Martin Luther not only reformed theology, but his understanding of the gospel revolutionized soul care. In Counseling Under the Cross, biblical counselor and noted author Bob Kellemen explains how Martin Luther s gospel-centered and cross-focused pastoral care transformed his own approach to soul care. As Kellemen mines Luther s own writings and other first hand accounts, readers will gain a new understanding of how Luther richly, relevantly, robustly, and relationally applied the gospel to suffering, sin, sanctification, and our search for peace with God. Counseling Under the Cross will guide pastors, counselors, lay leaders, and friends toward a rich understanding of the gospel that will directly impact their personal ministry to others. Through lively vignettes, real-life stories, and direct quotes from Luther, readers will be equipped to apply the gospel to themselves and others so together they find their hope and help in Christ alone. “Counseling Under the Cross exalts our Lord Jesus Christ. It has enlarged my appreciation for Luther and given me a new perspective on Luther as a pastoral counselor. I pray that the Lord will be pleased to use this book to call us back to the cross of Christ, that we might more fully follow the example of Paul in 1 Corinthians 2:2 and Galatians 6:14 by glorying in the cross above all else. I am personally grateful for Bob and for the clear and practical teaching he has provided in this book about the centrality of the cross in counseling and by extension the entire Christian life and ministry.” Wayne Mack, ACBC Member of the Academy; Director and Professor at Strengthening Ministries Training Institute; Counseling Pastor at Lynnwood Baptist Church; author of Preparing for Marriage God’s Way “I LOVE this book! I’m with Bob. Martin Luther has instructed and encouraged and reformed my life and ministry, too. Beyond the helpful unpacking of the key elements of Luther’s theology and methodology, Counseling Under the Cross reminds us that the issues that we wrestle with in our current soul care ministries are not new. What must be renewed in each generation is the courage to challenge the status quo—even within the church—with practical, biblical answers. This book will help you with that reforming process.” Wayne A. Vanderwier, Executive Director, Overseas Instruction in Counseling “We know Martin Luther as the father of the Reformation, not as a counselor. But as you read Luther in Counseling Under the Cross, what you find is a theologian who cared deeply for God’s people: Luther’s cross-centered theology translated to gospel-centered counseling. Kellemen’s Counseling Under the Cross is a rich collection of Luther’s stories, quotes, and lively vignettes that trace out how Luther’s care of souls puts Christ squarely at the center of everything!” Deepak Reju, Pastor of Biblical Counseling and Family Ministry, Capitol Hill Baptist Church, Washington, DC; author of The Pastor and Counseling “Think you know Martin Luther? Think again! Bob Kellemen has done a masterful job at highlighting the Augustinian monk’s heart and pastoral care. Meticulously researched and thoughtfully presented, in Counseling Under the Cross, Kellemen brings his trademark organizational skill, creative writing, and warmth along with a compelling insight into an oft-overlooked aspect of Luther’s ministry. Join Kellemen on this journey to the past and be encouraged that gospel-centered counseling is not so new after all.” Jonathan Holmes, Pastor of Counseling, Parkside Church; Council Member, Biblical Counseling Coalition “Bob Kellemen’s decades of experience as a counselor, teacher, leader, and author make Counsel Under the Cross a rare gift for pastors and counselors. This book provides an inspiring account of Luther’s journey from fear to faith, a comprehensive explanation of the classic forms of pastoral counseling, a practical theology for helping sufferers and sinners, and a Christ-centered focus throughout—all leading to ‘faith working through love.’ Read Counseling Under the Cross and be encouraged, instructed, and equipped.” Pat Quinn, Director of Counseling Ministries, University Reformed Church “And I thought I knew something about Luther! Counseling Under the Cross is such a well-researched and beautifully written book. Because Martin Luther desperately needed gospel counseling himself, he developed a perspective of soul care that reaches deeply into the heart of broken sinners who long for (and yet fear) intimacy with God. And although he wrote 500 years ago, we still need his perspective—a perspective that proclaims God’s self-giving love for anxious sinners demonstrated by the perfect life and substitutionary death of the Son he loved. Perhaps if the church had paid more attention to Luther’s paradigm for soul-care, she wouldn’t have given herself over to the futile philosophies of the world as she has. Bob Kellemen has given us a gift that has been sorely needed by the church: