We are indeed pleased and grateful that Dr. Jay E. Adams, Professor of Practical Theology at Westminster Theological Seminary has consented to write a regular column or page for THE OUTLOOK on From a Counselor’s Desk.
In addition to his teaching at Westminster, Dr. Adams serves as a Counselor at the Christian Counseling and Edllcational Foundation at Hatboro, Pennsylvania. Books written by him include Competent to Counsel, The Big Umbrella, Christian Living in the Home. Pulpit Speech, and The Time Is at Hand.
When Paul urged Euodia and Syntyche to “be of one mind in the Lord” (Philippians 4:2), he did not leave the matter there. He was concerned to see to it that this commandment was implemented. So he followed up that exhortation with these words:
Indeed, true comrade (literally, “fellow yokebearer” – a term describing one who worked jointly with him in Christ’s ministry1), I ask you (“you” is singular: he probably addresses the pastor of the church who would be reading the letter to the congregation) to help those women who have shared my struggle in the gospel together with Clement also, and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the book of life (v. 2).
Plainly, Paul determined to put an end to the contention in the church. He was concerned to bring about the reconciliation of persons, who formerly had proven to be able to work together with him and with one another as courageous servants of Christ. Subsequently, division, disunity and quarreling had nullified their efforts. With deep pastoral concern (“I have you in my heart” –1:7) he appeals to them to be reconciled (“he of one mind”). But in addition to personal exhortation, he also enlists the pastoral services of the minister of the church: “true fellow yoke-bearer, help these women.” He wants to be sure that reconciliation takes place, yet he recognizes that this might not happen without assistance. Euodia and Syntyche were prohahly the leaders of factions in the congregation who might not so readily comply to words from someone so distant. So, Paul urges the pastor to give the counsel and the guidance that they and others need.
What Paul recognized, then, we must realize is still true today; there are situations from which individuals find it difficult to extricate themselves. Sin weaves some very tangled webs! At such times they need help (cf. also Galatians 6:1ff).
Such help (or counsel), then, is not new. Jesus helped individuals and counseled the twelve. In Ephesus, where Paul was a pastor for awhile, he says, “Night and day, for a period of three years, I did not cease to counsel each one of you with tears” (Acts 20:31). Indeed, in writing to the Colossians, he summed up his ministry this way:
We proclaim Him, counseling every man and teaching every man . . . (Colossians 1:28).
In the deep concerns of our times, people everywhere, including Christian people, are turning to others for counsel. But because so much of the counsel that they receive (tragically, some even from Christian ministers) is not based upon Scriptural principles, there is great need today for Scriptural help. That, I suppose, is why I have been invited to compose a regular column for this paper.
I am hoping that you will write, asking questions for which you seek God‘s answers. I shall endeavor to search these out for you. I cannot answer your letters individually, but over a period of time I shall try to address myself to the matters that I discover seem to be of general concern. But, at al1 times you must remember this—like Paul I urge you to go to your pastor for help. 1 cannot possibly begin to individualize and personalize here as he can when he speaks concretely to your particular problem. Two things only I promise; (1) to try to be as true as possible to God‘s Word; but I am a sinner, and you will he wise always to “search the Scriptures daily” to see whether the things that I write arc truly Scriptural (Acts 17:11); (2) to try to present biblical principles practically. Too much that is written is abstract and platitudinous; it lacks the now-to.” It will be my goal to combine the two: to provide Scriptural counsel, practically applied.
1. It is true that the word suzuge could be read as a name instead (even though there is no extra-biblical evidence that such a name existed) and that the adjective “true” could be intended to indicate (as u play on the name) that Paul expected Syzygos to be true to his name.