The Seven Habits of the Good Life: How the Biblical Virtues Free Us from the Seven Deadly Sins

by Kalman J. Kaplan Wayne State University, Matthew B. Scwartz

Overview

In The Seven Habits of the Good Life, the authors highlight seven biblical gifts—self-esteem, wisdom, righteousness, love, healthy appetite, prudence, and purpose—and present each one as an alternative to one of the seven deadly sins. Each gift gives readers a chance to enrich their lives by integrating concern for themselves with a healthy concern for others rather than punishing themselves for bad behavior.

Incorporating clinical case studies, the voices of real people, and biblical stories, this book shows how the wisdom of the scriptures can provide us concrete ways of redefining difficult situations and approaching life in a way that strives for fullness, harmony, and balance.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780742532748
Publisher:	Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, Inc.
Publication date:	07/27/2006
Pages:	136
Product dimensions:	7.26(w) x 7.34(h) x 0.71(d)

About the Author

Kalman J. Kaplan was a 2006–2007 Fulbright Fellow at Tel Aviv University. He is professor of clinical psychology in both the departments of psychiatry and medical education at the University of Illinois, Chicago College of Medicine, and directs the Religion/Spirituality and Mental Health program (www.rsmh.org) funded by the John Templeton Foundation.

Matthew B. Schwartz teaches history and near eastern studies at Wayne State University and is widely published in the areas of ancient history and biblical studies. He lives in Southfield, Michigan.

Table of Contents

Chapter 1 Introduction
Chapter 2 Self-esteem
Chapter 3 Wisdom
Chapter 4 Righteousness
Chapter 5 Love
Chapter 6 Healthy Appetite
Chapter 7 Prudence
Chapter 8 Purpose
Chapter 9 Conclusion

Editorial Reviews

Thought-provoking and substantive—a valuable application of timeless Biblical principles to the challenges of contemporary life.

Michael Medved

Readers of all backgrounds will greatly profit from the authors' view of the Bible as nothing less than a comprehensive framework of reality. Through their scholarship and skill, it yields ancient wisdom to resolve modern dilemmas.

Rabbi Daniel Lapin

The seven biblical gifts offered in this book are a gift to the reader: to clergy seeking themes for homilies and insights into pastoral counseling, to psychotherapists and social workers desiring to improve their clinical effectiveness, to individuals who take Scripture seriously and who want its wisdom to resonate in their lives, and to all people who want to live a life of goodness.

Rabbi Byron L. Sherwin

Kudos to psychologist Kalman Kaplan and historian Matthew Schwartz for allowing the light of biblical wisdom to illuminate the path to the good life, and for doing so with both psychologically informed human sensitivity and captivating story telling. Clergy, pastoral counselors, mental health workers, and lay people of faith all will benefit from Kaplan and Schwartz's guide to balanced, healthy, purposeful living.

David Myers

The authors of The Seven Habits of the Good Life guide the reader to a rebirthing experience for the mind and the body, illustrating what we miss in everyday life. I think it is required reading for all people of any religion; this book is a landmark contribution to our well-being. Individuals worldwide will love the profound teaching of these pages, as they experience inner comfort and improve their relationships with others.

Maurizio Pompili

Original, thought-provoking, and extremely readable for people of all ages and backgrounds. Masterfully gives Biblical answers to 21st century questions. A treasure chest of wisdom packed into this slim, powerful book.

Donna Rosenthal

Thoughtful, sensitive, humane, and original, Kaplan and Schwartz offer readers a good dose of a Biblical virtue the world could use more of: wisdom.

David Klinghoffer