Program Introduction

The program emphasizes Scripture’s sufficiency in addressing spiritual and human problems and rejects integrating secular psychology. It trains counselors holistically—academically, practically, and in character—to serve effectively in church contexts. Adhering to the Bible-based counseling model endorsed by the Association of Certified Biblical Counselors (ACBC), students learn that Scripture alone meets individuals’ needs and provides true hope. Our goal is to develop the whole person through courses designed to impart essential knowledge, skills, and character necessary for wise and loving counseling within the church.

• Built on the ACBC model and taught by professors who are Certified Fellows
• Required internship and two practicums, offered residential, online, or accelerated
• A direct path into graduate and post-graduate degrees in biblical counseling: the M.A. and TMU’s first doctorate, the D.Min. in Biblical Counseling

Faculty Highlights

 The faculty are practitioners: the department chair is an ACBC Certified Fellow and associate pastor whose critique of secular therapy was published by HarperCollins, and the D.Min. chair sits on the ACBC board.

• Dr. Greg Gifford, chair: Ph.D. in Biblical Counseling, former U.S. Army captain, author of Lies My Therapist Told Me (HarperCollins) and Heart and Habits
• Dr. Keith Palmer: M.Div. (TMS), D.Min. and Ph.D. in biblical counseling, ACBC Fellow and board member, two decades as a pastor
• Dr. Ernie Baker: on faculty since 2005; new booklet series through Shepherd Press Sources

Course List

Biblical Studies Core Courses (14 Units)

• B352 Hermeneutics
• B400 Senior Integrative Seminar
• B490 Senior Comprehensive Exam
• One of the following
  • BL301 and 302 Elementary Greek I, II (4, 4)
  • BL311 and 312 Elementary Hebrew I, II (4, 4)

Biblical Counseling Emphasis Courses (47 Units)

• BC300 Introduction to Biblical Counseling
• BC311 Theological Basis for Biblical Counseling
• BC330 Methods of Biblical Counseling
• BC340 Marriage & Family
• BC382 Counseling Internship
• BC421 Problems & Procedures
• BC431 Counseling Practicum I
• BC432 Counseling Practicum II
• BE101 Introduction to Psychology
• Bible Book Studies
• Bible Electives

Learning Outcomes

• Demonstrate the correct application of hermeneutical principles to develop an interpretation of a biblical text, including a foundational working knowledge of biblical Greek.
• Explain the foundational theological principles of biblical counseling with particular focus on the doctrines of inspiration, inerrancy, and sufficiency of the Scriptures, leading to the ability to biblically interact with and respond to current trends, conceptual approaches, and practices in the counseling field.

• Explain from Scripture the role of biblical counseling within the larger work of the church, particularly its relationship to evangelism and discipleship.
• Based on interaction with and data gathering about a counselee, develop a counseling methodology that effectively applies a broad range of relevant biblical passages to counselee issues—in particular core issues of the heart—and understand the centrality of the gospel as the basis for biblical change that leads to true worship.
• Demonstrate a consistent pattern of biblically based self-reflection leading to growth in Christlike character qualities necessary for effective biblical counseling.

Biblical Studies Core Program Learning Outcomes:

1. Demonstrate a working knowledge of either Greek or Hebrew at a level appropriate for the emphasis.
2. Demonstrate the correct application of hermeneutical principles to develop an interpretation of a biblical text.
3. Clearly articulate a biblical philosophy of ministry as it relates to the purpose of the Church.
4. Describe the concept of vocation from a biblical perspective.

Requirements are subject to change; please refer to the academic catalog.

Philosophy of Counseling

The Holy Scripture, being God’s law and testimony, is true and should therefore serve as the Christian’s standard for all matters of faith and practice (Isaiah 8:19-20; 2 Peter 1:3). No authority is higher than the one found in Scripture. Wherever and on whatever subject Scripture speaks, it must be regarded as inerrant, authoritative, sufficient, and superior to human counsel. There have always been people who have affirmed the inerrancy and authority of Scripture in matters of faith and practice but would not affirm the sufficiency of Scripture for understanding and resolving man’s spiritual (non-physical) problems. They acknowledge Scripture to be the Word of God, and in this, they are correct, but when it comes to understanding and resolving many of the real spiritual issues of life, they think that Scripture has limited value. Therefore, it is crucial that we clearly articulate a definition of biblical counseling according to Scripture.

The four distinguishing features of truly Christian biblical counseling are explained below.

• Christ-Centered Counseling: Biblical counseling is conscientiously and comprehensively Christ-centered. It focuses on who Christ is and what He has done for us in His life, death, resurrection, and in sending the Holy Spirit. Christ-centered counseling also focuses on what He is doing for us right now in His intercession at the Father’s right hand and what He will do for us in the future. In biblical counseling, the Christ of the Bible is not an appendage or an “add on” for living in the fast lane. Rather, He is the center and the circumference (and everywhere in between) of counseling. Christ-centered counseling involves understanding the nature and causes of our human difficulties. It involves understanding the ways we are unlike Christ in our values, aspirations, desires, thoughts, feelings, choices, attitudes, actions, and responses. Resolving those sin-related difficulties includes being redeemed and justified through Christ, receiving God’s forgiveness through Christ, and acquiring from Christ the enabling power to replace un-Christlike (sinful) patterns with Christlike, godly ones. As we are transformed to be more like Christ, we overcome sin and are better-equipped to deal with the effects of sin in this fallen world with a primary focus on glorifying God, proclaiming the gospel, and advancing His kingdom (Ro 8:29; 1 Co 10:31; 2 Co 3:18; 5:9).
• Gospel-Centered Counseling: A biblical counselor is also conscientiously and comprehensively Christian in his outlook on life. Genuine biblical counseling is conducted by individuals who have experienced the regenerating work of the Holy Spirit and have come to Christ in repentance and faith, acknowledging Him as Lord and Savior of their lives. These are also people who want to live in obedience to Him, people whose main concern in life is to exalt Him and bring glory to His name. They are people who believe that, since God did not spare His own Son from the cross or the suffering He experienced there but, delivered Him up to the cross and death for us on our behalf and in our stead, as our substitute. Through Christ, He will freely give us all that we need for effective and godly living and transform us to be like His Son in the totality of our being. Biblical Christian counselors also acknowledge the role of the Holy Spirit in regenerating, saving, and sanctifying the believer. Truly biblical counseling is carried out by those whose theological convictions influence, permeate, and control their personal lives along with their counseling theory and practice.
• Bible-Centered Counseling: Genuine biblical counseling is conscientiously and comprehensively based on the Bible and derives from Scripture its understanding of who man is, the nature of his primary problems, why he has these problems, and how to resolve these problems. In other words, the counselor must be conscientiously and comprehensively committed to the sufficiency of Scripture for understanding and resolving all the non-physical personal and interpersonal sin-related difficulties of man.
• Church-Centered Counseling: Another distinguishing feature of genuine biblical counseling is that it will be conscientiously and comprehensively church centered. Scripture makes it clear that the local church is the primary means by which God accomplishes His work in the world. The local church is His ordained instrument for calling the lost to Himself and the context in which He sanctifies and changes His people into the likeness of Christ. According to Scripture, the church is His household, the pillar and support of the truth, and the instrument He uses in helping His people to put off the old manner of life or self and to put on the new way of living and new self (1 Timothy 3:15; Ephesians 4:1-32). Credibility in counseling is established when it is conducted under the authority of the church and its properly appointed leadership.

Biblical Counseling IDS Concentration Block

The Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies (IDS) allows students to create their own major by selecting two blocks (and an optional third) to build their degree. Biblical Counseling may be chosen as one of the blocks, which includes these courses:

• BE101 Introduction to Psychology (3)
• BC300 Introduction to Biblical Counseling (3)
• BC311 Theological Basis of Biblical Counseling (3)
• BC330 Methods of Biblical Counseling (3)
• BC340 Marriage & Family (3)
• BC421 Problems & Procedures (3)

Total units required for Concentration Block: 18

Minor in Biblical Counseling

A minor in Biblical Counseling is offered to students not majoring in Biblical Studies, but who desire a greater understanding of the Biblical Counseling.

Minor in Biblical Counseling Courses:

• BC300 Introduction to Biblical Counseling (3)
• BC311 Theological Basis of Biblical Counseling (3)
• BC330 Methods of Biblical Counseling (3)
• BC340 Marriage & Family (3)
• BC421 Problems & Procedures (3)
• BC431 Counseling Practicum I (2)
• BC432 Counseling Practicum II (2)
• BE101 Introduction to Psychology (3)

Total units required for minor: 22

Career Paths and Employment Options

 Graduates are trained to serve in roles that prioritize counseling, discipleship, and ministry under the authority of the local church or related organizations. Key career paths include:

1. Church-Based Counseling and Pastoral Roles:
   • Counseling and Discipleship Pastor: Graduates serve as pastors or associate pastors focused on counseling and discipleship, addressing issues like marriage, family, or personal struggles using biblical principles.
   • Senior/Associate Pastor: Some alumni transition into broader pastoral roles, integrating biblical counseling into preaching, teaching, and church leadership.
   • Youth Pastor or Ministry Director: Graduates work with youth or specific ministry groups, applying counseling skills to guide spiritual growth and address challenges.
2. Biblical Counseling Centers:
   • Biblical Counselor: Graduates establish or work in counseling centers such as Solomon SoulCare, founded by a TMU alumnus. These centers offer one-on-one or group counseling for issues like depression, anxiety, or addiction rooted in Scripture.
3. Para-Church and Non-Profit Organizations:
   • Counselor or Ministry Staff: Alumni work in organizations that provide biblical guidance, such as crisis pregnancy centers, rescue missions, adoption agencies, or Christian camp ministries.
   • Chaplaincy: Graduates serve as chaplains in hospitals, prisons, sports teams, or the military, offering spiritual care and counseling.
4. Missions and Global Outreach:
   • Missionary Counselor: Alumni partner with mission agencies to bring biblical counseling to countries lacking such ministries, supporting cross-cultural church planting and discipleship. International mission fields are often in collaboration with TMU’s GO! Global Outreach programs in regions like India, China, or South Africa.
5. Academic and Educational Roles:
   • Professor or Instructor: Graduates with advanced degrees (MABC or DMinBC) teach biblical counseling at colleges or seminaries, advancing the field’s academic presence. Alumni may serve as resident directors, deans of men/women, or student life staff at Christian colleges, counseling and mentoring students.
6. Independent Counseling Practices:
   • Private Practice: Some graduates start their own counseling ministries, either for-profit or non-profit, to provide biblical counseling with liability coverage.
7. Specialized Ministry Roles:
   • Women’s Ministry or Bible Study Leader: Particularly for female graduates, roles involve leading Bible studies or counseling women, often in church or community settings.
   • Disability Care or Addiction Recovery: Alumni apply biblical counseling in specialized contexts, such as disability ministries or addiction recovery programs.