Overview

Biblical Stories for Psychotherapy and Counselling: A Sourcebook organizes the age-old wisdom of the Bible, with episodes that can shed light on specific psychological issues. From the familiar to the obscure, these stories can help us better understand self-esteem, loyalty and obligations, decision making, temptation, anger, morality, various disorders, family dynamics, support systems, developmental issues, recovery issues, aging, suicidal behaviour, and more. As brilliant and as penetrating as Freud's insights are, they are limited in the sense that Freud relied heavily on Greek myth and literature for his models and ideas. The Greeks could never really shake the sense of doom, the foreboding and the fatalism that led so many great figures in Greek literature and in real life Greek history to depression and, in a surprising number of cases, to suicide. In contrast, the focus of the Bible is far more optimistic; depression can be successfully dealt with, and suicide is a sad error that should be; and usually can be avoided. It encourages people to hope and teaches that day-to-day human effort has a purpose and meaning. The Bible offers the hope of filling every moment of human life with greater meaning and feeling. This book should offer students and practitioners involved in pastoral or spiritual care an useful tool and resource material.

Full Product Details

Author:   Kalman Kaplan ,  Matthew Schwartz
Publisher:   Taylor & Francis Inc
Imprint:   Routledge
Dimensions:   Width: 15.60cm , Height: 2.10cm , Length: 21.60cm
Weight:   0.590kg
ISBN:  

9780789022127

ISBN 10:   0789022125
Pages:   234
Publication Date:   06 May 2004
Audience:   General/trade ,  General
Format:   Hardback
Publisher's Status:   Active
Availability:   In Print  
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Table of Contents

Foreword Acknowledgments Introduction The Greek Bias in Medicine The Greek Bias in Psychology and Psychiatry Biblical Stories Chapter 1. Self-Esteem: Strengths, Sources, Disabilities, and Healing Introduction The Basis of Self-Image: Adam and Narcissus Definitions of Strength: David and Goliath Dealing with Special Gifts: Samson and Delilah The Source of Health: Elisha and Naaman The Foundation of Self-Esteem: Saul The Courage to Emigrate: Abraham Chapter 2. Obligations and Loyalty to Self and Others Introduction Assuming Responsibility for Others: Jonah Assuming Responsibility for Self: Lot’s Wife Singing One’s Own Song: Miriam Completing Another’s Vision: Joshua and Moses Friendship and Love: David and Jonathan Saving One’s People: Esther Chapter 3. Making Difficult Decisions Introduction Weighing Abilities: Rebecca and Her Two Sons Focusing on One’s Main Aim: Sarah and Hagar Distinguishing Motivations: Michal, David, and Saul Two Views of Wisdom: Solomon and the Two Mothers Two Types of Giving: Cain and Abel Chapter 4. Commandments, Oaths, Parables, and Temptations Introduction Dealing with Commandments: Abraham and Isaac Dealing with Oaths: Jephthah and His Daughter Communicating Through Parables: Nathan and David Dealing with Temptations: Adam and Eve Rejecting Temptations: Joseph and Potiphar’s Wife Chapter 5. Good and Bad Anger Introduction Confronting Immorality: Phinehas Taking Revenge: Simeon and Levi Misplaced Mercy, Misplaced Violence: King Saul Protecting the Innocent: Moses Escaping Cynicism: Hezekiah versus Rabshakeh Chapter 6. Various Disorders Introduction Overcoming Eating Disorders: Adam and Eve versus Erysichthon Drunkenness and Disrespect: Noah Work versus Workaholism: Adam Unrealistically Heavy Burdens: Cain Hoarding or Enjoying: Manna Chapter 7. Overcoming Family Problems Introduction Forgiving Deceit: Rachel and Jacob Covering a Family Problem: Achan Overcoming a Bad Start: David and Bathsheba Wise Mate Selection: Rebecca, Isaac, and Eliezer Kindness for Kindness: Boaz and Ruth Chapter 8. Parental Blessings, Permission, and Support Introduction Being Careful with a Blessing: Isaac and His Sons Spreading the Blessing Around: Joseph and His Brothers Supporting One’s Son: Hannah and Samuel Reciprocity Between Generations: Naomi and Ruth Controlling One’s Daughter: Lot Chapter 9. Good and Bad Development Introduction Amoral Intellectualism: Balaam Totalitarian Utopianism: The Tower of Babel Acquiring Wisdom: Solomon Undone by Ambition: Jeroboam Using Others: Amnon Chapter 10. Recovery from Misfortune, Weariness, Loss, and Disability Introduction Dealing with Disaster: Jeremiah Feeling Rejected: The Curser Aging: Ecclesiastes The Experience of Almost-Loss: Sarah Dealing with Disability: Moses and Aaron Knowing That Life Has Meaning: The Fugitive Chapter 11. Suicide Prevention Introduction Recovering form Weariness: Elijah Feeling Overwhelmed: Moses Friends in Need: Job Abandonment: David Protected Regression: Jonah versus Narcissus Epilogue: Freud, Oedipus, and the Hebrew Bible Bibliography

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