Competent to Counsel: Introduction to Nouthetic Counseling

Written by Jay E. Adams

Narrated by Milton Bagby

A classic in the field of Christian counseling, Competent to Counsel is one of the first works to fully articulate a vision of "nouthetic" counseling—a strictly biblical approach to behavioral counseling and therapy.

Dr. Jay Adams defends the idea that the Bible itself, as God's Word, provides all the principles needed for understanding and engaging in holistic counseling. Using biblically directed discussion, nouthetic counseling works by means of the Holy Spirit to bring about change—both immediate and long-term—in the personality and behavior of the counselee.

As he points out in his introduction, "I have been engrossed in the project of developing biblical counseling and have uncovered what I consider to be a number of important scriptural principles. . . There have been dramatic results. . . Not only have people's immediate problems been resolved, but there have also been solutions to all sorts of long-term problems as well."

Competent to Counsel has helped thousands of pastors, students, laypersons, and Christian counselors develop:

• A general approach to (and theology of) Christian counseling.
• Specific, practical responses to particular problems useful for teaching, study, and personal application.

Since its first publication in 1970, this book has gone through over thirty printings. It establishes the basis for and an introduction to a counseling approach that is being used in pastors' studies, in counseling centers, and across dining room tables throughout the country and around the world.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Zondervan
• Release date: Dec 7, 2021
• ISBN: 9780310910077

Jay E. Adams

Jay E. Adams (PhD, University of Missouri) is a former director of advanced studies and professor of practical theology at Westminster Theological Seminary, as well as a retired pastor. He has written over fifty books on pastoral ministry, preaching, counseling, Bible study, and Christian living. His books include Competent to Counsel, The Christian Counselor’s Manual, and Marriage, Divorce, and Remarriage in the Bible.

Reviews for Competent to Counsel

[Johnny · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

A milestone in the Christian counseling world.
Must read for everyone interested by this topic

[timmillr · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I love that Jay Adams insists on taking a Biblical View on life matters. He realizes that in all circumstances, the Word of God is our standard and tool for life. In this book, and in his series on counseling, Jay Adams walks through providing hope and direction to our brothers and sisters in Christ. This book greatly altered my way of helping others and forced me to examine my own actions and behavior in life. In particular, the perspective on Love being a commandment of God hits home.

[ittai_4 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Excellent, Biblically reasoned presentation of why a minister knowledgeable in God's word is the best source for counseling. From his background in both theology and psychology Adams is quite "competent" to make his claim!