A Psychology of Hope: A Biblical Response to Tragedy and Suicide / Edition 2

by Kalman J. Kaplan, Matthew B. Schwartz, Nicholas Wolterstorff

Overview

Can examining the difference between the attitude toward suicide in ancient Greek culture and the Bible provide a positive, biblical alternative to the rising suicidal element in modern Western culture? Kalman Kaplan and Matthew Schwartz develop such a biblical psychology in this book by combining the disciplines of history, psychology, and religion.

Ancient Greek society shows an obsessive interest in suicide and death. Kaplan and Schwartz explore the psychodynamic roots of that tendency and contrast it with the biblical stories, which speak little of suicide and approach reality and freedom in terms of a personal, lifegiving God. It is here that Kaplan and Schwartz find a viable solution for the hopelessness so prevalent in Western culture today.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780802832719
Publisher:	Eerdmans, William B. Publishing Company
Publication date:	10/07/2008
Edition description:	Second Edition,Revised
Pages:	285
Product dimensions:	5.90(w) x 8.90(h) x 0.90(d)

About the Author

Nicholas Wolterstorff is Noah Porter Professor Emeritus of Philosophical Theology at Yale University. Before going to Yale he taught philosophy at Calvin College in Grand Rapids, Michigan, for thirty years. His other books include Justice in Love, Educating for Shalom, The God We Worship, and Lament for a Son.

Table of Contents

The Problem of Suicide
To Be or Not to Be
Suicide in Graeco-Roman Thought
Suicide in Jewish and Christian Thought
Individual Case Studies
Cycle versus Development: Narcissus or Jonah
Suicide in Greek Tragedy
Suicide and Suicide Prevention in the Hebrew Bible
Family Influences
Couples: Polarization versus Growth
The Suicide-Promoting Structure of the Greek Family: Oedipus and Electra
The Suicide-Preventing Structure of the Hebrew Family: Isaac and Ruth
The Prevention of Suicide
From Tragedy to Therapy: A Psychology of Hope

Editorial Reviews

Alvin Dueck, Fuller Theological Seminary, coauthor of The Living God and Our Living Psyche
"Finally, a book that exposes the Hellenist foundation of Western family structures and psychologies that valorize suicide. Kalman Kaplan and Matthew Schwartz provide a nuanced, articulate portrayal of the goodness of life in the Hebrew scriptures. On this issue we need to choose between Jerusalem and Athens, Koheleth and Sisyphus, Ruth and Narcissus."

Mary Stewart Van Leeuwen, Eastern University
"Kaplan and Schwartz have brought together two disciplines that usually have little to do with each other — namely, clinical psychology and the history of ideas. By showing the contrast between Greek and biblical views of life and death, they clearly demonstrate that ideas do indeed have consequences for individuals, families, and cultures. This book should prove equally valuable to clinicians, pastoral counselors, and students of the history of psychology."

John H. Stoll, executive director of ASK, Inc.
"If there is something that is one of a kind, it is difficult to make a proper evaluation of its worth. In this excellent book Kaplan and Schwartz unveil a positive picture of the purpose and value of human life from a biblically principled view, in contrast to the morbid state of mind as envisioned by the ancient Greeks when they placed an undue emphasis on suicide and death. As one reads this book, it will provide both the reality of the worth of life as well as an assured hope beyond the grave for the Christian."

From the Publisher