Behind the masks - (Personality Disorders in Religious Behaviour) by Wayne E Oates (Paperback)

About the Book

Wayne Oates, one of America's leading pastoral counselors, draws on psychological insights to describe in everyday language several common personality disorders that make human interaction so difficult. He examines the reasons why individuals develop as they do and illuminates how personality disorders can result in destructive relgious...

Book Synopsis

Wayne Oates, one of America's leading pastoral counselors, draws on psychological insights to describe in everyday language several common personality disorders that make human interaction so difficult. He examines the reasons why individuals develop as they do and illuminates how personality disorders can result in destructive relgious behavior. Proposing pastoral care approaches that combine understanding with empathy and firmness, Oates discusses how the resources of the Christian faith can unmask these disorders so the real person can emerge. He concludes with a sixfold agenda for the total ministry of the church to prevent, affect, and deal with personality disorders.

From the Back Cover

One of America's leading pastoral counselors draws on the most recent psychological insights to describe in everyday language common personality disorders that make human interaction so difficult. Dr. Oates focuses on eight 'ways of life' that are observed in parents, teacher, employers, employees, pastors, and members of the congregation: in short, throughout all walks of life. He examines the reasons why individuals develop as they do and illustrates how personality disorders can result in destructive religious behavior.