Here's the transcript: Biblical Counselling To the Glory of God: Statement of Faith by Melanie Hart My belief system is rooted in historical Orthodox Christianity and theologically and doctrinally Reformed; one that emphasizes the Authority of Holy Scripture (The Bible as the inerrant and infallible Word of God) and in the Sovereignty of God.
I believe in the God of the Bible. I believe in the Gospel of God; the saving power of God's grace alone, through Faith alone (not of works), because of the finished work of Christ alone (his atoning death on the cross to satisfy the wrath of God for our sin). I believe in Christ's burial and resurrection, based on the authority of Scripture alone, all to the Glory of God alone. My full-time focus around counselling sessions is to know God and apply His instruction, wisdom, counsel, and discipline, first in my own life, and in such a way that I am in a biblically faithful posture to counsel, disciple, and mentor women of all ages. My favourite thing to do with clients is to pray with them, to point them to God's Gospel Truth, to His Word for His Counsel, and to witness how God changes them through the renewing of their minds, the softening of hearts, the reordering of loves, and point them to grow in biblical literacy, with their eyes on the ultimate eternal prize of Jesus - our Living Hope. I believe The WORD OF GOD belongs in the counselling room. I believe The GOSPEL OF GOD matters in the counselling room. I believe THEOLOGY belongs in the counselling room. I believe DOCTRINE belongs in the counselling room. I believe biblical JOY belongs in the counselling room. I believe biblical HOPE belongs in the counselling room. I believe biblical TRUTH matters in the counselling room. I believe biblical LOVE belongs in the counselling room. I believe biblically faithful encouragement and admonishment belong in the counselling room. I believe PRAYER belongs in the counselling room. To do otherwise is inconceivable to me. In Romans 1 Paul makes three “I am” statements that inspire me with biblical courage and conviction in counselling conversations: in vs. 14, he writes, “I am under obligation”, in vs. 15, he states, “I am eager”, and vs. 16, he proclaims, "I am not ashamed.” And in the first chapter of Colossians, verse 28, Paul exhorts (as if to me personally in the counselling room), “Him [Christ] we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ. For this I toil, struggling with all his energy that he powerfully works within me.” I am not the “Wonderful Counsellor” but I know the One who is. (Isaiah 9:6). The ultimate counsellor is the only One Who is not in need of counsel! Romans 11:34, “For who has known the mind of the Lord, or who has been his counsellor?” God’s Word, God’s Attributes, God’s Gospel, God’s Standards, God's Personhood through the Trinity (God The Father, God The Son, God the Holy Spirit) are essential, non-negotiable, and highly used tools in my counselling toolbox. To do otherwise is inconceivable to me. It has been said that, “In all Christians, Christ is present. In some, Christ is prominent. But only in a few is He preeminent.” (Original Author Unknown).
The longing of my heart is to make Christ preeminent in my own life. I pray that be true of my clients as well.“For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be glory forever. Amen.” (Romans 11:36)
