“SELF-HELP” AND THE CHRISTIAN by Vicar Trevor Flanick
As we say goodbye to 2024 and ring in 2025, many of us are probably thinking about our New Year’s resolutions. Sayings like “New Year; New Me,” gym memberships, and diets are all commonplace this time of year as so many consider what good habits they want to begin and which bad habits they will try to break. Many of us, at a loss for how to begin, will consider picking up a title from the “Self-Help” section to have a guide for tackling our 2025 resolutions. Self-help books discuss anything from physical fitness, attitude and mentality, organization, to even financial planning. Some titles are clearly focusing on one subject, like Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill. Other books can perhaps set off “alarm bells” when we see them, like Louise Hay’s You Can Heal Your Life or the ever-popular Chicken Soup for the Soul series. Can we really heal ourselves and manifest health in our souls simply from reading these books? Maybe you’ve wondered, “Can a Christian in good conscience read and use these self-help books?”
Self-help books have exploded in popularity, especially in recent years with the advent of lifestyle influencers, E-books, and self-help applications on phones. The book genre has grown 11 percent between 2013 and 2019 with 18.6 million self-help books sold that year in the U.S. It’s one of the fastest growing categories with the number of titles increasing from 30,897 to 85,253 during those same years. Since then, it has grown even more. Within the self-help genre, motivational and inspirational books have become the most popular subjects, selling 4.3 million copies in 2019. The draw towards these books is undeniable. Eighty-five percent of self-made millionaires own two or more self-help books, some attributing their success to reading them. Rick Warren’s The Purpose Driven Life and Stephen Covey’s The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People are still on the list of the best-selling books in the world. People are searching for the keys to success, happiness, and improvement. Unsurprisingly, many of these books are bought the first few weeks of January. What is in these books? Why are they so popular?
One of the reasons I wanted to write this article is the plethora of self-help articles that randomly pop up on my laptop’s home page. One of the reasons that self-help media is so popular is that it speaks to a yearning that humanity shares. As much as we hate to, we are forced to recognize our own faults and shortcomings; we want them to be fixed. Another element of the self-help genre is the idea that these problems can be fixed and that you are responsible for fixing them! Now, this may be true with some things, such as becoming more organized or reducing procrastination, but I believe that there are several nefarious elements resting under the surface of many of these self-proclaimed “life-changing” books. Let’s look at some potential pitfalls to watch out for:
— “The Giant Within”—The central theme that runs the course of so many of these books is that YOU have the power. This isn’t even a hidden premise; titles like Unleash the Power Within and Self Reliance scream it unapologetically. Need redemption? Need positive change? Burdened with guilt and bad habits? It’s up to you! You have greatness within you; you just need to find and access it! This improper anthropology (understanding of humanity) is dangerous. Not only does it go against what Scripture clearly teaches about who we are, but it encourages an already sinful nature to look to itself for help. . Not only does it go against what Scripture clearly teaches about who we are, but it encourages an already sinful nature to look to itself for help. In contrast, King David says, “I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.” (Ps 121:1–2). The worldview that many self-help books propagate can very quickly lead to self- justification and self-sanctification. We know from God’s Word that not only does our salvation come from the Lord’s mercy, but everything that we have, including gifts like intellect, drive, motivation, etc. Does that mean that we can’t or shouldn’t seek improvement? No, but we need to acknowledge where the strength and sanctification comes from.
— “Your Best Life Now?” — The prosperity gospel, which Joel Osteen preaches and writes notwithstanding—a temptation from the self-help genre—is that, in addition to self-justification, our horizons become very short-sighted. So much focus is wrapped up in improving this earthly life that we can lose sight of where our true and eternal hope and treasure lies (Matt 6:21). Wanting to have a good life on earth isn’t necessarily a bad thing. In fact, it can be a good and Godly thing if ordered rightly. But our purpose for being on earth is not just having a long, happy, fulfilling life; it is to serve the God who created, redeemed, and sanctifies us. Often, the ideas in self-help books are geared to make us think only in terms of the here-and-now, that a good life is critical for its own sake. “Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life (John 12:25).” We would be wise to recall that a good life is important because God calls us to be good stewards of His gifts, and we are better able to serve His kingdom when our life is in order. But our ultimate hope is always in the eternal life won on the Cross, so even if our earthly life is difficult, we are not crushed and lost.
— “You, You = Me, Me” — This pitfall also goes hand-in-glove with a twisted anthropology. While some self-help books do promote relationships and community, the draw of these books is often the focus on the self. “You owe you” and similar messages again turn the reader in on themselves so that “focusing on yourself” or “self-care=self-love” themes are internalized in a selfish and inward focused mentality. Augustine and Luther both describe sin as being “curved inward on oneself,” a temptation if the reader takes many self-help books to heart. Additionally, by pointing to yourself to find good or the power to make positive change, we can be tricked into thinking that our corrupt will is capable of not sinning on its own. “For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out (Rom 7:18).” Many modern writers use their books as soap boxes to rail against traditional roles (especially Biblical ones) or to seize the opportunity to cast blame for problems on anything but the reader. It minimizes our own sin and points to the speck in everyone else’s eyes.
— “Deceit and Despair”— The aforementioned theological issues give pause and caution enough to this type of media, but there is a darker side as well. Authors who claim to be Christian will promote all the issues listed above as the “golden ticket” to a better life. It was unbelievable to me how many books were in the Self-Help/Self-Transformation section of Barnes and Noble that were simply offering solutions through Eastern religions and the Occult. Tampering with Eastern Philosophy and practices (such as emptying the mind and meditation) is dangerous and wrong. Just as treacherous to your soul as meddling in any spell-books, witchcraft manuals, or books of this type. They are demonic, pure and simple, and having the good intention of “selfimprovement” will not protect you when inviting evil spirits into your life. Unfortunately, some “secular” books will offer meditation and these types of worldviews as part of their solution. Tread carefully. There are many wolves masquerading in sheep’s clothing. The final issue that can arise when a person puts their hope and faith in self-help books is the false promise that this book holds the secret to transforming your life and solving all your problems. But what happens when it doesn’t? What happens when you can’t manifest or “5-Second Rule” away the trials and difficulties of a sin-broken world? There is nothing left but despair. Only the blood of Christ has the power to defeat sin and its consequences. “For false christs and false prophets will arise andperform great signs and wonders, so as to lead astray, if possible, even the elect (Matt 24:24).”
So, what is the answer? Should a Christian never touch any self-help book? Not necessarily. Within the greater genre, there are many subsets, and some of these books are quite helpful. For example, Dave Ramsey’s The Total Money Makeover is a great guide that can be used to improve your family’s financial situation. Other books like Jordan Peterson’s 12 Rules for Life or Atomic Habits by James Clear can provide practical advice to minimize self-induced stress and build habits. And it is, indeed, a Godly thing to desire to improve your life and to become more holy. What is key is remembering that no self-help book can replace the greatest word already given: The Bible. Need practical advice? Read Proverbs. Want to hear how to live with good character? Read the Ten Commandments and Paul’s epistles. Want to know how your guilt and the shame of your sin no longer defines you, but rather the Blood and Righteousness of Christ? Read the Gospels. There’s not a self-help book on earth that has the same power as Holy Scripture. Don’t replace or pit one against the other. In the spirit of our topic, here’s three pieces of advice when it comes to self-help books:
· Sola Scriptura: Ensure that the “rule and norm” for your life does not come from Tony Robbins but from the revelation of Scripture! Read your Bible before and (and God willing—more!) than you read self-help books. True power is not in yourself but in the work of the Holy Spirit through the Word of God. “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek (Rom. 1:16).”
· Research: Check out the book and author, not only before buying but before reading. You can generally get a sense of what the author’s worldview is and what the book’s message is from the title, the chapter list, and the messages on the cover. Don’t just assume because a book is in the Christian section that it is a safe pick. Some, from the title alone, are not worth your time, like Mark Manson’s “The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck.” “But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing upon themselves swift destruction (2 Pet. 2:1).”
· A Careful Eye: Read self-help books with wisdom and a Cross-centered lens so that you do not fall into any traps in the author’s worldview. They may have some good, practical advice, but don’t stake your soul and salvation on it. Keep the right perspective. Improving your life is a good thing, but eternal life is even better! If the practices and attitudes they offer aren’t in keeping with Christianity, shake off the dust from your feet. “Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves (Matt. 10:16).”
Statistics are from 2022 article, “Self-Help Books Statistics” by Dimitrije Curcic https://wordsrated.com/self-help-books-statistics/
NEWS:
The Amazing Soup Cookoff Contest
The Soup Cookoff will be held at noon on Sunday, January 19 at Good Shepherd in the Fellowship Hall. Sign up to make your special soup recipe and compete for the prized “Golden Ladle” trophy. The congregation (and college students!) are invited to attend and rank the soups in order of their favorites. A free-will offering will be taken for the General Fund. A sign-up sheet and contest rules are in the Narthex. Please sign up by January 15. A sign-up sheet for donations of cinnamon rolls, cookies, or dessert bars is also in the narthex. Mark your calendars for this opportunity to warm up in the cold month of January, sample some great soups, and have a fun time with good fellowship.