A great book for learning how to speak to people's hearts rather than doing behavior modification. Tripp, though wordy at times, emphasizes the importance of incarnational ministry.

Key Quote = "We must not offer people a system of redemption, a set of insights and principles. We offer people a Redeemer.” ( )

Instruments in the Redeemers Hands is at least twice as long as it needs to be. But still, Tripp’s book was impactful, his many helpful charts will be stolen and used by me for years to come. His emphasis on the one-anotherness of redemptive, incarnational ministry taught me how important it is to teach the counselees the method so when they have undergone change they can lead other down the same path with sympathy, maturity and compassion. Another principle that was reinforced concerning the Christian life, was the issues surround the foundation of modern psychology. So much of pop-psychological voodoo has a direct link to Freud and Skinner. Another principle that has been gleaned has been the counselors use of the scriptures. He needs to be able to give an answer for each situation and attitude that they are faced with. How we need to know the scriptures well and be able to apply them, to minister them to people in need and to our own souls. The Word of God is very powerful, but it must be known and understood by the Christian.

Great book on personal ministry and biblical counseling! ( )