Biblical Counseling at Redeemer
Biblical counseling is an important element of not only pastoring, but all relationships. Counseling at Redeemer does not focus on the professional/patient relationship but focuses biblical counseling in the light of the word as it is played out through discipleship. Experiencing the grace of God in the counseling setting begins with looking inward at our own hearts, rather than the external circumstances that we so often blame. Our hope for our students is that they will be equipped and skilled at mining the depths of the heart through the word of God in their own lives and of the people they serve.
“Jesus didn’t just die for my past or my future, he died for my present.” – Paul David Tripp
PT363 Orientation to Pastoral Counseling
Purpose: to help students develop a functional, biblical counseling worldview; to help students understand the importance of heart change as a methodological goal; to develop an understanding of the role of Scripture in biblical counseling; to highlight and practice the critical skills for effectiveness in biblical counseling. Topics covered include how to build a counseling relationship, how to gather and interpret data, how to function as an agent of repentance, and how to guide and assist others as they seek to apply change to daily life. 2 semester hours. (M.Div. requirement)
PTC 251 Marriage Counseling
Purpose: to help students develop a rich, biblical-theological view of marriage and relationships that challenges popular goals for marriage/relationship counseling and provides powerful hope and direction; to provide students with conceptual and methodological tools for marriage counseling that are rooted in a biblical worldview of marriage and that recognize the unique challenges of marriage counseling; to interact with prevailing secular models of marriage counseling within a biblical worldview; to begin to develop the ability to offer relational skills within a larger context of heart change; to consider current marriage problem areas impacting the church. Topics covered include a biblical theological review of marriage and relationships; and an introduction to systems theory, gender differences, communication, and conflict. 3 semester hours.
PTC 261 Human Personality
Purpose: To deepen students’ understanding of biblical doctrine as it applies to the person; to examine what doctrines are especially important to apply in this generation; to understand how to apply biblical doctrine in personal ministry; to be able to uncover the implicit theology in other models of personal ministry and dialogue effectively about these issues. Topics covered include a review of systematic theological categories with a commitment to developing multiple applications, an examination of both Christian and non-Christian counseling case studies with an eye to enrich them with our theological work, and the practical application of a biblical-theological approach to the study of people. 3 semester hours. (M.A. Core)
AFFILIATED INSTITUTION – Distance Education
The Christian Counseling & Educational Foundation (CCEF) Distance Education Program
Since 1968, the Christian Counseling & Educational Foundation (CCEF) led a biblical counseling movement teaching people how to explore the rich wisdom of Scripture and apply it to the complexities of human life. CCEF continues to strive to fulfill its mission “to restore Christ to counseling and counseling to the Church.” It accomplishes its mission through classes, curriculum, counseling services, and an annual conference.
CCEF’s School of Biblical Counseling offers certificate programs that train pastors and lay leaders to counsel those who need help in their lives and relationships. These certificates are intended for believers who have a heart for people, who know that God’s Word and God’s Spirit change lives, and who see the church as the community God uses to support his work of change.
Many of the Seminary’s biblical counseling courses are taught by CCEF faculty who travel to Dallas or teach through distance education technology. For information on how distance education coursework taken for CCEF certificates can be transferred to Redeemer’s degree programs, consult the Seminary.
