Rating: 
Summary: Deceptive Teaching of WIlliam D. Backus
Review: A few summers ago, I bought all of Dr. Backus' books, including this one. The problem with this book, for a Christian, is that it assumes that I have a direct relationship with myself. As Dietrich Bonhoffer, the German Lutheran pastor who died in Hitler's concentration camp, pointed out in his classic "The Cost Of Discipleship" Jesus Christ becomes the Christian's only immediacy. In other words, Jesus Christ stands between me and every other person, thing, or thought. This book causes a Christian to attempt to have a direct relationship with themself. But, this is impossible, for a Christian is one who is "hid with Christ in God." (Colossians 3:3) Further, a Christian is one who has been crucified with Christ. (Galatians 2:20) Now let me ask you a question, if your life is hidden with Christ in God, and if your life has been crucified with Christ, how can you possibly tell your "self" the truth?; thus you are addressing a phantom of your own creation; you are assuming that your life is not hidden in Christ but is easily accesible to you. The key is that even my own thoughts no longer have a direct access to myself. This is what Paul means also when he says that we are to be "clothed" in Christ. The clothing of Christ bars direct access to myself.
So, working backwards, you can tell your "self" the truth, only by no longer being hidden in Christ, no longer being crucified with Christ, no longer clothed in Christ. It teaches me to trample over Jesus in order to get to my "self". The root teachings of this book do not proceed from a man abiding in Christ, because if they did he would not appeal to the reader in the manner that he does. This is self-help psychology, which assumes, as all of the world does, that a direct relationship is possible with a person and their self, and with a person and other persons. This is self-help psychology dressed up with a Christian veneer. (...)
Rating: 
Summary: Telling yourself the truth
Review: After reading a countless number of christian self help books, I still struggled with much anxiety, fear, depression & anger. I finally broke down & went to see a christian counselor. He recomended that I read this book. Although I got the version with the workbook included. I don't know if this one has the workbook. Anyway, for me this book provided me with ground-breaking truths of God's word & helped me to identify the silly & absurd misbeliefs I had been telling myself for years! I would reccomend that everyone read this book. If your honest a bout wanting to change & willing to devote an hour or so each day for six weeks, this book WILL CHANGE YOUR LIFE!!!
Rating:
Summary: Telling yourself the truth
Review: After reading a countless number of christian self help books, I still struggled with much anxiety, fear, depression & anger. I finally broke down & went to see a christian counselor. He recomended that I read this book. Although I got the version with the workbook included. I don't know if this one has the workbook. Anyway, for me this book provided me with ground-breaking truths of God's word & helped me to identify the silly & absurd misbeliefs I had been telling myself for years! I would reccomend that everyone read this book. If your honest a bout wanting to change & willing to devote an hour or so each day for six weeks, this book WILL CHANGE YOUR LIFE!!!
Rating:
Summary: Face the Truth About Yourself
Review: Backus' book is an excellent read for knowing how to properly handle our thoughts and reactions to others.Among the points Backus covers include: 1. We do not have to strive for the approval of others.
2. When beliefs change, behavior will change.
3. Truths about anger and pleasing others.
4. We are not victims, we can make choices!
5. Be careful of manipulation.
6. Misbeliefs and truths about being indispensible.
7. Truths about taking chances.
8. Unlearning old thinking. Bakcus accurately states that much of what happens to us results from the way we think. Read and be encouraged to change your inappropriate thoughts!
Rating:
Summary: Face the Truth About Yourself
Review: Backus' book is an excellent read for knowing how to properly handle our thoughts and reactions to others. Among the points Backus covers include: 1. We do not have to strive for the approval of others.
2. When beliefs change, behavior will change.
3. Truths about anger and pleasing others.
4. We are not victims, we can make choices!
5. Be careful of manipulation.
6. Misbeliefs and truths about being indispensible.
7. Truths about taking chances.
8. Unlearning old thinking. Bakcus accurately states that much of what happens to us results from the way we think. Read and be encouraged to change your inappropriate thoughts!
Rating:
Summary: therapeutic
Review: Great book! One of the better 'self-help' books I have read. Anyone who battles negative thinking and insecurity needs to read this book.
Rating:
Summary: Learn how to LIVE with truth and still have peace!
Review: I chose this book for a Ladie's Bible Study at our church because we had really lost a lot of energy and excitement in our Tuesday morning studies. The truth in this book has truly set many of our ladies free to honestly face what's in their lives and to still believe that God is in control. They are beginning to have the courage to face circumstances & people and realize that their value doesn't come from those things. William Backus and Marie Chapian have laid out a plan of action - identifying misbeliefs in your life, arguing against them and replacing them with the truth - that has breathed new life back into many ladies at our church. I haven't even been able to keep enough of them in stock because they have been giving them to their friends and family! The results have been tremendous - they are learning how to deal with real issues like intimidation, low self-esteem and wrong expectations and they are learning that God is FOR them!
Rating:
Summary: This book changed my life! get it now!
Review: I read a library full of self-help books before i read this, and collectively, they don't even compare to this brilliant work by Chapian and Backus. i was nearly destroyed after a relationship ended that meant the world to me. i sought the help of my church, family and friends and nothing had the profound, positive effect on my life that this book has. i have no doubt whatsoever that these folks were truely inspired by God to write this. the message in this book has set me free to live a happy, content life again. read it and and it can do the same for you.
Rating:
Summary: A truly life-changing message: You CAN be happy!
Review: I read the book in the german translation, the title being "The Truth Shall Set You Free", which is exactly what I experienced: Being set free from lies such as having to prove myself. Backus discusses a lot of lies I believe are responsible for Christians today having trouble to cope with their lives. So far, it's the best book I've read on the topic of dealing with oneself. Sound use of quotes from the Bible and modern psychological insight. Highly recommendable not only for counsellors, but for any Christian puzzled at his feelings. Easy to read, easy to apply to one's life, simply good stuff.
Rating:
Summary: A truly life-changing message: You CAN be happy!
Review: I read the book in the german translation, the title being "The Truth Shall Set You Free", which is exactly what I experienced: Being set free from lies such as having to prove myself. Backus discusses a lot of lies I believe are responsible for Christians today having trouble to cope with their lives. So far, it's the best book I've read on the topic of dealing with oneself. Sound use of quotes from the Bible and modern psychological insight. Highly recommendable not only for counsellors, but for any Christian puzzled at his feelings. Easy to read, easy to apply to one's life, simply good stuff.
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