Presuppositions of Biblical Counseling

by Lou Priolo

What counselors presuppose will ultimately dictate their philosophy and methodology of counseling. Historical biblical counselors presuppose only that which the Bible affirms. In Presuppositions of Biblical Counseling, Lou Priolo unpacks twelve presuppositions (originally postulated by Jay E. Adams) to help readers understand what sets biblical counseling apart from other theories (really, theologies) of counseling. It will also help those in counseling (or seeking counseling) determine if the counselors from whom they are seeking help are truly biblical.

Genres: Counselling

133 pages, Paperback

Published October 1, 2023

About the author

LOU PRIOLO is the Director of Biblical Counseling at Eastwood Presbyterian Church in Montgomery, Alabama. A graduate of Calvary Bible College and Liberty University, he is the author of The Heart of Anger , and The Complete Husband. Lou is also a Fellow in the National Association of Nouthetic Counselors. He resides in Wetumpka, Alabama with his wife, Kim, and daughters, Sophia and Gabriella.

Reviews

[Evandro · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lou Priolo (in memorian) traz aqueles pontos que deveriam ser considerados sempre antes de qualquer aconselhamento. Nem todo aconselhamento que usa a Bíblia é de facto “Aconselhamento Bíblico”. Os pressupostos permeiam todo o processo do aconselhamento. A teologia do conselheiro, sua crença na suficiência das Escrituras, seu ambiente na igreja local e seu alvo na restauração do pecador à imagem de Deus, são coisas muitas vezes negligenciadas. Infelizmente, o tratamento para deprimidos e pessoas que passam por traumas e diversos tipos de sofrimento tem sido terceirizados para profissionais da psicologia clínica, enquanto pastores se isentam de suas responsabilidades. Por outro lado, muitos cristãos apenas relegam o papel de aconselhar aos pastores, abandonando seu papel de mais básico de cristão: consolar, exortar e encorajar “uns aos outros”, a mutualidade cristã. Priolo destaca esses pontos e outros através de 12 pressuposições que são claras, bem fundamentadas e profundamente bíblicas. Livro importantíssimo para todo líder ou membro da igreja ler. Recomendo demais!

[David Jamison · Rating 3 out of 5]

Addresses some of the most important things that defined Jay Adams’ nouthetic/biblical counseling. Really helpful to distinguish that from more modern versions. 3 starts because although I agree with all 12 presuppositions, I not convinced that Priolo’s defense of them would move the needle for folks who aren’t bought in already. Would recommend for anyone interested in learning what the biblical counseling movement is and was envisioned to be by Adams.

In my own understanding, BC is simply Van Tillianism applied to the care and cure of souls. And, without using Van Til’s language, this book makes that clearer than many other BC books.

[Anna Zachary]

Really helpful for understanding what sets biblical counseling apart from integrationist counseling!

[Wesley Ralph · Rating 5 out of 5]

Clear, direct, and timely in our modern therapy-speak everywhere culture.