Virginia Beach Theological Seminary
INTRODUCTION TO BIBLICAL COUNSELING (Online) Fall 2013 (3 Credit Hours) Instructor: Dr. Jim Newcomer COURSE DESCRIPTION Today’s Pastors and Christian leaders are daily confronted with issues with which the members of their local church flock wrestle. These are tough issues too—issues that carry heavy moral, spiritual and future ramifications. Unfortunately, many of God’s people today focus on feelings and the fear of man as they go through these critical issues. Self-esteem and fear are factored in more than the sufficient Christ. But it does not have to be this way. Indeed, for the child of God it should not! In Introduction to Biblical Counseling we will lay down the Bible’s timeless, theological grid for discipleship. We will then pass many of the most common counseling issues faced in the local church through this grid and gain God’s perspective in each one. As big as man’s problems can be, we want to see an even bigger God who is not only capable of changing circumstances but also changing us in our circumstances. COURSE PRESUPPOSITIONS We approach this class with several key presuppositions in place. First, we come with a very high view of special revelation. As we discuss taking man’s problems to God’s solutions in Scripture, we are confident that the Bible is sufficient for the task (Ps 19, 711, 2Tim 3:16-17, 2Pet 1:2-4). Indeed, we are confident that the Canon of Scripture is inspired (2Tim 3:16, 2Pet 1:21), inerrant (Matt 5:17-18, Jn 10:35), and authoritative (Matt 7:24-27, 2 Tim 3:16, Jam 1:22-25). Secondly, we come to this class with the presupposition that the students greatly desire to be used of God to help and disciple others (Matt 22:37-40, 1Thess 5:14, Gal 6:1). Finally, we come to this class with the presupposition that there exist practical, theological and methodological extremes in the realm of “Christian” counseling. On one extreme is a counseling model that is man-centered, and on the other extreme is a model that amounts to legalism. The former is eclectic in philosophy and pragmatic in methodology (Ps 1:1-3), while the latter is content with only addressing external issues (Col 2:20-23). In this class the biblical model of change and growth will be presented in contrast to these two extremes. COURSE REQUIREMENTS 1.
Work Load—This course is designed to be a three hour MDiv/MBS class. The student should to spend (in addition to 42 hours in the classroom) 80-90 hours outside of the classroom to complete the semester work load.
Syllabus—Introduction to Biblical Counseling (Newcomer) Fall 2013
Page 1
2.
Class Participation—Each online student is expected to listen carefully to all lecture material each week. These lectures will be delivered and recorded each Thursday in class, and they will be posted on the Populi site usually by Friday. They must be listened to by Monday night. Additionally, you will be required to write a 300-word synopsis of the material for that day. If several lectures are covered in three hours, one paragraph per lecture will suffice. Your synopsis will include a review of the material, a few personal observations, etc., to demonstrate your focus and understanding. This synopsis may be sent in a simple email format. (Send to
[email protected].) This synopsis must be emailed to Dr. Newcomer by 5pm Tuesday each week or it will be counted late, affecting the grade of a 0.
3.
Reading Assignments—Weekly reading assignments will be given and graded. The student is expected to read, not skim, the textbooks and journal articles. No late reading assignments will be accepted.
4.
Weekly Quizzes—A brief quiz will be emailed to you each Tuesday as a reply/receipt to your class synopsis email. The quiz will cover the previous week’s lecture material as well as the assigned journal reading. Being current with assigned textbook reading will always be the first quiz question. The quiz may not be looked at prior to your listening to the lectures from the previous Thursday. This quiz must be emailed to Dr. Newcomer by 9am Wednesday or it will be counted late affecting a loss of 25% of the grade for each day it is late.
5.
Examination— There will be no Final Exam. The class participation/attendance, weekly quizzes, reading requirements and two writing projects will suffice to produce an appropriate grade.
6.
Writing Projects—Each student will complete two writing projects. Unless specified otherwise by the Instructor, the projects will follow the following format: • • • • •
The paper will be written with a font no larger than 12 point. The paper will have 1 inch margins. The paper will follow the CBTS/Turabian Guidelines for footnotes, chapter divisions, a bibliography, and a title page. The paper will use primary sources and will document them properly. Bibliography/citations will consist of no less than 7 sources.
The projects are due at 9:15 A.M. on the day noted on the Syllabus. The grade will be lowered 5% for each day that the paper is late. 7.
Use of electronic devices in class—Cell phone usage (unless a family emergency) is forbidden during class time—both calls and messaging.
Syllabus—Introduction to Biblical Counseling (Newcomer) Fall 2013
Page 2
Additionally, the internet should not be surfed during class (FB, EBay, etc), unless directed to do so by the Professor or in connection with lecture material. Emailing should only be done for urgent matters. 8.
Making up missed work—It is up to the student to approach the Professor to make up quizzes and other work. Quizzes must be made up within one week of an absence or the student will receive a zero for the quiz.
9.
Course Notes—It will be the student’s responsibility to download/print their own copy of class notes prior to coming to class each week. These notes will be posted on the CBTS website. Failure to do so will be reflected in your grade re: Class Participation.
COURSE LEARNIN G OUTCOMES/OBJECTIVES As a result of taking this course the student will be able to: 1.
Comprehend the historical development of the modern day biblical (“nouthetic”) counseling movement. The student will develop an understanding of the evangelical landscape in the past key decades with regards to psychology, psychiatry and counseling. He/she will also be able to identify the key historical figures who have called the church back to the sufficiency of Scripture for counseling and progressive sanctification, identifying also their major contributions to the movement. A.
The Assignment In order to fulfill this learning outcome the student will compose an 8-10 page research paper (not including front matter or bibliography) documenting the development of the biblical counseling movement over the past 3-4 decades. Specifically, the following details must be developed within the paper: 1. No less than 15 key nouthetic individuals (BOLD CAPS) 2. No less than 7 major nouthetic organizations (Bold Italics) 3. No less than 5 major opponents to nouthetic counseling (Underline) 4. No less than 10 major nouthetic books (Italics) 5. Note: Mere lists of these required elements will not suffice. Resource material for this paper will come from the assigned reading, lectures, personal research and recommended reading list.
Syllabus—Introduction to Biblical Counseling (Newcomer) Fall 2013
Page 3
Email the paper to
[email protected]. B. 2.
The Due Date—Thursday, October 17, 9:30AM
Comprehend and apply (both personally and in ministry to others) the doctrine of progressive sanctification. They will become very familiar to the key texts dealing with progressive sanctification, and they will be able to lead themselves as well as their counselees through this biblical process of change and growth. A.
The Assignment In order to fulfill this learning outcome the student will compose an 8-10 page theology of progressive sanctification (not including front matter or bibliography). Approximately two-thirds (i.e. 4-6 pages) of the paper should be the statement of the doctrine, and one-third should be the application of this doctrine to a counseling topic of the student’s choice (e.g. anger, lust, pride, substance abuse, etc.). The data of Ephesians 4:22-24, Romans 6-8, James 1:19-25 and other critical progressive sanctification texts should be well-represented and should serve as the grid for this application. Resource material for this paper will come from the assigned reading, lectures, personal research and recommended reading list. No less than 7 sources from the required/recommended class book lists. Email the paper to
[email protected].
B. 3.
The Due Date—Thursday, November 29, 9:30AM
Generate a working knowledge of current Biblical Counseling literature. The student will become conversant with key works that come to bear on the biblical counseling movement. Becoming familiar with these titles, authors and sources they reference will serve the student well in his future ministry of discipleship. A.
The Assignment—Read 1,500 pages of biblical counseling literature. The student is to complete this assignment according to the following guidelines: •
Four of the books that must be read entirely are the required textbooks by Lambert, Adams, MacDonald/Kellemen/Viars and Welch. These books are to be read in the order prescribed in the weekly assignments.
Syllabus—Introduction to Biblical Counseling (Newcomer) Fall 2013
Page 4
B.
•
The remaining reading is to be done entirely from the recommended textbook list for this class.
•
Assigned pages must be read each week. This will be a weekly quiz question.
•
Assigned Journal articles may count towards this requirement.
•
A Reading Report will be handed in at the end of the semester. Email the reading report to
[email protected].
The Due Date—Thursday, December 5, 9:30AM
COURSE GRADING The student’s grade will be determined by the following factors: 1. Reading = 25% of the final grade 2. 2 Projects = 25% of the final grade 3. Weekly quizzes = 25% of the final grade 4. Class Attendance/Participation = 25% of the final grade A AB+ B BC+ C CD+ D DF
96-100 4.0 Outstanding work: superior achievement of course objectives 94-95 3.7 92-93 3.3 Good work: commendable achievement of course objectives 89-91 3.0 87-88 2.7 85-86 2.3 Acceptable work: satisfactory achievement of course objectives 81-84 2.0 79-80 1.7 77-78 1.3 Minimal work: marginal achievement of course objectives 72-76 1.0 70-71 0.7 0-69 0.0 Failure: unacceptable work
GRADING POLICY The Seminary employs a standardized frame of reference for the grading of all courses. Coursework which attains to the completion of the minimum specified standard, as articulated in the course syllabus, if accomplished with average competency, will receive an average target grade of 85%. Higher grades will be given to students that produce qualitatively better work (e.g., appropriate creativity, cogent analysis, thoughtful critique, excellent documentation, adequate thoroughness, etc.).
Syllabus—Introduction to Biblical Counseling (Newcomer) Fall 2013
Page 5
COURSE SCHEDULE Date 8/29 9/5
9/12
9/19
9/26 10/3
10/10 10/17
10/24 (NIU) 10/31
11/7
Details q Topic(s): Class Introduction; Scripture’s Sufficiency and Christian Counseling q Topic(s): Scripture’s Sufficiency and Christian Counseling (cont.) q Textbook Reading: Competent to Counsel (CTC) xi-104, Biblical Counseling Movement after Adams (BCM) 11-48 q Journal Reading: “25 Years” (Adams, Bettler) q Topic(s): Key Elements q Textbook Reading: CTC 105-210, BCM 49-100 q Journal Reading: “CCEF Beginning” (Bettler) q Quiz: Scripture’s Sufficiency and Christian Counseling q Topic(s): DVD Case Study #1, Theology of the Heart q Textbook Reading: Christ-Centered Biblical Counseling (CBC) 7-61, BCM 101-138 q Journal Reading: “Ardonis Complex” (Powlison) q Quiz: Key Elements q Topic(s): NANC Q/A Panel q Textbook Reading: CBC 63-105, BCM 139-170 q Journal Reading: “X-Ray Questions” (Powlison) q Topic(s): Theology of the Heart (continued) q Textbook Reading: CBC 107-208 q Journal Reading: “Homework”—Part One (Tripp) q Quiz: Theology of the Heart q Topic(s): Developing Homework; Christlike Response Ability q Textbook Reading: CBC 209-307 q Journal Reading: “Homework”—Part Two (Tripp) q Topic(s): Depression q Due: Research Paper on the history of biblical counseling. q Journal Reading: “Depression Labels” (Welch), “Christian Doctors on Depression” (Smith, Smith, Masri, Schaller) q Quiz: Homework; Christlike Response Ability q Topic(s): Depression (continued) q Textbook Reading: CBC 309-391 q Topic(s): Suicidal Counselees; Growing through Grief q Textbook Reading: CBC 939-445 q Journal Reading: “9Marks EJournal—Counseling” q Quiz: Depression q Topic(s): Theology of Forgiveness q Textbook Reading: Blame It on the Brain (BB) 11-102 q Journal Reading: “Making Sense of Christian Suicide” (Black) q Quiz: Suicide; Grief
Syllabus—Introduction to Biblical Counseling (Newcomer) Fall 2013
Page 6
11/14
11/21 and 28 12/5
12/12
q Topic(s): Private Sin Habits q Textbook Reading: BB 105-204 q Journal Reading: “Slaying the Dragon” (Powlison) q Quiz: Forgiveness ETS Week and Thanksgiving Week—No Class q Topic(s): TBA q Journal Reading: “Guidance and God’s Will” (Petty) q Due: Theology of Progressive Sanctification Paper q Quiz: Private Sin Habits q Topic(s): Exam Week q Due: Semester Reading Sheet
COURSE BIBLIOGRAPHY Required Textbooks: 1. Adams, Jay. Competent to Counsel. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1970. 2. Welch, Ed. Blame It on the Brain. Phillipsburg: P&R Publishing, 1998. 3. MacDonal, James, Bob Kellemen, and Steve Viars. Christ-Centered Biblical Counseling. Eugene, OR: Harvest House Publishers, 2013. 4. Lambert, Heath. The Biblical Counseling Movement after Adams. Wheaton: Crossway, 2012. Recommended Textbooks: • • • • • • • • • • •
Adams, Jay. A Theology of Christian Counseling. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1979. Adams, Jay. The Christian Counselor’s Manual. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1973. Adams, Jay. From Forgiven to Forgiving. Amityville, NY: Calvary Press, 1994. Adams, Jay. Handbook of Church Discipline. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1986. Adams, Jay. How to Help People Change. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1986. Adams, Jay. The Practical Encyclopedia of Christian Counseling. Stanly, NC: Timeless Texts, 2003. Asher, Marshall and Mary. The Christian’s Guide to Psychological Terms. Bemidji, MN: Focus Publishing, 2004. Berg, Jim. Changed into His Image. Greenville: BJU Press , 1999. Berg, Jim. Created for His Glory. Greenville: BJU Press, 2002. Berg, Jim. When Trouble Comes. Greenville: BJU Press, 2002. Bulkley, Ed. Why Christians Can’t Trust Psychology. Eugene: Harvest House Publishers, 1993.
Syllabus—Introduction to Biblical Counseling (Newcomer) Fall 2013
Page 7
• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
Emlet, Michael R. CrossTalk: Where Life and Scripture Meet. Greensboro: New Growth Press, 2009. Fitzpatrick, Elyse and Dennis E. Johnson. Counsel from the Cross. Wheaton: Crossway Books, 2009. Fitzpatrick, Elyse. Overcoming Fear, Worry & Anxiety. Eugene: Harvest House Publishers, 2001. Fitzpatrick, Elyse and Laura Hendrickson. Will Medicine Stop the Pain? Chicago: Moody, 2006. Jones, Robert D. Uprooting Anger. Philipsburg, NJ: P&R, 2005. Kellemen, Robert. Equipping Counselors for Your Church. Philipsburg, NJ: P&R, 2011. Lundgaard, Kris. The Enemy Within. Phillipsburg: P&R Publishing, 1998. MacArthur, John and Wayne Mack. Introduction to Biblical Counseling. Dallas: Word Publishing Group, 1994. MacArthur, John. Our Sufficiency in Christ. Dallas: Word Publishing, 1991. Mack, Wayne. A Homework Manual for Biblical Living—Volume1—Personal and Interpersonal Problems. Phillipsburg: P&R Publishing, 1979. Mack, Wayne. A Homework Manual for Biblical Living—Volume 2—Family and Marital Problems. Phillipsburg: P&R Publishing, 1980. Petty, James. Step by Step: Divine Guidance for Ordinary Christians. Philipsburg, NJ: P&R, 1999. Piper, John. When the Darkness will not Lift. Wheaton: Crossway Books, 2006. Priolo, Lou. Pleasing People. Phillipsburg: P&R Publishing, 2007. Powlison, David. Seeing with New Eyes. Phillipsburg: P&R Publishing, 2003. Powlison, David. Speaking Truth in Love. Winston-Salem: Punch Press, 2005. Powlison, David. The Biblical Counseling Movement: History and Context. Greensboro: New Growth Press, 2010. Sande, Ken. The Peacemaker. Grand Rapids: Baker Books, 1997. Smith, Robert. The Christian Counselor’s Medical Desk Reference. Stanley, NC: Timeless Texts, 2000. Tripp, Paul. Instruments in the Redeemer’s Hands. Phillipsburg: P&R Publishing, 2002. Tripp, Paul and Timothy Lane. How People Change. Winston-Salem, NC: Punch Press, 2006. Welch, Ed. Addictions: A Banquet in the Grave. Phillipsburg: P&R Publishing, 2001. Welch, Ed. Depression: A Stubborn Darkness. Phillipsburg: P&R Publishing, 2004. Welch, Ed. When People are Big and God is Small. Phillipsburg: P&R Publishing, 1997.
Recommended Journals/Periodicals: •
The Biblical Counselor. Indianapolis: National Association of Nouthetic Counselors.
Syllabus—Introduction to Biblical Counseling (Newcomer) Fall 2013
Page 8
• •
The Journal of Biblical Counseling. Glenside, PA: Christian Counseling and Education Foundation. The Journal of Modern Ministry. Stanley, NC: Timeless Texts.
Recommended Websites: • • • • • • • • • • • •
National Association of Nouthetic Counselors (www.nanc.org) Christian Counseling & Education Foundation (www.ccef.org) Faith Biblical Counseling Ministries (www.fbcmlafayette.org) Jim Berg (www.jimberg.com) Biblical Counseling Foundation (www.bcfministries.org) International Association of Biblical Counselors (www.iabc.net) Institute for Biblical Counseling & Discipleship (www.ibcd.org) Biblical Counseling Center (www.biblicalcounselingcenter.org) Institute for Nouthetic Studies (www.nouthetic.org) Strengthening Ministries International (www.mackministries.org) Peacemaker Ministries (www.hispeace.org) Monergism (www.monergism.com/thethreshold/articles/topic/counseling.html)
Syllabus—Introduction to Biblical Counseling (Newcomer) Fall 2013
Page 9
