• Starting today August 7th, 2024, in order to post in the Married Couples, Courting Couples, or Singles forums, you will not be allowed to post if you have your Marital status designated as private. Announcements will be made in the respective forums as well but please note that if yours is currently listed as Private, you will need to submit a ticket in the Support Area to have yours changed.

Self Help?

Jump to latest Follow Reply
Sort by date Sort by votes
B

Byfaithalone1

The gospel is Jesus Christ!
May 3, 2007
3,602
79
✟26,689.00
Faith
Non-Denom
Marital Status
Married
Q: Do you find value in modern psychiatry or self help books (see examples listed below)?

BFA


Examples of "self help" books:

How People Grow -- Dr. Henry Cloud and Dr. John Townsend
Five Love Languages -- Gary Chapman
How We Love -- Milan & Kay Yerkovich
Finding Meaning in the Second Half of Life -- James Hollis
 

Cribstyl

Veteran
Jun 13, 2006
8,993
2,068
✟108,451.00
Country
United States
Gender
Male
Faith
Pentecostal
Marital Status
Married
Politics
US-Democrat

Personally I find that knowlege empowers people be more informed about a given subject in order to make better decisions.
When the word of God is carefully sought out we can apply Godly wisdom.
 
Upvote 0

StormyOne

Senior Veteran
Aug 21, 2005
5,424
47
65
Alabama
✟5,866.00
Faith
Christian
Marital Status
Married
the question also makes me chuckle when you substitute the subject....

"Do you find value in modern christianity or christian beliefs?" Do you think the answers might be similar?
 
Upvote 0
A

Adventtruth

God is the Gospel!
Sep 7, 2006
1,527
40
Raliegh Durham North Carolina
✟25,683.00
Faith
Christian
Marital Status
Married
Politics
US-Democrat

It all depends on the perspective of the author....I can't find to much value in say....a person with a "Toronto Blessing" perspective who tells me its because I have to let it flow from my belly. If I feel the author has a more balanced spiritual view of things then yes I may gain from his knowledge and perspective.

Speaking of The "Five Love Languages", over the course of my marriage, my wife has bought me at least 3 copies of that book...the original version, the couples version, and now a men's version...oddly each version contains the same material and counsel, so I would why she keeps buying them? I guess she just thinks I don't get it.


AT
 
Upvote 0
B

Byfaithalone1

The gospel is Jesus Christ!
May 3, 2007
3,602
79
✟26,689.00
Faith
Non-Denom
Marital Status
Married
StormyOne said:
the question also makes me chuckle . . . . . .
Click to expand...

So much for the concept that "there is no such thing as a stupid question."

Do you find value in modern christianity or christian beliefs?" Do you think the answers might be similar?
Click to expand...

Probably. Ask the question and find out.

BFA
 
Upvote 0
B

Byfaithalone1

The gospel is Jesus Christ!
May 3, 2007
3,602
79
✟26,689.00
Faith
Non-Denom
Marital Status
Married
Adventtruth said:
It all depends on the perspective of the author....
Click to expand...

That's where I am at the moment. I'm not yet ready to write off the entire concept, though I am a bit selective when it comes to the things I choose to read.

I guess she just thinks I don't get it.
Click to expand...

Hahaha! Sure sounds like it.

I've read the book and I think it has some value. However, I'm sure the author did not intend for me to base my entire understanding of marriage on the principles contained in that one book.

BFA
 
Last edited:
Upvote 0

StormyOne

Senior Veteran
Aug 21, 2005
5,424
47
65
Alabama
✟5,866.00
Faith
Christian
Marital Status
Married
Byfaithalone1 said:
Fair enough. I've heard others express similar thoughts. I really raised the question because I wanted to better understand the objection. Perhaps there's something I haven't considered.

BFA
Click to expand...

I suppose it depends on the "mental health" of the person seeking the answers.... for some people self-help or the field of psychology seems bogus or superficial, and for them the bible and it alone is enough to answer whatever questions they may have about life, and life's problems...

However there is another group of people who find the bible inadequate to address what they have experienced in life and for them, self-help and psychology has been or can be helpful.... not to mention other life-views in which some insight is gained...

Of course results vary.... since my degree is in psychology I will admit I am biased....
 
Upvote 0

StormyOne

Senior Veteran
Aug 21, 2005
5,424
47
65
Alabama
✟5,866.00
Faith
Christian
Marital Status
Married
Byfaithalone1 said:
So much for the concept that "there is no such thing as a stupid question."



Probably. Ask the question and find out.

BFA
Click to expand...

lol... not a stupid question at all... a humorous one though... of course working in the field of psychology I have heard the feedback of many christians as they express their disdain for self-help and psychology...
 
Upvote 0
B

Byfaithalone1

The gospel is Jesus Christ!
May 3, 2007
3,602
79
✟26,689.00
Faith
Non-Denom
Marital Status
Married
StormyOne said:
of course working in the field of psychology I have heard the feedback of many christians as they express their disdain for self-help and psychology...
Click to expand...

Do they ever share the reason for their objection? The reason I raised the question is that I've heard the objection but don't understand the basis.

EDIT: I just saw that you answered my question in a previous post. Disregard.

BFA
 
Upvote 0

Avonia

Just look through the telescope . . .
Dec 13, 2007
1,345
36
✟16,813.00
Faith
SDA
Marital Status
In Relationship
Adventtruth said:
oddly each version contains the same material and counsel, so I would why she keeps buying them? I guess she just thinks I don't get it.
Click to expand...
Maybe you should ask her why? This may result in two things. The answer to your question and the cessation of the gift.
 
Upvote 0

StormyOne

Senior Veteran
Aug 21, 2005
5,424
47
65
Alabama
✟5,866.00
Faith
Christian
Marital Status
Married
perhaps she is trying to tell you something that you have yet to pick up on?
 
Upvote 0
A

Adventtruth

God is the Gospel!
Sep 7, 2006
1,527
40
Raliegh Durham North Carolina
✟25,683.00
Faith
Christian
Marital Status
Married
Politics
US-Democrat
StormyOne said:
perhaps she is trying to tell you something that you have yet to pick up on?
Click to expand...

If I have not picked up on it in 11 years of marriage, it aint going to get picked up. I'm an audio hobbyist...I love 2 channel audio. I have a two channel room in our home in the basement with a very expensive hifi. I love music....mostly acoustic Jazz, acoustic blues and a little classical. I can sit down there and listen for hours....im a bad boy when I go down and listen instead of spending that time with her.

AT
 
Upvote 0

Avonia

Just look through the telescope . . .
Dec 13, 2007
1,345
36
✟16,813.00
Faith
SDA
Marital Status
In Relationship
Maybe there's a "book on tape" version!
 
Upvote 0

StormyOne

Senior Veteran
Aug 21, 2005
5,424
47
65
Alabama
✟5,866.00
Faith
Christian
Marital Status
Married

interesting view.... your comment seems to suggest that there is no more to be learned in that area of your life.... or are you saying that you know what she is hinting at but you are not going to give that to her?
 
Upvote 0

Avonia

Just look through the telescope . . .
Dec 13, 2007
1,345
36
✟16,813.00
Faith
SDA
Marital Status
In Relationship
StormyOne said:
I have heard the feedback of many christians as they express their disdain for self-help and psychology...
Click to expand...
This is reflective of their immaturity. As we move through developmental stages, there's a stage where having things black and white is valuable. Many people get stuck there.

There's an interesting medical practice near me with one physician, one nurse practitioner, and one psychologist. I've spent some time with the physician and find his perspective fascinating. Much of what he sees has its genesis in psychological issues. And not only that, but a large number of people who walk into the office are likely there just to be heard for the first time in a long while.

So, he works with the physical stuff and the psychologist works with the mind/emotions and subsequent behavior stuff.

I'm sure you know this well. It doesn't help a lot to demand that somebody not get angry. It does help when they understand why they do.
 
Upvote 0
B

Byfaithalone1

The gospel is Jesus Christ!
May 3, 2007
3,602
79
✟26,689.00
Faith
Non-Denom
Marital Status
Married

Perhaps it is more comfortable to deal with moral absolutes. In so doing, I can avoid getting my hands dirty. Human need likely does not dwell within moral absolutes.

I understand that there are certain self help materials that seem to fall flat (at least that's been my perspective on certain things I've read). However, I've found other materials to be very, very helpful in prompting me to view myself and my relationships from an entirely different perspective. Perhaps the cliche about the baby and the bath water fits here.

BFA
 
Upvote 0

sentipente

Senior Contributor
Jul 17, 2007
11,651
4,492
Silver Sprint, MD
✟54,142.00
Faith
Seeker
Marital Status
Politics
US-Others
It is interesting that people who say they don't believe in self-help don't realize that when they read the Bible for guidance they are engaged in self-help. The only difference is in the claims of the book they chose to read. It is the essence of blasphemy to suggest that your God will only help you if you read a book that some people call the Word of God.
 
Upvote 0
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

What is your theory, belief around Foreknowledge?
Replies
4
Views
355
Salvation (Soteriology)
FutureAndAHope
DEI- A Contrast to What God Wants?
Replies
9
Views
797
Christian Scriptures
FireDragon76
(Orthodoxy) Salvation of the soul. The meaning of life.
Replies
18
Views
1K
The Ancient Way - Eastern Orthodox
Dan1988
Question for Roman Catholics concerning your familiarity with Catholic liturgical texts
Replies
26
Views
1K
One Bread, One Body - Catholic
The Liturgist
A Godly Woman
Replies
0
Views
365
Daily Devotionals
Christsfreeservant
Menu
Log in
Register