Ray S. Anderson (1925–2009)

A well-researched textbook addressing Self Care as much more then pop-psychology or self-help. Recovering from the school of "sacrifice and suffering" that typified much of my life in a conservative faith tradition (patriarchy/christianity), Anderson's thoughtful consideration of self-fulfillment (as opposed to self-gratification) moved me. He carefully examines the misreading of a number of passages in the Bible that have been used to lionize intellect over emotion and self-hate over show more self-love. He also introduced me to the Scottish philosopher John MacMurray:

"Thinking is not living. At its worst it is a substitutes for living; at its best a means of living better. ...the emotional life is our life, both as awareness of the world and as action in the world... Its value lies in itself, not in anything beyond it which it is a means of achieving." John Macmurray

Often made to feel ashamed for wearing my heart on my sleeve and taught to view my emotions and feelings with suspicion, I spent a number of years in the drag of mild depression. Other factors helped create this drag. But the deeply instilled notion that personal happiness, self-care, and emotion -- especially for females -- were signs of selfishness helped brew the perfect storm that once typified my life.

If any of my experience resonates with others, they will find Anderson's book a relief.

Why not five stars? Some hints of male preference in the beginning. This tone doesn't persist, but I found it a bit off-putting. Further, in the chapter dealing with shame I found Anderson parsed the word with two definitions. I do not think there is such a thing as positive shame that brings about healing. I argue that another word -- perhaps "awareness" -- would better match the positive meaning he suggests. see page 161

Beyond that, I value Andersen's perspective. So much so that after reading half of a library copy, I ordered one for my collection. I want to mark it up! show less

Judas has become more of an expression than a person. To call someone a "Judas" is to name them a betrayer. No one in the Gospels plays a more villainous role than Judas. But, is he beyond God's grace? Anderson answers with a resounding, "No"!

The book begins with a dialogue between Jesus and Judas after the resurrection and Judas' suicide. It ends with Judas' own "gospel" where he recounts receiving posthumous grace. In between are a number of short chapters which consider the various show more psychological aspects of betrayal and shame.

There are some penetrating insights here. For example, betrayal is always a sin of love—it's not betrayal to set up an enemy! Another poignant observation was the need each social group has for a Judas. So long as there's a Judas in the group, you can project your own heart onto their actions.

Unfortunately, I found Anderson's style of writing melodramatic and surprisingly repetitive for such a short book. Some of the chapters covered similar ground, and logic at times bowed down to rhetorical flourish.

For all its flaws, this book has forced me to reconsider Judas. I tend to gloss over his repentance and too-little-too-late restitution and focus on his suicide. While I don't fully buy Anderson's theory of Judas' ultimate redemption, I'm now completely on the fence. I'll leave that decision in the hands of the only One fit to judge. show less

在本書裏安德森熱情地以五旬節──教會的誕生──為出發基礎，建構一套有關教會事奉與宣教的異象，就是尋求建立一個從垂死的官僚體系，以及不生養的神學架構中釋放出來的教會，好叫這書在聖靈的臨在與加力之下，得以完成使世人與神和好的宣教使命。

This book is a little dense in places, and there was one chapter I really did not understand, but overall it is packed with helpful ways of looking at the work of ministry, and rooting this in sound theology and biblicism.