Jay Adams Is Deep and Compassionate
By Bob. Filed in Biblical Counseling, Christian Counseling, Jay Adams, Nouthetic, Nouthetic Counseling |
Jay Adams Is Deep and Compassionate
My two-hour flight home from two days of team meetings at Capital Bible Seminary provided some time for reflection. In particular, I pondered Jay Adams’ nouthetic counseling model. 
Here’s a summary of my “second look” at Adams.
Jay Adams Was/Is a Model Builder and a Movement Builder
While the Puritans were great builders of soul care and shepherding models, since their day few Christians have developed, from scratch, a biblically-based approach to people, problems, and solutions. Adams has done so…from scratch, not building on other current models, but building on God’s Word.
Whether or not you agree with Jay Adams’ model is not my point. My point is to affirm the facts: who else in Christian circles in the past fifty years has independently built a unique, new, fresh, comprehensive approach to counseling?
Add to that…a model that became a sustained “movement.” The “biblical counseling movement” is now entering its third generation. It has grown, changed, and developed as Powlison’s book and Lambert’s book indicate. But it traces its roots to Jay Adams.
I try to imagine what it must have been like to be starting from scratch in the early 70s. Counseling every day, studying Scripture, applying truth to the lives of hurting and hardened parishioners, teaching others, writing books, and shepherding a growing movement. Again, disagree with “the movement” if you want to, but let’s give Jay Adams credit for the massive work of building a fresh model and a sustained movement while pastoring/shepherding/counseling real folks with real life issues.
Jay Adams Was/Is a Comprehensive Theorizer
While the Puritans were great soul physicians developing theological manuals about the soul, since their day few Christians have developed a counseling/shepherding/pastoring-focused theological and practical manual. Adams has.
Yes, many today are penning “Christian counseling” and “biblical counseling” books. But few seek to provide a comprehensive theology/theory of people, problems, and solutions. Adams did throughout his writings, and particularly with A Theology of Christian Counseling: More Than Redemption, The Christian Counselor’s Manual, and Competent to Counsel.
In the past fifty years a few others have sought to develop a comprehensive theory of Christian/biblical counseling: Larry Crabb with Understanding People and his other writings, Eric Johnson with Foundations of Soul Care, myself with Soul Physicians and Spiritual Friends. While these authors vary greatly from one another, they have in common writing not only about particular counseling issues and practical counseling methods, but seeking to develop a comprehensive Christian theory. Adams paved the way.
Like or dislike his theory/model, but don’t call him shallow. Disagree with him at specific points if you decide to, but do it engaging his actual (copious) writings, not as a broad brush stroke: “He’s not deep,” or “He’s too ________.” It’s easy to make those charges about anyone…in the abstract…
Here’s one specific example. Some claim that Adams’ “dehabituation and rehabituation” model is shallow and behavioral. Anyone saying that should read Kent Dunnington’s Addiction and Virtue. While I suspect that Adams might disagree with a decent amount of Dunnington’s book, nonetheless, the book demonstrates that “habit” is a deeply theological and philosophical construct with literally 1,000s of years of history behind it.
Dunnington builds a sophisticated case that habit is anything but “behavioralistic.” Habit, rightly understood, as Adams did, is about motivations of the heart—how they are structured, deconstructed, and reconstructed. Again, disagree with Adams “take” on “habituation” if you wish, but at least engage the depth of his insights with specific reasons for disagreement…
Jay Adams Was/Is a Rare Combination: A Theologian/Practitioner
I’ve already “hinted at” this category. Jay was doing all of this “theological theorizing” while pastoring, shepherding, discipling, and equipping. His in-depth thinking about the Bible’s truth about people, problems, and solutions was never done as some “ivory tower academic.” It was never uncoupled from the real life struggles that parishioners and counselees were bringing to him daily.
Fifty years later, we have some folks who are good writers of theory/theology of biblical/Christian counseling. Some who are good writers of practice/methodology of biblical/Christian counseling. Some who are good counselors-practitioners. Few combine all these talents.
Agree or disagree with Jay, but let’s give him his due. He was/is that rare combination of theologian/practitioner, thinker/doer, visionary/movement builder.
Jays Adams Was/Is Compassionate
This header, perhaps more than others, may be met by some with dismay and statements like: “But Jay and nouthetic counseling are all about harsh confrontation!” First, that in itself is an inaccurate and unfair caricature.
Second, while Jay’s writing and counseling style may not be as “warm and fuzzy” and “empathetic” as some of us may prefer, that’s different from assessing his level of heart compassion. Think about one of Jay’s basic definitions of nouthetic counseling: to confront out of concern for change.
Real people were coming to Jay. They had been to “secular counselors” and their problems in living were not being addressed effectively and biblically. They had been to their pastors who either provided warmed-over secular therapy or admitted that they had no training in pastoral care.
These hurting, struggling folks were coming to Jay with their besetting sins. He strove to help them biblically to change for good. By “for good,” I’m implying both: a.) for the long term, and b.) for good and godly motivation: for God’s glory and so they could minister more effectively in the lives of others.
People were stuck in their sins and Jay wanted to turn to the Bible to help people change. That strikes me as compassionate.
Pastors sensed that they lacked competence to help their hurting parishioners. Ministers lacked confidence in the Bible’s ability to address the real life issues their sheep were struggling against. Jay sought to help pastors, in particular, to regain their confidence in God’s Word and to develop competence in using God’s Word to help their flock. That strikes me as compassionate.
What’s Up with Bob?
Some may be wondering, “What’s up with you, Bob? When did you become Jay Adams’ ‘apologist’?” I’m not anyone’s apologist. Jay Adams does not need me to “defend” him. I’m simply sharing some reflections from 36 hours ago at 36,000 feet.
Others may be wondering, “Who are you targeting with this blog post? Who are you taking shots at?”
No one.
Well, if anyone, perhaps myself.
Perhaps in taking “a second look,” I am doing some “nouthetic self-confrontation” regarding my past level of appreciation for Jay Adams as a model builder, movement builder, comprehensive theorizer, theologian/practitioner, and compassionate care-giver.
If that same shoe fits for you, then you can choose to wear it also.
My “model” and my “style” still are not identical to Jay’s nouthetic counseling. However, that doesn’t mean that I can’t deeply appreciate and respect who he is in Christ and what he has done for the Body of Christ through Christ’s grace.
Join the Conversation
What do you think? Is Jay Adams deep and compassionate?
RPM Ministries: Equipping You to Change Lives with Christ’s Changeless Truth
Tags: Biblical Counseling, Biblical Counseling Movement, Christian Counseling, Jay Adams, Nouthetic Counseling
Friday, January 27th 2012 at 9:21 am |
I completely agree with this assessment. Having studied under Adams and Arms for a couple of years, my overall impression from watching his lectures is that he is, indeed, an extremely warm and caring individual (with a sense of humor) which may not translate as effectively into his writing style. It is hard to read tone and body language into expository writing! But more importantly, it seems Dr. Adams has often been misunderstood or taken out of context by his critics partly because of the sheer volume of work he has produced. For example, the term “behaviorist” is often thrown around, with a quote from a later chapter of the Christian Counselor’s Manual or “More than Redemption” – both exhaustive works – while overlooking the more basic, “heart issue” groundwork Adams had laid in the first few chapters. He does not re-visit the basics in every book he writes, perhaps because he assumes the reader is already familiar with the fundamental truths of justification and sanctification.
Personally, I think Adams’ slim volume, “Growing by Grace” best reflected his compassionate and thoroughly-biblical approach to ‘helping people change’. This is a good one to give counselees who may be confused about the interplay between God’s grace and man’s responsibility in spiritual growth. In it, Dr. Adams gives great hope, and succinctly explains how we, as sinful beings, are empowered to change. He is indeed deep, compassionate, and a faithful minister of the Gospel. I have been blessed to learn from Dr. Adams (I still have trouble referring to him as “Jay”.)
Friday, January 27th 2012 at 10:09 am |
Marie, You make several great points, especially about selective critique. Thank you for the recommendation re: “Growing by Grace.” Bob
Friday, January 27th 2012 at 10:12 am |
Bob thank you for this article. It expresses many similar thoughts I have. I have been around Jay Adams and nouthetic counseling for 20 years now and am certified with NANC. I have read the books you listed and many more written by Jay. I have met and spoke with Jay multiple times over that 20 year span. I personally have never felt lack of compassion from him in his mannerisms or writings. He comes across as a man of love, wisdom and truth. I think many who accuse him of lacking compassion confuse that with “speaking the truth in love” (Ehp 4:15) which will feel like “the wounds of a friend” described in proverbs 27:5-6. In reality this type of offense is an offense to the gospel of Christ. Christ was called the Rock Of Offense in Romans 9:33. As you described Jay’s goal of “confronting out of concern for change” it is very important as a loving person to assist those stuck in their sins with the pragmatic discipline and accountability that it takes to change. Some may call this “habituation” and “dehabituation” as Jay describes it as being pragmatic, lacking heart motivation from the counselee. I have never heard Jay teach that the heart of the counselee should not be a part of that very hard process. To help someone in a stuck sinful condition is very compassionate and loving. There are few that will endure the effort necessary to work with struggling sheep. That is true love and compassion. I too have a GREAT ADMIRATION for Jay and his work in the 70s. To endure the criticism while being pastor, shepherd, counselor, apologist, theologian and movement builder is a monumental task that God gave Jay grace to do. I am personally grateful for Jay being faithful to Christ and His church. Thank you Bob for your “second look” at Jay Adams. Fred Bucci
Friday, January 27th 2012 at 10:29 am |
Thanks, David, for the re-post. I like your phrase, “my very controversial friend…has a rather controversial post…” Bob
Friday, January 27th 2012 at 10:34 am |
Fred, Thank you for your testimonial. I know 1,000s of others would affirm what you are saying. Bob
Friday, January 27th 2012 at 10:53 am |
I very much enjoyed this post, Dr. Kellemen. I agree with you. While a person may or may not disagree with the Adams’ model or theory, he has been used to steer Christian counseling in a direction that I think is glorifying to God and helpful to people. Even if nouthetic counseling isn’t the necessary approach, at a minimum, we have been blessed by the reminder that the Bible deals with human sin and suffering, and that Christ is relevant to the counseling office. Powlison may not always agree with Adams, you might not always agree with Adams, nevertheless, I think we have all been blessed by God through His servant Adams.
Friday, January 27th 2012 at 10:57 am |
Well put, Jason. You said in a paragraph what it took me a whole post to communicate! Bob
Friday, January 27th 2012 at 11:03 am |
Thanks, Bob. Your points are in full testimonial agreement with my personal experience. I first “met” Jay from a distance 25 years ago. He was the main speaker at our Bible college, which was making a conscious transition from integrationism to biblical counseling. Jay’s teaching was forthright, prophetic, but never harsh. In fact, his grace stood out as kind and refreshing next to the caustic spirit of two other speakers at the conference. Since then I’ve had the privilege to listen to Jay at other conferences and to interact with him personally on several occasions. I never once experienced a harsh word and his thinking about counseling-related issues, which you rightly keep within his pastoral heart, is anything but shallow. Jay Adams remains an important and faithful leader/writer in the BC movement. He has never implied he is completely developed or infallible. We are all being sanctified, and Jay has taken the criticism he’s received over the years with grace. I expect he will hear “Well done, thou good and faithful servant” someday. May God give the church more men with the same, and even greater, courage, perseverance, and grace!
Friday, January 27th 2012 at 11:47 am |
Pastor Paul, Thanks for your affirmation of Jay’s ministry. I pray that in the Body of Christ we can all engage one another with humility and mutual respect and when we disagree, do so with grace and truth. Thank you for modeling that. Bob
Friday, January 27th 2012 at 12:00 pm |
Thank you, Bob, for this thought-provoking post. Like you I’ve heard the term “behaviorist” used in the same sentence as “Jay Adams,” disparagingly. I also have read and reread two of his books: The Christian Counselor’s Manual, and Competent to Counsel. I can see how folks could take his work out of contexts and make unfair claims.
Lately, I’ve been researching scientific ideas on the plasticity of the brain, regarding how neural pathways develop and can be altered. This speaks to habits of thoughts and behavior, and to God’s amazing creation. It blows me away how science, generally speaking, underscores biblical truth.
Friday, January 27th 2012 at 1:21 pm |
Lucy Ann, You’re always such an encourager. It never ceases to amaze me how science underscores biblical truth. Bob
Friday, January 27th 2012 at 5:51 pm |
Thanks Bob. Adams did start from scratch. He did turn many back to the sufficiency of Scripture (Psa 19:7). He did make us aware that we were becoming a society of Christians accepting secular theories of counseling. He did challenge us to become better students of Scripture. But if I remember right, he once said that his desire was that others would build further than he did. I do not think he presented his model as the final once for all model of counseling. But I may be missing something there. Having met the man briefly, I would say he is a compassionate man but uncompromising with Scriptural truth.
Friday, January 27th 2012 at 6:02 pm |
Rick, You’re absolutely correct that Dr. Adams wrote several times, including in “More Than Redemption,” that other should continue to develop biblical counseling. In fact, my book, Soul Physicians: A Theology of Soul Care and Spiritual Direction, was motivated in part by Dr. Adams urging others to continue to develop a theology of one-another ministry. Bob
Friday, January 27th 2012 at 6:03 pm |
Bob,
I recently re-read “How to Help People” change recently as was struck by the fact that Adams is one of the most practical writers on counseling out there but did not settle for simplicity. His volume addresses the model for helping people in complex situations and clearly draws a contrast between the methodologies of change out there. When some accuse Adams of being over simplistic, I wish they would read this volume. Certainly, one can challenge his theory of habituation but to describe it as behaviorist just demonstrates that they have not read him well. Compared to the behavioral schools of psychology and their current practitioners, Adams explanation of the process of change goes far deeper and includes a robust spiritual component that secular behaviorist total overlook. That alone takes his model and elevates it towards something that is useful for discipleship and helping people live for the glory of God.
Thanks for the reminder of this post. . .
Friday, January 27th 2012 at 6:05 pm |
Thanks for the interesting read. I’ve been sorting my way through psychology and theology recently. Would you mind briefly explaning Adam’s “dehabituation and rehabituation” model?
Friday, January 27th 2012 at 6:24 pm |
Sharon, Perhaps I should do a blog post or two on “dehabituation/rehabituation.” It’s far too involved for a quick comment, but let me try the “Readers’ Digest” version. First, I’d encourage you to read Adams’ “A Theology of Christian Counseling.” Second, dehab/rehab are Adams’ words for the biblical concept of “put off/put on” (Romans 6, Eph. 4, Col 3). In progressive sanctification, the biblical counselor helps the counselee to identify, repent of, and put off the former, old, sinful lifestyle spiritually, relationally, rationally, volitionally, and emotionally; and then encourages the person to depend upon the Holy Spirit to put on the new, regenerated, Christlife lifestyle spiritually, relationally, volitonally, and emotionally. I develop those biblical discipleship concepts in “Soul Physicians” and “Spiritual Friends.”
Friday, January 27th 2012 at 6:25 pm |
That’s a great summary, Tim: practical but not simplistic. Bob
Saturday, January 28th 2012 at 2:57 am |
Great blog, Bob! Maybe we all need to get to that altitude of 36,000 feet in order to gain a better perspective of seeing better from God’s point of view because I believe God is pleased with Jay Adams (2 Cor. 5:9). Do I agree with everything Jay wrote and taught? No, but I don’t agree with everything I have ever written and taught since I am growing by grace myself. There are a few things I wrote and taught just a few years ago that I would tweak or replace completely. Are any of us perfect? I think we have to be careful to strive for unity at all costs and healthy debates about theology are a good thing. We can sometimes agree to disagree yet still remains brothers and sisters in Christ. Wrestling with truth is a good thing and iron sharpens iron as we all know (Prov. 27:17).
I thank the Lord for Jay and His work through Jay which has impacted my life for the very good.
Saturday, January 28th 2012 at 6:49 am |
Mark, Like you, I often tell my students that “I don’t even agree with everything I’ve written just a few years ago.” We are all growing in our understanding and application of God’s Word to the personal ministry of the Word.
Saturday, January 28th 2012 at 10:59 am |
Where do I find counselors like this? I have major depression and all my psychologist does is spout platitudes and complements. I know things are deeply wrong with me, that I have sins but he never confronts them.
Saturday, January 28th 2012 at 12:18 pm |
Bob: Thanks for the blog about Jay Adams and the chance to talk about some of these counseling concepts on the phone. I confess I haven’t read much of Adams. Most of what I’ve read is second generation material which refers to him. What one or two Adams books would you recommend for me to read to become more familiar with his thinking? Thanks, Pat
Saturday, January 28th 2012 at 3:18 pm |
I’m sorry to hear that you have not been able to find the help you desire. NANC maintains a list of certified counselors by zip code: http://www.nanc.org/Directory.aspx
Saturday, January 28th 2012 at 3:19 pm |
Pat, For a broad historical perspective, you can read Powlison’s and Lambert’s books that I mention in the post. For an intro to Jay Adams, the three books I mentioned in the post are the best start.
Saturday, January 28th 2012 at 5:52 pm |
While I did not have the pleasure to meet Dr. Adam’s in person. It was his writings and sermons that helped me through several battles in my life. Although he comes across as harsh I always found that he tempered that harshness with grace.
Saturday, January 28th 2012 at 6:36 pm |
Amen Bob, we are standing on the shoulders of men like Jay. Let’s show honor where honor is due.
Tuesday, January 31st 2012 at 11:38 pm |
I met Jay around 1973, almost 3 years after I got saved. I had read his first 3 books already and attended a two week training symposium. I found him a master teacher and discipler to me. He graciously allowed me to bother him with questions, even after he went to his room each night when sessions were over! He patiently engaged me, taught me how to think through the implications of my developing doctrines. Some others wouldn’t have let me in the room!
His manner, grace, and books have transformed my life personally and my counseling, and later my preaching. We have since become close friends, and when I hear the critiques of those who call him “rough” or “caustic” or lacking compassion, it bothers me. He is not those things at all.
His earliest books were written at a time when no Christian writing or teaching about counseling used the Bible! I remember reading the best known pastoral counseling books of the day, and was surprised that I found so little Bible in them, and the Bible verses they used were proof texts. I was only saved about 2 years and I could highlight the scripture twisting myself! Jay’s books were “prophetic” in tone, addressing the church, who abandoned the sufficiency of scripture for a mess of secular confusion. They were confrontational by design and necessity.
I think Christians who read those books assumed that he counseled the same way he wrote. He did not!
Jay Adams is a legend, a special gift from God to our times, who, though not perfect (as others have stated) used his passion for the authority, infallibility and sufficiency of scripture to not only criticize the intergration of counseling in and by the church (diluting the power of God’s Word) but also to envision and build an alternative approach, from the ground up, as you stated earlier in this blog.
He told me years ago that someone should write a book about motivation. I think the “heart idolatry” books have begun to address this concern. I mention this because he wanted others to build upon his humble pioneering.
The man deserves to be honored in that context, though he made faces at me every time I’ve introduced him with glowing words.
Lord, thank you for giving us Jay Adams!
Thursday, February 2nd 2012 at 11:39 am |
Bob, Thank you for an excellent article. I have been doing Biblical Counseling now for just over 40 years. I met Jay Adams right after I first became a Pastor in 1970 and just after ‘Competent to Counsel’ was published. I was subjected to integrationist teaching at the Seminary I attended and Jay graciously and with clear theological undergirding pointed me back to the sufficiency of Scriptures. I attended the training center in Philadelphia and observed him first hand as a compassionate shepherd guiding individuals in to Biblical, God glorifying change. I remember asking Jay when he was translating the Greek New Testament in to the “Christian Counselor’s New Testament”, ‘Jay, why another New Testament translation? We have plenty of those, why spend your time on this project? Just continute to write on counseling, that’s the need.’ This was Jay’s answer to me, “Bob, it appears that I will be continuing to write in the area of Biblical counseling and in order to be prepared to write from a truly Biblical perspective I want to have translated every sentence in the Greek New Testament in to English with the thought ‘how does this text impact Biblical counseling.’” That is a man committed to God’s Word. He has certiainly continued to write and seeks to build every concept on the word of God. Jay’s teaching impacted my entire ministry then and continues to impact it today. May we continue to go to the Scriptures and build on this foundation. Thank you for giving honor to whom honor is due.
Thursday, February 2nd 2012 at 11:40 am |
Bob, Thank you for an excellent article. I have been doing Biblical Counseling now for just over 40 years. I met Jay Adams right after I first became a Pastor in 1970 and just after ‘Competent to Counsel’ was published. I was subjected to integrationist teaching at the Seminary I attended and Jay graciously and with clear theological undergirding pointed me back to the sufficiency of Scriptures. I attended the training center in Philadelphia and observed him first hand as a compassionate shepherd guiding individuals in to Biblical, God glorifying change. I remember asking Jay when he was translating the Greek New Testament in to the “Christian Counselor’s New Testament”, ‘Jay, why another New Testament translation? We have plenty of those, why spend your time on this project? Just continue to write on counseling, that’s the need.’ This was Jay’s answer to me, “Bob, it appears that I will be continuing to write in the area of Biblical counseling and in order to be prepared to write from a truly Biblical perspective I want to have translated every sentence in the Greek New Testament in to English with the thought ‘how does this text impact Biblical counseling.’” That is a man committed to God’s Word. He has certainly continued to write and seeks to build every concept on the word of God. Jay’s teaching impacted my entire ministry then and continues to impact it today. May we continue to go to the Scriptures and build on this foundation. Thank you for giving honor to whom honor is due.
Thursday, February 2nd 2012 at 11:48 am |
Bob, I have so appreciated the many powerful testimonies that people have shared on these comments, like yours. Knowing someone personally sure helps our assessment of their ministry. Bob