In this issue of Theology for Life Magazine, we’ve been considering the subject of biblical counseling and how it impacts the life of the Christian and ministry. We understand that we haven’t covered everything on this topic, but it is our prayer that—hopefully—readers of this issue of Theology for Life will grow in their understanding of biblical counseling so that they can grow in His grace and serve people effectively in their local churches.
If you’ve found this issue helpful and would like to study this subject further, please check out the following reading list below. These books are at the top of their genre in both excellence and readability.
Biblical Counseling and Systematic Theology
- A Theology for Christian Counseling: More Than Redemption by Jay Adams
- Basic Theology: A Popular Systematic Guide to Understanding Biblical Faith by Charles C. Ryrie
- Systematic Theology by Louis Berkof
- Created in God’s Image by Anthony A. Hoekema
- Trusting God by Jerry Bridges
- Biblical Doctrine by John MacArthur and Richard Mayhue
- A Theology of Biblical Counseling: The Doctrinal Foundations of Counseling Ministry by Heath Lambert
- Systematic Theology An Introduction to Christian Belief by Dr. John Frame
- Christian Theology Third Edition by Millard Erikson
- The Inspiration and Authority of the Bible byB. Warfield
- Words of Life by Timothy Ward
- A Fight to the Death by Wayne Mack
- When People are Big and God is Small: Overcoming Peer Pressure, Codependence, and the Fear of Man by Ed Welch
- Power Encounters: Reclaiming Spiritual Warfare by David Powlison
- Counseling One Another by Paul Tautges
Counseling and Anger
- Uprooting Anger: Biblical Help For a Common Problem by Robert Jones
- The Heart of Anger by Lou Priolo
- Anger and Stress Management God’s Way by Wayne Mack
Counseling and Sorrow
- Spiritual Depression: Its Causes and Cure by Martyn Lloyd-Jones
- Out of the Blues by Wayne Mack
Counseling and Anxiety
- Courage: Fighting Fear with Fear by Wayne Mack and Joshua Mack
- Anxiety: Knowing God’s Peace by Paul Tautges
Counseling and Avoidance
- Finally Free by Heath Lambert
- Addictions: A Banquet in the Grave by Edward Welch
- The Heart of Addiction by Mark Shaw
- Passions of the Heart by John Street
Counseling and Conflict
- The Peacemaker by Ken Sande
- Unpacking Forgiveness by Chris Brauns
- Pursuing Peace by Robert Jones
Introduction to Biblical Counseling
- The Christian Counselor’s Manual by Jay Adams
- How People Change by Jay Adams
- Counseling: How to Counsel Biblically by John MacArthur
- Seeing with New Eyes by David Powlison
- The Trellis and the Vine by Colin marshall and Tony Payne
- The Biblical Counseling Movement After Adams by Heath Lambert
- Counseling the Hard Cases by Heath Lambert and Stuart Scott
- Discipling the Flock by Paul Tautges
- Putting Your Past in Its Place by Steve Viars
- Speaking the Truth in Love by David Powlison
- Competent to Counsel by Jay Adams
Counseling and Family
- Peacemaking for Families by Ken Sande
- This Momentary Marriage by John Piper
- When Sinners Say, “I Do”: Discovering the Power of the Gospel for Marriage by Dave Harvey
- The Excellent Wife by Martha Peace
- The Excellent Husband by Stuart Scott
- God, Marriage, and Family by Andreas Kostenberger
- Shepherding a Child’s Heart by Tedd Tripp
- Marry Wisely, Marry Well by Ernie Baker
- The Biblical Counseling Guide for Women by John and Janie Street
I hope you find these as helpful in your walk with the Lord as I have.
In Christ Alone,
Dave Jenkins
Executive Editor, Theology for Life Magazine
Dave Jenkins is happily married to his wife, Sarah. He is a writer, editor, and speaker living in beautiful Southern Oregon. Dave is a lover of Christ, His people, the Church, and sound theology. He serves as the Executive Director of Servants of Grace Ministries, the Executive Editor of Theology for Life Magazine, the Host and Producer of Equipping You in Grace Podcast, and is a contributor to and producer of Contending for the Word. He is the author of The Word Explored: The Problem of Biblical Illiteracy and What To Do About It (House to House, 2021), The Word Matters: Defending Biblical Authority Against the Spirit of the Age (G3 Press, 2022), and Contentment: The Journey of a Lifetime (Theology for Life, 2024). You can find him on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Youtube, or read his newsletter. Dave loves to spend time with his wife, going to movies, eating at a nice restaurant, or going out for a round of golf with a good friend. He is also a voracious reader, in particular of Reformed theology, and the Puritans. You will often find him when he’s not busy with ministry reading a pile of the latest books from a wide variety of Christian publishers. Dave received his M.A.R. and M.Div through Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary.
