Description
Book SynopsisA new pastoral contribution on the enduring subject of confession in Christian life.Confession: The Healing of the Soul is not just about what is termed sacramental confession. Its frame of reference is much wider and includes discussion of those celebrated writers who wrote confessions Augustine, Kierkegaard, Tolstoy, Foucault, Freud, Jung, John of the Cross and Wittgenstein.This book will be of interest to all Christians of any denomination who engage in sacramental confession clergy but also pastoral workers and those millions who actually attend confession as part of their lives. In the post-Freudian age confession of any kind has had a bad press but is now coming back into popularity as guilt and sin become helpful concepts.Peter Tyler, an author and practicing psychotherapist, argues that rather than being something to consign to the rubbish heap of history, confession offers unexplored potential for the healing of the postmodern soul. The book addresses all those
Trade ReviewProfessor Tyler’s new book –
Confession: the Healing of the Soul – is especially timely since it draws on an amazing variety of authors and sources to explore the crucial relationship between the experience of confession and the experience of the transcendent. This is an important book and one that could answer many questions. -- Kevin McDonald, Archbishop Emeritus of Southwark
Tyler writes with great learning which he wears lightly, deep wisdom which is never pretentious and a real humanity which shines through this text. His argument is simple: the ancient Christian practice of confession is vital for wounded selves and societies and a way towards human well-being and restoration. If you disagree, read this book. You will be challenged. -- Professor Gavin D’Costa, University of Bristol
Today’s social media brings instant, global and personal communication, but at a price. Who do you tell your deepest secrets and know that you are safe? Peter Tyler’s
Confession is a learned and attractive exploration of a safe and deep therapy for the soul. It touches a range of human emotions, reminding us how to be better at being human. God emerges from this book as merciful, real, and the person who ultimately makes us fully human. It is a book of hope and joy in a world of many sorrows. -- Martin Warner, Bishop of Chichester
Table of ContentsIntroduction: Why Confession? 1 The Confessing Animal 2 The Birth of Confession and the Tristan Wound 3 Wittgenstein's Philosophical Confessions 4 God's Laughter: The Confessions of Swami Abhishiktananda 5 Confessions of Fire: St John of the Cross Epilogue: Confession - The Healing of the Soul
Acknowledgements Notes Bibliography Index A Note on the Author
