CCEF Podcast: Where Life & Scripture Meet

How should biblical counselors engage secular psychology and the many other voices seeking to understand human desires and motivations? In this final episode of our seven-part series on CCEF's distinctives, Gunner Gundersen is joined by Jonathan Holmes, Dr. Mike Emlet, and Dr. Todd Stryd to explore CCEF's seventh distinctive: "Biblical counseling engages with the voices around us." They discuss how biblical counselors can neither simply embrace nor dismiss other perspectives, but instead engage them charitably and critically.

The conversation explores what it means to reframe, translate, and be provoked by observations from secular psychology and other sources, always interpreting and refining them through the question, "Who is the Lord, and what does he say?" The group considers practical examples from OCD treatment and trauma, as well as how this approach shapes pastoral care in the local church. Throughout, they emphasize that Christians don't need to be fearful of other voices or diagnoses. Instead, we can listen with curiosity, bring the richness of Scripture to people's experiences, and minister as fellow saints, sufferers, and sinners.

Mentioned in this episode:
- Explore or purchase our new course: Theology and Secular Psychology at ccef.org/school
- Learn more about our beliefs and distinctives at ccef.org/about
- Cure of Souls and the Modern Psychotherapies | Article by Dr. David Powlison
- Saints, Sufferers, and Sinners: Loving Others as God Loves Us | Book by Dr. Mike Emlet

What makes the local church the natural home for biblical counseling?

In part 6 of our 7-part series on CCEF's distinctives, Gunner Gundersen is joined by Jonathan Holmes and Ed Welch to discuss why care and counsel are pastoral and at home in the church. Together they explore the beauty of face-to-face ministry—the calling of every Christian, and the unique role of parachurch organizations in serving the local church.

Along the way, they reflect on stories of faithful ministry, the ordinary conversations God uses to bring change, and the vision of a church where every member participates in caring for one another.

Mentioned in this episode:

- Explore CCEF books at ccef.org/book
- Learn more about our beliefs and distinctives at ccef.org/about
- Instruments in the Redeemer's Hands | Book by Paul David Tripp
- Side by Side | Book by Ed Welch

In this fifth episode of our series exploring CCEF's seven distinctives, Gunner Gundersen is joined by Jonathan Holmes, Darby Strickland, and Lauren Whitman to discuss our fifth distinctive: "Help and change follow a path, but not a script." Together they explore the importance of dependence on the Lord and his work in the lives of those we help. They consider the importance of seeking input from others, the dangers of following a script, how to navigate our feelings of inadequacy, and why this distinctive matters for our local churches. Rather than fixing problems or changing others, our role is to be fellow travelers on the path God is already leading them on.

Mentioned in this episode:

- Read about CCEF's seven distinctives: ccef.org/about
- Learn more about CCEF courses: ccef.org/school

Our circumstances, emotions, and relationships all shape us, but they don't define us. At the center of who we are is something deeper: the heart.

In this fourth episode of our series exploring CCEF's seven distinctives, Gunner Gundersen is joined by Jonathan Holmes and Esther Liu to discuss what we mean when we say, "Our hearts are active." Together they explore how Scripture describes the heart as the center of our desires, fears, loves, worship, and choices. How does understanding the heart change the way we pursue personal growth, care for others, and participate in the life of the local church?

The conversation moves beyond behavior modification to consider how God meets us at the deepest level of who we are. Jonathan, Esther, and Gunner share personal stories of how this distinctive has shaped their own walks with Christ and explain why curiosity, humility, and hope are essential when helping others.

In this episode, you'll learn:
• What CCEF means by "our hearts are active."
• Why biblical change is more than changing outward behavior.
• How desires, fears, and loves reveal what's happening in our hearts.
• Why understanding the heart leads to deeper relationships and wiser care.
• How this distinctive equips churches to cultivate meaningful, gospel-centered conversations.

Mentioned in this episode:

- Register for Dynamics of Biblical Change and our other courses at ccef.org/school
- Learn more about our beliefs and distinctives at ccef.org/about

Related Resources:

- "How do I know when my actions are a result of sin in my heart or because of bodily weakness?" | video by Mike Emlet

Our bodies, relationships, culture, suffering, work, spiritual battles, and life experiences all shape us in significant ways. Yet none of these influences alone defines who we are. As image bearers created by God, we are embodied souls who live before him, responding to both blessings and hardships in a world full of competing influences.

In this episode, Mike Emlet, Jonathan Holmes, and Gunner Gundersen continue CCEF's series on our seven distinctives by exploring the third distinctive:

We are embodied souls shaped by a world of influences.

Together they discuss:
Why our bodies matter for faithful care
How relationships, culture, and suffering shape our lives
Why spiritual warfare remains an important reality in counseling
The danger of reducing people to a single explanation or diagnosis
How slowing down helps us care for people more wisely
Why the local church is uniquely equipped to know, love, and walk alongside people in all their complexity
This conversation invites us to see people more fully—and to reflect the patient, compassionate care of Christ as we walk with them.

Mentioned in this episode:

- Download three free talks on anger at ccef.org/free-audio-for-anger
- Learn more about our beliefs and distinctives at ccef.org/about
- Descriptions and Prescriptions | Book by Dr. Mike Emlet