Birmingham Theological Seminary 2200 Briarwood Way Birmingham, Alabama Huntsville Campus: Westminster Presbyterian Church

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1 Birmingham Theological Seminary 2200 Briarwood Way Birmingham, Alabama Huntsville Campus: Westminster Presbyterian Church Fall 2013 BC7501 Introduction to Biblical Counseling Wednesday 6:00-8:00 Professor: Mr. Jeff Townsley, Phone: Class Hours: 2 COURSE PURPOSE The purpose of this course is to lay down the foundation upon which the student will be able to develop his/her Biblical approach to solving the problems of living. For the student earning a Master of Arts in Biblical Counseling, the course will outline the broad parameters of Biblical Counseling, which will be particularized throughout the program. For the non-counseling major or certification, this course provides a basic framework upon which a growing understanding of counseling can be built within the context of his or her ministry. COURSE OBJECTIVES 1. The student will be able to define Biblical Counseling. 2. The student will be able to delineate the presuppositional nature of Biblical Counseling. 3. The student will be able to differentiate Biblical Counseling from secular counseling and a Christian integrationist perspective. 4. The student will be able to articulate a Biblical methodology enabling her/him to conduct responsible counseling. 1

2 COURSE TEXTS Required Texts: Competent To Counsel by Jay E. Adams ISBN-10: , ISBN-13: A Spiritual Strategy for Counseling and Psychotherapy by Richards and Bergin ISBN- 10: , ISBN-13: The Art of Aging, A Christian Handbook by Howard Eyrich ISBN-10: , ISBN-13: Totally Sufficient by Ed Hindson & Howard Eyrich ISBN-10: , ISBN- 13: Recommended Texts: Why You Can't Trust Psychology by Ed Bulkely ISBN-10: , ISBN-13: How Christian Is Christian Counseling by Gary L. Almy ISBN-10: Seeing with New Eyes by David Powlison ISBN-10: X, ISBN-13: A Manual for Term Papers, Theses, and Dissertations by Kate Turabian ISBN-10: Quality Research Papers by Nancy Vyhmeister ISBN-10: Reading assignments (see schedule). COURSE REQUIREMENTS 2. Interview ten Christians using the attached questionnaire. Write a five-page paper summarizing the results and your response to the results. 3. Read the two assigned chapters given in class and write a two-page response to each. 4. Mid-term over Adams and Richards/Bergin (pp.1-169) reading assignments. 5. Between week 6 and end of semester read The Christian Handbook on Aging and Totally Sufficient. Write a two to three page response to each book. 6. Final exam over lecture material and Richard/Bergin pp. 171 to end. 2

3 COURSE GRADING Class attendance: more than two unexcused absences drops final grade one letter grade. 1. Mid-term exam 25% 2. Five papers each counting 10%. (Total of 50%) a. The Art of Aging, A Christian Handbook b. Totally Sufficient c. Integration or Inundation? (David Powlison) d. Codependency and the Cult of Self (Edward Welch) e. Survey and response 3. Final Exam 25%. BTS FORMAT AND STYLE STANDARDS Note: All research papers must be formatted in accordance with Turabian Chicago standards including the title page, citations and bibliography. Any paper not conforming to these standards will automatically be dropped one letter grade. #12 Times New Roman font and double spacing is required on all papers Proper planning and timely completion of assignments is crucial. All course materials must be submitted by the last day of class. Thereafter, course materials may be submitted for up to six (6) weeks after the end of the semester directly to the office of the Registrar with the permission of the professor. If a student submits course materials after the end of the semester but within the six (6) weeks grace period, the student s grade will be lowered by one letter grade. The course materials will not be accepted after the six (6) week grace period and a failing grade will be posted to the student s transcript. READING ASSIGNMENTS AND LECTURE SCHEDULE September 11 No reading September 18 Adams, pp R&B, pp

4 September 25 Adams, pp R & B, pp October 4 Adams, pp R & B, pp October 9 Adams, pp R & B, pp October 16 October 23 NO CLASS MID-TERM (first hour) R & B, pp October 30 Adams, pp R & B, pp November 6 Adams, complete the book R & B, pp November 13 R & B, pp November 20 R & B, pp November 27 NO CLASS (Thanksgiving) December 4 R & B, pp December 11 Final Exam R & B, pp Exams Mid-term exam on 10/23 Final exam on 12/11 Bibliography Adams, Jay. The Christian Counselor s Manual Phillipsburg: Presbyterian and Reformed Publishing

5 Diagnostic and Statistical Manual, 5 th ed. Washington: American Psychiatric Association, Eyrich, Howard and Ed Hines. Biblical counseling Homework, Disc 1. :. CD-ROM. Eyrich, Howard. The Christian s Handbook on Aging. Bemidji: Focus Publishing, Three to Get Ready, A Premarital Counseling Manual. Bemidji: Focus Publishing, Hindson, Ed and Howard Eyrich. Totally Sufficient. Birmingham: Growth Advantage Communications, Hines, William Leaving Yesterday Behind. Gearnies House, Fearn, Ross-shire: Christian Focus, Kittel, G. Theological Dictionary of the New Testament. Translation of: Theologisches Worterbuch zum Neuen Testament. Grand Rapids: W. B. Eerdmans, Kruis, John. Quick Scriptural Reference for Counseling. 3 rd ed. Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, Life under the Sun (Son), Counsel From the Book of Ecclesiastes, Stanley: Timeless Texts, MacArthur, John Jr., Wayne Mack and Masters College Faculty. Introduction to Biblical Counseling. New York: Thomas Nelson, Mack, Wayne. A Homework Manual for Biblical Living. vol 2. Family and Marriage Problems. Phillipsburg: Presbyterian and Reformed Publishing, Owen, Jim Christian Psychology s War on God s Word. Santa Barbara: EastGate Publishers, Richards, P. Scott and Allen Bergin A Spiritual Strategy for Counseling and Psychotherapy, 2 nd ed. Washington: American Psychiatric Association, Sykes, Charles J. A Nation of Victims, The Decay of the American Character. New York: St. Martin s Press,

6 Tripp, Paul David Instrument in the Redeemer s Hands. Phillipsburg: P and R Publishing, Vine, W. Vine s Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words. Old Tappan: Revell, Published in Electronic Form from Logos Research Systems, Wheat, Ed, MD and Gaye Wheat. Intended for Pleasure. 4 th ed Grand Rapids: Fleming H. Revell, MD. Love Life for Every Married Couple. Grand Rapids: Zondervan,