Why Biblical Anthropology Should Shape Our Counseling Methodology

I remember growing up and being in physical education class. We just called it P.E. class, and sometimes, we would break into groups to play tug-of-war. I’m not sure why this class excited everyone so much, but it felt like a war was breaking out, and all of a sudden, we had two sides facing off. If you’ve been on X and seen the conflicts within the Biblical counseling world, it might seem similar to that tug-of-war session: the classicalists against the integrationists! Do you ever wonder why that is? Maybe we’re asking the wrong question.

Many who identify as classical Biblical counselors assert that Scripture is the only essential tool for all forms of counseling. They claim that Scripture is sufficient. Conversely, integrationists, or those who are “clinically-informed,” draw from science and the medical field, believing that some truths, as common grace, can be applied in counseling alongside Scripture. While Scripture holds ultimate authority, science and medicine are not disregarded. This is the central debate: Is Scripture sufficient, or isn’t it?

Once again, we might be asking the wrong question. Perhaps the key lies not in the tools we use but in the person we are counseling. Biblical anthropology—what Scripture says about personhood—should guide our methodology, not the other way around. I recognize that this might sound a bit strange, maybe even somewhat backward from what we’re accustomed to hearing, but bear with me as I try to demonstrate how a biblical perspective on personhood alters our counseling methods.

What’s Biblical Anthropology, Anyway?

Biblical anthropology explores what Scripture reveals about humanity as an image-bearer of God (Gen. 1:26-27), encompassing both the physical and spiritual aspects (Gen. 2:7). We are created with purpose (Gen. 1:26-28) yet marred by sin (Gen. 3). Psalm 139:13-14 eloquently shows that God, in His infinite wisdom, knows every muscle, hair, and vein—every part of our being. Since God has crafted the very intricacies of our personhood down to the finest details, He understands every aspect of us, both physical and spiritual, better than we could ever hope to know ourselves.

In Romans 7:18-25, Paul demonstrates the power and deception of sin in our lives. Due to the fall in Genesis 3, sin has permeated humanity, leading us to engage in evil and rebellious actions. Furthermore, this sinfulness affects not only the heart of man (“inner man”) but also the body (“members”) (Rom. 7:22-23).

The secularist misses the point when they perceive pain and suffering solely as physical issues, believing they can be addressed only through medications and various forms of therapy. Admittedly, some Christian counseling methodologies can overlook this fundamental aspect of the human condition as well. Therefore, we must exercise caution in our approaches, recognizing that we are more than just physical beings; our suffering encompasses both spiritual and physical problems.

The Counseling Debate’s Blind Spot

I have worked in an industrial plant setting for over 15 years, and safety has always been a primary focus. If you ever take your eye off safety for, say, production, it becomes a blind spot, and it will eventually catch up to you in a bad way. In the biblical counseling debates, the person has become this blind spot for the sake of methodologies, and over time, people have largely been ignored and sought other places for their counseling needs. It’s almost like two parents fighting over custody of a child in a divorce hearing, and now the child wants nothing to do with either of them.

On one side, you have that very strict and discipline-focused parent who insists everything is a spiritual issue: “You need to repent and do better!” On the other side, you have that super easygoing parent who says, “It’s not your fault; you didn’t do anything wrong; let’s get some ice cream (meds) to help you calm down.” But deep down, you know it was your fault.

Both are half-right and half-blind, especially without Biblical anthropology backing up their claims. But this is what a methodology-driven counseling approach does; it splits hairs between the physical and the spiritual rather than seeing the person as a physical and spiritual being made in the image of God and marred by sin and suffering in this broken world. So, what if we start instead with who we are and not what we use in our counseling?

Anthropology in Action

What would happen if we began to look at our Biblical counseling models from the perspective of the individual instead of the specific model or tools we are using? Scripture calls us to acknowledge every person as an image-bearer of the living God (Gen. 1:26-27). However, Scripture also reminds us that sin is real, and so is trauma. Let’s examine an example from Scripture.

I think we would all agree that, from a biblical standpoint, anxiety can be described as a fear. We fear things that may or may not happen in the future, and, as a result, anxiety takes over. 1 Peter 5:7 calls us to “cast your anxieties on him because he cares for you.” This highlights the spiritual aspect of anxiety, where we are encouraged to cast our cares on the God who cares for us and invites us to come to him. Looking at Psalm 22, we see that extreme anxiety and despair can physically consume our bodies. David describes it as if his bones were out of place and his heart was melting like wax (v. 14); his strength is dried up, and his mouth is so dry that his tongue sticks to his jaws (v. 15). He can even count all his bones because he is so thin (v. 17)! We must counsel the soul here while also supporting the body.

Counseling someone who is suffering from abuse can be viewed similarly. Years of bitterness, anger, and unforgiveness are sinful, and there is a need for repentance. However, healing for the harmed body, such as a shattered nervous system, is also necessary. It’s not one or the other; it’s both. But how does this function in our methodologies? Scripture is always paramount! 2 Timothy 3:16-17 clearly directs us to this path, reminding us that all Scripture is not only inspired by God, thus given life but also beneficial for everything it addresses. Scripture serves as the interpretive lens for everything else we examine, such as creeds and confessions, statements of faith, and beliefs just as a few examples.

A Better Way Forward

A biblical anthropology maintains Biblical authority while also recognizing the truths found in science as interpreted through Scripture. Biblical anthropology reminds us that humans are complex and fallen beings, yet we are redeemable because of Christ’s work. This truth grounds our counseling in Scripture while simultaneously embracing the human person as a whole, both physical and spiritual. The next time you sit down to counsel someone, or if you find yourself in need of counseling, start by asking, “What does God say about us as people and the suffering I am experiencing?” This question cuts through the noise of the loud debates happening around us. We will counsel people more effectively when we understand them as God does, and Biblical anthropology serves as a strong foundation to help us reach that understanding.