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Our Review:

This is a very clear and readable critique of the integration of psychological theory with Christian counseling. There is apparently, among Christians, a great lack of understanding regarding the origins of secular psychological theory and the essential antithesis that exists between the fundamental tenants of psychological theory and Biblical Christianity. In the first several chapters, Williams gives a brief overview of the history and current status of the Christian counseling movement, introducing such key figures as Clyde and Bruce Narramore, Larry Crabb, James Dobson and Gary Collins, as well as Jay Adams and the nouthetic counseling model. He then devotes several chapters to reviewing some of the most important theorists in secular psychology – Freud, Adler, Maslow, Rogers, and Ellis. These are the men who have introduced into our world ideas such as the unconscious (Freud), inferiority complex (Adler), hierarchy of needs (Maslow), self-esteem and self-actualization (Maslow and Rogers). Dr. Williams clearly explains and critiques these concepts in the light of Scripture. In the final chapters of the book he critiques (1) Larry Crabb’s integrationist model of counseling and (2) the self-esteem movement. In the concluding paragraph (p. 148), Williams writes: From the evidence that we have uncovered, there can be no doubt that such Christian counseling is not a legitimate part of Christian ministry but an imposter that is misleading the church. We have come face to face with false teaching that has slipped into the church. We are led to the inevitable conclusion that the Christian counseling movement, which is propagating false teaching, poses a serious threat to the church and the Gospel.  I whole-heartedly agree.

Reviewer: Dean Good