“[Biblical counseling] Must insist that the image of God is central to developing a solid view of personality; that our sinfulness, not how we've been sinned against, is our biggest problem; that forgiveness, not wholeness, is our greatest need; that repentance, not insight, is the dynamic in all real change.”
In this quote, Dan Allender emphasizes the importance of Biblical counseling in shaping one's view of personality and addressing issues such as sinfulness, forgiveness, and repentance. Allender highlights how focusing on the image of God, acknowledging our own sinfulness, and seeking forgiveness and repentance are key elements in facilitating real change and growth in individuals. This highlights the different approach that Biblical counseling takes in comparison to other forms of therapy that may prioritize insight and wholeness.
"[Biblical counseling] Must insist that the image of God is central to developing a solid view of personality; that our sinfulness, not how we've been sinned against, is our biggest problem; that forgiveness, not wholeness, is our greatest need; that repentance, not insight, is the dynamic in all real change.” - Dan Allender"
In the realm of counseling and psychology, the principles outlined by Dan Allender hold significant modern relevance. By emphasizing the importance of understanding the image of God in individuals and focusing on issues such as sinfulness, forgiveness, and repentance, Allender's words highlight timeless truths that can guide individuals in overcoming challenges and fostering personal growth.
As we consider the quote by Dan Allender about biblical counseling, it prompts us to reflect on our own views and beliefs about human nature, sin, forgiveness, and change. Here are some questions to ponder:
“Biblical orthodoxy can offer real compassion, because in our struggle against sin, we cannot undermine God's power to change lives.”
“The difference between us and the one being disciplined by the church is not that we're not all sinners...but that we repent of our sin and he doesn't...we take God's side against our own sin”
“[...]we must ask ourselves whether we have not often been deceiving ourselves with our confession of sin to God, whether we have not rather been confessing our sins to ourselves and also granting ourselves absolution. And is not the reason perhaps for our countless relapses and the feebleness of our Christian obedience to be found precisely in the fact that we are living on self-forgiveness and not a real forgiveness.”
“The Bible says that each person is a sinner and everyone is wicked in the sight of God. God cannot allow sin into Heaven, so we must get rid of our sin somehow. If we don’t, then we have no hope of Heaven.”Jesus is the only one who can take our sins away. The Bible says that God is not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance. Jesus came down from Heaven and died on the cross for our sins.”
“The heaven-and-hell framework has four central elements: the afterlife, sin and forgiveness, Jesus’s dying for our sins, and believing.”