Theology of Biblical Counseling
This course will seek to show that counseling by its very nature is theological. The subject of counseling is humans so we must study anthropology. Along with this we must study what is wrong with humans and why they have problems. Once we establish what is wrong, we must then determine what the solution is so that leads us to soteriology (the doctrine of salvation). We can then determine what methods to use in counseling and how change happens, so we study sanctification (the process of growth in Christ likeness). All counseling systems have these ingredients and more, so once you learn the key ingredients of secular systems you can then be discerning and not be led astray by the claims of the mental health world.
Every counseling system has a source of authority. Someone or something gets quoted. The source of authority for us is Scripture of course. It will be a goal of the class to demonstrate how a biblical counselor can build a complete counseling system out of Scripture, including methodology. This will demonstrate the sufficiency of Scripture. Along the way we will also touch on a theology of suffering, The role of the Holy Spirit, the key role of the local church (Ecclesiology) and even how Eschatology (the study of future things) shapes our counseling.
This is all for the glory of God.
The course fee is ₱1,300 and includes all reading materials, access to Canvas (the online platform we use for assignments and course communications), as well as a subscription to a digital library of 3,000+ ebooks).
Class meetings will be held via Zoom from 8pm-10pm, Manila Time, on Tuesday evenings beginning January 28th.
About your Instructor
Dr. Ernie Baker
Ernie has the privilege of serving as The Director of Training for Biblical Counseling Ministries Worldwide and as the Chairman of the on-line B.A. in Biblical Counseling at The Master’s University along with being an adjunct for the graduate program. He received his M.Div. from Capital Bible Seminary, and his D. Min. in Pastoral Counseling from Westminster Theological Seminary. Dr. Baker has been in pastoral ministry since 1980 and served most recently at First Baptist Church of Jacksonville, Florida to help establish the counseling ministry. He is a Certified Conciliator with The Institute for Christian Conciliation and teaches several conflict resolution courses along with doing conciliation. He is also a Fellow with the Association of Certified Biblical Counselors and supervises trainees as they become certified biblical counselors. It has been his privilege to teach biblical counseling and conciliation on six continents often along with his “adventure buddy”, Rose. He and Rose have three sons and three daughters (five of whom are married, and 14 grandchildren). Ernie is the author of:
• Marry Wisely, Marry Well: A Blueprint for Personal Preparation (Shepherd Press)
• Help! I’m in a Conflict (Shepherd Press)
• Help! Disability Pressures Our Marriage (Shepherd Press)
• Contributing author to Christ-Centered Biblical Counseling (Harvest House)
• Scripture and Counseling: God’s Word for Life in a Broken World (Zondervan)
• Men Counseling Men (Harvest House)
• Biblical Counseling and the Church: God’s Help Through God’s People (Zondervan)
• What Happened in the Garden: The Reality and Ramifications of the Fall (Kregel)
• Think Biblically (Crossway)
• Consulting editor of the “Critical Issues in Biblical Counseling” series (Shepherd Press)
• Biblical Counseling and the Psychologies (Shepherd Press)
• and numerous journal and magazine articles, especially for Focus on the Family’s ministry called, “The Focused Pastor.”
Along with enjoying relationship with the Lord and his family, Ernie enjoys gardening, hunting and studying the American Civil War. His favorite verse is Romans 11:36.
If you have questions about the class or would like to reach Jessica, please contact us.