Cooper, Terry D. - Sin, Pride and Self-Acceptance

[Hans Deventer]

This an interesting book, recommended to me by Roland. Cooper first describes the teaching of Augustine as explained by Reinhold Niebuhr, in which pride is the quintessential sin. He then gives some feminist critique, especially because they see this view as too male oriented. Next he explains the view of Carl Rogers, who states that low self esteem rather than pride is the heart of our problem.

Cooper argues that both are present in everyone, though one may be more dominant than the other. But pride is often a mask for low self esteem, while people who appear to reject themselves, often do so because they feel they cannot live up to an ideal self that actually is impossible to live up to.
Both are the result of mistrusting God and rejecting Him as the source of our identity, self image and being.

Of course the book is much more elaborate than this very short synopsis. If you're interested in the question as to why people actually sin, this may very well be a book worth reading.

[Roland Hearn]

Thanks Hans,
This book goes about as close to connecting the dots for me as any other I have read since Wynkoop. I was a little disappointed that there was not more time spent in considering grace as the answer but that was not his intention. I really appreciated his use of the feminist perspective that really allowed me the chance to see my own perspective elaborated from a different point of view. I borrowed the book from the university library and enjoyed it so much I bought my own copy. I intend to use it often in the future. One small correction Hans -Reinhold Niebhur, but I'm sure most know who you are talking of regardless.

[Hans Deventer]

Thanks Roland, corrected it!