Description
After decades of trying to feel good about ourselves, why do we still hunger for meaning and significance? Glynn Harrison argues that self-esteem ideology has led us down a psychological cul-de-sac that risks causing more harm than good, and today's culture of narcissism and entitlement is the pay-off. Healthy psychological development and fulfilment come from seeing the self as part of something bigger. To achieve the sense of significance that we long for, we need a worldview capable of generating meaning and purpose. The Christian gospel calls us beyond the goal of self-esteem, encouraging us to stop judging ourselves, embrace our identity in God's big story and look outwards to the pursuit of his glory. This is the only sure foundation for biblically based optimism, confidence and personal resilience. 'An important and timely book.' Christopher Ash
Self-esteem ideology has led us to dangerous places; Glynn Harrison invites us into God's story, where we can find true significance and identity.
Reviews
This is an important and timely book. It is so helpful to have attitudes to self-esteem traced historically and culturally and then critiqued from the viewpoint of the Christian gospel. For me, one of the most valuable benefits has been to see how a human-centred cultural trend has crept unnoticed into the church. This has been a salutary warning to me personally. The book deserves to be widely read both by thinking Christians and also by those outside the Christian church who want a fresh insight into the counter-cultural surprise of the gospel of grace. I commend it warmly. * Christopher Ash, Director of the Proclamation Trust's Cornhill Training Course *
Glynn Harrison uses his vast experience in psychiatric practice and research to examine the cultural and psychological roots of the incredibly influential self esteem movement. He summarizes, digests, and evaluates huge amounts of research and explains what he is doing with humor and many helpful examples, thus making complex ideas accessible to anyone. His conclusions are startling and have big consequences for education, psychology and counseling. This is a superb example of a sharp Christian mind at work helping us to evaluate the ways we have been seduced and brainwashed by our culture. * Richard Winter, Professor of Practical Theology and Counseling and Psychotherapist. Covenant Theological Seminary, St Louis, MO, USA *
When I read the introduction to this book, I thought I might like it. I don't - I love it. It is high time that the urban myth of self-esteem was seriously questioned and intelligently trashed. This book does that and more. The reader gains a well-researched, thorough analysis of the history of the love-yourself ideology and of its impact on culture and (sadly) the church. But the second half of the book answers the questions raised by this malignant ideology both theologically and practically. Brilliant Biblical uncommon sense for parents, youth workers, teachers, pastors and students of psychology everywhere. * Ann Benton, psychology graduate, teacher, speaker and writer on family issues. *
Book Information
ISBN 9781844746200
Author Glynn Harrison
Format Paperback
Page Count 224
Imprint Inter-Varsity Press
Publisher Inter-Varsity Press
Weight(grams) 299g
Self-esteem ideology has led us to dangerous places; Glynn Harrison invites us into God's story, where we can find true significance and identity.
Reviews
This is an important and timely book. It is so helpful to have attitudes to self-esteem traced historically and culturally and then critiqued from the viewpoint of the Christian gospel. For me, one of the most valuable benefits has been to see how a human-centred cultural trend has crept unnoticed into the church. This has been a salutary warning to me personally. The book deserves to be widely read both by thinking Christians and also by those outside the Christian church who want a fresh insight into the counter-cultural surprise of the gospel of grace. I commend it warmly. * Christopher Ash, Director of the Proclamation Trust's Cornhill Training Course *
Glynn Harrison uses his vast experience in psychiatric practice and research to examine the cultural and psychological roots of the incredibly influential self esteem movement. He summarizes, digests, and evaluates huge amounts of research and explains what he is doing with humor and many helpful examples, thus making complex ideas accessible to anyone. His conclusions are startling and have big consequences for education, psychology and counseling. This is a superb example of a sharp Christian mind at work helping us to evaluate the ways we have been seduced and brainwashed by our culture. * Richard Winter, Professor of Practical Theology and Counseling and Psychotherapist. Covenant Theological Seminary, St Louis, MO, USA *
When I read the introduction to this book, I thought I might like it. I don't - I love it. It is high time that the urban myth of self-esteem was seriously questioned and intelligently trashed. This book does that and more. The reader gains a well-researched, thorough analysis of the history of the love-yourself ideology and of its impact on culture and (sadly) the church. But the second half of the book answers the questions raised by this malignant ideology both theologically and practically. Brilliant Biblical uncommon sense for parents, youth workers, teachers, pastors and students of psychology everywhere. * Ann Benton, psychology graduate, teacher, speaker and writer on family issues. *
Book Information
ISBN 9781844746200
Author Glynn Harrison
Format Paperback
Page Count 224
Imprint Inter-Varsity Press
Publisher Inter-Varsity Press
Weight(grams) 299g
