A Christian must start with a Christian foundation and build upon it a Christian methodology that rests upon and is consistent with that foundation. In the common grace of God, unbelievers stumble over aspects of truth in God's creation. They always distort these by their sin and from their non-Christian stance toward life. But from the vantage point of his biblical foundation the Christian counselor may take note of, evaluate, and reclaim the truth dimly reflected by the unbeliever so long as he does so in a manner consistent with biblical principles and methodology. He may not become eclectic, however. That means that he may not start the other way around. He may not begin pragmatically by gathering together every method that looks like it might work, whether it involves a couch or a mirror or a room large enough for a group.³⁴ Constructing a biblical methodology takes critical care; it is going to take much time and much effort to build that foundation adequately. No one has a foundation and methodology that is totally scriptural. Such work has only been begun. My foundation surely has planks that are rotten and some that are missing. The reader must watch where he walks. There may be planks that have been nailed in backwards or upside down. But of one thing I am certain: there are a number of biblical planks that are solidly nailed down. At present I am measuring and sawing others. But in order to get them nailed all of the way across, other Christians must also lay hold of the hammers and nails and help. On a foundation of biblical presuppositions, there must be built a fuller methodology that grows out of them and that is appropriate to them at every point. The methodology must be oriented biblically and remain within the framework of scriptural principles. When you have constructed a platform like that, then you are able to stand upon it, look around at what is happening elsewhere, and you can pick and choose and adapt from that perspective whatever nuggets that an unbeliever (in the common grace of God) has unearthed. ³⁴ When Bruce Narramore writes: "By combining the practical insights of modern psychology with the lasting truths of the Bible, we have a solid and balanced approach to the problems of the modern parent" (Help! I am a Parent. Grand Rapids: Zondervan Publishing House, 1972, p. 7), he expresses an eclectic viewpoint. The Bible does not need to be "balanced" off by modern psychology. Nor may it be "combined" with psychology to construct a balanced approach. God sets forth His approach in the Scriptures. The principles of His approach are plainly revealed in His Word. On the basis of these principles (not in combination with Rogerian, Freudian, or Skinnerian principles), he may discover that some aspect of non-Christian methodology in some way may remind, illustrate, or amplify a biblical principle. But the principle must be scriptural. From a biblical foundation, upon which a house of biblical methodology has been constructed, a Christian counselor may view the surrounding landscape. But he must not construct his foundation or house out of any non-Christian materials. Adams, J. E. 1973. The Christian counselor's manual. "The sequel and companion volume to Competant to counsel." (92). Baker Book House: Grand Rapids, Mich.