t need each other to fill a created emptiness. Instead, we need each other in order to reflect God’s glory. His commission to His people must be carried out corporately.” (Page 36)
- Title: The Journal of Biblical Counseling: Volume 13, Number 1, Fall 1994
- Author: David Powlison
- Series: The Journal of Biblical Counseling
- Publisher: The Christian Counseling and Educational Foundation
- Print Publication Date: 1994
- Logos Release Date: 2012
- Language: English
- Resources: 1
- Format: Digital › Logos Research Edition
- Subjects: Counseling › Practice; Pastoral counseling › Practice; Pastoral theology
- Resource ID: LLS:JBC13_1
- Resource Type: Journal
- Metadata Last Updated: 2022-09-16T17:43:51Z