Taking the Word to Heart: Self and Others in an Age of Therapies / Edition 1

by Robert C. Roberts

Overview

This is a print on demand book and is therefore non- returnable.

Christians today are besieged by ideas about personhood — what it means to be a whole person, a happy person, a fulfilled person, a healthy person. In fact, Robert C. Roberts says, psychology has invaded the Christian church — and while modern psychologies offer insights and practices that can be helpfully adapted for Christian use, they sometimes contradict and can even displace true Christianity.

Roberts examines several psychologies that tend to function as alternative spiritualities — Rogerian therapy, rational emotive therapy, assertiveness training, contextual family therapy, the psychology of Carl Jung, and the psychology of Hienz Kohut — and offers a critical evaluation of each in light of the Christian view of the self.

But just what is the Christian interpretation of selfhood? It has a great deal to do with community, with our relationships to others and to God, explains Roberts. "Christians are people of God's Word," Roberts says, "called daily to take it to heart, and thus be formed, as persons, by the sound of his voice. This book is all about becoming persons who dwell, in a variety of ways, among other persons."

With this idea of personhood in mind, Roberts explores a variety of relationships important to the Christian personality, then sets forth the parameters of a distinctively Christian psychology.

Based on impressive scholarship yet highly readable, Taking the Word to Heart is a thoughtful study that will be of interest to laypeople as well as pastors, Christian counselors, theologians, and students.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780802806598
Publisher:	Eerdmans, William B. Publishing Company
Publication date:	02/10/1993
Pages:	327
Product dimensions:	5.50(w) x 8.50(h) x 0.73(d)

About the Author

Robert C. Roberts is distinguished professor emeritus of ethics at Baylor University. Among his other books are Taking the Word to Heart: Self and Others in an Age of Therapies and Spiritual Emotions: A Psychology of Christian Virtues.

Table of Contents

	Acknowledgments	ix
	Preface	xi
1.	Introduction: Psychology and the Life of the Spirit	1
Part 1	Therapy as Heart-Forming Word	15
2.	Unconditional Acceptance	17
3.	The Truth Will Make You Free	39
4.	Assert Yourself!	61
5.	Between Give and Take	81
6.	Healing from the Eternal	106
7.	Empathy and the Formation of a Self	133
Part 2	Relating to One Another	151
8.	Playing at Competition	156
9.	Stamping Out Envy	174
10.	Forgiveness as Therapy	189
11.	Reconcilable Differences	205
12.	Children: Who Needs Them?	220
13.	Welcome to the Kingdom	239
14.	Friends with God	252
15.	Belonging to the Church	270
	Conclusion	289
16.	Christianity as Psychotherapy	291
	Selected Readings Relating to Christian Psychology	309
	Index	311

Editorial Reviews

Roberts discusses Rogerian therapy, rational emotive therapy, behaviorist theory, assertiveness training, contextual family therapy, Jungian psychology, and Kohut's selfpsychology. He also explores attempts by Christians to use these theories and voices his concern over their opposition to true evangelical Christianity. The second part of the book outlines Roberts's idea of a Christian psychology of individuals, focusing on relationships, competition, envy, forgiveness, children, companionship with God, Church, and God's kingdom. Recommended for seminary and large public libraries.

Library Journal