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challenging
emotional
informative
reflective
medium-paced
Emotionally Healthy Spirituality is heavy, but it is a worthwhile journey through topics that are important for developing faith, not only in knowledge but in emotions and practice. Scazzero does a great job of incorporating his exigency and personal experience while staying humble. Chapter 1 was a clear exposition of the problem of emotional immaturity specifically as it relates to faith, which I think is very needed. Other chapters discuss self-awareness, familial patterns, finitude, and spiritual disciplines. Chapter 7, "Grow into an Emotionally Mature Adult," is the crux of his argument, and chapter 8 goes into specific, practical recommendations for developing a rule of life.
I do think it is important to approach this book with a strong foundation in Scripture and how we know the Lord works. As much as Scazzero's ideas are helpful, his framing focuses on the emotional and loses sight of biblical grounding. For instance, in the iceberg metaphor, I know what he's getting at, but he implies that unless we engage with our emotions in a healthy way, God won't touch them, which I believe is misleading. Also, the concept in chapter 4, "Journey through the Wall," seems more based on common experiences among people he's talked to. Experiencing a "wall" may be common (he almost implies it is a sort of inevitable rite of passage), but as far as I know, there is no specific scriptural foundation for that concept, so it should be taken as a theory and an idea, rather than a given. (Another reviewer pointed out how this chapter almost describes a process of sanctification... but without saying or defining "sanctification" ...interesting). Scazzero thinks highly of contemplative spirituality by describing monastic practices and referencing the Desert Fathers as he outlines ideas for a rule of life.
Overall, while this book provides interesting and potentially valuable ideas for Christians looking to engage more with emotions in faith, its tendency to promote ideas based in contemplative spirituality and mysticism makes me wary. Seems like it would be interesting to reread with a pen and a highlighter, but also a grain of salt.
I do think it is important to approach this book with a strong foundation in Scripture and how we know the Lord works. As much as Scazzero's ideas are helpful, his framing focuses on the emotional and loses sight of biblical grounding. For instance, in the iceberg metaphor, I know what he's getting at, but he implies that unless we engage with our emotions in a healthy way, God won't touch them, which I believe is misleading. Also, the concept in chapter 4, "Journey through the Wall," seems more based on common experiences among people he's talked to. Experiencing a "wall" may be common (he almost implies it is a sort of inevitable rite of passage), but as far as I know, there is no specific scriptural foundation for that concept, so it should be taken as a theory and an idea, rather than a given. (Another reviewer pointed out how this chapter almost describes a process of sanctification... but without saying or defining "sanctification" ...interesting). Scazzero thinks highly of contemplative spirituality by describing monastic practices and referencing the Desert Fathers as he outlines ideas for a rule of life.
Overall, while this book provides interesting and potentially valuable ideas for Christians looking to engage more with emotions in faith, its tendency to promote ideas based in contemplative spirituality and mysticism makes me wary. Seems like it would be interesting to reread with a pen and a highlighter, but also a grain of salt.
A lot of good things in this book. Scazzero talks about reflecting on your family of origin, experiencing the dark night of the soul, dealing with grief and loss, observing the Sabbath, and practicing rhythms to become emotionally and spiritually mature.
“The quickest way to reach the sun and the light of day is not to run west chasing after it, but to head east into the darkness until you finally reach the sunrise.” Page 123
I will revisit this book again in the future.
“The quickest way to reach the sun and the light of day is not to run west chasing after it, but to head east into the darkness until you finally reach the sunrise.” Page 123
I will revisit this book again in the future.
In Emotionally Healthy Spirituality, Scazzero asserts that many Christians are unable to experience spiritual maturity due to their emotional immaturity. He states that family background, personal history, and a lack of guidance (among other things ) are the factors that contribute to emotional immaturity. He then spends the rest of the book giving instruction on moving toward emotionally healthy spirituality. His argument for the need for emotional maturity is very convincing, but I wanted more from the rest of the book. More practical application, more suggested reading, more something to guide the reader towards a better understanding of what pursuing emotional maturity looks like for the believer. At times, I felt that information was omitted to entice the reader to purchase the companion books and workbooks. I would definitely recommend this book to someone just beginning their journey towards emotional well-being but I think that those who have already read books or received counseling on this topic will likely find it simplistic.
Now that I've finished this book, I can tell why it's been recommended to me for over ten years! I think this would be an excellent book to work through in a small group. As I finished it, I think there's a lot I can still learn and put into practice, if I actually take the time to apply the principles Scazzero suggests. I would rather just plow ahead to my next book, but I think looking at how I can integrate some of the practices he goes over as part of the "rule of life" would really benefit me.
I know Scazzero has a whole series of books and a podcast under the "Emotionally Healthy" umbrella, but I wish he could go back and update this book... Technology has changed significantly since it was published and it would be interesting to see how he manages today's technology and expectations. Also the tag line has got to go: "unleash a revolution in your life in Christ." I don't want a revolution... I want the peace of God, and this book is much more about finding peace with how God made you, how he wants to use your life experiences, and how you can know his peace in your life, making you "emotionally healthy" and allowing you to grow in Christ.
I know Scazzero has a whole series of books and a podcast under the "Emotionally Healthy" umbrella, but I wish he could go back and update this book... Technology has changed significantly since it was published and it would be interesting to see how he manages today's technology and expectations. Also the tag line has got to go: "unleash a revolution in your life in Christ." I don't want a revolution... I want the peace of God, and this book is much more about finding peace with how God made you, how he wants to use your life experiences, and how you can know his peace in your life, making you "emotionally healthy" and allowing you to grow in Christ.
First half 1 star and second half 2 stars, but maybe after I discuss this book with someone my thoughts could change¿ I don’t really get the idea of “[knowing] myself that I might know God” and why the term sanctification is never used... He also talks about his own story a lot, and not really in an applicable way. I thought the disciplines he discussed in the last couple of chapters were done pretty well, and I always enjoy reading about how others teach on spiritual disciplines and implement them in their own lives.
Good. Very good but feel I've only just begun. Will use the day by day guide.
challenging
informative
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
This book was a mixed bag for me. The beginning felt heavy, constantly addressing the problems without any resolution. At first, I was dragging through it. From chapter 5 on, I really enjoyed this book and some of the practices it suggested. The exercises and practices in the latter half are worth the read!
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
"Judas' 'stuckness' eventually resulted in him quitting Christ altogether, resulting in perhaps history's saddest account of a wasted opportunity!"
"Augustine wrote 'If you understand, it is not God you understand.'"
"The critical issue on the journey with God is not 'Am I happy?' but 'Am I free?' Am I growing in the freedom God gave me?"
"Who wouldn't like a perfect, loving church where everyone has the time, energy, and maturity to love everyone else perfectly! We must grieve that limit also or we will demand from them something they cannot give."
The religious leaders of Jesus day tithed, evangelized, were diligent, but they never delighted in people.
"Augustine wrote 'If you understand, it is not God you understand.'"
"The critical issue on the journey with God is not 'Am I happy?' but 'Am I free?' Am I growing in the freedom God gave me?"
"Who wouldn't like a perfect, loving church where everyone has the time, energy, and maturity to love everyone else perfectly! We must grieve that limit also or we will demand from them something they cannot give."
The religious leaders of Jesus day tithed, evangelized, were diligent, but they never delighted in people.