The American Association of Christian Counselors (AACC) is committed to the integration of psychology and the Bible. No one who truly believes that “His divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him that hath called us to glory and virtue” (2 Peter 1:3) should belong to such an errant group. Nevertheless, AACC is large, worldwide, and extremely popular.
We have previously written about a number of our concerns about AACC. However, our present reason for mentioning AACC again is to reveal connections between AACC and the Christian Counseling and Education foundation (CCEF). Dr. Ed Welch from CCEF is scheduled to do a workshop at the upcoming AACC World Conference, scheduled for the Opryland Hotel in Nashville, September 24-27, 2003.
AACC’s membership directory is on its web site <www.aacc.net>. Counselors and members of AACC can be found by going to that site, clicking on “Member Directory” in the left hand column, and then entering a ZIP code. In checking we noticed that some of the staff members of CCEF are listed as members of AACC. In fact, their long-term membership (affiliation) reveals their support for AACC and what it stands for:
John F. Bettler since 6/24/1991
James C. Petty since 10/8/1993
David A.C. Powlison since 11/11/1993
Paul D. Tripp since 10/08/1993
As we have demonstrated in our book Against “Biblical Counseling”: For the Bible, CCEF is integrationist in position and practice. Those at CCEF sometimes use terms such as “reframing” or “recycling,” but these are mere euphemisms for integration. CCEF’s David A.C. Powlison is not only a member of AACC since 1993, but he is also a board member of the National Association of Nouthetic Counselors (NANC).
By their own figures, the AACC has enrolled “nearly 50,000 individuals and churches” in their “Caring for People God’s Way,” which results in a “Certificate of Completion.” The cost is $450 per person, which amounts to over 20 million dollars income for this one program alone! Apparently Christians are either extremely naïve or knowingly swallowing this hodgepodge, hogwash, hokum of psychological and biblical amalgamation.
We have yet to see any of the biblical counseling organizations take a stand regarding AACC other than their members joining AACC and thereby supporting what AACC stands for—integration!
The rise and outstanding success of AACC and the integration of biblical, secular, and psychological ideas is one of the greatest deceptions in the church today!
PAL V11N3 (May-June 2003)