Marriage and Family with James Newheiser

About the Guest(s): Jim Neiwheiser is the Director of the Biblical Counseling Program at Reformed Theological Seminary in Charlotte. He also heads the Institute for Biblical Counseling and Discipleship. With over 30 years as a pastor and eight years in his current role, Jim has dedicated his life to offering biblical wisdom and counseling, helping individuals and couples to face life's challenges with the guidance of scripture. He is also an author of multiple books on financial issues and biblical counseling. Episode Summary: Welcome to another insightful episode of Renewalcast! Today, we are joined by the esteemed Jim Neiwheiser, Director of the Biblical Counseling Program at Reformed Theological Seminary. This episode delves into the transformative power of biblical counseling, focusing on how the scriptures provide unparalleled wisdom to tackle life’s spiritual and relational challenges. Gain practical advice on handling marriage conflicts, financial difficulties, and the weighty issues of singleness and divorce. Jim Neiwheiser explains the core principles of biblical counseling, emphasizing the importance of scripture in resolving spiritual issues, including marriage and financial conflicts. He shares his personal experiences and wisdom on maintaining a harmonious marriage, discussing the nuances of marital roles, budgeting, and the unique dynamics between husbands and wives. Diving into deeper issues, the conversation touches on dating, the discernment needed for potential partners, and the grace required to navigate post-marital conflicts. Neiwheiser expertly addresses the thorny question of divorce, outlining the biblical grounds for marital dissolution and the imperative for protective measures against abuse. Key Takeaways:

• Principles of Biblical Counseling: Offering scripture-based wisdom to help individuals and couples face spiritual challenges and live out the gospel.
• Marriage and Financial Conflicts: Identifying that financial issues in marriage often stem from deeper spiritual problems, and offering practical budgeting advice.
• Singleness and Dating: Discussing how one can discern the call for singleness, and providing guidance for intentional relationships that honor God.
• Divorce and Remarriage: Detailed guidelines on biblical grounds for divorce, including sexual immorality and abandonment, emphasizing careful church involvement in such decisions.
• Grace in Marriage: Applying the law-gospel distinction to encourage grace-filled interactions, reflecting Christ's unconditional love in marital relationships.

Notable Quotes:

1. "Biblical counseling is offering wisdom from the scriptures to help people not just live morally, but live out the implications of the gospel." — Jim Neiwheiser
2. "If you're one of my little books, it's called 'Financial Crisis,' and it's like, why are you in this mess?" — Jim Neiwheiser
3. "Marriage is not just designed by God to make us happy; it's also designed by God to make us holy." — Jim Neiwheiser
4. "Abuse at a certain level fits within abandonment where you're walking away from the fundamental responsibilities of marriage." — Jim Neiwheiser
5. "If my wife respects her husband, then the particulars of financial problems, there's wisdom in the Bible that will help them." — Jim Neiwheiser

Resources:

• Jim Neiwheiser’s Books:
• "Financial Crisis"
• "Marriage, Divorce, and Remarriage"
• Institute for Biblical Counseling and Discipleship (IBCD)
• Reformed Theological Seminary, Charlotte
• Deepak Reju’s Book: "She's Got the Wrong Guy"
• Dave Harvey’s Book: "When Sinners Say 'I Do'"

Listen to the full episode to uncover more practical insights and stay tuned for more enlightening conversations on Renewalcast. Connect with us on Facebook to join the discussion and never miss an update!