Author: Martha

As someone interested in mental illness for many years, due to family history; observations regarding alcoholism, eating disorders, anger management, schizophrenia, depression, relational problems – I came across the research, teaching and methods of Jay Adams through a book I read by John McArthur. It was like a veil pulled back and I saw how through Scripture and the Holy Spirit, repentance and ‘put on and put off’ changes, it is possible to get to the root of many problems and enable real lasting change. Sin, in some form, is usually the root cause. Of course, this is an unpopular message today but I came to see how it gives hope. The diagnosis must be right if the person is to proceed out of a place of confusion and depression to be released and renewed into a life of usefulness and closeness to God. If a person is willing to humble themselves and obey God’s commands they can be restored to sanity. Sadly, many find Jay Adam’s teaching on counselling offensive, but it does not make it untrue. I bought many of Jay Adam’s counselling books second hand and they have become my most treasured theology books. In my opinion, Jay Adams is truly the father of modern biblical counselling.