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Self-Care: A Theology of Personal Empowerment and Spiritual Healing
Book by Anderson, Ray S.
276 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1995
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31 people want to read
About the author
Ray S. Anderson
40 books3 followersaka Ray Sherman Anderson
Ray S. Anderson (Ph.D., University of Edinburgh) was senior professor of theology and ministry at Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena, California, where he had taught since 1976. He was also a contributing editor to Journal of Psychology and Theology.
He wrote many books, including Judas and Jesus: Amazing Grace for the Wounded Soul (2004), The Soul of God: A Theological Memoir (2004), Spiritual Caregiving as Secular Sacrament: A Practical Theology for Professional Caregivers (2003), Dancing with Wolves While Feeding the Sheep (2002), The New Age of Soul: Spiritual Wisdom for a New Millennium (2001), The Shape of Practical Theology: Empowering Ministry with Theological Praxis (2001), Living the Spiritually Balanced Life (1998) and The Soul of Ministry: Forming Leaders for God's People (1997). Anderson's articles and book reviews have been published in a wide array of scholarly and popular periodicals.
Ray S. Anderson (Ph.D., University of Edinburgh) was senior professor of theology and ministry at Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena, California, where he had taught since 1976. He was also a contributing editor to Journal of Psychology and Theology.
He wrote many books, including Judas and Jesus: Amazing Grace for the Wounded Soul (2004), The Soul of God: A Theological Memoir (2004), Spiritual Caregiving as Secular Sacrament: A Practical Theology for Professional Caregivers (2003), Dancing with Wolves While Feeding the Sheep (2002), The New Age of Soul: Spiritual Wisdom for a New Millennium (2001), The Shape of Practical Theology: Empowering Ministry with Theological Praxis (2001), Living the Spiritually Balanced Life (1998) and The Soul of Ministry: Forming Leaders for God's People (1997). Anderson's articles and book reviews have been published in a wide array of scholarly and popular periodicals.
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
August 6, 2013
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 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!
"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!
December 20, 2015
One of the most thoughtful theological reflections on self-esteem and care that I've ever read. A must.
May 1, 2015
Anderson is clear that this is written as a textbook - which I throughly enjoyed
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews