Biblical Counseling

“The mind of sinful
man is death, but
the mind controlled
by the Spirit is life
and peace.”
(Romans 8:6,NIV)

“For who has
known the mind of
the Lord that he
may instruct him?”
But we have the
mind of Christ.”
(1Cor. 2:16,NIV)

“With this in mind,
we constantly pray
for you, that our
God may count you
worthy of his calling,
and that by his
power he may fulfill
every good purpose
of yours and every
act prompted by
your faith. We pray
this so that the name
of our Lord Jesus
may be glorified in
you, and you in him,
according to the
grace of our God
and the Lord Jesus
Christ.”
(2 Thessalonians 1:
11-12, NIV)

Biblical Cognitive Therapy: Understanding ourselves through the “Eye of the Bible
[1]” and seeking God's will for our lives through the Scriptures and Prayer:

Biblical Psychology defined concisely:

The English word "psychology" is derived from two Greek words:
a. psuche = soul, life, person, self
b. logos = word, logic, study of, reasoning

Biblical Psychology would be a biblical study of the heart, mind and soul of man as we can understand
him from his creation before the fall in the garden and then using the OT Scriptures, e.g., Wisdom
Literature, and NT Epistles and instructions for Godly “rational” thinking and behavior for correction
and teaching to better understand ourselves and others in our lives.

The choice to do good or evil, where true thought begins and ends without the indwelling of the Holy
Spirit is clearly the result of flawed motivation, “irrational” thinking. Counseling without the Scriptures
for effectual change brought about by the Holy Spirit (regeneration resulting in “rational” thinking) will
do little for any individual with eternal consequence. “Much of what is called Christian counseling
today is nothing more than mind psychology. Telling people to shape up, change their mind, etc.[2]”
“for with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto
salvation.” (Romans 10:10)

Cognition defined: “Cognition, act or process of knowing. Cognition includes attention, perception,
memory, reasoning, judgment, imagining, thinking, and speech.[3]”

Cognitive Therapies: “Cognitive therapies are similar to behavioral therapies in that they focus on
specific problems. However, they emphasize changing beliefs and thoughts, rather than observable
behaviors. Cognitive therapists believe that irrational beliefs or distorted thinking patterns can cause a
variety of serious problems, including depression and chronic anxiety. They try to teach people to think
in more rational, constructive ways.[4]”

A Biblical “Cognitive Behavior Therapy” would be diagnosing and isolating problems, explaining how
behavior can be changed from inappropriate behavior to appropriate behavior, by making a conscious
effort, behaving or responding appropriately and intentionally, using God’s Word to define “rational”
and “irrational” beliefs and thinking.

Counselees throughout the counseling process are encouraged to continue in worship, personal
devotion, prayer, and fellowship for the benefit of the means of Grace, by which they are enabled to
fulfill their obligation to serve God in their daily lives. Obeying God is rational behavior.

"Conclusion: we are God’s creation, trying to survive in a fallen world, destine for destruction. Outside
of Christ Jesus, God almighty, and a constant feeding and reliance on His Word through the Holy Spirit
(Matthew 4:4) there is no therapy or instruction that can teach, correct, and/or answer any questions in
an effort to fill the void in the hearts of men that they themselves search endlessly to fill. This void is a
life without Christ." (RevTMiller,2003)

1. Trinity College of the Bible and Theological Seminary, Dr. Howard A. Eyrich, Becoming a Biblical Counselor, Course #270, Syllabus Date: 12/98
2. Associate Pastor/Biblical Counselor V. Tauriello New Hope Presbyterian Church (OPC)
Frederick, MD. Vtauriello--12-20-2002—in correspondence w/TRMiller
3. "Cognition," Microsoft® Encarta® Encyclopedia 2000. © 1993-1999 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.
4. "Psychotherapy," Microsoft® Encarta® Encyclopedia 2000. © 1993-1999 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.

Compiled by: Dr. Tom Miller, C.Ph.D.
National Conservative Christian Church Ordained Clinical Pastoral Counselor Licensed by the National Christian
Counselors Association (not state licensed)
Professional Clinical Member of the National Christian Counselors Association
N.C.C.A. Board Certified Faith Based Integrated Marriage & Family Therapist; Cognitive Therapist; Crisis and Abuse
Therapist; Group Therapist and an N.B.C.C.T. Board Certified Clinical Supervisor-N.C.C.A. A.P.S. Certified
Adjunct Professor - Lancaster Bible College & Graduate School
International Representative - Sarasota Academy of Christian Counseling
N.C.C.A. Stands for The National Christian Counselors Association
“The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God stands
forever.”
(Isaiah 40:8 NKJV)
_________________________________________________________

GRACE FOR LIFE MINISTRIES
BIBLICAL COUNSELING OFFERED BY:
Dr. Thomas R. Miller, C.Ph.D. Senior Pastor and Pastoral Counselor

Dr. Thomas R. Miller, C.Ph.D. ™
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