Larry Crabb
Encyclopedia
Lawrence J. Crabb, Jr. (better known as Dr. Larry Crabb) is a psychologist, author, Bible teacher and seminar speaker. Dr. Crabb has written many best-selling books and is the founder and director of New Way Ministries. He serves as a Spiritual Director for the American Association of Christian Counselors and since 1996 has been the Distinguished Scholar-in-Residence of Colorado Christian University
.
, Illinois
, in 1944 and was a reluctant student of psychology until he began studying abnormal psychology and personality theory. During graduate school he experienced a period of deep scepticism before being guided back to the faith by Francis Schaeffer
and CS Lewis. His renewed spiritual passion convinced him that Christianity had a more fundamental role to play in clinical psychology.http://www.newwayministries.org/sovstumbling.php
Crabb's first books were Basic Principles of Biblical Counseling (Zondervan, 1975) and Effective Biblical Counseling (Zondervan, 1977). He has since gone on to write over 40 further books; some of his more well-known ones include Inside Out, Finding God, Connecting and Men & Women: Enjoying the Difference.
He founded the Institute of Biblical Counseling in the early-1980s while on the faculty of Grace Theological Seminary
(1982–1989). The institute has since been replaced with the School of Spiritual Direction & SoulCare. The school was birthed out of his book Shattered Dreams (WaterBrook, 2001) describing Naomi's journey from the Book of Ruth. New Way Ministries (the "new way" from Romans 7:6), established in 2001, runs the schools/conferences.
Crabb was Adjunct Professor of Applied Theology at Regent College
from 1998–1999, Chairman and Professor, Master of Arts in Biblical Counseling Program, Colorado Christian University
, 1989–1996, Chairman and Professor, Graduate Department of Biblical Counseling, Grace Theological Seminary
, 1982–1989 and in private practice for Clinical Psychology in Boca Raton, Florida, 1973-1982. He was also the lone psychologist at the Psychological Counseling Center, Florida Atlantic University
- Assistant Professor, Psychology Department 1971-1973 and Assistant Professor, Psychology, University of Illinois Staff Psychologist, Student Counseling Center, University of Illinois
, 1970-1971. He received Teacher of the Year Award in the Psychology Department in 1971.http://www.newwayministries.org/larrycrabb.php
Larry and his wife Rachael, live in the Denver, Colorado area. They have two sons who are both married.
In Chapter 3, Floating Anchors, Crabb briefly describes the views of Sigmund Freud, "Ego Psychology", Carl Rogers, B.F. Skinner, and "Existentialism" (Victor Frankl) on the causes and structure of mental problems, and he finds each wanting. Each offers valuable insights, but none reflects the Christian view that man is created in the image of God, yet fallen in sin.
In Chapter 4, An Aerial View, Crabb previews his theory: "negative (sinful) feelings" are the result of "negative (sinful) behavior" which is in turn the result of "wrong (sinful) thinking." Repentance is a turn to "right thinking", which necessarily brings "right behavior" and "satisfying feelings" (all p. 47).
In Chapters 5 and 6, Understanding Our Deepest Needs, Crabb identifies our "deepest personal needs" (p. 53) as "significance" (p. 54) and "security" (p. 65).
In Chapter 7, Where Problems Start, Crabb argues that ". . . resentment, guilt and anxiety seem to be the three central underlying disorders in all personal problems and they exist because we think incorrect thoughts" (p. 81).
In Chapter 8, Weaving Tangled Webs, Crabb presents case studies to "see how a counselor, armed with these fundamental ideas, can understand the confusing array of problems confronting him in his office" (p. 84).
In Chapter 9, Hold Your Client Responsible: For What?, Crabb emphasizes the client's need to take personal responsibility for changing his thoughts not just cognitively, but existentially, "dying to the sinful pattern of thinking" (p. 101).
In Chapter 10, The Mood And Goal of Counseling, Crabb argues that secular psychologists cannot give suffering evangelicals the help they need, because "[t]he goal of the biblical counselor is to assist a person to change in the direction of Christlikeness" (p. 110).
Throughout the book, Crabb makes clear that he rejects the concept of mental illness. Mental disorders are the result of a sinful attitude toward God, and can only be healed through confession, remorse, and repentance. He repeatedly discusses the problems of divorce and homosexuality as sinful actions, while emphasizing that any thought or behavior that separates a person from God is a sin. The husband must be head of the household, the wife must submit to him. This submission, however, entails the Christ-like submission that Jesus showed to the Father by coming to Earth in human form. It is not the dominanting submission others often speak about while pointing to the Bible as proof. "[C]hildren are foolish. There are none that seek after God, neither yours nor mine." (p. 86)
Colorado Christian University
Colorado Christian University is a private, interdenominational Christian liberal arts university in Lakewood, Colorado in the United States...
.
Biography
Crabb was born in EvanstonEvanston, Illinois
Evanston is a suburban municipality in Cook County, Illinois 12 miles north of downtown Chicago, bordering Chicago to the south, Skokie to the west, and Wilmette to the north, with an estimated population of 74,360 as of 2003. It is one of the North Shore communities that adjoin Lake Michigan...
, Illinois
Illinois
Illinois is the fifth-most populous state of the United States of America, and is often noted for being a microcosm of the entire country. With Chicago in the northeast, small industrial cities and great agricultural productivity in central and northern Illinois, and natural resources like coal,...
, in 1944 and was a reluctant student of psychology until he began studying abnormal psychology and personality theory. During graduate school he experienced a period of deep scepticism before being guided back to the faith by Francis Schaeffer
Francis Schaeffer
Francis August Schaeffer was an American Evangelical Christian theologian, philosopher, and Presbyterian pastor. He is most famous for his writings and his establishment of the L'Abri community in Switzerland...
and CS Lewis. His renewed spiritual passion convinced him that Christianity had a more fundamental role to play in clinical psychology.http://www.newwayministries.org/sovstumbling.php
Crabb's first books were Basic Principles of Biblical Counseling (Zondervan, 1975) and Effective Biblical Counseling (Zondervan, 1977). He has since gone on to write over 40 further books; some of his more well-known ones include Inside Out, Finding God, Connecting and Men & Women: Enjoying the Difference.
He founded the Institute of Biblical Counseling in the early-1980s while on the faculty of Grace Theological Seminary
Grace Theological Seminary
Grace Theological Seminary is an evangelical Christian seminary located in Winona Lake, Indiana. GTS is joined with Grace College and is associated with the Fellowship of Grace Brethren Churches. The seminary enjoys a history that dates back to its 1937 organization by Alva J. McClain, the...
(1982–1989). The institute has since been replaced with the School of Spiritual Direction & SoulCare. The school was birthed out of his book Shattered Dreams (WaterBrook, 2001) describing Naomi's journey from the Book of Ruth. New Way Ministries (the "new way" from Romans 7:6), established in 2001, runs the schools/conferences.
Crabb was Adjunct Professor of Applied Theology at Regent College
Regent College
Regent College is an international graduate school of Christian Studies, located next to the campus of the University of British Columbia in the University Endowment Lands west of Vancouver, British Columbia, and is an affiliated college of that university....
from 1998–1999, Chairman and Professor, Master of Arts in Biblical Counseling Program, Colorado Christian University
Colorado Christian University
Colorado Christian University is a private, interdenominational Christian liberal arts university in Lakewood, Colorado in the United States...
, 1989–1996, Chairman and Professor, Graduate Department of Biblical Counseling, Grace Theological Seminary
Grace Theological Seminary
Grace Theological Seminary is an evangelical Christian seminary located in Winona Lake, Indiana. GTS is joined with Grace College and is associated with the Fellowship of Grace Brethren Churches. The seminary enjoys a history that dates back to its 1937 organization by Alva J. McClain, the...
, 1982–1989 and in private practice for Clinical Psychology in Boca Raton, Florida, 1973-1982. He was also the lone psychologist at the Psychological Counseling Center, Florida Atlantic University
Florida Atlantic University
Florida Atlantic University, also referred to as FAU or Florida Atlantic, is a public, coeducational, research university located in , United States. The university has six satellite campuses located in the Florida cities of Dania Beach, Davie, Fort Lauderdale, Jupiter, Port St. Lucie, and in Fort...
- Assistant Professor, Psychology Department 1971-1973 and Assistant Professor, Psychology, University of Illinois Staff Psychologist, Student Counseling Center, University of Illinois
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
The University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign is a large public research-intensive university in the state of Illinois, United States. It is the flagship campus of the University of Illinois system...
, 1970-1971. He received Teacher of the Year Award in the Psychology Department in 1971.http://www.newwayministries.org/larrycrabb.php
Larry and his wife Rachael, live in the Denver, Colorado area. They have two sons who are both married.
Biblical Counseling
In the 35,000 words of Basic Principles of Biblical Counseling (1975), Crabb gives his view of (1) the shortcomings of five varieties of "secular" counseling, (2) the causes and structure of mental problems, and (3) a Bible-centered approach to counseling.In Chapter 3, Floating Anchors, Crabb briefly describes the views of Sigmund Freud, "Ego Psychology", Carl Rogers, B.F. Skinner, and "Existentialism" (Victor Frankl) on the causes and structure of mental problems, and he finds each wanting. Each offers valuable insights, but none reflects the Christian view that man is created in the image of God, yet fallen in sin.
In Chapter 4, An Aerial View, Crabb previews his theory: "negative (sinful) feelings" are the result of "negative (sinful) behavior" which is in turn the result of "wrong (sinful) thinking." Repentance is a turn to "right thinking", which necessarily brings "right behavior" and "satisfying feelings" (all p. 47).
In Chapters 5 and 6, Understanding Our Deepest Needs, Crabb identifies our "deepest personal needs" (p. 53) as "significance" (p. 54) and "security" (p. 65).
In Chapter 7, Where Problems Start, Crabb argues that ". . . resentment, guilt and anxiety seem to be the three central underlying disorders in all personal problems and they exist because we think incorrect thoughts" (p. 81).
In Chapter 8, Weaving Tangled Webs, Crabb presents case studies to "see how a counselor, armed with these fundamental ideas, can understand the confusing array of problems confronting him in his office" (p. 84).
In Chapter 9, Hold Your Client Responsible: For What?, Crabb emphasizes the client's need to take personal responsibility for changing his thoughts not just cognitively, but existentially, "dying to the sinful pattern of thinking" (p. 101).
In Chapter 10, The Mood And Goal of Counseling, Crabb argues that secular psychologists cannot give suffering evangelicals the help they need, because "[t]he goal of the biblical counselor is to assist a person to change in the direction of Christlikeness" (p. 110).
Throughout the book, Crabb makes clear that he rejects the concept of mental illness. Mental disorders are the result of a sinful attitude toward God, and can only be healed through confession, remorse, and repentance. He repeatedly discusses the problems of divorce and homosexuality as sinful actions, while emphasizing that any thought or behavior that separates a person from God is a sin. The husband must be head of the household, the wife must submit to him. This submission, however, entails the Christ-like submission that Jesus showed to the Father by coming to Earth in human form. It is not the dominanting submission others often speak about while pointing to the Bible as proof. "[C]hildren are foolish. There are none that seek after God, neither yours nor mine." (p. 86)
Qualifications
- Ph.D. Clinical Psychology, University of IllinoisUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-ChampaignThe University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign is a large public research-intensive university in the state of Illinois, United States. It is the flagship campus of the University of Illinois system...
, 1970 (Minors: Speech Therapy and Philosophy of Science) - M.A. Clinical Psychology, University of IllinoisUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-ChampaignThe University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign is a large public research-intensive university in the state of Illinois, United States. It is the flagship campus of the University of Illinois system...
, 1969 - B.S. Psychology, Ursinus CollegeUrsinus CollegeUrsinus College is a liberal arts college in Collegeville, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania.-History:1867Members of the German Reformed Church begin plans to establish a college where "young men could be liberally educated under the benign influence of Christianity." These founders were hoping to...
, 1965
Published works
- The Safest Place on Earth (W Publishers, 1999)
- The Papa Prayer (Integrity Publishers, 2006)
- Understanding Who You Are: What Your Relationships Tell You about Yourself (Navpress Publishing Group, 1997)
- Connecting: Healing for Ourselves and Our Relationships (W Publishing Group, 1997)
- Finding God (Zondervan, 1995)
- Inside Out: Real Change Is Possible If You're Willing to Start from The... (Navpress Publishing Group, 1998)
- The Silence of Adam: Becoming Men of Courage in a World of Chaos (Zondervan, 1995)
- Understanding People: Satisfying the Deepest Human Longings Through Biblical Counselling (HarperCollins Publishers Inc, 1995)
- Men & Women: Enjoying the Difference (Zondervan, 1991)
- Basic Principles of Biblical Counseling: Meeting Counseling Needs Through the Local Church (Zondervan, 1975)
- The Marriage Builder: A Blueprint for Couples and Counselors (Zondervan Publishing Company, 1982)