Jay E. Adams: Difference between revisions

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{{Short description|American Presbyterian author (1929–2020)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=February 2013}}
{{Infobox person
{{Infobox person
   | name            = Jay E. Adams
   | name            = Jay E. Adams
Line 8: Line 6:
   | death_date      = November 14, 2020
   | death_date      = November 14, 2020
   | death_place      = Unknown
   | death_place      = Unknown
   | affiliations.   = [[The Institute for Nouthetic Studies]] (founder)
   | affiliations    = [[The Institute for Nouthetic Studies]] (founder)
   | occupation      = Counselor, writer, founder
   | occupation      = Counselor, writer, founder
}}
}}
'''Jay Edward Adams''' (January 30, 1929 – November 14, 2020) was an American Presbyterian preacher and author who was known for his development in the mid and late 20th century of counseling based on Biblical scriptures. He published more than 100 books related to this topic, which have been translated into 16 languages.<ref name=Exodus/>
 
'''Jay Edward Adams''' (January 30, 1929 – November 14, 2020) was an American Presbyterian preacher and author who was known for his development in the mid and late 20th century of counseling based on Biblical scriptures. He published more than 100 books related to this topic, which have been translated into 16 languages.


After decades in practice, Adams wrote ''Competent to Counsel'' (1970), which was highly influential for biblical pastoral theology. He also founded [[The Institute for Nouethetic Studies]], putting together a curriculum to support such work. It has trained practitioners and also served as a center of resources for this practice and related studies. His approach was evangelical and conservative.
After decades in practice, Adams wrote ''Competent to Counsel'' (1970), which was highly influential for biblical pastoral theology. He also founded [[The Institute for Nouethetic Studies]], putting together a curriculum to support such work. It has trained practitioners and also served as a center of resources for this practice and related studies. His approach was evangelical and conservative.


==Nouthetic counseling==
==Nouthetic counseling==
According to an interview by Aaron Blumer, Adams' major influence on counseling was based on his book ''Competent to Counsel'', published in 1970, when he was about 40 years old.<ref>{{Cite interview
According to an interview by Aaron Blumer, Adams' major influence on counseling was based on his book ''Competent to Counsel'', published in 1970, when he was about 40 years old.
|last= Adams |first= Jay E
|last2= Arms |first2= Donn
|interviewer= Aaron Blumer
|title= Interview with Dr. Jay Adams |work= Sharper Iron
|date= June 11, 2009}}</ref>  From its ideas, Adams further developed what is known as [[nouthetic counseling]].<ref name="Benner1999">{{Cite book
|last= Benner |first= David G
|author2= Peter C. Hill
|title= Baker Encyclopedia of Psychology & Counseling
|publisher= Grand Rapids  |year= 1999
|page= 249 |isbn= 978-0-8010-2100-8}}</ref>  Over time, Adams became a popular advocate of "strictly biblical approaches" to counseling, described as having perspectives that have continued to influence evangelical Christianity in the early 21st century. <ref>{{Cite book |last= Hindson |first= Ed |author2= Ergun Caner |title= The Popular Encyclopedia of Apologetics |publisher= Harvest House Publishers |date= May 2008 |page= [https://archive.org/details/popularencyclope0000unse_p8q4/page/407 407] |isbn= 978-0-7369-2084-1 |url= https://archive.org/details/popularencyclope0000unse_p8q4/page/407 }}</ref>


In the late 20th century, [[John F. MacArthur]] said that Adams, through his book ''Competent to Counsel'' (1970), gave the Christian church "an indispensable corrective to several trends that are eating away at the Church's spiritual vitality".<ref>{{Citation | author-link = John F. MacArthur| first = John F | last = MacArthur | contribution = Rediscovering Biblical Counseling | title = Introduction to Biblical Counseling |location= Nashville | publisher = Thomas Nelson | year = 1994 | page = 7}}.</ref>  [[Derek Tidball]] said that Adams made an "enormous contribution to the revival of biblical pastoral theology."<ref>{{Citation | author-link = Derek Tidball | first = Derek | last = Tidball | title = Skilful Shepherds: Explorations in Pastoral Theology | place = Leicester | publisher = Apollos | year = 1999 | page = 238}}.</ref> According to Ian F. Jones, Tim Clinton, and George Ohlschlager, "Jay Adams brought a biblical revolution to Christian and pastoral counseling in the 1970s, challenging a field that was racing toward rancor, even dissolution by its fascination with all manner of anti-Christian psycho-babble."<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.aacc.net/2006/07/18/christian-counseling-and-essential-biblical-principles/ | title = Christian Counseling and Essential Biblical Principles | first1 = Ian F | last1 = Jones | first2 = Tim | last2 = Clinton | first3 = George | last3 = Ohlschlager | publisher = American Association of Christian Counseling | access-date = December 22, 2012 | date = July 18, 2006 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130222075933/http://www.aacc.net/2006/07/18/christian-counseling-and-essential-biblical-principles/ | archive-date = February 22, 2013 | url-status = dead }}</ref> David Powlison said that Adams' writings provided "abundant resources for the development of counseling". These led to the establishment of various institutions based on his views.{{Sfn | MacArthur | Wayne | 2005 |p = 24}}
In the late 20th century, [[John F. MacArthur]] said that Adams, through his book ''Competent to Counsel'' (1970), gave the Christian church "an indispensable corrective to several trends that are eating away at the Church's spiritual vitality". [[Derek Tidball]] said that Adams made an "enormous contribution to the revival of biblical pastoral theology." According to Ian F. Jones, Tim Clinton, and George Ohlschlager, "Jay Adams brought a biblical revolution to Christian and pastoral counseling in the 1970s, challenging a field that was racing toward rancor, even dissolution by its fascination with all manner of anti-Christian psycho-babble."<ref>http://www.aacc.net/2006/07/18/christian-counseling-and-essential-biblical-principles/ https://web.archive.org/web/20130222075933/http://www.aacc.net/2006/07/18/christian-counseling-and-essential-biblical-principles/</ref> David Powlison said that Adams' writings provided "abundant resources for the development of counseling". These led to the establishment of various institutions based on his views.


Some non-evangelical psychologists have argued that [[nouthetic counseling]]<ref>{{cite book |last=Yarbrough |first= J. II |title= An explication of Jay E. Adams' theology of biblical-nouthetic counseling |publisher= Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary |year= 1996}}</ref> can do considerable harm to patients. Critics note that some of the recommended techniques are ineffective. Also, patients who are not helped by nouthetic counseling often consider themselves religious failures, adding to their problems.<ref>{{cite journal |last= Winfrey |first= David | title= Biblical Therapy | journal= [[The Christian Century]] | volume = 124 | issue = 2 |pages= 25–26 |date= January 23, 2007 }}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |title= Jay Adams, is he really biblical enough? |author= Richard Winter |journal= The Third Way | publisher= Thirty Press | location= London |date=April 1982|volume= 5 | url = https://books.google.com/books?id=G6ZUFNi6Js8C&pg=PA9 |issue= 4}}  ''Richard Winter examines the approach of a well-known American author...''</ref><ref>{{cite book |last= Wagner |first = Errol Royden | title = A critique of Jay E. Adams': theology for a pneumatological viewpoint within Calvinistic theology |publisher=University of Durban-Westville | location= Durban, SA |year= 1995 }}</ref> Further criticism comes from ''The Baker Encyclopedia of Psychology and Counseling,'' which states that "Adams seems to be not fully knowledgeable regarding the theories he criticizes" and that "confrontation is also essential to the theory of Adams." However, it also states that this confrontation "is defined as caring confrontation."<ref name="Benner1999" />
Some non-evangelical psychologists have argued that [[nouthetic counseling]] can do considerable harm to patients. Critics note that some of the recommended techniques are ineffective. Also, patients who are not helped by nouthetic counseling often consider themselves religious failures, adding to their problems. Further criticism comes from ''The Baker Encyclopedia of Psychology and Counseling,'' which states that "Adams seems to be not fully knowledgeable regarding the theories he criticizes" and that "confrontation is also essential to the theory of Adams." However, it also states that this confrontation "is defined as caring confrontation."


Mark McMinn has said, however, that "Dr. Adams has received a great deal of unfair, uninformed criticism from the Christian counseling community. Although I do not share Dr. Adams' opinion on confronting sin in counseling, I do respect his pioneering work in biblical counseling."
Mark McMinn has said, however, that "Dr. Adams has received a great deal of unfair, uninformed criticism from the Christian counseling community. Although I do not share Dr. Adams' opinion on confronting sin in counseling, I do respect his pioneering work in biblical counseling."

Latest revision as of 23:37, 25 March 2025

Jay E. Adams
Birth Date January 30, 1929
Birth Place Baltimore, Maryland
Death Date November 14, 2020
Death Place Unknown
Occupation(s) Counselor, writer, founder
Affiliation(s) The Institute for Nouthetic Studies (founder)

Jay Edward Adams (January 30, 1929 – November 14, 2020) was an American Presbyterian preacher and author who was known for his development in the mid and late 20th century of counseling based on Biblical scriptures. He published more than 100 books related to this topic, which have been translated into 16 languages.

After decades in practice, Adams wrote Competent to Counsel (1970), which was highly influential for biblical pastoral theology. He also founded The Institute for Nouethetic Studies, putting together a curriculum to support such work. It has trained practitioners and also served as a center of resources for this practice and related studies. His approach was evangelical and conservative.

Nouthetic counseling

According to an interview by Aaron Blumer, Adams' major influence on counseling was based on his book Competent to Counsel, published in 1970, when he was about 40 years old.

In the late 20th century, John F. MacArthur said that Adams, through his book Competent to Counsel (1970), gave the Christian church "an indispensable corrective to several trends that are eating away at the Church's spiritual vitality". Derek Tidball said that Adams made an "enormous contribution to the revival of biblical pastoral theology." According to Ian F. Jones, Tim Clinton, and George Ohlschlager, "Jay Adams brought a biblical revolution to Christian and pastoral counseling in the 1970s, challenging a field that was racing toward rancor, even dissolution by its fascination with all manner of anti-Christian psycho-babble."[1] David Powlison said that Adams' writings provided "abundant resources for the development of counseling". These led to the establishment of various institutions based on his views.

Some non-evangelical psychologists have argued that nouthetic counseling can do considerable harm to patients. Critics note that some of the recommended techniques are ineffective. Also, patients who are not helped by nouthetic counseling often consider themselves religious failures, adding to their problems. Further criticism comes from The Baker Encyclopedia of Psychology and Counseling, which states that "Adams seems to be not fully knowledgeable regarding the theories he criticizes" and that "confrontation is also essential to the theory of Adams." However, it also states that this confrontation "is defined as caring confrontation."

Mark McMinn has said, however, that "Dr. Adams has received a great deal of unfair, uninformed criticism from the Christian counseling community. Although I do not share Dr. Adams' opinion on confronting sin in counseling, I do respect his pioneering work in biblical counseling."

Education

Publications

(See: Jay E. Adams bibliography)

See also

External links

References