This is a fascinating book, and may be
of interest to many people. I enjoyed
the stories and the concepts. And I’m
sure Dr. Caldwell has been a great blessing to his patients and directees. However,
as I read, I kept feeling very cautious and concerned about the purpose and
impact of the book.
I’m not sure the book fulfills what is
perhaps its most important intended purpose for several reasons. Dr. Caldwell does tell stories, wonderfully;
he does convey to a “wider audience” an understanding of patterns in the
Christian spiritual passage; and this book may encourage readers to take a more
conscious spiritual journey. And it may
inspire other helping professionals, pastors and spiritual directors to explore
further the concepts contained within it (p. 7). But I felt a lot of concern
about whether the book could really serve to provide “tools” for this kind of
work. As a spiritual director myself, and as a person who has a wide experience
of therapies for healing and spiritual growth, I would be very hesitant to
undertake most of these techniques (except under inspiration from God and with
careful consultation with a clinician) as I believe some of them have the
potential for results which need the attention of a clinician of Dr. Caldwell’s
high caliber. I would also be hesitant (and
prayerful) about whether to recommend this to Christians unless they were at
the point of seeking the deeper connections Dr. Caldwell describes. Less mature Christians might find this book
to be challenging and distracting from their formation as disciples, which must
occur before seeking to go deeper in ways that God directs. I would rely on
prayerful discernment about any recommendations.
One other concern I felt was that
sometimes Dr. Caldwell’s assertions, particularly about Jungian concepts, do
not leave room for the breadth of interpretation which Jung generally intended. For example, I do not believe that equating
the Shadow with sin is an adequate understanding of the Shadow, which is not
always a negative part of our psyche, but may also be the “seat of creativity.”
I also found the book to be awkwardly
designed and not as well organized as I would hope such a book would be. Indices of concepts, scripture passages, and
stories would be very helpful. And I kept wondering how a professional editor
and book designer would have helped this to become a more coherent book which
flows well from beginning to end.
I wish that I could be more positive
about this book. The intention and the aspirations
for such a book are much needed. I do recommend it as a fascinating book to
read, but do not believe it meets its goals in a way that would make it as
ground-breaking and time-tested as Gerald May’s work in this area.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from
the author and/or publisher through the Speakeasy blogging book review network.
I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed
are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade
Commission’s 16 CFR,Part 255.
