| A Review & Critique of Dr. David Tyler's | | | | insufficiency of man's condition and |
| book, "Jesus Christ: Self-Denial or | | | | reinforced the complete sufficiency of |
| Self-Esteem. | | | | scripture, grace, faith and Christ-a complete |
| | | | and utter opposition of what Schuller wants.) |
| If one didn't look at the title of Dr. | | | | Dr. Tyler seeks to declare that the Bible's |
| Tyler's book, "Jesus Christ: Self-Denial or | | | | emphasis is on self-denial, a concept that is |
| Self-Esteem," they might think they were | | | | apparently anathema to modern day authors. |
| reading a book about the life of Christ | | | | And where are, Dr. Tyler asks, the words of |
| instead of a refutation of the self-esteem | | | | Jesus when he supposedly tells his followers |
| movement. Dr. Tyler takes a different | | | | to "love themselves, esteem themselves, |
| approach that's characteristic of some of the | | | | accept themselves, believe in themselves, |
| other books on critiquing self-esteem. He | | | | develop a healthy self-image, or nurture |
| doesn't exclusively argue that the | | | | feelings of significance and worth?" Dr. |
| self-esteem position is defective from a | | | | Tyler looks for them in the next three |
| humanistic psychological approach as Paul | | | | chapters of his book as he explores the |
| Vitz does. Nor does he attempt to contrast | | | | words, works, and parables of Christ. |
| each heretical thought and compare it to an | | | | |
| exhaustive look at scripture references. | | | | Dr. Tyler explores Christ's encounter with |
| Instead, he compares the notion of selfism to | | | | various people. Jesus was always |
| the life and practices of Jesus Christ. By | | | | other-oriented in that He was continually |
| so doing, he demonstrates that self-esteem | | | | about His father's business. His baptism, |
| flies directly in the face of what Christ was | | | | the cleansing of the temple and the meeting |
| teaching others, especially His very own | | | | with the Samaritan women are just a few |
| disciples. | | | | examples that Dr. Tyler cites as proof. The |
| | | | most striking evidence appears in Christ's |
| In the introduction, Dr. Tyler makes the case | | | | Sermon on the Mount where Jesus tells the |
| that the new pop culture words, self-image, | | | | crowd how to obtain blessedness (happiness). |
| self-esteem and self-worth have one central | | | | One would expect to find here Christ giving |
| focus: self. This being a recent phenomena | | | | exhortation on seeking self-affirmation if |
| (within the past 25 years), it has had a | | | | the self-esteem zealots were true. However, |
| significant influence on the church and its | | | | Dr. Tyler cites five Beatitudes that Christ |
| teachings. He quotes Robert Schuller who | | | | preached which further disappoints the |
| says that a new reformation is needed and | | | | selfism crowd. Christ proclaimed blessedness |
| that being one centering on self-esteem. | | | | would occur to those who are poor in spirit, |
| (It's ironic that Schuller uses the word | | | | mourn, practice meekness, are hungry and |
| reformation. "The Reformation," nearly 500 | | | | thirsty for righteousness, and are merciful. |
| years ago, affirmed the utter ruin and | | | | |