[.ca] Spirit-Controlled Temperament (ISBN 0842362207)

Stick with "Left Behind":
This book begins with a description of the four humors theory applied to temperament instead of medicine (since the body fluids this theory was originally based on are nonexistent). It's not the first time I've seen this idea, but I am wondering why it is better than the many, many other attempts to categorize people out there. It's not based on the Bible at all, which makes me wonder about Tim Lahaye's claim that this book started out as a set of sermon outlines. If I went to a church and the sermon was on something besides the Bible, I wouldn't go back to that church! As far as I know, there isn't a lot of research behind it either, though it is old. Eventually we finally get back to the Bible with a study on the fruit of the spirit. No problems there. Then Tim Lahaye attempts to explain and cure some of the common ailments of believers. I nearly choked when he stated that selfishness is the root cause of depression. Seeing as he apparently knows so much as to write a whole book on depression, I thought somewhere he would have noticed that introspection and self-centeredness are common symptoms of depression. He continues with a story about confronting a depressed friend about her selfishness. Unfortunately, she wouldn't believe him, and is still depressed. With all due respect, saying selfishness is the cause of depression is like saying sneezing is the cause of colds, and telling a depressed person to stop being selfish will be about as effective as telling a person with a cold to stop sneezing! Forgive my insistence on this particular point, but I have seen and experienced firsthand so many Christians rejecting their fellow believers because of their depression, anxiety, mental problems, or whatever. They think that this would never, ever happen to a true Christian, and have books like this one as their proof. Because of this belief, which conveniently overlooks David, Elijah, and Jesus, many people have been hurt. Tim Lahaye's theories do not come from the Bible, as much as they claim to be Biblical. I suggest that Tim Lahaye, as a pastor and Bible scholar, not a psychologist, stick to those areas he is qualified in rather than constructing elaborate theories in areas where he apparently knows very little.

It Does More Harm Than Good:
I first read this book 27 years ago. I read the original edition published around 1974. But this edition is no better! First, LaHaye condemns "negative" human emotions as SINS. This idea comes from late medieval theology, and was implemented by--who else?--John Calvin. LaHaye insists that anger--which he says is the dominant "negative" emotion for the "choleric" temperament--is the fruit of selfishness. At times he confuses selfishness with self-centeredness. He implies that losing one's temper is a sin, and that by being "controlled by the Holy Spirit" a Christian can NEVER get emotionally angry. He also insists that fear of any kind--especially worry--is also sin, and that the root of fear is selfishness. The second problem with this book's ideas--which are naturally the author's ideas--is that the fruits of the Spirit are positive emotions. LaHaye also teaches the so-called four temperaments as if they are modern-day notions, while they are actually classical in origin and no longer accepted by behavioral scientists. LaHaye believes in Sola Scriptura--one of the cries of the Protestant Reformation. Yet, he goes outside of Scripture in his dogmatism. What's more, he manipulates Scripture in order to have it say what he wants it to say.

Invaluable tool for success in life:
This book is a wonderful continuation on the theme set in, "Your Temperament: Discover its Potential". They are like 'soup and sandwich' .. they are so complimentary, that you shouldn't do one without the other. I have developed and entire seminar and workshop series over the past 15 years based upon a great deal of what I learned from reading and applying the information obtained from these two books. Through the seminars and recommending several of Tim's books on Temperament, I have seen, first-hand, literally dozens of people who have had major positive changes occur in their lives. I know of not a single person, who seriously looked at the knowledge of temperament as an informational tool to engage personal development, who has not benefited. But, like all tools, they are incapable of 'performing' until put into action. The knowledge of the 'temperaments' gives you the basis for understanding human nature: the foundation of who we are and why we do what we do. "Spirit-Controlled Temperament" .. moves the bar up a level and into a whole new dimension: the spiritual dimension. The reader is shown that the development of their understanding of temperaments is more than just a physical exercise. Dr. LaHaye shows the value of looking deeper into the awesome potential of the Temperaments; looking at them in the light of spiritual understanding. Again, a tool's potential is never fully realized until a 'skilled' craftsman puts it into service. And one does NOT become a 'skilled craftsman' without an 'extra measure' of outside influence. Starting at 'square-one', with an understanding of the the 'rules of engagement' in life, and a relatively clear concept of the 'game-plan', is so much less painful than landing in the middle of the 'treadmill of life' with no clue as to the rules or the plan. This is the extreme value a thorough knowledge of the temperaments can provide. Imagine, the magnificent gift a parent can bestow upon their children by having command over their own temperament and then passing this knowledge on to the next generation, through example and instruction. What a grand gift to ALL of society! "Spirit-Controlled Temperament" provides valuable information to set that foundation for the reader. I strongly recommend finding a copy of "Your Temperament: Disover its Potential" and reading and refer to it regularly. It's out-of-print, but used copies can be found. I did, right here on Amazon.

Have you ever wanted to see inside someone?:
Have you ever wanted to be able to see inside someone; to understand why they do the things they do (or maybe yourself?)?? Finally, a book free of jargon and psycho-lingo allows you to understand the four basic personality types and their combinations. The basis of the four types comes from Greek philsophy but their "working-out" and reasons for behavior are Christian-based. This book has given me "Oh Wow!" moments as I considered myself, my wife, children and co-workers. I am giving copies this year to loved ones and people I work with! This book is a blessing; mostly enjoyed, I would think, by believers in God.

Book worth reading:
The minute I got into this book and started reading about the different temperments, I was nodding and saying, "yea, that's me. Oh yea that is me, too." The best part is I often wonder if I could ever change or get rid of my weaknesses. Now I realize that it is a part of my temperment and I don't need to change it but find out how to turn my weaknesses into God's glory.