Nicholas Wolterstorff is Noah Porter Professor Emeritus of Philosophical Theology at Yale University. Before going to Yale he taught philosophy at Calvin College in Grand Rapids, Michigan, for thirty years. His other books include Justice in Love, Educating for Shalom, The God We Worship, and Lament for a Son.
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Reviews
Alvin Dueck, Fuller Theological Seminary, coauthor of The Living God and Our Living Psyche "Finally, a book that exposes the Hellenist foundation of Western family structures and psychologies that valorize suicide. Kalman Kaplan and Matthew Schwartz provide a nuanced, articulate portrayal of the goodness of life in the Hebrew scriptures. On this issue we need to choose between Jerusalem and Athens, Koheleth and Sisyphus, Ruth and Narcissus." Mary Stewart Van Leeuwen, Eastern University "Kaplan and Schwartz have brought together two disciplines that usually have little to do with each other -- namely, clinical psychology and the history of ideas. By showing the contrast between Greek and biblical views of life and death, they clearly demonstrate that ideas do indeed have consequences for individuals, families, and cultures. This book should prove equally valuable to clinicians, pastoral counselors, and students of the history of psychology." John H. Stoll, executive director of ASK, Inc. "If there is something that is one of a kind, it is difficult to make a proper evaluation of its worth. In this excellent book Kaplan and Schwartz unveil a positive picture of the purpose and value of human life from a biblically principled view, in contrast to the morbid state of mind as envisioned by the ancient Greeks when they placed an undue emphasis on suicide and death. As one reads this book, it will provide both the reality of the worth of life as well as an assured hope beyond the grave for the Christian."