Living Biblically de-situates biblical wisdom from its formally religious-theological underpinnings and offers it as a guide for fulfilled, happy living. Although over 95 percent of Americans have some sense of a meaning-providing transcendent power, 75 percent of clinical psychologists and psychiatrists lack such belief. Without intelligent, applicable access to biblical wisdom, many unwittingly live out the tragic patterns emerging from classical Greece underlying much of modern life and psychotherapy. People are stuck, even trapped, without hope of redemptive change. They spin their wheels, cycling back and forth. Biblical narratives, in contrast, portray people as growing, developing, and overcoming problematic life situations. This book presents a systematic yet readable delineation of how biblical wisdom can apply to ten issues of daily life: 1) Relating to the Environment, 2) Relating to Another as Yourself, 3) Relating to Authority, 4) Relating to the Opposite Sex, 5) Relating to a Son, 6) Relating to a Daughter, 7) Relating to Siblings, 8) Relating Body to Soul, 9) Relating to a Self-Destructive Person, and 10) Relating to Misfortune. In each chapter, a specific psychological issue is discussed, applicable Greek and biblical narratives are compared, and contemporary illustrations are provided, enabling the reader to live in a more fulfilling and happy manner.
"In this groundbreaking work, Kalman Kaplan demonstrates how the
humanistic values and the wisdom of Hebrew Scripture can be
effectively applied both to clinical psychology and to living a
life of joy, freedom, hope, happiness, and fulfillment."
--Rabbi Byron L. Sherwin, Distinguished Service Professor, Spertus
Institute for Jewish Studies
"While many in the sciences and humanities are dismissive of the
biblical narratives, Kalman Kaplan finds in them healing both for
the heart and mind, as opposed to the hopelessness of Greek
tragedies. This unique approach is refreshing and informing. Kaplan
gets you to rethink the validity of the Greek tragedy as the basis
for modern psychology and offers a helpful alternative."
--Woodrow Kroll, Founder, The Center for Bible Engagement
"In this informative and easy-to-read book, Kalman Kaplan
juxtaposes stories of the ancient Greeks and the biblical Hebrews,
highlighting the striking contrasts between the worldviews of these
two cultures. Kaplan encourages readers to consider the conceptual
and practical implications of psychology's heavy reliance on Greek
mythology, which is often pessimistic and fatalistic, in contrast
to a more hopeful biblical perspective. He brings these connections
to light with superb storytelling skill and clinical acumen."
--Julie J. Exline, Department of Psychological Sciences, Case
Western Reserve University
''This book will prove useful for adult and adolescent classes in
churches, synagogues, and mosques. It will be welcomed as an
ancillary text for undergraduates and seminarians might be
encouraged to read it in Pastoral Theology. Any lay person will
profit from reading it, owning it, and referring to it frequently.
Wipf and Stock has published this book attractively and priced it
appropriately.''
--Rodney L. Basset, Editor, Journal of Psychology and Christianity,
2015, Vol. 34, No. 3, 280-284
"In this groundbreaking work, Kalman Kaplan demonstrates how the
humanistic values and the wisdom of Hebrew Scripture can be
effectively applied both to clinical psychology and to living a
life of joy, freedom, hope, happiness, and fulfillment."
--Rabbi Byron L. Sherwin, Distinguished Service Professor, Spertus
Institute for Jewish Studies
"While many in the sciences and humanities are dismissive of the
biblical narratives, Kalman Kaplan finds in them healing both for
the heart and mind, as opposed to the hopelessness of Greek
tragedies. This unique approach is refreshing and informing. Kaplan
gets you to rethink the validity of the Greek tragedy as the basis
for modern psychology and offers a helpful alternative."
--Woodrow Kroll, Founder, The Center for Bible Engagement
"In this informative and easy-to-read book, Kalman Kaplan
juxtaposes stories of the ancient Greeks and the biblical Hebrews,
highlighting the striking contrasts between the worldviews of these
two cultures. Kaplan encourages readers to consider the conceptual
and practical implications of psychology's heavy reliance on Greek
mythology, which is often pessimistic and fatalistic, in contrast
to a more hopeful biblical perspective. He brings these connections
to light with superb storytelling skill and clinical acumen."
--Julie J. Exline, Department of Psychological Sciences, Case
Western Reserve University
''This book will prove useful for adult and adolescent classes in
churches, synagogues, and mosques. It will be welcomed as an
ancillary text for undergraduates and seminarians might be
encouraged to read it in Pastoral Theology. Any lay person will
profit from reading it, owning it, and referring to it frequently.
Wipf and Stock has published this book attractively and priced it
appropriately.''
--Rodney L. Basset, Editor, Journal of Psychology and Christianity,
2015, Vol. 34, No. 3, 280-284
Kalman J. Kaplan, PhD, is Professor of Clinical Psychology at The University of Illinois College of Medicine. Dr. Kaplan has pioneered the emerging field of biblical psychology and has received a Fulbright Fellowship and a John Templeton Foundation grant to develop programs face to face, online, and in print, both nationally and internationally. Among his books are TILT: Teaching Individuals to Live Together, Biblical Stories for Psychotherapy/Counseling, The Fruit of Her Hands, and A Psychology of Hope.