Pastor, passionate about soul care and Glorifying God through shepherding His people, applying the Word to suffering, and training others to counsel biblically
Arizona, USA
Joined May 2022
- Tweets14.4K
- Following899
- Followers1.5K
- Likes47.9K
Matthew Statler retweeted
Fifty yards behind U.S. Army Sergeant First Class Paul Ray Smith, one hundred wounded American soldiers were lying on stretchers inside an unarmored medical aid station with only handguns to defend themselves.
Coming straight toward them were one hundred Iraqi Republican Guard soldiers armed with rocket-propelled grenades, mortars, and automatic rifles.
On April 4, 2003, at Baghdad International Airport, Smith and sixteen soldiers were building a holding pen when the enemy launched a massive ambush from both sides and a watchtower above.
Within minutes, the supporting Bradley fighting vehicle ran low on ammunition and took battle damage, and three soldiers inside Smith's M113 armored personnel carrier were badly wounded by gunfire and shrapnel.
After dragging the wounded men to safety and throwing a grenade to slow the first wave, Smith saw the enemy flanking the wall toward the medical station. If that wall fell, one hundred helpless wounded Americans would be slaughtered on their stretchers.
Why did Smith climb onto the exposed roof of a damaged M113 armored carrier instead of fighting from behind cover?
Because on an M113 carrier, the heavy .50-caliber Browning machine gun is mounted externally on top of the hatch. You cannot aim it or reload its ammunition boxes from inside the armor. Even worse, an enemy rocket had set the armored carrier's engine compartment on fire, meaning the vehicle could explode beneath his feet at any second.
Smith did not step off that burning vehicle.
Ordering a private to back the smoking M113 right into the breach while he stayed in the open turret, Smith grabbed the handles of the .50-caliber machine gun in the direct crossfire of enemy snipers in the watchtower.
With flames roaring behind his back and bullets sparking off the aluminum hull, another soldier lying inside passed up three heavy steel boxes of .50-caliber ammunition.
Smith fired nearly four hundred rounds, single-handedly breaking the assault and killing up to fifty enemy soldiers before a final bullet struck his neck.
Every single one of the one hundred wounded Americans in the aid station lived.
He was the first soldier in the Iraq War to be awarded the Medal of Honor. A shield does not move when the fire starts.
🤖 Made with AI
Matthew Statler retweeted
I had the joy of sitting down with Ernie Baker and @shannonkaymccoy to chat about my new book, “Biblical Counseling and Foundations.” @ShepherdPress
We discuss Cornelius Van Til, presuppositions, epistemology, the antithesis, common grace, and current issues in the biblical counseling movement.
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcas…
Matthew Statler retweeted
Samson: You’re not trying to find my weakness so that you can betray me are you?
Delilah:
Matthew Statler retweeted
“I bet you that Browning hat I can do it in 25.”
THE TERMINAL LIST Season 2 based on TRUE BELIEVER drops all episodes on October 21. First 2 episodes hit the big screen in over 70 @RegalMovies theaters across the country for one night only on October 20. officialjackcarr.com/the-ter…
Get ready! 🇺🇸
Matthew Statler retweeted
Grateful for all of our new members! Get ready to enjoy teaching from…
- Dr. Daniel Berger (@drbergerdr) on understanding secular psychology from a biblical worldview
- Dr. Sean Perron (@seanperron) on Jesus’ counseling method
- Dr. Stephen Yuille (@JStephenYuille) on how the Puritans can help us counsel more effectively
- Matthew Statler (@StatlerMatthew) on post traumatic stress and suffering
- Nick Sevier (@sevier_nick) on theology and method in our counseling collaborations
If you’re certified by @ACBC or pursuing certification and would like to join us, we now offer a special rate for ACBC members.
Check that out here: biblicalcounselorssociety.co…
Matthew Statler retweeted
Yes, let us reason together.
@BobKellemen seems to imply that @seanperron’s story is false in his first point. But he doesn’t know that this story was shared publicly at a live Q&A during the ACBC conference, as a few hundred people can confirm.
With that said, let’s address each of his remarks in turn:
1. Lots of “assumptions” here. But it’s not uncommon for people spend thousands of dollars on ineffective counseling. And this is what the pastor said in a public forum; Sean is simply relaying what was reported to him seeing no reason to call the pastor or the woman a liar.
2. Exponential growth in no way applies growth in every area of the world, nor does it imply that CIBC has no influence. The pastor who shared this story is in another country where CIBC unfortunately has considerable influence.
3. What planet is Bob on? The entire conflict is about CIBC bringing things outside of Scripture into counseling.
4. No one is against extra biblical information, as has been said again and again and again and… again. But Bob intentionally disregards this extra biblical information to prop up his divisive agenda.
5. Yes, we can all marshall testimonials to defend our positions. But, some testimonials accord with the truth and glorify God more than others. We should all rejoice in the power of God to transform this woman’s life.
6. Bob skewers ACBC every chance he gets, with virtually every other breath he takes. The breathes in between are spent doing his weird subtle-brag thing he does in point 5.
7. Bob doesn’t make the rules. The Bible itself is full of testimonials that point to the power of God’s word to transform lives.
Matthew Statler retweeted
The Word of God is sufficient for life and godliness (2 Peter 1:3). It is sufficient because it is the Spirit of God Himself who works through His Word. To believe otherwise is to suggest that an omnipotent God is somehow impotent to accomplish through His Word that which He declares His Word can—and will—accomplish (Isaiah 55:10-11; 1 Thessalonians 2:13).
Matthew Statler retweeted
One of the great things about ACBC is that you won't find a table at their conference promoting the Christian Psychology Institute.
Matthew Statler retweeted
Who gets to define the term “Biblical Counseling”?
The short answer: Jesus Christ.
The long answer: No human institution ultimately decides whether someone is biblical in their ministry and practice. Rather, the Word of God defines and determines what truth, love, care, and discipleship are.
An institution is correct or incorrect based upon the standard set forth in Scripture. God is the gatekeeper.
Not everyone agrees. Some online have recently characterized the work we are doing at First Baptist as a new wave of fundamentalism. This characterization appears to stem from our conviction that therapeutic methods such as “ice cubes,” “wands and goggles,” or EMDR should not be used in the personal ministry of the Word.
Furthermore, Jesus and the apostles did not depend upon therapeutic techniques to make disciples. They ministered the Word of God, and the church today would do well to learn from their example. The Bible is sufficient for public (preaching) and private (counseling) ministry.
We gladly affirm the place of medicine in caring for physical suffering, while maintaining that Scripture is sufficient for the ministry of the church.
We love people and believe in the power of the gospel to transform lives. The hope of Christ isn't just for minor sins or light sufferings. The power of Jesus is for our darkest, most complicated problems in living.
I reject the assertion that these convictions make one a fundamentalist. Nevertheless, I am not offended to be associated with fundamentalists or biblicists. I’d rather be associated with fundamentalism than modernism.
I fully agree with @JohnPiper in his essay, “20 Reasons Why I Don’t Take Potshots at Fundamentalists.”
I don’t mind being associated with fundamentalists because:
“They believe that truth really matters.”
“They have backbone and are not prone to compromise principle.”
“They resist trendiness.”
“They are not breathless about being accepted in the scholarly guild.”
“Everybody to my left thinks I am one. And there are a lot of people to my left.”
Perhaps you, too, believe Jesus wants us to do ministry without having to get approval or input from the therapeutic world. If so, come join us!
desiringgod.org/articles/20-…
Matthew Statler retweeted
The problem with introducing wokeness into the church is that the woke crowd sought to undermine Christ's sufficiency and the sufficiency of Scripture. It introduced a work-based theology. In other words, it is heresy.
Matthew Statler retweeted
Psychology and worldly theories have usurped the role of sanctification with a cheap substitute for change. - Dale Johnson
Matthew Statler retweeted
Leaders who compromise their convictions in the name of being wise and strategic are not worth following.
Such a leader exalts his own will, wisdom, and ways over God’s principles and precepts.
Do not strive for his approval or lose sleep over his disappointment and criticism, especially when it expressed behind your back.
Such a man is a coward and his opinion reflects selfish desires, not a desire for the glory of God and the good of his hearers.
In short, focus on pleasing God rather than man, and trust Him to bless the work of your hands.
Matthew Statler retweeted
Last week, a pastor shared with me that his church is one of the only churches in his area offering biblical counseling, while the surrounding churches are clinically informed in their ministries.
He shared a story of a woman who spent $15K seeking help from these other counseling ministries and, after months and months, was still struggling.
His church offered free biblical counseling, and her life has been radically transformed.
God's Word is a lamp unto our feet and a light unto our path. His Word is not bound!
Matthew Statler retweeted
Here's the official launch announcement for Super Koine Quest. niedergall.com/introducing-s…
Matthew Statler retweeted
What factors led you to biblical counseling? In this blog post, Cody Newcome shares her journey from secular psychological theories to biblical counseling, and how the Lord opened her eyes to the power, richness, and sufficiency of His word. ow.ly/VaCz50ZSTP5
Matthew Statler retweeted
We have some exciting news to share! During our Annual Conference, a generous donor pledged to match all gifts made to ACBC from October 7–16!
That means your gift can make twice the impact in supporting the ministry of ACBC. Will you consider giving today?
Donate here: biblicalcounseling.com/about…
