RE: Facts Before Interpretation: The Counselor’s Guide to Data Gathering

Why does Wayne Mack argue that data collection must always precede interpretation?

Data collection comes first because you cannot give the right biblical solution if you do not first understand the real problem. In biblical counseling, it is dangerous to immediately assume the cause of a problem or give advice without carefully listening and understanding the counselee’s situation. So it is necessary to gather data first before interpretation. Wayne Mack points out this because wrong interpretation often comes from incomplete or inaccurate information. If a counselor interprets too quickly, they may misunderstand the real issue and give unhelpful or even harmful counsel. Proper data collection helps the counselor avoid assumptions and leads to wiser, more biblical guidance.