Clear convictions on the most consequential questions in biblical counseling today.
In a generation that confuses the sacred and the secular, clarity is care. The Affirmations and Denials below state plainly what we hold and what we reject — not to divide, but to help the church recognize wholesome words from the Word of God.
We affirm that the Scriptures are inspired by God and sufficient for life and godliness (2 Tim. 3:16-17; 2 Pet. 1:3). They are wholly adequate to address every spiritual issue of the human heart.
We deny that any human discipline — psychology, philosophy, or scientific theory — is necessary to supplement or correct what God has revealed in His Word concerning the soul.
We affirm that humans are body-and-soul beings whose problems fall into two biblical categories: physiological and spiritual.
We deny the existence of a third category of problem called “psychological,” distinct from physiological and spiritual problems.
We affirm that the Holy Spirit is the active Agent of change in biblical counseling, working through the Word, prayer, and the fellowship of God’s people.
We deny that lasting change can be produced apart from the work of the Spirit through the Word.
We affirm that biblical counseling is normally a ministry of the local church and that all believers are competent to counsel one another (Rom. 15:14).
We deny that the church should outsource its counseling ministry to professionals whose methods or worldview conflict with Scripture.
We affirm that evangelism and counseling are inseparable: every counseling encounter is an opportunity to point people to Christ.
We deny that unbelievers can apply Christian counsel apart from the new birth that comes by the Spirit through the Gospel.
We affirm that God created humanity male and female (Gen. 1:27); that marriage is the lifelong covenant union of one man and one woman (Gen. 2:24; Matt. 19:4-6); and that sexual expression belongs only within that union.
We deny that any other arrangement reflects God’s design, and we counsel toward repentance, faith, and conformity to Christ in this area as in every other.
Additional Affirmations and Denials may be added here as the Board addresses new questions.
