Biblical Doctrine

Biblical Doctrine: A Systematic Summary of Bible Truth by John MacArthur and Richard Mayhue contains nearly 1,000 pages of insight from two men who have spent decades of study in preaching and teaching God’s Word. John MacArthur is the author of hundreds of books on various theological subjects and biblical texts. Richard Mayhue, a pastor, seminary dean, and the author of over 40 books, gives decades of personal study to this book of biblical truth.

The value of this systematic summary of biblical truth cannot be overestimated. For the counselor who may get stumped with a difficult Bible question from a counselee, this resource will be invaluable. This resource is usable and practical.

Biblical Doctrine could be read cover-to-cover, but its value comes in pointing you to the truth in theological categories. This is not a book that you read and put away, but one that you keep handy to help you to answer the various questions in your own heart about the Word of the living God.

I particularly love the first chapter that ends with “How does Systematic Theology Relate to One’s Personal Life?” Isn’t that what theology is about? How do I apply God’s Word to my life so that I may grow in Christlikeness (2 Corinthians 3:18)?

This is what biblical counseling is all about—the discovery and the desire to live a life more pleasing to God (2 Corinthians 5:9). This book will be treasured in our ministry of the Word to those who need hope. Listen to what it says on page 59: “Christian spirituality involves growing to be like God in character and conduct by personally submitting to the transforming work of God’s Word and God’s Spirit.” We should always be looking for how to grow in our walk with the Lord.

This is a theology book that accentuates its value for the biblical counselor. First Peter 1:16 calls each of us to holiness and this study book, theology book, and counseling treasure will do just that. It will continually point us back to the God of Creation, the Savior Jesus Christ, and the power of the Holy Spirit.

Within the first chapter the authors explore the relationship of theology with holiness and sanctification—the heart of the biblical counselor’s ministry. What a prize this theology book is for biblical counselors. Truth is what heals and this Biblical Doctrine book is full of truth.

As a biblical counselor you want to be sure that the source of your truth is both inspired by God and truly inerrant. This work by MacArthur and Mayhew spends sixty pages laying out the origin of the Scriptures and the inerrant text that we have today. Listen to this, “The doctrine of Scripture is absolutely fundamental and essential because it identifies the only true source for all Christian truth.” We need not only to read the Bible but believe the Bible can do what is says it can do—transform lives (Romans 12:2).

Biblical Doctrine is informative for biblical counselors, and it can also be assigned as useful homework for counselees. Within my own counseling ministry, I often have counselees who have a low view or a wrong view of God. Therefore, I regularly send them to books or Scripture that give them a higher view of our almighty God. The chapter on Theology Proper has a developed section on the Attributes of God that every counselee should be encouraged to read so that their view of God can grow in conjunction with their walk with the King.

There is also an extremely helpful bibliography at the end of each chapter along with a hymn and a prayer that is helpful in pointing counselees to Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. The glossary is stellar as it will help the most novice of theologians to understand the complexities of theology as it relates to us today.

Finally, as someone who has sat under John MacArthur’s ministry for almost forty years, he is a man of the Word as it is lived out in his life and ministry. Additionally, Richard Mayhue, who I count as a friend, is an incredible student of the Word and he too lives out what he believes. Both men have been a model to me throughout my Christian life.

Bill Shannon serves as Pastor of Discipleship Counseling at Grace Community Church in Sun Valley, CA.