Written by
Nicolas Ellen · Josh Stephens · Stuart Scott · Brett Williams · Jon Pratt · Preston Mayes · Matt Shrader · Mark Shaw · Daniel Berger · Kirk Barger · Matt Silva · Venessa Ellen · Jim Berg · Paul Tautges · Ernie Baker · Howard Eyrich · John Babler · Keith Palmer · and more
A Theology of Soul Care brings together pastors, professors, and biblical counselors to present a theologically grounded vision for soul care. Covering a breadth of topics ranging from methodologies, philosophy, and doctrine to practical issues like addiction, depression, marriage, and suffering, these essays show that faithful soul care is applied theology.
Learn from the authors
Study soul care where it was written
Twelve contributors teach at Central Seminary, including all four editors. Central's Master of Arts in Biblical Counseling and Doctor of Ministry in Biblical Counseling are taught by faculty who contributed to the book.
Ask anything about the programs, or ask for a phone call with our admissions office.
Endorsements
“The best counselors are trained and skilled practitioners of theology. Theology is not peripheral to counseling but foundational to its practice.”
“In an age when the church is increasingly tempted to outsource soul care to secular frameworks, this book stands firmly and unapologetically on the sufficiency of Scripture.”
“It’s not a book of superficial fixes; it’s a theological roadmap for heart-level transformation.”
The Editors
Nicolas Ellen, PhD, DMin
Pastor of Community of Faith Bible Church in Houston, TX, and architect of the DMin in Biblical Counseling at Central Seminary.
Josh Stephens, DMin
Lead pastor of Cape Bible Chapel in Cape Girardeau, MO, founder and executive director of the Biblical Counseling Alliance, and co-director of the biblical counseling program at Central Seminary.
Stuart Scott, DMin
A Fellow and the director of member care with ACBC, the training coordinator and instructor for Biblical Counseling Ministries Worldwide, and the director of One-Eighty Ministries.
Brett Williams, PhD
Provost / Executive Vice President, and director of the ThM program at Central Seminary in Minneapolis, MN.
Additional Central Contributors · Preston Mayes · Jon Pratt · Matt Shrader · Daniel Berger · Venessa Ellen · Kirk Barger · Mark Shaw · Matt Silva
From the book
“The local church must be embraced as the ideal environment for soul care.”
“Scripture is authoritative and sufficient; our interpretations are not.”
“The Bible serves as the ultimate authority for facilitating effective change.”
Read before you buy
The foreword and the opening of Chapter One
The sample includes Lance Quinn’s foreword, and the opening pages of “A Biblical Philosophy of Soul Care” by Nicolas Ellen and Josh Stephens. Enter your email and the PDF opens immediately.
- Publisher
- Kress Biblical Resources, 2026
- Format
- Paperback · 560 pages · 6 × 9 in
- Contents
- Thirty-five essays, twenty-six contributors
- ISBN
- 978-1-934952-94-8
- Where to buy
- Amazon
Contents
Thirty-five essays
Foundations Philosophy, history, and why philosophy matters for counseling 3 chapters
- 1 A Biblical Philosophy of Soul Care Nicolas Ellen and Josh Stephens 15
- 2 The History of Biblical Counseling in the United States and Its Correlation to Biblical Soul Care Nicolas Ellen 29
- 3 The Importance of Philosophy and the Implications for Biblical Soul Care Brett Williams 43
Theology The doctrines that ground the work, and the authority of Scripture 9 chapters
- 4 Biblical Soul Care and the Doctrine of God Brett Williams 61
- 5 Biblical Soul Care and the Doctrine of Man Brett Williams 75
- 6 Biblical Soul Care and the Doctrine of Sin Preston Mayes 89
- 7 Biblical Soul Care and the Doctrine of Salvation Jonathan R. Pratt 107
- 8 Biblical Soul Care and the Doctrine of Sanctification Jonathan R. Pratt 119
- 9 Biblical Soul Care and the Doctrine of the Church Matthew C. Shrader 131
- 10 Biblical Soul Care and the Sufficiency of Scripture Matthew C. Shrader 141
- 11 Biblical Soul Care and Hermeneutics Keith Palmer 157
- 12 Biblical Soul Care and Understanding Common Grace Samuel Stephens and Francine Tan 169
Soul Care in the Church Ministry, discernment, and building a method 10 chapters
- 13 Biblical Soul Care and Evangelism Howard Eyrich and Nicolas Ellen 189
- 14 Biblical Soul Care and Discipleship Paul Tautges 199
- 15 Biblical Soul Care and Understanding the Dangers of Spiritual Pride Stuart Scott 213
- 16 Biblical Soul Care and Understanding the Conscience Rich Thomson 233
- 17 Biblical Soul Care and Understanding Shame Robert J. Piertz 249
- 18 Biblical Soul Care and the Evaluation of Mental Disorders Kirk Barger 269
- 19 Biblical Soul Care and Understanding Addiction Mark E. Shaw 285
- 20 Biblical Soul Care and Developing a Biblical-Theological Diagnostic Nicolas Ellen 297
- 21 Biblical Soul Care and Methodology Nicolas Ellen 311
- 22 Biblical Soul Care and Building a Crisis Counseling Model John Babler 321
Soul Care Applied Sin, suffering, and the shape of a faithful life 13 chapters
- 23 Biblical Soul Care and Addressing Idolatrous Lust Nicolas Ellen 335
- 24 Biblical Soul Care and Addressing Sexual Lust Samuel Stephens 351
- 25 Biblical Soul Care and Addressing Worry and Anger Nicolas Ellen 365
- 26 Biblical Soul Care and Addressing Suffering Nicolas Ellen 381
- 27 Biblical Soul Care and Addressing Depression Daniel Berger II 395
- 28 Biblical Soul Care and Learning How to Move From Discontentment to Joy Logan Williams 411
- 29 Biblical Soul Care and Working Through Conflict Resolution Ernie Baker 427
- 30 Biblical Soul Care and Working Through Forgiveness Matt Silva 443
- 31 Biblical Soul Care and the Implications of Biblical Manhood Jim Berg and Nicolas Ellen 459
- 32 Biblical Soul Care and the Implications of Biblical Womanhood Venessa Ellen 473
- 33 Biblical Soul Care and a Biblical Perspective of Marriage Tim Pasma 489
- 34 Biblical Soul Care and a Biblical Perspective of Sexuality Jared Poulton 501
- 35 Biblical Soul Care and a Biblical Perspective of Parenting Tim Keeter 519
APPLICATION & AID