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.
“‘An increasing number of studies have failed to show a difference between active anti-depressants and placebo’ (p. 1813). What do biblical counselors do with this? Don’t be intimidated by the popular media, which suggests that drugs are the deepest and most important treatment for depression. A placebo, which is nothing more than hope in pill form, is oftentimes equally effective. As biblical counselors, we can offer hope that is much more certain.” (Page 77)
“The placebo effect, when it is from a pill, is increasing at a rate of about seven percent each decade. In other words, if 30 percent of a group of depressed people responded to placebos in 1970, 50 percent of that group would respond to them today. Such use of placebos suggests that as a culture we are putting more and more hope in our pills. The placebo effect is a measure of our confidence—the trust we place in a particular object.” (Page 77)
“Second, repent of the lies you have imbibed unknowingly and the false foundations on which you have vainly sought happiness.” (Pages 59–60)
“In fundamental ways, the love of Christ speaks contrary to your ‘love language’ and ‘felt needs.’ Does anyone naturally say, ‘I need You to rule me so I’m no longer ruled by what I want’? Does anyone naturally say, ‘For Your name’s sake, O Lord, pardon my iniquity for it is great’ (Psalm 25:11)? Does anyone naturally say, ‘My greatest need is for mercy, and then for the wisdom to give mercy. I long for redemption. May Your kingdom come. Deliver us from evil’?” (Page 9)
“What he is warning us about is our inclination to make critical judgments in the negative sense, which involves looking for others’ faults and, without valid and sufficient reason, forming unfavorable opinions of their qualities, words, actions, or motives. In simple terms, it means looking for the worst in others.” (Page 13)