Self Help?

[Byfaithalone1]

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]

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

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.

 

[StormyOne]

a very broad question because there are so many variants.... some can be good some not.... depends...

 

[VictorC]

Q: Do you find value in modern psychiatry or self help books

I'm sorry, I don't.

 

[StormyOne]

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

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?

 

[Adventtruth]

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

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

 

[Byfaithalone1]

the question also makes me chuckle . . . . . .

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?

Probably. Ask the question and find out.

BFA

 

[Byfaithalone1]

It all depends on the perspective of the author....

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.

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

 

[Byfaithalone1]

I'm sorry, I don't.

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

 

[StormyOne]

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

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....

 

[StormyOne]

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



Probably. Ask the question and find out.

BFA

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...

 

[Byfaithalone1]

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...

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

 

[Avonia]

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.

Maybe you should ask her why? This may result in two things. The answer to your question and the cessation of the gift.

 

[StormyOne]

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

perhaps she is trying to tell you something that you have yet to pick up on?

 

[Adventtruth]

perhaps she is trying to tell you something that you have yet to pick up on?

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

 

[Avonia]

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.

Maybe there's a "book on tape" version!

 

[StormyOne]

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

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?

 

[Avonia]

I have heard the feedback of many christians as they express their disdain for self-help and psychology...

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.

 

[Byfaithalone1]

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....

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

 

[sentipente]

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.