Jesus’ Style of Relating: The Search for a Biblical View of Counseling

Abstract

Focusing on the current discussion regarding biblical models of counseling, this study considers several problems which must be solved if integration between biblical and psychological perspectives is to be achieved. Then, Jesus’ role repertoire is explored as a possible source of biblical models of counseling. The study suggests Jesus’ style of relating provides a wide range of interventive-redemptive approaches to helping people. An integrated continuum of counseling roles is presented from the prophetic-confronting, pastoral-teaching to priestly-confessional. The paper concludes with implications of and advantages to a repertoire of counseling roles.