Counseling from Scripture in John MacArthur's Works

John MacArthur, a prominent Baptist pastor and theologian, emphasizes the importance of counseling from Scripture. This approach is rooted in the biblical concept of counseling, where the Scriptures serve as the primary guide for addressing life's challenges.

The Bible provides numerous references to counseling, with terms like "counselor" and "counseling" appearing in various contexts ^[1]. In the Old Testament, the word "counselor" is associated with wisdom and guidance, as seen in Proverbs 8:14, where wisdom declares, "Counsel is mine, and sound wisdom: I am understanding; I have strength" ^[3]. The concept of counseling is also linked to the Messiah, who is referred to as the "Wonderful Counselor" in Isaiah 9:6.

MacArthur's approach to counseling from Scripture is grounded in the conviction that the Bible is the inspired Word of God, able to provide wisdom for salvation and guidance for living ^{[4, 5]}. In his view, Scripture is sufficient to address the complexities of human life, offering a comprehensive framework for counseling. This perspective is reflected in 2 Timothy 3:16-17, which states that Scripture is "God-breathed" and "useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work" ^[5].

The use of Scripture in counseling is not unique to MacArthur or the Baptist tradition. Various Christian traditions have long emphasized the importance of biblical guidance in counseling. For example, the Reformed tradition, as represented by John Calvin, highlights the role of Scripture in guiding believers and providing wisdom for living ^[6]. Similarly, the Eastern Orthodox tradition, as reflected in the writings of John of Damascus, underscores the significance of Scripture in understanding God's will and living a virtuous life ^[8].

While different Christian traditions share a commitment to biblical counseling, they may vary in their approaches and emphases. Some traditions, like the Lutheran and Anglican churches, have developed formal catechisms and confessions that outline their understanding of Scripture and its application to counseling ^{[9, 10]}. Others, like the Catholic Church, have a more complex and nuanced approach to counseling, incorporating both Scripture and tradition ^[11].

In practice, counseling from Scripture involves applying biblical principles to real-life situations. This may involve using Scripture to address issues like sin, suffering, and relationships. For example, Proverbs 20:18 advises, "Establish the thoughts by counsel: and by counsel make warre" ^[2]. This verse highlights the importance of seeking wise counsel in navigating life's challenges.

MacArthur's emphasis on counseling from Scripture is part of a broader movement within evangelical Christianity that seeks to recover a more biblical approach to counseling. This movement critiques secular approaches to counseling, arguing that they often neglect the spiritual dimensions of human experience. By contrast, biblical counseling seeks to integrate spiritual guidance with psychological insight, offering a more holistic approach to addressing human needs.

The effectiveness of biblical counseling depends on a deep understanding of Scripture and its application to real-life situations. As Augustine noted, the interpretation of Scripture requires a combination of piety, knowledge of languages, and understanding of the biblical context ^[7]. By approaching Scripture with humility and a commitment to understanding its teachings, counselors can provide guidance that is both biblically grounded and practically relevant.

Sources

Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Counsellor — An adviser (Prov. 11:14; 15:22), a king's state counsellor (2 Sam. 15:12). Used once of the Messiah (Isa. 9:6). In Mark 15:43, Luke 23:50, the word probably means a member of the Jewish Sanhedrim.”
Proverbs “Proverbs 20:18 (Geneva1599) — Establish the thoughtes by counsell: and by counsell make warre.”
Proverbs “Proverbs 8:14 (Webster) — Counsel [is] mine, and sound wisdom: I [am] understanding; I have strength.”
2 Timothy (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 2 Timothy 3:15: from a child--literally, "from an infant." The tender age of the first dawn of reason is that wherein the most lasting impressions of faith may be made. holy scriptures--The Old Testament taught by his Jewish mother. An undesigned coincidence with Ti2 1:5; Act 16:1-3. able--in themselves: though through men's own fault they often do not in fact make men savingly alive. wise unto salvation--that is, wise unto the attainment of salvation. Contrast "folly" (Ti2 3:9). Wise also in extending it to others. through faith--as the instrument of this ”
2 Timothy (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 2 Timothy 3:16: 3:16-17 These verses elaborate on 3:15 by explaining Scripture’s effectiveness, its source, and the ways that it gives wisdom to live out our salvation. Paul was speaking of the Hebrew Scriptures (the Old Testament), but his statement can now apply to all Scripture, including the New Testament (see, e.g., 2 Pet 3:15-16). 3:16 The fact that Scripture is inspired by God (literally God-breathed, breathed out by God’s own speech; see also Heb 4:12-13; 2 Pet 1:20-21) does not negate the active involvement of the human authors. But it does affirm that God is fully re”
CCEL (Reformed) “John Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion, section 22: 64 CHAPTER 6. THE NEED OF SCRIPTURE, AS A GUIDE AND TEACHER, IN COMING TO GOD AS A CREATOR. Sections. 1. God gives his elect a better help to the knowledge of himself—viz. the Holy Scriptures. This he did from the very first. 2. First, By oracles and visions, and the ministry of the Patriarchs. Secondly, By the promulgation of the Law, and the preaching of the Prophets. Why the doctrines of religion are committed to writing. 3. This view confirmed, 1. By the depravity of our nature making it necessary in every one who would know Go”
Schaff ANF/NPNF (Patristic) “NPNF1 Vol 2: Augustine — City of God, Christian Doctrine — CHAP. I .--SUMMARY OF THE FOREGOING BOOKS, AND SCOPE OF THAT WHICH FOLLOWS.: I. The man who fears God seeks diligently in Holy Scripture for a knowledge of His will. And when he has become meek through piety, so as to have no love of strife; when furnished also with a knowledge of languages, so as not to be stopped by unknown words and forms of speech, and with the knowledge of certain necessary objects, so as not to be ignorant of the force and nature of those which are used figuratively; and assisted, besides, by accuracy in the text”
CCEL (Eastern Orthodox) “John of Damascus, An Exact Exposition of the Orthodox Faith, section 93: 89b Chapter XVII .— Concerning Scripture 2514 2514 This chapter is wanting in Cod. R . 3547. . It is one and the same God Whom both the Old and the New Testament proclaim, Who is praised and glorified in the Trinity: I am come , saith the Lord, not to destroy the law but to fulfil it 2515 2515 St. Matt. v. 17 . . For He Himself worked out our salvation for which all Scripture and all mystery exists. And again, Search the Scriptures for they are they that testify of Me 2516 2516 St. John v. 39 . . And the Apostle says, God”
Thirty-Nine Articles of Religion (Anglican) “Thirty-Nine Articles of Religion (Anglican, 1571), A Form for the Renewal of Diaconal Commitment (B2): A Form for the Renewal of Diaconal Commitment (B2) Act of Penitence Blessing Blessings Collect Confession Extended Preface Extended Preface Gospel Acclamation Gospel Acclamation Greeting Historical Note Intercessions Introduction to the Peace Introduction to the Season Introductions to the Peace Invitations to Confession Kyrie Confession Notes Post Communion Prayer after Communion Prayer at the Preparation of the Table Prayer at the Preparation of the Table Prayer over the Oils Preface Prefac”
Luther's Small Catechism (Lutheran) “Luther's Small Catechism (Lutheran, 1529), To such a person no better advice can be: To such a person no better advice can be given than this: first, he should touch his body to see if he still has flesh and blood. Then he should believe what the Scriptures say of it in Galatians 5 and Romans 7. Second, he should look around to see whether he is still in the world, and remember that there will be no lack of sin and trouble, as the Scriptures say in John 15-16 and in 1 John 2 and 5. Third, he will certainly have the devil also around him, who with his lying and murdering day and night will let ”
Catechism of the Catholic Church (Catholic) “Catechism of the Catholic Church, 3. the anagogical sense (Greek: anagoge, "leading"). We can view (part 2): 2 Kings, 1 and 2 Chronicles, Ezra and Nehemiah, Tobit, Judith, Esther, 1 and 2 Maccabees, Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, the Song of Songs, the Wisdom of Solomon, Sirach (Ecclesiasticus), Isaiah, Jeremiah, Lamentations, Baruch, Ezekiel, Daniel, Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zachariah and Malachi. The New Testament: the Gospels according to Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, the Acts of the Apostles, the Letters of St. Paul to the Romans, ”

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