The Relational Soul: Moving from False Self to Deep Connection - Softcover

Plass, Richard; Cofield, James

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0830835873 ISBN 13: 9780830835874

Publisher: IVP Books, 2014

Synopsis

What does loneliness tell us? "Be it chronic or acute, slight or significant, loneliness is proof of our relational design. At the core of our being is this truth--we are designed for and defined by our relationships," former pastors Plass and Cofield write. "We were born with a relentless longing to participate in the lives of others. Fundamentally, we are relational souls." Our ability to make deep and emotionally satisfying connections rests on the capacity to trust, and we all know trust can be difficult. Early-life relational "programming" and patterns of attachment can serve as blueprints for relationships later in life, whether good or bad. But no matter our conditioning, God is out to reclaim and restructure the deepest terrain of the human soul by helping us shed our reactive "False Self" and put on our receptive "True Self." Through spiritual disciplines and a conscious participation in the love of the Father, Son and Spirit, we transform our self-awareness and our connection with other people. Authored by counselor Dr. Richard Plass and spiritual director James Cofield, The Relational Soul brings together concepts from psychology and spiritual formation. Each chapter includes introductory stories and practical "If this is true, what about you?" questions to help readers engage in relationships in more life-giving ways. When the presence of Christ and community connects with a soul that is open, we witness the miracle of transformation.

About this title

Review:

"Blending biblical and psychological insight, Plass and Cofield offer guidance on building (or rebuilding) our relational capacities, while sharing the good news that we worship an inherently relational God."--Christianity Today, September 2014

"Plass and Cofield extend this insight to the church community, showing how it can be a source of spiritual healing. They also show how to be alone with God in a way that changes perspectives. . . . Recommended for pastoral counselors or anyone ministering to spiritually disconnected Christians."--Gerald Wisz, CBA Retailers + Resources, September 2014

"Richard Plass and James Cofield have written an excellent volume regarding how the soul is geared for greater communion with others. . . . This work is highly recommended for pastoral libraries and especially adult faith-sharing groups seeking to form greater communities."--Robert P. Russo, Catholic Library World, Volume 85, No. 4

"Most of us have only a vague understanding of false patterns of relating and how we might move to life giving, true-self patterns. This biblically sound, psychologically astute, and spiritually enriching book will challenge and inform those who intentionally commit to the challenging task of healthy relating. This is a book that should not be read once and set on a shelf to collect dust. Rather, it should be revisited as a reliable guide to the lifelong process of Christ-like ways of inter-personal connecting."--Bruce Demarest, Journal of Spiritual Formation Soul Care, Spring 2015, Vol. 8, No. 1

"This book is an informative, enjoyable, and motivating guide for readers who wish to experience deeper transformation. The authors are skillful story-tellers, describing real-life examples of people whose stories demonstrate the relational nature of the soul and how it is both wounded and healed in relationship with God and others. Plass and Cofield also earn readers' trust by offering personal vignettes that transparently reveal their own struggles and successes. Woven throughout the book, these stories are interesting and touching case studies that not only draw the reader into the exposition and serve to illustrate the main points, but that also inspire and persuade."--Brett Vaden, Christian Psychology, Vol 8-2 2016

About the Author:

Dr. Richard Plass is president of CrossPoint Ministry in Jeffersonville, Indiana, a ministry designed to cultivate spiritual formation in the lives of leaders. After serving in pastoral ministry for twenty-five years, he obtained a PhD from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in counseling.

James Cofield is codirector of CrossPoint Ministry. He holds a ThM from Dallas Theological Seminary and taught communications at Tennessee Temple University and Greek at Dallas Theological Seminary. Jim served as a church planter and pastor for over fifteen years before joining CrossPoint, where he offers spiritual direction and retreat leadership.

About this edition

• Publisher: IVP Books
• Publication date: 2014
• ISBN 10: 0830835873
• ISBN 13: 9780830835874
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 189