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Defending Shame: Its Formative Power in Paul's Letters
2020 Center for Biblical Studies Book Award (New Testament)
Our culture often views shame in a negative light. However, Paul's use of shame, when properly understood and applied, has much to teach the contemporary church. Filling a lacuna in Pauline scholarship, this book shows how Paul uses shame to admonish and to transform the minds of his readers into the mind of Christ. The author examines Paul's use of shame for moral formation within his Jewish and Greco-Roman context, compares and contrasts Paul's use of shame with other cultural voices, and offers a corrective understanding for today's church. Foreword by Luke Timothy Johnson.
Our culture often views shame in a negative light. However, Paul's use of shame, when properly understood and applied, has much to teach the contemporary church. Filling a lacuna in Pauline scholarship, this book shows how Paul uses shame to admonish and to transform the minds of his readers into the mind of Christ. The author examines Paul's use of shame for moral formation within his Jewish and Greco-Roman context, compares and contrasts Paul's use of shame with other cultural voices, and offers a corrective understanding for today's church. Foreword by Luke Timothy Johnson.
288 pages, Paperback
Published April 21, 2020
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
January 31, 2021
In "Defending Shame," Lau offers a comprehensive take on how shame should be viewed as a pedagogical tool for morality. While many folks today have understood shame to be irrevocably bad (Brene Brown), Lau provides evidence with biblical support and even citing Greco-Roman authors who have used shame as a framework for holiness or social acceptance. Often using Biblical syntax of the Greek and presenting contemporary views of shame, Lau makes a very compelling case that shame should not be seen with a negative scope. Rather, as we look at the Pauline use of shame, the community would better utilize shame in a manner that leads people to restoration and redemption.
August 4, 2022
What does Scripture have to say about shame? Can shame be used for our sanctification? In Defending Shame, Te-Li Lau discusses the formative power of shame in Paul’s letters.
Because shame is an emotion, Lau admits that shame may be a difficult concept to grasp. But after examining shame in relation to humiliation, embarrassment, and guilt, Lau lands on a definition: Shame is the painful emotion that arises from an awareness that one has fallen short of some standard, ideal, or goal.
Greco-Roman and Jewish Backgrounds
Lau looks at Greco-Roman and Jewish backgrounds in order to give us a framework before focusing on Paul’s letters. I was most interested by his analysis of Aristotle’s view on shame and how Greco-Roman culture found shame to be an integral part of communal living.
Shame was used to shape their society. Parents played a role in properly teaching virtue, with shame being a natural consequence to guide the young to make good and moral judgments.
Lau’s examination of the Jewish background reveals that shame has both subjective and objective senses. Shame can be experienced in that a person feels ashamed, while disgrace and humiliation is an objective reality. The ideas of honor and shame, when connected to God, functions as our conscience.
Again, we see that shame plays a role in moral formation, but it also pertains to the divine-human relationship. Covenantal faithfulness and obedience impact our feelings of shame and joy.
Retrospective Shame
Paul’s use of retrospective shame is studied in Galatians and 1 Corinthians. I was most surprised to see how cutting Paul’s use of shame is in the text. His account of shaming Peter (the chief of the apostles!) in Galatians 1:11-14 is incredible.
Presenting Peter as a hypocrite and coward and shaming him for it was a way of discipline. In the same way, the foolish Galatians lacked discernment and judgment for seeking justification through the law. Paul’s rebuke serves as a call to recommit to Christ and the truth of the Gospel.
I was most encouraged to see how Paul’s use of shame in 1 Corinthians is actually used to build-up the church. Lau demonstrates how Paul is like a father, guiding his spiritual children in the way they should go. With logical arguments and gentle words, he does not lose his audience. Paul gives his readers a new frame of reference so they can reevaluate their relationship to Christ. He uses shame as a teaching tool for spiritual formation.
Prospective Shame
Interestingly, Paul uses prospective shame in Philippians and Philemon. While Paul does not actively shame in Philippians, he employs an honor and shame discourse to persuade his readers. For Philemon, Paul writes about the potential of shame if Philemon were not to receive Onesimus back as a brother in Christ. I was amazed by Paul’s command of his readers, and his wise way with words.
Lau does a brilliant job of constructing Paul’s use of shame in these two books, and he finds that the value that truly defines honor and shame is the cross of Christ. The themes of sin, conscience, and repentance are anchored in the cross and buoyed by shame.
He comes to six strong conclusions:
Shame, as a moral emotion, is vital to the Christian life.
Shame, as an emotional response, provides a window to our moral character.
Shame, as a moral emotion, has the potential to affect our belief structure.
Shame, as a moral emotion, provides rhetorical amplification and deepens convictions.
Shame, as the premier social emotion, supports the communal nature of Pauline ethics.
Shame motivates, but gratitude is the ultimate emotional motivation for doing good.
Shame in Chinese Families
The book also engages current theories and cultures around shame. Lau discusses John Braithwaite’s reintegrative shaming theory (RST) and the Confucian understanding of shame in Chinese families.
Of particular interest to me as an Asian American Christian was to see that shame is a cardinal virtue in Chinese thought. Lau explains the trappings of the “Tiger Mom” and how Chinese parents use shame to teach their children right from wrong. While the Chinese use of shame has many similarities with Greco-Roman and Pauline uses, it adds the dimension of self-esteem and self-worth as tied to the values and perception of the community. Lau skillfully sheds light on such complex, social-emotional issues.
Of course, the feeling of shame is not enough to properly shape and form the heart of the Christian. Lau admits that we need the Holy Spirit’s help. In fact, the Spirit is essential. Ultimately, “the intended audience of Paul’s shaming rhetoric is the community of believers.”
Shame and the Forgiveness of God
Lau concludes by addressing contemporary challenges to employing a Pauline vision of shame:
Guilt, not shame, is the preferred moral emotion
The evocation of shame (or guilt) is manipulative, even coercive
Shame is toxic and destructive.
Lau gives careful analysis with his answers, and ultimately ends by championing our salvation that comes not from feeling and forcing shame, but from the forgiveness of God.
At over 250 pages, this book is an academic work that demands your attention. Serious students of the Bible will benefit from learning from Lau as he exegetes and explains an important theme in Paul’s writings. Pastors and preachers will be better educated and prepared to speak with sensitivity to those that come from an honor-shame culture with compassion. And as shame is seen both in the church and the world, this book will give a Biblical basis for understanding and employing it with Gospel grace.
I received a media copy of Defending Shame, and this is my honest review.
Because shame is an emotion, Lau admits that shame may be a difficult concept to grasp. But after examining shame in relation to humiliation, embarrassment, and guilt, Lau lands on a definition: Shame is the painful emotion that arises from an awareness that one has fallen short of some standard, ideal, or goal.
Greco-Roman and Jewish Backgrounds
Lau looks at Greco-Roman and Jewish backgrounds in order to give us a framework before focusing on Paul’s letters. I was most interested by his analysis of Aristotle’s view on shame and how Greco-Roman culture found shame to be an integral part of communal living.
Shame was used to shape their society. Parents played a role in properly teaching virtue, with shame being a natural consequence to guide the young to make good and moral judgments.
Lau’s examination of the Jewish background reveals that shame has both subjective and objective senses. Shame can be experienced in that a person feels ashamed, while disgrace and humiliation is an objective reality. The ideas of honor and shame, when connected to God, functions as our conscience.
Again, we see that shame plays a role in moral formation, but it also pertains to the divine-human relationship. Covenantal faithfulness and obedience impact our feelings of shame and joy.
Retrospective Shame
Paul’s use of retrospective shame is studied in Galatians and 1 Corinthians. I was most surprised to see how cutting Paul’s use of shame is in the text. His account of shaming Peter (the chief of the apostles!) in Galatians 1:11-14 is incredible.
Presenting Peter as a hypocrite and coward and shaming him for it was a way of discipline. In the same way, the foolish Galatians lacked discernment and judgment for seeking justification through the law. Paul’s rebuke serves as a call to recommit to Christ and the truth of the Gospel.
I was most encouraged to see how Paul’s use of shame in 1 Corinthians is actually used to build-up the church. Lau demonstrates how Paul is like a father, guiding his spiritual children in the way they should go. With logical arguments and gentle words, he does not lose his audience. Paul gives his readers a new frame of reference so they can reevaluate their relationship to Christ. He uses shame as a teaching tool for spiritual formation.
Prospective Shame
Interestingly, Paul uses prospective shame in Philippians and Philemon. While Paul does not actively shame in Philippians, he employs an honor and shame discourse to persuade his readers. For Philemon, Paul writes about the potential of shame if Philemon were not to receive Onesimus back as a brother in Christ. I was amazed by Paul’s command of his readers, and his wise way with words.
Lau does a brilliant job of constructing Paul’s use of shame in these two books, and he finds that the value that truly defines honor and shame is the cross of Christ. The themes of sin, conscience, and repentance are anchored in the cross and buoyed by shame.
He comes to six strong conclusions:
Shame, as a moral emotion, is vital to the Christian life.
Shame, as an emotional response, provides a window to our moral character.
Shame, as a moral emotion, has the potential to affect our belief structure.
Shame, as a moral emotion, provides rhetorical amplification and deepens convictions.
Shame, as the premier social emotion, supports the communal nature of Pauline ethics.
Shame motivates, but gratitude is the ultimate emotional motivation for doing good.
Shame in Chinese Families
The book also engages current theories and cultures around shame. Lau discusses John Braithwaite’s reintegrative shaming theory (RST) and the Confucian understanding of shame in Chinese families.
Of particular interest to me as an Asian American Christian was to see that shame is a cardinal virtue in Chinese thought. Lau explains the trappings of the “Tiger Mom” and how Chinese parents use shame to teach their children right from wrong. While the Chinese use of shame has many similarities with Greco-Roman and Pauline uses, it adds the dimension of self-esteem and self-worth as tied to the values and perception of the community. Lau skillfully sheds light on such complex, social-emotional issues.
Of course, the feeling of shame is not enough to properly shape and form the heart of the Christian. Lau admits that we need the Holy Spirit’s help. In fact, the Spirit is essential. Ultimately, “the intended audience of Paul’s shaming rhetoric is the community of believers.”
Shame and the Forgiveness of God
Lau concludes by addressing contemporary challenges to employing a Pauline vision of shame:
Guilt, not shame, is the preferred moral emotion
The evocation of shame (or guilt) is manipulative, even coercive
Shame is toxic and destructive.
Lau gives careful analysis with his answers, and ultimately ends by championing our salvation that comes not from feeling and forcing shame, but from the forgiveness of God.
At over 250 pages, this book is an academic work that demands your attention. Serious students of the Bible will benefit from learning from Lau as he exegetes and explains an important theme in Paul’s writings. Pastors and preachers will be better educated and prepared to speak with sensitivity to those that come from an honor-shame culture with compassion. And as shame is seen both in the church and the world, this book will give a Biblical basis for understanding and employing it with Gospel grace.
I received a media copy of Defending Shame, and this is my honest review.
May 29, 2023
The modern narrative on wellness believes that shame is always a bad thing, always malformative. So many Christians in their counselling and teaching have shied away from the idea that we should ever feel shame about anything. This reflects a truncated view of men and women that has severely inhibited the moral and affectional formation of Christians.
In discussions of cross-cultural ministry, some writers have presented a division of cultures across the world into what dynamic most shapes and motivates morality--guilt, shame, or fear. THis division has led people read the BIble in simplistic, reductionist ways that inhibit people from seeing how all the Bible is useful to all of God's people in all places; it has also led to us treating people in simplistic, reductionist ways (as above).
Enter Te-Li Lau's excellent work. Lau engages carefully not only with Paul's own use of shame, he also carefully considers the Greek and OT background assumptions. He also evaluates and compares modern Western definitions of shame with Paul's view of it. It's striking to see how much shame can be used positively and usefully, when we understand that we should be most concerned about what the Lord finds shameful and honorable, not man. Shame is an important motivator for Paul in teaching how Christians should, ranging from Paul's use of it in Philemon to pressure Philemon to make an honorable choice regarding Onesimus, or simply Paul's instructions regarding church discipline to the Corinthian church. Lau's work highlights both the centrality of shame in Paul's ethic--and the insufficiency of shame on its own. In other words, he labors to show that Paul's thought is of one cloth--not something you can cordon off into different parts.
My only critique is that the book is very technical and academic. I hope a more accessible version of these arguments will be written soon, as it deserves to be read far and wide.
In discussions of cross-cultural ministry, some writers have presented a division of cultures across the world into what dynamic most shapes and motivates morality--guilt, shame, or fear. THis division has led people read the BIble in simplistic, reductionist ways that inhibit people from seeing how all the Bible is useful to all of God's people in all places; it has also led to us treating people in simplistic, reductionist ways (as above).
Enter Te-Li Lau's excellent work. Lau engages carefully not only with Paul's own use of shame, he also carefully considers the Greek and OT background assumptions. He also evaluates and compares modern Western definitions of shame with Paul's view of it. It's striking to see how much shame can be used positively and usefully, when we understand that we should be most concerned about what the Lord finds shameful and honorable, not man. Shame is an important motivator for Paul in teaching how Christians should, ranging from Paul's use of it in Philemon to pressure Philemon to make an honorable choice regarding Onesimus, or simply Paul's instructions regarding church discipline to the Corinthian church. Lau's work highlights both the centrality of shame in Paul's ethic--and the insufficiency of shame on its own. In other words, he labors to show that Paul's thought is of one cloth--not something you can cordon off into different parts.
My only critique is that the book is very technical and academic. I hope a more accessible version of these arguments will be written soon, as it deserves to be read far and wide.
November 15, 2023
The title of this book will likely stir up a strong reaction for many - but Lau's work in this text is hugely important in understanding how shame (retrospective and prospective) serves an essential role in sanctification. Lau's argument effectively communicates the context and use of shame in Greco-Roman philosophy, Old Testament and Intertestamental Hebrew theology/philosophy before considering the Pauline use in Galatians, 1 Corinthians, Philippians, and Philemon. He also presents Confucianism and modern theories (Braithwaite's Reintegrative Shame Theory) to direct application for our contemporary setting before concluding.
Readers who struggle with the idea conveyed through the title would benefit from reading the Introduction and "Contemporary Contribution" chapters first to understand how Lau is approaching the idea of shame in a way that is contrary to popular notions.
Readers who struggle with the idea conveyed through the title would benefit from reading the Introduction and "Contemporary Contribution" chapters first to understand how Lau is approaching the idea of shame in a way that is contrary to popular notions.
April 24, 2025
3.75
This review would be higher if I was smarter. It was just a little too academic for me to comprehend and stay fully engaged. This is not a criticism of the book, as I’m sure this is exactly what the author intended, but is merely a reflection of my enjoyment of it. I agree with the take I saw in another GR review of this work, which is that I hope a layman’s version comes out for us “normal folk” (much like Carl Trueman’s Strange New World).
That said, I really appreciated Lau’s perspective and the amount of work he put into studying the subject. Particularly in the later chapters that discussed Braithwaite’s Reintegrative Shaming Theory, I found it interesting that secular studies found a model very similar to healthy church discipline to be so effective. Huh 👀
This review would be higher if I was smarter. It was just a little too academic for me to comprehend and stay fully engaged. This is not a criticism of the book, as I’m sure this is exactly what the author intended, but is merely a reflection of my enjoyment of it. I agree with the take I saw in another GR review of this work, which is that I hope a layman’s version comes out for us “normal folk” (much like Carl Trueman’s Strange New World).
That said, I really appreciated Lau’s perspective and the amount of work he put into studying the subject. Particularly in the later chapters that discussed Braithwaite’s Reintegrative Shaming Theory, I found it interesting that secular studies found a model very similar to healthy church discipline to be so effective. Huh 👀
May 31, 2024
A much needed defense of shame that helped bring nuance to my understanding of what shame is and the positive ways that it can and should be used. What I appreciated most was his insights on the essential role of the community in shame and the ways he points out that many of our modern problems with shame (ie., Brené Brown) come more from our individualistic society than from shame itself.
December 6, 2021
A thought-provoking study with huge pastoral implications.
May 16, 2021
Defending Shame is a unique, integrative study which brings together New Testament scholarship, modern pscyhology, and comparative ethics, by a NT scholar from Hong Kong. Lau's main thesis is that, contrary to contemporary Western culture, "shame" and "shaming" can play a positive role in the moral formation of people, and specifically, of Christians growing into the image of Christ. The heart of his argument is showing the apostle Paul utilizes "shame" and "shaming" for "Christic formation" in his letters, and how this differs from the unhealthy, degrading "shame" and "shaming" that contemporary Western culture so often rejects and seeks to avoid. This argument is supplemented by a study of the language and concepts of shame in ancient Jewish and Greco-Roman sources, in Confucius, and in modern criminal justice reform studies.
This book is meticulously well-researched and well-argued, so meticulous and detailed that it requires some perseverence and commitment to get through. Lau's thesis is, in the end, persuasive and compelling. For those without the time and the commitment to get through the whole thing, I recommend reading the first and last chapters, the chapters on Paul's letters, and then dabbling in any others which have interest. The content is extremely relevant today, especially in a globalized world in which we cannot avoid learning how to understand and relate to those of honor/shame cultures, as well as in making sense of the ways that "shame" and "shaming" are making a comeback in today's "cancel culture." For this reason, this book has an extremely important message which has massive implications for how we live in our changing world today.
On a personal note, this book was of interest to me because I am a Westerner who is married to an Asian wife and living in a Middle Eastern culture. As such, I have experienced different ways to relate to "honor/shame," while at the same time learning that the Scriptures themselves were revealed in an honor/shame culture. This book helped me to make sense of some of these cultural differences and provide me with some ways of thinking about them that will help me better adapt to honor/shame cultures.
This book is meticulously well-researched and well-argued, so meticulous and detailed that it requires some perseverence and commitment to get through. Lau's thesis is, in the end, persuasive and compelling. For those without the time and the commitment to get through the whole thing, I recommend reading the first and last chapters, the chapters on Paul's letters, and then dabbling in any others which have interest. The content is extremely relevant today, especially in a globalized world in which we cannot avoid learning how to understand and relate to those of honor/shame cultures, as well as in making sense of the ways that "shame" and "shaming" are making a comeback in today's "cancel culture." For this reason, this book has an extremely important message which has massive implications for how we live in our changing world today.
On a personal note, this book was of interest to me because I am a Westerner who is married to an Asian wife and living in a Middle Eastern culture. As such, I have experienced different ways to relate to "honor/shame," while at the same time learning that the Scriptures themselves were revealed in an honor/shame culture. This book helped me to make sense of some of these cultural differences and provide me with some ways of thinking about them that will help me better adapt to honor/shame cultures.
September 18, 2020
Valuable Academic Research
Defending Shame seeks to define the value and place of shame for humans in light of Paul's writings, which take a radically different approach to what has become such a negative thing in modern western society.
This is a very scholarly book, and Lau writes as if he assumes his readers can understand Greek and Hebrew in certain portions (I can't), so some of it went over my head or was beyond my ability to meaningfully engage with but overall I considered this to be a highly valuable discussion on shame and it's proper place in our humanity as modeled by Paul. Books like these may not be read by many directly, but they find their place in more-accessible articles and books as footnotes and sources. In fact I've already seen this book referenced in blogs on honor and shame which are distilling the essential truths of the book without needing to recreate its arguments.
As far as the content itself goes, the basic flow is this: first, Lau overviews and rebuts some representative modern voices on shame and then skillfully pokes holes in the supposed differences between guilt and shame before moving on to an overview of ancient Greek views on shame and Old Testament period Jewish views in order to form a sufficient backdrop/context to Paul's use of shame. He then examines Paul's use of shame in 1 Corinthians, Galatians, Philippians and Philemon with references to other places as well. Finally he wraps up with a summative Pauline ethic which he then compares and contracts with Confucian shame and Reintegrative Shaming Theory, a criminology approach to justice.
One of the many understandings I gained while reading this is that we in the West favor guilt (action-oriented) over shame (identity-oriented) because the modern view of man is that man is essentially good--if man is such then shame is unnecessary and evil because it implies the opposite, that man is corrupt and in need of change. Sola culpa (guilt alone?) as a system for processing "wrong" actions permits wrongdoing without abandoning humanist ideals.
Overall a very good book.
Defending Shame seeks to define the value and place of shame for humans in light of Paul's writings, which take a radically different approach to what has become such a negative thing in modern western society.
This is a very scholarly book, and Lau writes as if he assumes his readers can understand Greek and Hebrew in certain portions (I can't), so some of it went over my head or was beyond my ability to meaningfully engage with but overall I considered this to be a highly valuable discussion on shame and it's proper place in our humanity as modeled by Paul. Books like these may not be read by many directly, but they find their place in more-accessible articles and books as footnotes and sources. In fact I've already seen this book referenced in blogs on honor and shame which are distilling the essential truths of the book without needing to recreate its arguments.
As far as the content itself goes, the basic flow is this: first, Lau overviews and rebuts some representative modern voices on shame and then skillfully pokes holes in the supposed differences between guilt and shame before moving on to an overview of ancient Greek views on shame and Old Testament period Jewish views in order to form a sufficient backdrop/context to Paul's use of shame. He then examines Paul's use of shame in 1 Corinthians, Galatians, Philippians and Philemon with references to other places as well. Finally he wraps up with a summative Pauline ethic which he then compares and contracts with Confucian shame and Reintegrative Shaming Theory, a criminology approach to justice.
One of the many understandings I gained while reading this is that we in the West favor guilt (action-oriented) over shame (identity-oriented) because the modern view of man is that man is essentially good--if man is such then shame is unnecessary and evil because it implies the opposite, that man is corrupt and in need of change. Sola culpa (guilt alone?) as a system for processing "wrong" actions permits wrongdoing without abandoning humanist ideals.
Overall a very good book.
December 20, 2024
"Pauline shame is the bitter medicine that targets our faulty conception of ourselves so as to remind us that God's perspective of us is paramount." - Te-Li Lau
A wonderful resource. Lau has produced an excellent treatment of shame and Paul's formative usage of it. Part 2 (Chps. 4-6) is the heart of the book. This is where Lau does the exegetical work of retrospective (past or present) shame in Galatians and 1 Corinthians and then prospective (future) shame in Philippians and Philemon. His insights and observations are remarkable. Incredibly valuable to the pastor or student of Scripture seeking to understand what Paul is doing.
But Lau's book doesn't stop there as his concluding chapters on contemporary challenges and uses of shame are also quite good. Lau convincingly argues that we simply cannot get rid of shame; it is a result of the fall (Gen. 3). And while shame can be destructive, Paul in particular clearly indicates there is a positive use of shame, one that develops Christ in us. While shame is a painful emotion and oftentimes unpleasant experience, that doesn't mean it is intrinsically destructive. Rather, Paul uses shame to drive us to God where we find forgiveness and grace and are enabled to walk in greater conformity to Christ.
Highly recommended. Up there with Rosner as my favorite theological book of the year.
A wonderful resource. Lau has produced an excellent treatment of shame and Paul's formative usage of it. Part 2 (Chps. 4-6) is the heart of the book. This is where Lau does the exegetical work of retrospective (past or present) shame in Galatians and 1 Corinthians and then prospective (future) shame in Philippians and Philemon. His insights and observations are remarkable. Incredibly valuable to the pastor or student of Scripture seeking to understand what Paul is doing.
But Lau's book doesn't stop there as his concluding chapters on contemporary challenges and uses of shame are also quite good. Lau convincingly argues that we simply cannot get rid of shame; it is a result of the fall (Gen. 3). And while shame can be destructive, Paul in particular clearly indicates there is a positive use of shame, one that develops Christ in us. While shame is a painful emotion and oftentimes unpleasant experience, that doesn't mean it is intrinsically destructive. Rather, Paul uses shame to drive us to God where we find forgiveness and grace and are enabled to walk in greater conformity to Christ.
Highly recommended. Up there with Rosner as my favorite theological book of the year.
June 23, 2023
Lau's thesis is that shame is an essential moral emotion that cannot be extirpated from society without grave consequences. Shame is important for moral development and societal cohesion.
Lau provides an engaging exploration of shame in Paul's letters. This engagement is supported by his work on the Greco-Roman context of shame and the Jewish teachings on shame. Lau argues his thesis with modern thought that seeks to eliminate all shame, viewing it as harmful.
It is an academic work and reads as such. Still, I found Lau's presentation easy to follow and full of important insight.
Lau provides an engaging exploration of shame in Paul's letters. This engagement is supported by his work on the Greco-Roman context of shame and the Jewish teachings on shame. Lau argues his thesis with modern thought that seeks to eliminate all shame, viewing it as harmful.
It is an academic work and reads as such. Still, I found Lau's presentation easy to follow and full of important insight.
April 17, 2020
This book is over complicated and for no real good reason. The author drones on a lot without actually doing what he said he was going to do in the first which is discuss Paul's use of shame in the Bible. However, this is a very hard to follow book and it is possible he did discuss it and I just missed it in all of the endless droning and repetition.
.I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher and NetGalley. The views given are my own.
.I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher and NetGalley. The views given are my own.
August 17, 2024
This is a masterpiece in helping us live biblically between a western shameless culture and an eastern honor-shame dichotomy. Some chapters on Greco-Roman and Confucian perspectives are a bit needlessly technical, but Lau masterfully corrects our culture of shamelessness with an analysis of Paul's shaming of Christian communities.
August 29, 2022
Having been in some circles that have swallowed whole-sale the “anti-shame” rhetoric, this was a insightful and thought provoking work. His work to show the various types of shame and shaming was helpful in adding nuance that clarified rather than muddled. One insight I’ll be chewing on is his explanation of the sin-judgement-shame-salvation pattern in the prophets, and the reshuffling found in Ezekiel because of their shamelessness. Really good stuff that I’ll be pondering.
October 13, 2022
Fascinating work.
January 11, 2023
Wow! Full review coming soon!
August 19, 2023
Badly needed corrective of the extreme rejection of any heathy shame in contemporary America.
March 31, 2024
Biblical and thought-provoking. This book helped me see biblical shame and honor from a new perspective.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews