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Helpful Truth in Past Places: The Puritan Practice of Biblical Counseling

Mark A. Deckard (Author)

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Binding: Paperback
Page Count: 192
Publisher: Christian Focus
ISBN#: 9781845505455

Availability: Usually ships the same business day.

Description: Helpful Truth in Past Places examines the teachings of leading Puritan writers-theologians who were masters at understanding the nature of human beings and applying Scripture in practical ways to help people with their struggles and problems. Looking to Scripture as the final authority, the Puritans grounded their own counseling practices in a proper view of the sovereignty of God and the underlying heart issues of people. By understanding why people struggle and the provision God makes for our struggles, counselors today will be better equipped to guide those they counsel toward God-appointed solutions.

"Despite our modern prejudices," Deckard explains, the problems of the Puritans' time "were not all that different than our own." These men and women, like us, fought issues of fear, depression and sense of purpose. Their world was, like ours, clouded by poverty, loss of children, abuse and alcoholism. Guided by a biblical view of God and self, they found their answers in unchanging doctrinal truth. Each chapter in Helpful Truth in Past Places guides readers through a particular issue and points to the applicable teachings of a Puritan writer on that topic. Jonathan Edwards explores our emotional frailties. Jeremiah Burroughs deals with anxiety and dissatisfaction. And John Flavel takes on the age-old question of "why?" A welcome infusion of sound biblical understanding.

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"Before there was a discipline called psychology, many Puritan authors were outstanding biblical psychologists possessed of clear insight to the human frame. Mark Deckard ably distills the essence of 17th century wisdom for 21st century counselors in areas such as God's providence, personal contentment, repentance and depression. I already wonder about a sequel volume, lending this kind of accessibility to more of the existing Puritan treasure trove of practical guidance for Christian living."
--Michael A. Rogers, Sr. Pastor, Westminster Presbyterian Church, Lancaster, Pennsylvania

"It was J I Packer who likened the Puritans to the Giant Redwoods, now Mark Deckard shows us why. With the skillful hands of a gifted counselor and the inquisitive mind of a pilgrim, Deckard brings us into conversation with these Puritan greats and artfully displays for us their insights into life and relationships. Every Christian counselor, professional or otherwise, ought to pull up a chair and listen in and learn from this conversation."
--Stephen J Nichols, Research Professor of Christianity and culture, Lancaster Bible College, Lancaster, Pennsylvania

"This book is a goldmine for anyone involved in helping hurting people. Mark Deckard takes seven Puritan classics and shows how pastor-preachers wrote them to provide biblical counsel which was profound and balanced, realistic and tender. The principles he extracts are as relevant for the 21st century as when they were first expounded. In these pages is something far better than a 'system' or set of counseling techniques. We are invited instead to gain wisdom - a deeper understanding of people & of how God's grace can change and strengthen them through 'the sufferings of this present time'. That the author stimulates us to read the Puritans with new eyes is a bonus. The final chapter is a marvellously useful summary of how and where to find contemporary counsel from the riches of the past."
--Edward Donnelly, Principal of Reformed Theological College, Belfast, Northern Ireland

About the Author
Dr. Mark Deckard serves as Director of Biblical Counseling Training, a ministry of Christian Counseling Associates. He has been involved in leadership and administrative roles with CCA and with the Prison Ministry in York.
Helpful Truth in Past Places: The Puritan Practice of Biblical Counseling
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Monergism Books is a Reformed Christian Internet bookseller with the goal of equipping Christians in the truth by making available the finest classic resources of historical orthodoxy. This is done in the hope that the church will embrace, and recover a Christ-centered gospel and the true Biblical doctrines of the historic faith.


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