THE KINGDOM WITHIN: A Study of the Inner Meaning of Jesus' Sayings

by John A. Sanford ‧ RELEASE DATE: April 7, 1970

The author's intention is to balance the current emphasis upon the social teachings of Christianity by showing the inner meaning of the sayings of Jesus and their bearing upon the development of the whole personality within each individual. He concedes that such an approach cannot claim to be the meaning of Jesus' teachings, but he maintains that it is one possible and primary meaning. The discovery of the unconscious in our time makes possible a new understanding of the inner dimensions of the personality and opens new possibilities for a personal religion. Applying Jungian categories, he shows Jesus as a man having a ""whole personality,"" unique in his consciousness and insights. His teachings, therefore, are to be understood as issuing from that source and as calling the individual to the realization of his own human potentiality. Throughout, the author organizes his argument in terms of a dichotomy between the ""inner"" and the ""exterior"" and between the ""individual"" and the ""social"" or collective. There can be some question whether these dualities any longer represent the current thinking either in the field of personality development or the field of theological and Biblical studies. For those partial to an individualized interpretation of the Gospels, however, the book will give reassurance and illumination. Case studies sharpen the author's claims.

Pub Date: April 7, 1970

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: Lippincott

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 1, 1970

Categories: NONFICTION