What a blessing to be an author in the new book entitled, Christ-Centered Biblical Counseling! I worked on chapter 21 with Jeremy Pierre from Southern Seminary in Louisville, KY (my birthplace and favorite university team). Our chapter is called: The Nature of the Biblical Counseling Relationship and was a fun challenge to write.

It was a pleasure working with Jeremy Pierre who is a committed follower of Christ, so gracious, and a good analytical thinker. He’s a young man with a young family and I am honored to know him and call him “friend.”

Anytime your name is listed alongside John Piper, David Powlison, and these other authors, it is extremely special yet my prayer is that God will be glorified through this book and that it will strengthen many believers in their faith in Christ to transform lives. God’s Word is sufficient and His Spirit works to bring lasting changes in the hearts of His people to reach all nations for the glory of God.

Here’s a list of the book’s twenty-eight chapter titles and the forty co-authors in Christ-Centered Biblical Counseling:

Christ-Centered Biblical Counseling

Table of Contents

Foreword—David Powlison

Acknowledgements

Introduction: In Christ Alone—James MacDonald, Bob Kellemen, and Steve Viars

Part 1: A Practical Theology of Biblical Counseling

Chapter 1: The Glory of God: The Goal of Biblical Counseling—John Piper and Jack Delk

Chapter 2: The Power of the Redeemer—Ernie Baker and Jonathan Holmes

Chapter 3: The Ministry of the Holy Spirit—Justin Holcomb and Mike Wilkerson

Chapter 4: The Unity of the Trinity—Kevin Carson and Jeff Forrey

Chapter 5: The Grand Narrative of the Bible—John Henderson

Chapter 6: The Sufficiency of Scripture—Steve Viars and Rob Green

Chapter 7: The Spiritual Anatomy of the Soul—Bob Kellemen and Sam Williams

Chapter 8: The Influences on the Human Heart—Jeff Forrey and Jim Newheiser

Chapter 9: The Problem of Sin—Robert Jones and Brad Hambrick

Chapter 10: The Centrality of the Gospel—Robert Cheong

Chapter 11: The Gospel in Balance—Stuart Scott

Chapter 12: The Pursuit of Holiness—Lee Lewis and Michael Snetzer

Chapter 13: The Weapons of Our Warfare—Bob Kellemen and Dwayne Bond

Chapter 14: The Hope of Eternity—Nicolas Ellen and Jeremy Lelek

Part 2: A Practical Methodology of Biblical Counseling

Chapter 15: The Biblical Counseling Ministry of the Local Church—Steve Viars and Rob Green

Chapter 16: The Health of the Church and Biblical Counseling—Deepak Reju and Mark Dever

Chapter 17: The Personal, Private, and Pulpit Ministry of the Word—Kevin Carson

Chapter 18: The Transformational Tie Between Small Group Ministry and Biblical Counseling—Brad Bigney and Ken Long

Chapter 19: The Goal and Focus of Spiritual Formation—Robert Cheong and Heath Lambert

Chapter 20: The Importance of Multiculturalism in Biblical Counseling—Rod Mays and Charles Ware

Chapter 21: The Nature of the Biblical Counseling Relationship—Jeremy Pierre and Mark Shaw

Chapter 22: The Key Elements of the Biblical Counseling Process—Randy Patten and Mark Dutton

Chapter 23: The Diagnosis and Treatment of Idols of the Heart—Howard Eyrich and Elyse Fitzpatrick

Chapter 24: The Power of Confession and Repentance—James MacDonald and Garrett Higbee

Chapter 25: The Power of Forgiveness—James MacDonald and Garrett Higbee

Chapter 26: The Ministry of Soul Care for People Who Suffer—Bob Kellemen and Greg Cook

Chapter 27: The Biblical Understanding and Treatment of Emotions—Jeff Forrey

Chapter 28: The Complex Mind/Body Connection—Laura Hendrickson

Conclusion: Unity in Truth and Love—James MacDonald, Bob Kellemen, and Steve Viars

Appendix A: The Mission, Vision, and Passion Statement of the Biblical Counseling Coalition

Appendix B: The Confessional Statement of the Biblical Counseling Coalition

Appendix C: The Doctrinal Statement of the Biblical Counseling Coalition

Bibliography of Sources Cited & Index

I think this will be a book that will be used in many introduction to biblical counseling courses and an awesome addition to your toolbox!

-Mark (amazed to see how God is using His Word to transform lives through biblical counseling around the world)