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Sufficiency: Historic Essays on the Sufficiency of Scripture in Counseling
148 pages, Paperback
Published June 1, 2023
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
February 21, 2025
Gave it two stars for Powlison’s essay which was actually quite helpful.
However much I agree with the premise of the title and thesis of the book—that the Bible is our foundation for all counseling—this collection of essays is terrible.
It is not “historic.” The oldest one is still mid 20th century.
The first essay constantly conflates “secular” and “extra biblical” until they mean the same thing. The message is therefore, “Using any extra biblical resource in counseling is wicked.” That’s insane since his essay is an extra biblical resource.
The first essay legitimately fails to understand what is meant by General Revelation and does not take Prov. 29:2 into account at all.
The fourth essay is forgettable.
The final is rambling.
The overall experience is more akin to reading the manifesto of a young man who became a follower of Van Til the dah before. Very cage-stage and uncompelling.
However much I agree with the premise of the title and thesis of the book—that the Bible is our foundation for all counseling—this collection of essays is terrible.
It is not “historic.” The oldest one is still mid 20th century.
The first essay constantly conflates “secular” and “extra biblical” until they mean the same thing. The message is therefore, “Using any extra biblical resource in counseling is wicked.” That’s insane since his essay is an extra biblical resource.
The first essay legitimately fails to understand what is meant by General Revelation and does not take Prov. 29:2 into account at all.
The fourth essay is forgettable.
The final is rambling.
The overall experience is more akin to reading the manifesto of a young man who became a follower of Van Til the dah before. Very cage-stage and uncompelling.
April 18, 2025
An important book, very enlightening and reinforced a lot of what I’ve come to believe regarding the authority of scripture in counseling.
“The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul:
The testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple.
8 The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart:
The commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes.” (Psalm 19:7–8)
“The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul:
The testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple.
8 The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart:
The commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes.” (Psalm 19:7–8)
December 29, 2025
This is a must read, not only for those who want to understand what is at stake in biblical counseling, but for those who would have a greater grasp of the necessity of the sufficiency of Scripture for all of life.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews