David Powlison

David Powlison served as CCEF’s executive director (2014-2019), a faculty member, and senior editor of the Journal of Biblical Counseling. He held a PhD from the University of Pennsylvania and an MDiv from Westminster Theological Seminary. David wrote extensively on biblical counseling and on the relationship between faith and psychology. His books Seeing with New Eyes and Speaking Truth in Love probe the implications of Scripture for how to understand people and how to counsel. The Biblical Counseling Movement: History and Context explores the background and development of CCEF’s mission. David is survived by his wife Nan, their three children and spouses, and seven grandchildren.

Blog posts written by David Powlison

David Powlison

Blog posts written by David Powlison

Why Pastors Have a Unique Responsibility to Counsel

Weakness: The Doorway to True Strength | Transcript

Updates From David Powlison

An Open Letter to the Suffering Christian

An Open Letter to Those Nonchalant about Their Sexual Sin

An Open Letter to Those Debilitated by Their Sexual Sin

An Open Letter to Those Apathetic about Their Sanctification

An Open Letter to Those Frustrated by Their Progress in Sanctification

A Conversation Between David Powlison and Winston Smith

Why Do We Pray?

Emmanuel Shall Come to You

Helping Those Who Are Angry with God

Thankfulness

God Is Changing Us—But How?

Is anger morally neutral?

Should we really call it a ‘quiet’ time?

Making All Things New: Restoring Pure Joy to the Sexually Broken (Part 2)

Don’t Waste Your Cancer

Idols of the Heart and “Vanity Fair”

Sane Faith in the Insanity of Life (Part 1)

Sane faith in the insanity of life (Part 2)

Sane faith in the insanity of life (Part 3)

Does the Shoe Fit?

Making All Things New: Restoring Pure Joy to the Sexually Broken (Part 1)

Breaking Pornography Addiction

Thankful people

Are you using that proof text well…or are you proof-texting?

The counselor’s character: Does it matter?

Counsel true to your convictions (Part 1 of 2)

The Great Commission is a great place to begin to understand biblical counseling

Prayer Is a Great Place to Begin Biblical Counseling

So Many Things Make Me Sad (Part 1 of 5)

Can you biblically counsel an unbeliever?

Facing Death with Hope: Living for What Lasts

What Good Is “Don’t Worry” in Times Like These? (Part 1)

What Good Is “Don’t Worry” in Times Like These? (Part 3)

What Good Is “Don’t Worry” in Times Like These? (Part 4)

The pastor’s counseling ministry

Is there any point in talking to a person with paranoid schizophrenia?

Is It Right to Feel Grief for What is Grievous? (Part 2 of 5)

How Precisely Can I Sort Out My Emotions? (Part 4 of 5)

Does My Temperament Make Me Sad? (Part 3 of 5)

Is There a Normative Internal Experience? (Part 5 of 5)

The Local Church Is THE Place for Biblical Counseling

Counsel true to your convictions (Part 2 of 2)

What Good Is “Don’t Worry” in Times Like These? (Part 2)

Questions to Ask before Starting a Counseling Ministry

Straight Talk

Recovering from child abuse: Help and healing for victims (Part 2)

Recovering from child abuse: Help and healing for victims (Part 1)

Books written by David Powlison

JBC Must Reads: On Suffering

Take Heart: Daily Devotions to Deepen Your Faith

The Pastor as Counselor: The Call for Soul Care

JBC Must Reads: On Conflict

Digital JBC Must Reads: On Conflict

Digital JBC Must Reads: On Anxiety

Gus Loses His Grip: When You Want Something Too Much

Safe and Sound: Standing Firm in Spiritual Battles

Real Change

God’s Grace in Your Suffering

Jax’s Tail Twitches: When You Are Angry

Zoe’s Hiding Place: When You Are Anxious

Making All Things New: Restoring Joy to the Sexually Broken

How Does Sanctification Work?

Digital JBC Must Reads: On Sexuality

Digital JBC Must Reads: On Model

Digital JBC Must Reads: On Methodology

Digital JBC Must Reads: On Counseling in the Church

Digital JBC Must Reads: On Apologetics

Good and Angry: Redeeming Anger, Irritation, Complaining and Bitterness

Healing After Abortion: God’s Mercy is For You

Grieving a Suicide: Help for the Aftershock

Sexual Assault: Healing Steps for Victims

Sexual Addiction: Freedom from Compulsive Behavior

Renewing Marital Intimacy: Closing the Gap Between You and Your Spouse

Life Beyond Your Parents’ Mistakes: The Transforming Power of God’s Love

I’m Exhausted: What to Do When You’re Always Tired