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Christ-Centered Biblical Counseling: Changing Lives with God's Changeless Truth
Christ-Centered Biblical Counseling is a comprehensive guide that will equip God’s people to use biblical truth to change lives. More than that, this book will increase people’s confidence in the sufficiency and relevancy of God’s Word to address real-life issues in a multitude of counseling situations. Readers of this book The 28 chapters blend theological wisdom and practical expertise. The first half of the book emphasizes a practical theology of biblical counseling; the second half highlights a practical methodology of biblical counseling. Though accessible to all Christians, the book will especially appeal to pastors and church leaders, counseling practitioners, students, and educators.
480 pages, Hardcover
First published March 1, 2013
41 people are currently reading
274 people want to read
About the author
James MacDonald
264 books105 followersJames MacDonald (D. Min. Phoenix Seminary) is married to his high school sweetheart, Kathy, and both are from Ontario, Canada. He is the father of three grown children, a daughter-in-law, a son-in-law, and grandfather to four amazing grandsons. James’ ministry focuses on the unapologetic proclamation of God’s Word. In 1988, along with a small group of ministry partners, James and Kathy planted Harvest Bible Chapel which has grown to 13,000 people each weekend, meeting in six locations.
In 1997, a Bible-teaching broadcast ministry called Walk in the Word was established, now reaching more than three million people weekly. In 2002, a church planting ministry called Harvest Bible Fellowship was born and has established more than 70 churches across North America and around the world. James’ vision is that God will use him to help plant 1,000 churches in his lifetime.
James’ extensive ministry also includes a training center for pastors, a year-round camp, a biblical counseling center, a disaster recovery organization, and a Christian school—all used to reach more people with the life-changing message of the Gospel.
Now impacting millions of lives annually, God’s favor upon these ministries has been described by James as “abundantly baffling.” The MacDonalds’ view their ministry as proof that God still uses broken vessels to pour out His grace.
In 1997, a Bible-teaching broadcast ministry called Walk in the Word was established, now reaching more than three million people weekly. In 2002, a church planting ministry called Harvest Bible Fellowship was born and has established more than 70 churches across North America and around the world. James’ vision is that God will use him to help plant 1,000 churches in his lifetime.
James’ extensive ministry also includes a training center for pastors, a year-round camp, a biblical counseling center, a disaster recovery organization, and a Christian school—all used to reach more people with the life-changing message of the Gospel.
Now impacting millions of lives annually, God’s favor upon these ministries has been described by James as “abundantly baffling.” The MacDonalds’ view their ministry as proof that God still uses broken vessels to pour out His grace.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
May 14, 2018
This is a collection of essays on counseling, and as with any collection some selections are home runs, others are more akin to a batter standing in the box with glazed eyes watching three, dead-center fastballs zoom by. In other words, some are real strike-outs. At points it seemed as if, in some brainstorming meeting, the folks planning this book imagined what they'd be in hot water for if they left out a chapter on "xyz." It seems as if they then proceeded to make sure they didn't leave those chapters out, leaving some essays feeling "forced."
On the whole, however, there are good insights and encouragement as to how a church should think about its counseling work and ministry. As the title indicates, the editors and authors really did strive to make it a Christ-centered approach to counseling, and therefore returned again and again to the sufficiency of Scripture. I certainly have no complaints there. This isn't the best book on counseling, nor the worst. At points it is really good, and again, at others, not so good.
On the whole, however, there are good insights and encouragement as to how a church should think about its counseling work and ministry. As the title indicates, the editors and authors really did strive to make it a Christ-centered approach to counseling, and therefore returned again and again to the sufficiency of Scripture. I certainly have no complaints there. This isn't the best book on counseling, nor the worst. At points it is really good, and again, at others, not so good.
April 5, 2022
Absolutely loved this book. A friend loaned me a copy, but I am purchasing my own to keep as a resource. I was challenged, convicted, and encouraged on a personal level as I read, and I learned so much. I had read Gospel-Centered Counselling, but this book is an even greater resource. The theological opening chapters are so rich and the application-driven chapters so full of insight. This is a great guide to the counselling process and how to walk with a brother or sister through a difficult time, whether it be struggling with a trial or wrestling with sin. I would heartily recommend this book to any believer, not just pastors or counsellors.
March 11, 2025
This is one of my favorite books on counseling. You are getting rich and profound theological and practical work from Biblical counselors and pastors for those who desire to step into Biblical counseling. As all pastors do counseling, this is a great tool to rethink how one thinks about counseling and how one can execute it in their flock.
March 11, 2025
A good systematic introduction to the theology and practice of biblical counseling. I found especially applicable the chapter on small groups, particularly the pathway for equipping small group leaders to aid in counseling for life transformation in a group discipleship context.
July 29, 2017
This is a very helpful resource, which I expect to return to as a reference book throughout my ministry.
July 12, 2018
An excellent overview of the major facets of Biblical Counseling. Well-rounded and thorough
July 21, 2018
Excellent read as one continues to grow in loving the church well.
September 3, 2019
Such a mixed bag of essays without clear organization. The other books I've read recently on biblical counseling were a lot more helpful and exciting.
November 14, 2019
I highly recommend this book! The authors remind all believers to live Christ-centered and Gospel-focused!
May 17, 2013
Theology and counseling. What do these two words have in common? For one, many people tend to relegate both to professionals. Secondly, most people unknowingly engage in both, regardless of what type of formal training they have (or have not) received. Virtually everyone holds some sort of belief about God, and almost every person gives counsel at some point in his/her life.
Of theology, Josh Harris writes:
"Theology matters...it matters...because what we know about God shapes the way we think and live. What you believe about God's nature--what he is like, what he wants from you, and whether or not you will answer to him--affects every part of your life. Theology matters, because, if we get it wrong, then our life will be wrong...We're either building our lives on the reality of what God is truly like and what he's about, or we're basing our lives on our own imagination and misconceptions. We're all theologians. The question is whether what we know about God is true" (Josh Harris, Dug Down Deep, pgs. 10-11).
Yes! Theology matters. The study of this personal God and how He relates to His creatures makes a substantial impact on how one lives life. The authors of Christ-Centered Biblical Counseling understand and are committed to this truth. So much so, that Part I of this book begins with an introduction to the classic doctrines found in a systematic theology, laying a theological foundation for Christian living and preparing the reader for the practical implications found in Part II. The contributors to Christ-Centered Biblical Counseling do an excellent job demonstrating the relationship between theology and counseling. The theology is Biblical, readable, and relevant to daily life. Furthermore, the material serves to whet one's appetite for further study of God's Word and His work.
But what of counseling? Does counseling matter? In Part II, Mark Dever and Deepak Reju contend that "Counseling is a subset of discipleship and deals with the more problematic and difficult aspects of life to handle..." (pg. 251). If that is the case, counseling is part of what is commanded in Matthew 28 when Jesus instructs His followers to go and make disciples of all nations. You see, "counseling" is meant to encompass ministering the Word to one another and disciple-making, which makes a book like Christ-Centered Biblical Counseling important and helpful for all Christians.
Dever and Reju rightly recognize that:
"Every believer is expected to disciple someone and to be discipled, and is capable of doing so without any formal training. All they need is a willing spirit and a Bible. On the other hand, members may not know how to care for Christians who are stuggling with more severe problems. Even if they are willing to help, they may not know what to do, what to say, or where to go in the Bible for help. While everyone has the ability to disciple or be discipled, counseling might require more guidance from pastors and counselors" (pg.251).
Christ-Centered Biblical Counseling is available to offer further guidance. Bob Kellemen and Steve Viars write that the goal of Christ-Centered Biblical Counseling is to equip the reader to equip others "so that we bring Him glory through our individual and corporate growth in Christlikeness" (pg. 19). This book is an excellent means to that end.
*Many thanks to Harvest House Publishers for sending me a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion!
Of theology, Josh Harris writes:
"Theology matters...it matters...because what we know about God shapes the way we think and live. What you believe about God's nature--what he is like, what he wants from you, and whether or not you will answer to him--affects every part of your life. Theology matters, because, if we get it wrong, then our life will be wrong...We're either building our lives on the reality of what God is truly like and what he's about, or we're basing our lives on our own imagination and misconceptions. We're all theologians. The question is whether what we know about God is true" (Josh Harris, Dug Down Deep, pgs. 10-11).
Yes! Theology matters. The study of this personal God and how He relates to His creatures makes a substantial impact on how one lives life. The authors of Christ-Centered Biblical Counseling understand and are committed to this truth. So much so, that Part I of this book begins with an introduction to the classic doctrines found in a systematic theology, laying a theological foundation for Christian living and preparing the reader for the practical implications found in Part II. The contributors to Christ-Centered Biblical Counseling do an excellent job demonstrating the relationship between theology and counseling. The theology is Biblical, readable, and relevant to daily life. Furthermore, the material serves to whet one's appetite for further study of God's Word and His work.
But what of counseling? Does counseling matter? In Part II, Mark Dever and Deepak Reju contend that "Counseling is a subset of discipleship and deals with the more problematic and difficult aspects of life to handle..." (pg. 251). If that is the case, counseling is part of what is commanded in Matthew 28 when Jesus instructs His followers to go and make disciples of all nations. You see, "counseling" is meant to encompass ministering the Word to one another and disciple-making, which makes a book like Christ-Centered Biblical Counseling important and helpful for all Christians.
Dever and Reju rightly recognize that:
"Every believer is expected to disciple someone and to be discipled, and is capable of doing so without any formal training. All they need is a willing spirit and a Bible. On the other hand, members may not know how to care for Christians who are stuggling with more severe problems. Even if they are willing to help, they may not know what to do, what to say, or where to go in the Bible for help. While everyone has the ability to disciple or be discipled, counseling might require more guidance from pastors and counselors" (pg.251).
Christ-Centered Biblical Counseling is available to offer further guidance. Bob Kellemen and Steve Viars write that the goal of Christ-Centered Biblical Counseling is to equip the reader to equip others "so that we bring Him glory through our individual and corporate growth in Christlikeness" (pg. 19). This book is an excellent means to that end.
*Many thanks to Harvest House Publishers for sending me a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion!
December 24, 2016
This book was much better than I initially expected, and absolutely changed my views on what, at it's core, Biblical counseling is all about. The layout was in two parts, the first being a theological foundation for Biblical counseling as a whole, and the second being a practical outworking of this theology. This worked, and it worked well. Also, this is not a book from the three authors on the cover, but rather a book written by multiple authors, all converging on the topic with a striking level of unity. This should be the first book read by anyone considering becoming more adept at people-helping within their own church. Highly recommended.
March 4, 2015
This is another one of those books with "Christ-Centered" in the title where I wonder if it'll actually mean anything significant. It does, and it is a very encompassing theme of every chapter. The book itself has lots of great chapters, and some not so great. Each chapter is written by one or two individuals with particular expertise or experience on the topic. Although some chapters are not particularly strong, the ones that are excellent make this book a great read, although it was a little long.
April 25, 2013
Great overview of what it looks like to practically follow Jesus.
March 3, 2014
It was ok; there were some very good points and insights and some unbiblical points. The second half (practical) is much better than the first half (theological).
August 13, 2015
It was ok. A little long, I think.
September 16, 2018
Some really helpful chapters. Others, not so much. Very long and extensive book.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews