Biblical Counseling and Foundations with Marshall Adkins and Dr. Ernie Baker

In this episode of the Shepherd Press Podcast, Dr. Baker and Dr. Adkins join Shannon K. McCoy to explore the theological foundations behind biblical counseling and why they matter for real counseling questions like anxiety, trauma, gender, marriage, and diagnoses. Marshall Adkins and Dr. Ernie Baker explain how Cornelius Van Til shaped the biblical counseling movement through Jay Adams and David Powlison, and why presuppositions, revelation, and common grace are not abstract ideas but practical lenses for understanding people. They discuss how biblical counselors evaluate secular counseling systems, what “redeeming psychology” does and does not mean, and why Scripture must remain the final authority for counseling theory and method.

Recommended Resources:

Biblical Counseling and Foundations by Dr. Marshall Adkins

Biblical Counseling and Autism in Children by Johanna Pressley

Biblical Counseling and Common Grace by Heath Lambert

Biblical Counseling and The Psychologies by Ernie Baker

Biblical Counseling and Mental Disorder Diagnosis by Jenn Chen

In this episode of the Shepherd Press Podcast, Grant Cummings joins Shannon Kay McCoy to discuss how Christian parents can shepherd children’s hearts in a digital world. Rather than treating technology as the enemy or relying on filters alone, this conversation focuses on digital discipleship, biblical discernment, and practical guardrails that help address issues of the heart. Grant brings extensive experience in technology and cybersecurity, along with ministry, counseling, and parenting experience, to help families think clearly about technology usage, social media, gaming, and AI. The central focus throughout this conversation is not simply what children are doing online, but what their hearts are looking for there, covered in his new book, Safe@home.

This episode unpacks:

• How to help your kids become mindful and wise technology users
• How to address issues of the heart, rather than mere behavior
• How to help your kids use technology to cultivate their gifts
• Practical steps to guard your kids from the dangers of media
• How to frame technology through a biblical worldview

Recommended Resources:

Safe@home by Grant Cummings

In this episode of the Shepherd Press Podcast, Tom Sugimura joins Shannon K. McCoy for an in-depth discussion on how to help teens who are going through deconstruction. Pastor Tom—a church planter, biblical counselor, professor, and dad—shares his own story of experiencing a crisis of faith during high school. He equips teen leaders, parents, and teenagers with biblical tools to address and navigate doubts, the stages of deconstruction, and crises of faith.

Tom also offers practical ways to build our lives on the Rock—Christ—and explains how churches can come alongside suffering believers, provide mentorship, and point them to Christ. Ultimately, he encourages listeners to look beyond the question itself and examine the heart issues behind it, such as suffering, fear of man, and church or relational hurt.

Recommended Resources:

Help! I'm Losing My Faith by Tom Sugimura

LifeLine for Teens Series

In this episode of the Shepherd Press Podcast, Dr. Jim Berg joins Shannon K. McCoy to encourage listeners with a biblical framework and motivation for pursuing Christlikeness based on 2 Peter 1. He clarifies how a believer’s essential virtues cannot be developed through self-effort, but rather through a progressive process of continual reliance on Christ, as illustrated by the various virtues listed in 2 Peter, such as self-control, endurance, and love. They apply biblical counseling concepts and frameworks to Christian maturity, growth out of addictive patterns, and replacing the lies of the world with the truths about who God is and who we are in Him.

Topics covered in this episode:

• The 2 Peter 1 framework for Christlikeness and how each virtue is connected
• A believer’s role in spiritual growth
• The process of biblical change
• The difference between human virtue and Christlikeness
• Battling temptation biblically

Recommended Resources:

Essential Virtues by Jim Berg

Essential Virtues Study Guide

Overcoming Your Addictions God's Way by Jim Berg

In this episode of the Shepherd Press Podcast, Armand Tiffe and Shannon K. McCoy explain the life-changing truth in Romans 6 that enables us to overcome enslaving sin: our union with Christ. They discuss key topics like the difference between justification and progressive sanctification, what sanctification looks like on a daily basis, and key applicable patterns in Scripture that can help you grow. They also share the importance of the biblical principle of "putting off and putting on" as one pursues righteousness, the danger of falling into legalism or self-dependency, and the hope and encouragement of Scripture that affirms we can become more like Christ.

This episode covers:

• What progressive sanctification is
• The importance of justification in applying sanctification
• What putting off and putting on looks like
• The importance of relying on our union with Christ to pursue sanctification

Recommended Resources

• The Liberating Truth of Romans 6
• Transformed into His Likeness
• The Most Encouraging Promise in the Bible

In this episode of the Shepherd Press Podcast, biblical counselor Rachel Dahlhausen joins Shannon K. McCoy to discuss the heart of purity: delighting in Christ and trusting His design for sexuality. She shares common temptations that teenage girls and women face, as well as practical ways to fight these impure desires. Listen to this episode and be comforted and encouraged to pursue a satisfying life in Christ!

This episode covers:

• The importance of having a biblical understanding of sexuality
• Common temptations and triggers for impure desires
• The importance of addressing the heart before behavior
• Practical ways to battle temptation
• Ways parents can practically help their daughters cultivate purity

Recommended Resources:

• Help! I'm Fighting Against Impure Desires by Rachel Daulhausen
• Help! I Want to Stay Pure by Zach Sparkman
• You Are Not Alone: Biblical Counsel for Women Struggling with Masturbation by Molly Bertles

In this episode of the Shepherd Press Podcast, Ernie Baker and Kevin Carson join Shannon K. McCoy to discuss the importance of integrating evangelism into biblical counseling and how the Bible provides specific, real help for life's struggles. They also share how their micro-books equip believers to confidently share the gospel, offering practical resources that point others to the saving grace of Jesus in the midst of life's counseling needs.

Recommended Resources:

Jesus and the Struggles of Life by Ernie Baker

Jesus and Your Fear and Anxiety by Kevin Carson

In this second part of our conversation about A Thankful Journey, Carl Hargrove and Shannon K. McCoy discuss the difference between worldly gratitude and biblical gratitude—gratitude that rejoices in God and his character. They share practical ways to incorporate gratitude into your daily routine and explain how to pursue a thankful journey even through suffering. Even in the darkest valleys, your gratitude to God can be a powerful testimony.

Some themes include:

• Worldly gratitude vs. biblical gratitude
• Pursuing gratitude through suffering
• Cultivating quietness
• A brief study of Psalm 27 and gratitude
• The purpose of your testimony as a believer

Recommended Resources:

A Thankful Journey by Carl Hargrove