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The Transformation of the Inner Man
We all desire wholeness. We see our need for inner healing. All too often, however, we find it is an elusive goal. Veteran counselors, John and Paula Sandford, show the reader how to experience The Transformation of the Inner Man.
Paperback
First published April 1, 1982
158 people are currently reading
387 people want to read
About the author
John Loren Sandford
48 books33 followersJohn Sandford and and his wife Paula are co-founders of Elijah House, Inc., an international ministry established in 1975 in response to the Lord's calling in Malachi 4:5-6 and Matthew 17:11
They have traveled extensively, teaching the biblical principles of repentance and forgiveness, highlighting the transforming power of Jesus' death and resurrection. They are considered pioneers in the prophetic and inner healing movements. Their vision has been to reveal that which keeps believers bound in repetitive sin; by, as John says, "evangelizing the unbelieving areas of the believer's heart."
John and Paula have sown a deeper understanding of the Word into the Body of Christ, especially regarding the four spiritual laws, illuminating the biblical truth that these laws are just as certain as the law of gravity in how they affect our lives. Their work in the Kingdom has brought transformation of individuals and reconciliation of relationships to countless thousands, from individuals and families to denominations and people groups,and most ultimately, reconciliation with The Father.
John graduated from seminary with an M. Div. in Religion and Personality. He pastored churches in Illinois, Kansas, and Idaho for 21 years before founding Elijah House. Paula was active in these churches in music and Christian education, and also taught English and Spanish in public high school for several years. She joined her husband in the team ministry of Elijah House from its beginning and was ordained in 1995.
John and his wife Paula experienced the infilling of the Holy Spirit in 1958, which has enriched their ministry ever since. They have been married since 1951, have 6 children, and many grandchildren and great grandchildren.
They have traveled extensively, teaching the biblical principles of repentance and forgiveness, highlighting the transforming power of Jesus' death and resurrection. They are considered pioneers in the prophetic and inner healing movements. Their vision has been to reveal that which keeps believers bound in repetitive sin; by, as John says, "evangelizing the unbelieving areas of the believer's heart."
John and Paula have sown a deeper understanding of the Word into the Body of Christ, especially regarding the four spiritual laws, illuminating the biblical truth that these laws are just as certain as the law of gravity in how they affect our lives. Their work in the Kingdom has brought transformation of individuals and reconciliation of relationships to countless thousands, from individuals and families to denominations and people groups,and most ultimately, reconciliation with The Father.
John graduated from seminary with an M. Div. in Religion and Personality. He pastored churches in Illinois, Kansas, and Idaho for 21 years before founding Elijah House. Paula was active in these churches in music and Christian education, and also taught English and Spanish in public high school for several years. She joined her husband in the team ministry of Elijah House from its beginning and was ordained in 1995.
John and his wife Paula experienced the infilling of the Holy Spirit in 1958, which has enriched their ministry ever since. They have been married since 1951, have 6 children, and many grandchildren and great grandchildren.
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
January 31, 2012
I thought this was a very beneficial book for Christians wanting to understand themselves better, for ministry to others and for maturing in the faith. I recommend it.
December 28, 2011
I've only read 1 chapter so far, and it seems like it will be rich in content. However, I just have to say that the typeface is driving me a little crazy. It looks jammed together on the page. Combined with the wordy style of the authors, I'm finding it a bit laborious to get through.
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I finished this book about a week ago. I'm interested in psychology, especially from a Christian/spiritual perspective. I borrowed this book from my parents, and my mom told me that she knew lots of people in the late 70s who were influenced by it. There were definitely some points raised that I could identify with and found encouraging. There were also points where I disagreed with the approach. There was a lot of focus on reaping and sowing and less on the emotional impacts of reaping the hurt from someone else's sin or your interpretation of events experienced. All in all, it has some good food for thought, but I would read it with a grain of salt.
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I finished this book about a week ago. I'm interested in psychology, especially from a Christian/spiritual perspective. I borrowed this book from my parents, and my mom told me that she knew lots of people in the late 70s who were influenced by it. There were definitely some points raised that I could identify with and found encouraging. There were also points where I disagreed with the approach. There was a lot of focus on reaping and sowing and less on the emotional impacts of reaping the hurt from someone else's sin or your interpretation of events experienced. All in all, it has some good food for thought, but I would read it with a grain of salt.
September 13, 2011
Typical psycho-heresy, where the Sandfords, instead of using Biblical counseling where God has already spoken, employ psychological mumbo-jumbo.
July 16, 2015
Honestly thought it was very week and more babble than info
August 21, 2024
TWO POPULAR CHRISTIAN COUNSELORS DISCUSS THE 'INNER MAN'
John Loren Sandford and his wife Paula founded Elijah House, Inc. (a counseling and training ministry) in 1973; before this, John had pastored churches for 21 years. They have written many other books, such as 'Healing the Wounded Spirit,' 'Why Some Christians Commit Adultery,' 'Deliverance and Inner Healing,' etc. T
they wrote in the Preface to this 1982 book, "This book ... is designed for study... [it is intended] to involve the reader's heart... Much may upset some readers... Reading is an individual experience. Results are not... don't do too much reading without friends to talk with... The church may not have been where you were when you started reading. It most certainly won't be when you finish... Don't rush out to tell everybody what's wrong with them... Especially don't beleaguer the pastor. He will get there soon enough without your help." (Pg. vii-viii)
They state early on, "ministry to the inner man is not merely a tool to heal a few troubled ones; it is a vital key to the transformation of EVERY heart of EVERY NORMAL Christian!" (Pg. 6) They assert, "Psychologists would mend our self-images so that we could have confidence IN OUR SELVES. Christ would slay all our fleshly self-confidence so that our only self-image becomes, 'I can do all things through Him which strengthens me.' (Phil 4:13)... Christian healing comes ... by delivering us from the power of that broken thing so that it can no longer rule us." (Pg. 10-11)
The suggest, "Religious people... become centers of dissension in the church. They cannot relax---nor can anyone around them. They criticize others and cannot receive rebuke in return. It was the religious leaders who crucified Jesus, and who have persecuted the faithful ever sense... Religious people are the Pharisees of today... Their security depended upon doing the 'right' things---ritual washings and ceremonial rites, not on knowing His love for them or in doing acts of love. He upset their world." (Pg. 52-53)
They summarize, "a Christian counselor can be described by several models. First, he is a father-confessor... Secondly, he is a shepherd... Third, a counselor is a midwife... Fourth, he is also an executioner... Fifth, he is a spiritual director, one who hears the whole life and calls for balance... finally, he may become as a father or mother in Christ... When we speak of Christian counselors in this book, we have in mind those Christians who have been distinctly called, gifted by the Holy Spirit to counsel, and who hopefully are being... given that office by their pastors and churches. Christian counselors of that sort make no charge for their services... we write primarily to non-professional counselors within the Body of Christ. (We want to make it as clear as possible that we have no quarrel with psychology or psychological counseling...)" (Pg. 125-127)
More controversially, they state, "Sometimes bitter roots lie hidden far beneath levels of what we have commonly thought of as 'rememberable' incidents... By now the reader must understand that in our spirits we know and comprehend whatever is happening around us in the womb, as John the Baptist knew Mary was pregnant with our Lord..." (Pg. 256-257) Perhaps even more controversially, they advise, "Girls becoming women should feel free and secure to practice their allurements on their fathers. The young girl and both parents should know it is only a game, and allow it honorably. A father should be delighted with his daughter, and should tell her so." (Pg. 282)
Those who enjoy this book will probably want to move on to 'Healing the Wounded Spirit.'
John Loren Sandford and his wife Paula founded Elijah House, Inc. (a counseling and training ministry) in 1973; before this, John had pastored churches for 21 years. They have written many other books, such as 'Healing the Wounded Spirit,' 'Why Some Christians Commit Adultery,' 'Deliverance and Inner Healing,' etc. T
they wrote in the Preface to this 1982 book, "This book ... is designed for study... [it is intended] to involve the reader's heart... Much may upset some readers... Reading is an individual experience. Results are not... don't do too much reading without friends to talk with... The church may not have been where you were when you started reading. It most certainly won't be when you finish... Don't rush out to tell everybody what's wrong with them... Especially don't beleaguer the pastor. He will get there soon enough without your help." (Pg. vii-viii)
They state early on, "ministry to the inner man is not merely a tool to heal a few troubled ones; it is a vital key to the transformation of EVERY heart of EVERY NORMAL Christian!" (Pg. 6) They assert, "Psychologists would mend our self-images so that we could have confidence IN OUR SELVES. Christ would slay all our fleshly self-confidence so that our only self-image becomes, 'I can do all things through Him which strengthens me.' (Phil 4:13)... Christian healing comes ... by delivering us from the power of that broken thing so that it can no longer rule us." (Pg. 10-11)
The suggest, "Religious people... become centers of dissension in the church. They cannot relax---nor can anyone around them. They criticize others and cannot receive rebuke in return. It was the religious leaders who crucified Jesus, and who have persecuted the faithful ever sense... Religious people are the Pharisees of today... Their security depended upon doing the 'right' things---ritual washings and ceremonial rites, not on knowing His love for them or in doing acts of love. He upset their world." (Pg. 52-53)
They summarize, "a Christian counselor can be described by several models. First, he is a father-confessor... Secondly, he is a shepherd... Third, a counselor is a midwife... Fourth, he is also an executioner... Fifth, he is a spiritual director, one who hears the whole life and calls for balance... finally, he may become as a father or mother in Christ... When we speak of Christian counselors in this book, we have in mind those Christians who have been distinctly called, gifted by the Holy Spirit to counsel, and who hopefully are being... given that office by their pastors and churches. Christian counselors of that sort make no charge for their services... we write primarily to non-professional counselors within the Body of Christ. (We want to make it as clear as possible that we have no quarrel with psychology or psychological counseling...)" (Pg. 125-127)
More controversially, they state, "Sometimes bitter roots lie hidden far beneath levels of what we have commonly thought of as 'rememberable' incidents... By now the reader must understand that in our spirits we know and comprehend whatever is happening around us in the womb, as John the Baptist knew Mary was pregnant with our Lord..." (Pg. 256-257) Perhaps even more controversially, they advise, "Girls becoming women should feel free and secure to practice their allurements on their fathers. The young girl and both parents should know it is only a game, and allow it honorably. A father should be delighted with his daughter, and should tell her so." (Pg. 282)
Those who enjoy this book will probably want to move on to 'Healing the Wounded Spirit.'
November 12, 2018
Necessary read
For anyone wanting to go deeper in relationship with the Lord and with others, and to receive healing from past hurts, this book is a must read. I recommend it to everyone I talk to, because let’s face it, we have all walked through hurts and developed hang ups because of those hurts. I have taken Elijah House 201 and done the Healing Trauma course and have experienced healing and freedom I never thought possible. This book is part of the recommended reading for the course and expands on the teachings.
For anyone wanting to go deeper in relationship with the Lord and with others, and to receive healing from past hurts, this book is a must read. I recommend it to everyone I talk to, because let’s face it, we have all walked through hurts and developed hang ups because of those hurts. I have taken Elijah House 201 and done the Healing Trauma course and have experienced healing and freedom I never thought possible. This book is part of the recommended reading for the course and expands on the teachings.
December 30, 2022
What a powerful book. All about bitter fruits and bitter fruits.
All the more powerful because I have done the first six month prayer-ministry course to accompany the teachings in the book. It is gold. It works. I can't wait to start the second course and delve deeper into the truth in it.
If you have issues in your life that you seem unable to change, despite your best efforts, read this book and team up with another to pray into the bitter roots and thus eliminate the bitter fruits.
All the more powerful because I have done the first six month prayer-ministry course to accompany the teachings in the book. It is gold. It works. I can't wait to start the second course and delve deeper into the truth in it.
If you have issues in your life that you seem unable to change, despite your best efforts, read this book and team up with another to pray into the bitter roots and thus eliminate the bitter fruits.
June 29, 2018
Wow, eye opening. One of his main points is that the things we don't forgive in others is often the things we end up doing ourselves. Also, explains the idea of generational sins and how they can trip us up if we aren't aware of them.
August 21, 2020
This is an older book that has been in my library for many years. I will be revisiting it often. There is a lot of practical wisdom for me in my own growth as a person, but also for me as a friend and older woman in the church.
February 28, 2023
Very good. I recommend reading in conjuction with Letting Go of Fear by Neil T. Anderson.
April 14, 2024
A lot of reading.But of very good stuff. I read this to get an idea where the Sanford's were coming from.
September 29, 2016
This book is a life changer for those who will undertake to read it. It is a thick read; multiple readings of the same passage for me. Real life stories bring the subject matter home and relatable. This is a book I could read over and over. If you want to be set free from patterns that hold you back, this book will help you with relevant, enlightening information. When it was written it was cutting edge. Timeless advice. IF YOU COUNSEL PEOPLE in any way you need to read this book
December 19, 2016
A very well balanced book regarding individuals and their lives, however, a familiar refrain is the constant use of the word "flesh" when describing an individual's capacity of think, learn, and act. God gave us a brain to think with, but we're to learn from Him, but still use it by discerning good and bad.
December 17, 2012
Absolutely amazing! I loved this book as joy helped me immensely in putting into words some of the things I have been seeing when working with people in inner healing. I would recommend this book to any of my colleagues!
January 11, 2021
Though I’ve benefited greatly from the Sandfords’ ministry, the homophobia they evince in this book is shocking. They imply in several places that disagreement with their interpretation of the Bible invites being assaulted and controlled by demons, especially the principalities and powers.
May 5, 2007
I'm not sure how I feel about this one.
April 3, 2009
This is a thinker of a book, you need to take notes as you go. It was good and challenging. I liked it because it made me thing!
May 6, 2010
amazing
Read
April 28, 2012Took some grinding of teeth to get started, but overall pretty helpful.
August 31, 2012
I'm rereading this currently. I read it in 1985 and got very excited about general thesis. I'm finding it very good to read again with almost three additional decades of life as a basis.
October 3, 2014
I love the original so much better (this version seems to condense a lot of information) but since it appears not to be easily available in print, this is great for easy access on my Kindle.
March 2, 2015
Life changing!
Read
August 17, 2012Great Read!
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews