The State of Theology: Theology Is for Life 

I found it both fascinating and discouraging to read the new report The State of Theology: New Findings on America’s Theological Health. Ligonier Ministries commissioned a survey of 3,000 Americans in partnership with LifeWay Research. 

The survey quantified Americans’ theological knowledge and awareness. A combination of true and false statements was used to test participants. The survey addressed core doctrinal topics and issues, such as the Bible, salvation, God the Father, Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit, sin, the Trinity, man, hell, and the nature of the church. 

Our Theological Health 

Ligonier Ministries explains: 

“The state of our theological health is more important than we realize. Dr. Sproul has said often, ‘Everyone’s a theologian.’ This study demonstrates the stunning gap in theological awareness throughout our nation, in our neighborhoods, and even in the seat next to us at church.” 

As a biblical counselor and educator, I would add that the stunning gap in theological awareness can also be found even in the counselor’s chair at church. Yes, you read that correctly. I did not say “in the counselee’s chair at church. I said “in the counselor’s chair at church.” 

Far too few people who call themselves “Christian counselors” or “biblical counselors” know how the core doctrines of the faith ought to inform their counseling model and ought to impact their counselees. 

Gospel-Centered Counseling 

That’s why I wrote Gospel-Centered Counseling: How Christ Changes Lives. The Ligonier study examined core doctrinal topics and issues, such as the Bible, salvation, God the Father, Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit, sin, the Trinity, man, hell, and the nature of the church. 

In Gospel-Centered Counseling I address core doctrinal truths such as the Bible, God the Father, God the Son, God the Spirit, the Trinity, creation/man, fall/sin, salvation/redemption, the church, heaven/hell/eternity, and the nature of the church. These are almost the identical issues addressed in the Ligonier study.

Theology Is for Life 

My premise is that that is for life. When we fail to understand God’s truth, we fail to understand how to help people to live a godly life. That’s why I take the core doctrinal categories and related them to 8 ultimate life questions that every biblical counselor must apply to their counseling ministry.

• The Word: “Where do we find wisdom for life in a broken world?” 

• The Trinity/Community: “What comes into our mind when we think about God?” “Whose view of God will we believe—Christ’s or Satan’s?” 

• Creation: “Whose are we?” “In what story do we find ourselves?” 

• Fall: “What’s the root source of our problem?” “What went wrong?” 

• Redemption: “How does Christ bring us peace with God?” “How does Christ change people?” 

• Church: “Where can we find a place to belong and become?” 

• Consummation: “How does our future destiny with Christ make a difference in our lives today as saints who struggle against suffering and sin?” 

• Sanctification: “Why are we here?” “How do we become like Jesus?” How can our inner life increasingly reflect the inner life of Christ?” 

Healthy Christians Need Healthy Soul Physicians Who Are Theologically Healthy 

The header above communicates powerfully why I wrote Gospel-Centered Counseling:

Healthy Christians Need Healthy Soul Physicians Who Are Theologically Healthy 

Learn more about how theology relates to counseling by reading excerpts from Gospel-Centered Counseling.

Join the Conversation 

How does theology relate to counseling?