Robert W. Kellemen - Gospel-Centered Counseling: How Christ Changes Lives

As I read through Gospel-Centered Counseling, I kept finding myself responding to the words I was reading... and that response was vocal. I was amazed. Blessed. Enlightened. Encouraged. Reminded. Bob Kellemen understands grace and the gospel in ways that are profound, beautiful, and astonishing. I love this book and the gospel that is so beautifully portrayed here where the rubber meets the road, in our daily lives, in our struggle to believe and to live in the light of all hes done. What a blessing!

ELYSE FITZPATRICK, author of Good News for Weary Women and Give Them Grace

Gospel-Centered Counseling is an immense help to both counselors and counselees. Bob frames every counseling issue within the drama of redemption and in the hope of the gospel. The result? A book that belongs on every pastors shelf! It is wise, filled with exegetical insights that flower into rich, everyday counsel. It is deep, addressing the whole person, mind, body, and spirit. It is broad, deftly moving from Scripture, into the soul, and back out into real life with wonderful clarity. It is compassionate. I felt loved and understood by Bob, the sign of a good counselor. Most of all, it is true, imparting the hope of Christ into the heart of people Behold, I am making all things new!

JONATHAN K. DODSON, Lead Pastor, City Life Church, author of Gospel-Centered Discipleship

Counseling is not biblical unless it is driven by the gospel in theory and reflects the gospel in practice. Bob Kellemen shows us how gospel-centered counseling flows from the Scriptures and aims at growth in Christlikeness for the glory of Christ. But he also shows us how we, as counselors, journey alongside others with the very same gospel that we all desperately need. Gospel-Centered Counseling reflects the deep layers of experience and wisdom forged over three decades as Bob has served faithfully as a shepherd and teacher. Bob understands the deep dynamic struggles of body and soul in our suffering and sin, and he rightfully addresses our affections and imagination in ways that few others do. Gospel-Centered Counseling is a must-have as you seek to care for and equip others to minister with the gospel as a church.

ROBERT K. CHEONG, Pastor of Care, Sojourn Community Church, author of God Redeeming His Bride

In Gospel-Centered Counseling, Bob Kellemen demonstrates convincingly that biblical theology and systematic theology are indeed practical theology. Embedding his methodology in the unfolding redemptive narrative of the Bible, he works out the practical implications of our multifaceted salvation in Jesus Christ and shows their impact for interpersonal ministry. Full of rich biblical insight and examples from Bobs many years of pastoral and biblical counseling ministry, Gospel-Centered Counseling will benefit anyone who longs to help others live with joyful fidelity to our triune God.

MICHAEL R. EMLET, M.Div., M.D., Faculty and Counselor at CCEF; author of CrossTalk: Where Life and Scripture Meet

What a gift Bob Kellemen is to the church today! Bob has been in the counseling trenches for three decades now, and in Gospel-Centered Counseling he weaves together a practical approach to helping real people with real problems. He never forgets that these are people who are suffering and dont just need counsel, they need compassion. The compassion at the heart of his counsel is rooted in a verse he weaves through the counseling process, showing us what it would look like to apply 1 Thessalonians 2:8, which says, We loved you so much that we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our own lives as well, because you had become so dear to us. Get this book if you love God, love people, and really want to help.

BRAD BIGNEY, Sr. Pastor, Grace Fellowship Church, author of Gospel Treason

Gospel-Centered Counseling is more than a book on how to counsel others. It is a clear and compelling presentation of how the gospel changes everything. Bob has weaved the grand narrative of Scripture with practical application for everyday life. He has called us to be wise counselors who care about orthodoxy while bringing the Word to hurting people with love and care in such a way that grace is not compromised on the road to truth. I would recommend this book first for your personal edification and second as a guide to helping others grow and change.

GARRETT HIGBEE, Executive Director of Biblical Soul Care, Harvest Bible Chapel

Insightful and practical, Dr. Kellemens Gospel-Centered Counseling provides a comprehensive guide for leading readers deep into the contours of genuine biblical soul care. His ability to effectively apply rich gospel-saturated theology to the here-and-now struggles of the human soul is impressive. This is an excellent read for anyone wanting to enhance their understanding of Scripture and how it applies to the complexities of the human estate.

JEREMY LELEK, Ph.D., LPC-S, President, Association of Biblical Counselors

Bobs heart for other people to know and understand the true heart behind biblical counseling is clearly articulated in this book. With so many competing voices and ideas as to where life change and healing come from, Bob has captured the heart and essence of the grand narrative of grace and redemption with this work. Gospel-Centered Counseling challenges the professional minister, pastor, counselor, and lay person to remember what they have been saved from and what they have been saved to through the gospel. This book encourages me as it can be so easy, as a minister of the gospel, to forget what should propel our work in the ministry.

LEE LEWIS, Biblical Counselor, Council Board Member, Biblical Counseling Coalition

Gospel-Centered Counseling is like a smartphone. That is, it can be helpful in multiple ways. Beginning biblical counselors will benefit from the case studies, which model how to minister the Word rather than just dispensing it. Experienced counselors will be prompted to evaluate whether or not their counseling truly reflects the major themes of the Scripture with appropriate application to the problems of life and living. Leaders seeking to disciple others will find in Gospel-Centered Counseling a book that teaches theology in a warm, equipping-for-life fashion. Preachers will find seeds of helpful sermon series. Every reader will be more thankful for Christ and the good news of the gospel.

RANDY PATTEN, Director of Training and Advancement, Association of Certified Biblical Counselors

Gospel-Centered Counseling comprehensively applies our theology to our counseling its a theology for life. It will be a vital resource for those who want to be equipped to use Gods Word to help people in community. The extensive use of cases makes the book easy and enjoyable to read while also showing how key principles work in practical, real-life situations. The frequent tweet-size summaries are helpful and memorable. They also keep the reader on track with the books main message: the gospel of grace is the foundation for change. Theology matters.

JIM NEWHEISER, Executive Director, Institute for Biblical Counseling and Discipleship

Gospel-Centered Counseling is a book that ought to be in every biblical counselors library. Bob Kellemen has dedicated his life to thinking deeply about the way the Good News of Jesus Christ intersects all of life and ministry. Bob writes as both a careful theologian and a compassionate counselor. His love for Jesus coupled with careful scholarship will help readers gain a greater understanding of the grand story of redemption. This book will change you for the better and equip you to help others in that same marvelous process. These are exciting days for the biblical counseling movement because there are more great resources than ever before. This book is more evidence that Jesus is carefully building his church. To him be the glory.