Paul Tripp, author of War of Words and Instruments in the Redeemer’s Hands, has some interesting comments on language. Warning: some words in this may be offensive.

Since I am pursuing a Master of Divinity with Biblical Counseling, I figured I should write on counseling a little. Almost everyone goes to counselors / psychologists / psychiatrists now days. Why is this? Why do people go to these particular people with their problems? Because they tell us that they can fix us. Why don’t people take their problems to churches? Because when they do, many times the pastors themselves send them to these self-proclaimed specialists. Shouldn’t the pastors provide counsel from the Bible, instead of trusting in man-made advice that doesn’t even take into account the dichotomy (inner man and outer man) or trichotomy (body, soul, and spirit) of man and is instead anthropologically monistic. If all there is to man is man, and no spiritual side, then psychotherapy is fine. But, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. (II Corinthians 5:17) Just remember, all Scripture is God-breathed. (II Timothy 3:16-17)

You may think I’m crazy writing about how pastors should be counseling their people, since I’m majoring in counseling. Actually, I write this precisely for this reason. Counseling, when done in a biblical context, takes place in the local church and in a body of believers - it is not a separate entity.

Life is not about us. Its not about you, me, or anyone else. Its about God’s glory. This is a hard lesson to learn in our humanistic western society. This world does not revolve around you or me and especially not because you or me. It does, no the other hand, revolve because of God. The world was created by Him, for Him, and for His glory. This works contradictory to our “12 Step” society. “7 Steps to a Better Life”, “3 Points for the Best Marriage”, and all these other programs we’ve created and slapped a few out of context Bible verses on them will not lead you to the purpose of life. The purpose of life is none other than the glory of God, and we don’t do that in and of ourselves. The Holy Spirit living inside of us provides the ability for us dead men to walk to God’s glory. “If then you have been raised up with Christ, set your mind on the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on the things above, not the things on earth, for you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.” Colossians 3:1-3