Journal: Masters Seminary Journal
Volume: TMSJ 09:1 (Spring 1998)
Article: The Sufficiency Of Scripture In Counseling
Author: Wayne A. Mack

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MSJ 9:1 (Spring 98) p. 63

The Sufficiency Of Scripture In Counseling1

Wayne A. Mack

Program Director and Professor of Biblical Counseling
The Master’s College

A belief in Biblical inerrancy entails an affirmation of Scripture’s sufficiency for understanding and resolving the non-physical problems of man. Counseling that is truly Christian must be Christ-centered, church-centered, and Bible-based. Various contemporary approaches to counseling question the sufficiency of Scripture, namely the two-book, the no-book, and the filtering device approaches. All three join in affirming that the traditional biblical resources for dealing with man’s problems are not enough. They fail to take into account, however, the finiteness of man’s knowledge, the depravity of human nature, and the sufficiency of Scripture. Psalm 19:7–11, 2 Timothy 3:15–17, and 2 Peter 1:2–7 affirm clearly the sufficiency of Scripture and Christ in dealing with man’s problems. Secular psychological principles are unnecessary and may even be harmful in trying to understand and help people.

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The Chicago statement on biblical inerrancy states that “the authority of Scripture is a key issue for the Christian Church in this and every age. Those who profess faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior are called to show the reality of their discipleship by humbly and faithfully obeying God’s written Word. To stray from Scripture in faith and conduct is disloyalty to our Master. Recognition of the total truth and trustworthiness of Holy Scripture is essential to a full grasp and adequate confession of its authority.”

As a Christian, I wholeheartedly agree with every aspect of this general statement on biblical inerrancy and authority. For me, the inerrancy of Scripture and the authority of Scripture are like Siamese twins—they are inseparably joined to each other. Holy Scripture, being God’s law and testimony, is true and should therefore serve as our standard for all matters of faith and practice (Isa 8:19–20). God’s Word being both truthful (John 17:17) and authoritative calls us to humble and faithful obedience in every area of which it speaks. There is no authority that is higher than that in Scripture. Wherever and on whatever subject the Scriptures

MSJ 9:1 (Spring 98) p. 64

speak, one must regard them as both inerrant and authoritative.

As a Christian, it is precisely because ...

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