Jonathan and Chrissa Edwards

Philosophy

 

Realizing that the ultimate wisdom of the ages and beyond is contained in God’s Word the Bible, we will always endeavor to approach everything from a Biblical perspective.

“If any of you lack wisdom, let him as of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.” (James 1:5)

“God’s wisdom above human reason” will always be our motto.

What is Biblical Counseling?*

 

Biblical Counseling is the process where the Bible, God’s Word, is related individually to a person or persons who are struggling under the weight of personal sin and/or the difficulties with suffering, so that he or she might genuinely change in the inner person to be pleasing to God. This definition is based on three important beliefs.

 

First, we believe that the Bible, given by God, is sufficient for life in that, when properly interpreted, it reveals to the believer all the data necessary for one to understand his need for Christ, how he can please the Lord, and how to live in a god-honoring way regardless of the circumstances whether comfortable or oppressive.

 

Second, the Bible is also the authoritative source with which all truth claims--including claims made by science and history--must be evaluated.  As a result, we reject all counseling theories that use presuppositions, principles, and/or methodologies that are inconsistent with the proper interpretation of the biblical text.

 

Third, we believe that genuine heart change is totally dependent on the ministry of the Holy Spirit.

Thus, our view of counseling practice includes the importance of prayer, dependence on God, a thorough knowledge of the Word of God, and an understanding of ministering to people.

 

For a more detailed explanation of biblical counseling, please see the confessional statement of the Biblical Counseling Coalition.

 

*Used with permission from faithlafayette.org

We believe the Bible is the verbally inspired Word and Revelation of God, therefore is the only authority in matters of faith and practice.

II Timothy 3:16; II Peter 1:21.

 

We believe in the deity of our Lord Jesus Christ; that He is the very God by whom and for whom all things were created. We believe in His virgin birth, that He was conceived by the Holy Spirit, and is God manifest in the flesh.

John 1:1-3; Hebrews 1:8; Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:16; Luke 1:31.

 

We believe in one God eternally existent in three persons: Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit. We believe that these persons have the same nature, attributes and perfections.

Jude 20, 21; Matthew 3:16-17; II Corinthians 13:14.

 

We believe that the Holy Spirit is the third person of the Trinity, that He convicts the world of sin, of righteousness, and of judgment; and, that He is the Supernatural Agent in regeneration, baptizing all believers into the body of Christ, indwelling, and sealing them unto the day of redemption.

John 16:8-11; II Corinthians 3:6; I Corinthians 12:12-14; Romans 8:9; Ephesians 1:13-14.

 

We believe in the bodily resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ, and in His presence at the right hand of God as our Priest and Advocate.

Matthew 28:1-10; I Corinthians 15:20; I John 2:1; Hebrews 7:25.

 

We believe that man was created in the image and likeness of God, but that in Adam’s sin the race fell, inherited a sinful nature, and became alienated from God; and that man is totally depraved, and of himself, utterly unable to remedy his lost condition. We believe in the necessity of regeneration through the Holy Spirit of God and faith in Jesus Christ.

Romans 3:22-23; 5:12; Genesis 1:26-27; Ephesians 2:1-3, 12; John 1:12; 3:3-7.

 

We believe that salvation is the gift of God brought to man by grace and received by personal faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, whose precious blood was shed for the forgiveness of our sins.

Ephesians 2:8-10; John 1:12; Ephesians 1:7; I Peter 1:18-19.

 

We believe that the believer’s baptism by immersion is commanded by the Lord and shall be practiced by the church. We believe that the communion of the Lord’s Supper is a privilege and responsibility intended only for those who are believers in Christ.

Matthew 28:19; Acts 2:41-42; Romans 6:4; I Corinthians 11:23-34.

 

We believe in the personal, imminent, pre-tribulation, and pre-millennial coming of the Lord Jesus Christ for His redeemed ones (the rapture); and in His subsequent return to earth, with His saints, to establish His millennial kingdom (after the tribulation).

I Thessalonians 4:13-18; Zechariah 14:4-11; Revelation 19:11-16; 20:1-6; 1 Thessalonians 1:10; 5:9; Revelation 3:10.

 

We believe in the reality and personality of Satan, who is the author of sin and the avowed enemy of God and man and that he shall eventually be eternally punished in the lake of fire.

Job 1:6-7; Isaiah 14:12-17; Matthew 4:2-11; 25:41; Revelation 20:10.

 

We believe that all of those who are born again are kept by the power of God and are therefore secure in Christ forever.

John 10:28-29; Philippians 1:6; I John 5:11-13.

 

We believe in the bodily resurrection of the saved resulting in their everlasting blessedness, and, in the bodily resurrection of the unsaved after the millennium, resulting in their everlasting conscious punishment.

II Corinthians 5:1; II Timothy 1:12; Revelation 20:11-15.