When did biblical counseling begin?

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• Ancient Roots: Early church leaders like Augustine and Gregory the Great practiced soul care rooted in Scripture and theology.
• Puritan Influence: Figures like Richard Baxter emphasized applying biblical truth to everyday struggles, offering practical spiritual guidance.
• Modern Movement: In the 1960s, Jay Adams launched nouthetic counseling, focusing on Scripture, sin, and repentance. Later leaders like David Powlison refined the approach to be more compassionate and holistic.
• Current Practice: Ministries like Discipling in Hope emphasize the sufficiency of Scripture for personal growth, healing, and discipleship, integrating techniques like mindfulness through a biblical lens.

Biblical counseling sees life’s struggles as opportunities for spiritual transformation, not just psychological adjustment. It’s not anti-psychology, but it’s deeply committed to the belief that Scripture offers the most complete framework for understanding and healing the human soul.