Sin, Pride & Self-Acceptance: The Problem of Identity in Theology Psychology

by Terry D. Cooper

What is at the root of the problem of humanity? Is it pride or lack of self-esteem? Do we love ourselves too much or too little? The debate about the human condition has often been framed this way in both theological and psychological circles. Convictions about preaching, teaching, marriage and child rearing, as well as politics, social welfare, business management and the helping professions, more often than not, fall on one side or the other of this divide. With theological and psychological insight Terry D. Cooper provides trenchant analysis of this centuries-long debate and leads us beyond the usual impasse. Humanistic psychology has often regarded traditional Christianity as its archrival in assessing the human condition. Cooper demonstrates how the Christian doctrine of a sinful and fallen humanity sheds light on the human condition which exhibits both pride and self-denigration. Bringing theological insights ranging from Augustine and John Calvin to Reinhold Niebuhr together with the psychological theories of Freud, Jung, Carl Rogers, Gerald May and Karen Horney, Cooper guides readers through the maze of competing claims to a resolution which affirms Christian conviction while critically engaging modern psychological theory. A model of the proper integration of Christian theology and the discipline of psychology, Sin, Pride Self-Acceptance will be of special help to students and practitioners of psychology, pastoral counseling and clinical psychology.

Genres: Psychology, Christian, Theology, Counselling

190 pages, Paperback

First published June 30, 2003

Reviews

[Wil Roese · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some such as St. Augustine and Reinhold Niebuhr believe the fundamental problem with people is too much pride while others such as Carl Rodgers believe the maim problem is a lack of self-esteem. Terry Cooper does an excellent job of bringing these apparently mutually exclusively views together. He starts with Kierkegaard's anxiety which leads to pride and the substitution of ourselves or others for the center of our lives. This leads to an idealized-self. When we are are not able to live up to our idealized-self it produces self contempt. Terry shows that pride and self-contempt go together. There is always some self-contempt even in the most proud and there is always some pride even in the most self-loathing.

[Peter Biles · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stumbled on this book in Buswell Library found it very insightful and applicable to my own life. The book shows how pride and self-contempt are interconnected and are both rooted in mishandling our anxieties about our vulnerability. Cooper shows how Pride with a capital P is anything operating outside of faith in God as our Source and security. I would highly recommend! Only about 160 pgs long and easily readable

[Wayne Larson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic book. The Niebuhrian/Augustinian call to prideful man's self-renunciation and the Rogerian call to self-actualization need not be seen as incompatible as they first appear.

[Liz · Rating 4 out of 5]

What is the root source of a human being's problems? Is it pride? Is it low self-esteem? Cooper creates dialogue between Richard Niebuhr, Carl Rogers, St. Augustine, and Karen Horney to show that pride and self-esteem are enmeshed in one another, not at odds with one another.

[Perry Granberry · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very thought provoking effort to integrate theology and psychology.
Cooper acquainted me with Dr Horney and her work.

[Bob · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is incredibly thorough & well researched, the author deals with the most basic struggle we as humans have with(in) ourselves, what is it? Pride? Low Self-Esteem (insecurity)? Cooper ultimately argues that pride and insecurity are really two different sides of the same coin. One will find this helpful in counseling & understanding human struggle, give you a better grip on the complexities of our sin & sinfulness & what drives us towards the sins we do commit.

As the author brings the in-depth research to a conclusion, chapter 6 “Pride & Self-hate: Two Sides of the Same Coin? is stellar. The book at times is a little thick but it is worth the work.

[Michael Locklear]

Recommended by Bob Dimmitt - 4.20.15