McElroy Robles

They might feel they were reading a book about the life of Christ instead of a refutation of the self-esteem movement, if one didnt look at the title of Dr. Tylers book, Jesus Christ: Self-Denial or Self-Esteem. Dr. Tyler takes a different method thats characteristic of some of the other books o-n analyzing self-esteem. He doesnt specifically claim as Paul Vitz does that the self-esteem position is defective from the humanistic psychological approach. Or does he try to contrast each thought and compare it to a thorough search at scripture references. Instead, h-e analyzes the notion of selfism to the life and practices of Jesus Christ. By so doing, h-e proves that self-esteem flies directly in the face of what Christ was teaching others, particularly His individual disciples.

In the introduction, Dr. Tyler makes the case the new pop-culture terms, self-image, self-esteem and self-worth have one central focus: self. This being a current phenomena (within-the past 25 years), it has had an important impact on the church and its lessons. H-e estimates Robert Schuller who says that a brand new reformation is required and that being one focusing on self-esteem. (Its interesting that Schuller uses the term reformation. The Reformation, not exactly 500 years ago, established the utter ruin and lack of guys situation and strengthened the complete sufficiency of scripture, grace, religion and Christa complete and utter opposition of what Schuller wants.) Dr. Tyler tries to announce that the Bibles focus is o-n self-denial, a concept that's apparently anathema to contemporary writers. And where are, Dr. Tyler asks, what of Jesus when he apparently tells his readers to love themselves, respect themselves, accept themselves, rely on themselves, create a healthier self-image, or nurture feelings of worth and meaning? Dr. Tyler actively seeks them in the next three chapters of his book as he considers the works, words, and parables of Christ.

Dr. Tyler considers Christs encounter with different people. Jesus was always other-oriented in that H-e was constantly about His men company. His baptism, the cleansing of the temple and the meeting with the Samaritan women are just a couple of cases that Dr. Tyler cites as evidence. One of the most striking evidence appears in Christs Sermon o-n the Mount where Jesus tells the crowd just how to obtain blessedness (pleasure). You might expect to find here Christ providing exhortation o-n seeking self-affirma