Joseph Leavell

"No half-heartedness and no worldly fear must turn us aside from following the light unflinchingly." — J.R.R. Tolkien

[Joseph Leavell @LowerLeavell]

Eleven Personal Resolutions as a Biblical Counselor Seeking to Evaluate the Scientific Understanding of Mental Health Through the Lens of Scripture

1. Resolved:
Not to stake my position, my theology, or my reputation as a biblical counselor on a contrarian posture that presupposes the science of mental health always gets it wrong.

2. Resolved:
Not to stake my position, my theology, or my reputation as a biblical counselor on a conformist posture that presumes the science of mental health is always right.

3. Resolved:
Always to evaluate every truth claim impartially through the lens of God’s authoritative and sufficient Word, remembering that while Scripture is always right and true, human scientific understanding of the body and mind is limited and fallible, and my own knowledge and interpretation of that data as a non-medical professional is even further restricted.

4. Resolved:
To take a posture of respectful trust toward those who serve in the medical and scientific fields, recognizing their work of understanding the body is progressing as a gift of common grace, yet to test all claims carefully and embrace only what accords with both sound evidence and the truth of God’s Word.

5. Resolved:
Through it all, never to surrender the authority or sufficiency of God’s Word to any other field of study, whether science, archaeology, history, or any other discipline.

6. Resolved:
To remain humble and teachable, acknowledging that growth in true wisdom requires both reverence for God’s Word and subsequent attentiveness to the expressive reality of God’s created but fallen world.

7. Resolved:
To recognize that insights from scientific research, when consistent with Scripture, may reflect accurate and helpful descriptions of God’s design and the noetic effects of sin on the human body and mind.

8. Resolved:
Never to call a physical or mental calamity sin, nor to label a sinful failure as a medical condition, but to discern each according to Scripture and evidence, acknowledging the interrelated ways the body can affect the soul and the soul can affect the body.

9. Resolved:
To remember that biblical counseling is not merely an exercise in doctrinal precision but an expression of patient Christlike compassion and care toward those who suffer and struggle both physically and spiritually.

10. Resolved:
To depend continually on the wisdom and guidance of the Holy Spirit, who alone enables true understanding, discernment, and transformation in our lives.

11. Resolved:
To pursue lifelong learning in both Scripture and human experience, so that my counsel may grow in depth, accuracy, understanding, and grace.

[Joseph Leavell @LowerLeavell]

@StatlerMatthew The inverse of this is equally true.

[Joseph Leavell @LowerLeavell]

If you're a parent thinking about self harm, just know and consider that kids often blame themselves and ask why they weren't good enough. What did they do wrong to not have enough value in your eyes to make life worth living for you. It's heartbreaking!!

There is a life worth living without putting the burden on your children to keep you from self harm! If you need to talk to someone, please reach out for help right away! If things are dire, text 988 for the suicide hotline, or if you need long-term care from a biblical perspective, we would be honored to walk alongside you and point you to hope and meaning in Christ! Praying for you! You don't have to walk alone!
https://t.co/p3RXwd3tHn

[Joseph Leavell @LowerLeavell]

@MitchellSheten1 I mean maybe, but let's not get carried away too much!

[Joseph Leavell @LowerLeavell]

FYI, they can only indoctrinate your children if you give them access to your children. Discerning parents who protect their children from evil is critical!

[Sesame Street @sesamestreet]

Happy #PrideMonth from Sesame Street! Join us in celebrating and uplifting the LGBTQIA+ members of our community. ❤️🧡💛💚💙💜

[Joseph Leavell @LowerLeavell]

@lukedsimmons I hear this sentiment a lot when I try to tell a dad joke. Lol

[Joseph Leavell @LowerLeavell]

Wherever there is human nature, there is drama. But — it is not always just where you think it is. Remember that.

- Hurcule Poirot

[Bob Kellemen @BobKellemen]

The Danger of Eisegesis in Biblical Counseling Controversies. A Guest Post by @LowerLeavell https://t.co/gx6mgokYIJ As biblical counselors, are we interpreting the text biblically, or are we recruiting the text to support our preexisting positions? #BibleCn #BiblicalCounseling

[Joseph Leavell @LowerLeavell]

"The devil doesn’t care who does the hating as long as the hating gets done." - Andrew Klavan

[Joseph Leavell @LowerLeavell]

Honored to write this guest post for RPM Ministries. I hope it is a helpful reminder, no matter what the controversy, not to inject our pet controversy into the text but to draw out meaning from Scripture.

I'm so thankful for Dr. Kellemen and his commitment to the faithful work of drawing our understanding as biblical counselors from the text itself.

https://t.co/bfJ0zyDTYe

[Joseph Leavell @LowerLeavell]

When we defend Scripture with eisegesis and fallacious argumentation, we employ the very interpretive practices we reject in theological liberalism. This is ultimately self-defeating.

[Joseph Leavell @LowerLeavell]

@MelodyHLee That's amazing! Lol

[Joseph Leavell @LowerLeavell]

In my life I only have one major complaint against reading Paul Tripp's stuff, and it's that I can't go more than a paragraph or two without wanting to Tweet just about everything he said because it's just dripping with deeply rich truth and encouragement in the faith!

[Joseph Leavell @LowerLeavell]

@NathanielRMart Ohhh!! It's such a formative work!

[Matt Smethurst @MattSmethurst]

Adam fell.
Noah got drunk.
Abraham lied.
Jacob deceived.
Moses murdered.
Aaron caved.
Rahab prostituted.
Gideon feared.
David took.
Elijah despaired.
Jonah fled.
Thomas doubted.
Peter denied.
Paul persecuted.
We rebelled.

Jesus redeems.

[Joseph Leavell @LowerLeavell]

@ChristnCounsel @KevinCarson @KathiBishop13

[Christ and Counseling @ChristnCounsel]

CSB Goatskin Bible Giveaway!

The first episode of Season 1 with @KevinCarson will drop in July. As we look forward to launching this season of Christ and Counseling, we are offering this giveaway opportunity for a premium Bible. In order to win, follow the steps below!

[Joseph Leavell @LowerLeavell]

If you join a church and then try to influence them to change their doctrine and practice to fit your views, it's not spiritual abuse or church hurt for the church to respond with a, "No."

[Joseph Leavell @LowerLeavell]

There are a lot of people on Twitter who are here to build one more platform that avoids dealing with real issues in their own hearts!

[Joseph Leavell @LowerLeavell]

When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with the humble is wisdom. - Proverbs 11:12