Inter-Varsity Press

Self-esteem is a problem for many people today, including Christians. Low self-esteem can hinder people from achieving their potential, and prevent even the most dedicated Christians from fulfilling God's purpose in their lives. Yet properly understood, the gospel provides an important answer to low self-esteem. In this important book, Joanna McGrath, a psychologist, and Alister McGrath, a theologian, explore a number of crucial questions, including; what is self-esteem?; are Christians allowed to have positive self-esteem?; what about sin and humility?; are psychological approaches to counselling anti-Christian?; how can I nurture self-esteem in myself and in other people?

They demonstrate the centrality of the cross to a Christian understanding of self-esteem, and the importance of secure parental attachment to God in Christ for an authentic experience of self-worth. Their analysis also provides a sure-footed guide through current secular approaches in psychology and psychotherapy, revealing some of the strengths and weaknesses of these views.

Commendations

"... the second edition of a work jointly written by a clinical psychologist and academic theologian, and uses both disciplines to explore what self-esteem means for the Christian. Starting from a firm evangelical base, the authors recognize that the area presents a problem for many people in the churches and their book offers help to Christian counsellors in their ministry ... As they balance this general view with the Christian basis of self-esteem, the authors note the tensions which arise because of the reality of sin, because of Christ's command to lose ourselves, because of his moral absolutes and because of belief in salvation through grace, rather than human activities. The doctrines of the cross and of the parental love of God provide the Christian basis for self-esteem.

"Much of the book is presented in the language of academic presentation and argument. It is illustrated with biblical references and some stories from scripture and from life ... The final chapter encourages people in the church to affirm and encourage one another." Peter Ball, Expository Times