A polarizing approach to personal counseling unlikely to convert those outside an Evangelical Protestant audience.
A psychologist and minister challenges the norms of personal counseling in this nonfiction book.
The author observes that many Christians believe in the power of the Holy Spirit to fundamentally change a new believer “from their former selves into a more Christ-centered being beyond that of becoming a member of some institutional religion.” Per Pugh, many Christian ministers “disparage any reference to professional counseling or secular psychology,” as they refuse to acknowledge the legitimacy of any source outside of the Bible. Working as both a minister and psychologist for decades, the author seeks to blend theology and psychology in this reference guide for Christian counselors seeking to effect lasting behavior change that is “exemplified in the person of Jesus Christ.” Pugh is well versed in both theology and psychology, and his text is backed by a network of scholarly endnotes and two dozen pages of bibliographic references. This is not to say that he agrees with the current consensus among psychologists, however; the book takes a conservative stance on human sexuality that parallels orthodox Christian theology, bucking the precepts held by most personal counselors. Masturbation, for instance, is heavily critiqued here for promoting “isolation,” and homosexuality is likened to “sinful passions” (“homosexuality is an example of how out of step and misdirected human passion has become in general”). Indeed, any sexual behavior outside of a traditional marriage between a man and a woman is deemed by the author as “out of the context of God’s plan for intimacy.” The work is distinctly Evangelical Protestant in its theology, and its conservative approach will likely resonate only with those who share Pugh’s perspective. The book’s discursions into nuanced theology and psychology do not eschew disciplinary jargon, though the author tempers the book’s doctrinal complexity with charts, tables, and other visual aids.
A polarizing approach to personal counseling unlikely to convert those outside an Evangelical Protestant audience.Pub Date: Sept. 15, 2024
ISBN: 9798894191683
Page Count: 344
Publisher: Ewings Publishing LLC
Review Posted Online: Feb. 5, 2025
Review Program: Kirkus Indie
This a book of earlier, philosophical essays concerned with the essential "absurdity" of life and the concept that- to overcome the strong tendency to suicide in every thoughtful man-one must accept life on its own terms with its values of revolt, liberty and passion. A dreary thesis- derived from and distorting the beliefs of the founders of existentialism, Jaspers, Heldegger and Kierkegaard, etc., the point of view seems peculiarly outmoded. It is based on the experience of war and the resistance, liberally laced with Andre Gide's excessive intellectualism. The younger existentialists such as Sartre and Camus, with their gift for the terse novel or intense drama, seem to have omitted from their philosophy all the deep religiosity which permeates the work of the great existentialist thinkers. This contributes to a basic lack of vitality in themselves, in these essays, and ten years after the war Camus seems unaware that the life force has healed old wounds... Largely for avant garde aesthetes and his special coterie.
Pub Date: Sept. 26, 1955
ISBN: 0679733736
Page Count: 228
Publisher: Knopf
Review Posted Online: Sept. 19, 2011
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 1, 1955
Worthwhile reference stuffed with facts and illustrations.
A compendium of charts, time lines, lists and illustrations to accompany study of the Bible.
This visually appealing resource provides a wide array of illustrative and textually concise references, beginning with three sets of charts covering the Bible as a whole, the Old Testament and the New Testament. These charts cover such topics as biblical weights and measures, feasts and holidays and the 12 disciples. Most of the charts use a variety of illustrative techniques to convey lessons and provide visual interest. A worthwhile example is “How We Got the Bible,” which provides a time line of translation history, comparisons of canons among faiths and portraits of important figures in biblical translation, such as Jerome and John Wycliffe. The book then presents a section of maps, followed by diagrams to conceptualize such structures as Noah’s Ark and Solomon’s Temple. Finally, a section on Christianity, cults and other religions describes key aspects of history and doctrine for certain Christian sects and other faith traditions. Overall, the authors take a traditionalist, conservative approach. For instance, they list Moses as the author of the Pentateuch (the first five books of the Hebrew Bible) without making mention of claims to the contrary. When comparing various Christian sects and world religions, the emphasis is on doctrine and orthodox theology. Some chapters, however, may not completely align with the needs of Catholic and Orthodox churches. But the authors’ leanings are muted enough and do not detract from the work’s usefulness. As a resource, it’s well organized, inviting and visually stimulating. Even the most seasoned reader will learn something while browsing.
Worthwhile reference stuffed with facts and illustrations.Pub Date: Sept. 1, 2005
ISBN: 978-1-5963-6022-8
Page Count: -
Publisher: N/A
Review Posted Online: May 23, 2010
Review Program: Kirkus Indie
© Copyright 2026 Kirkus Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Follow
Popular in this Genre
We can’t wait for you to join Kirkus!
It’s free and takes less than 10 seconds!
Already have an account? Log in.
OR
Sign in with GoogleTrouble signing in? Retrieve credentials.
Welcome Back!
OR
Sign in with GoogleTrouble signing in? Retrieve credentials.
