Anger: Discovering Your Spiritual Ally / Edition 2

by Andrew D. Lester

Overview

Is it okay to get angry? Andrew Lester thinks it is, and in this accessibly written book he shows the reader how to understand anger so that it will be helpful, not hurtful, to Christian life. Lester, a popular professor and author, challenges misconceptions about anger that have followed Christians for centuries. By comparing the research of psychologists and sociologists with the teachings of Christianity, Lester uncovers a basic truth: anger occurs when you, or those people or things close to you, are threatened. Lester explores the biblical teachings about anger, focusing on the destructiveness of the dark side of anger as well as the creativity that can result from appropriate anger. Anger must be faced, he says, or it will become destructive. He shows how to face your anger and also how to know when it is time to get help.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780664224998
Publisher:	Westminster John Knox Press
Publication date:	05/03/2007
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	136
Product dimensions:	5.50(w) x 8.50(h) x (d)

About the Author

Andrew D. Lester was Professor Emeritus of Pastoral Theology and Pastoral Counseling at Brite Divinity School in Fort Worth, Texas. He is the author of several books, including Hope in Pastoral Care and Counseling, Pastoral Care with Children in Crisis, and The Angry Christian, all published by WJK.

Editorial Reviews

Anger is unavoidable and perfectly natural, according to Lester, professor of pastoral theology and pastoral counseling at Brite Divinity School. As part of what God created and called good in Genesis, anger is only wrong or sinful when used in destructive rather than creative ways. In this primer on the subject, Lester explores frequently misinterpreted biblical narratives about God, Jesus and anger, and provides a six-step process for recognizing, naming, evaluating and using creatively that emotion most of us wish would go away. Anger occurs when our values, self-understanding, physical being or future hopes and dreams are threatened, says Lester. Using illustrative stories from the Bible and contemporary life, he makes a convincing case for his "threat model." As is true with any one-size-fits-all answer, however, the model gets stretched thin occasionally ("When the Jews came to arrest Jesus in the Garden, Peter felt his investment in Jesus and his mission were threatened"). Nonetheless, the book—written in clear and nontechnical language, with frank descriptions of the inappropriate ways people express anger, as well as suggestions for using it as an ally instead—will help readers from a Christian background understand, befriend and use their anger creatively. (May)

Copyright 2007 Reed Business Information

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