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Knowing Me, Knowing God
In Knowing Me, Knowing God, Malcolm Goldsmith provides an easy-to-follow introduction to the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator as it pertains to the spiritual life. The heart of this book is a spirituality questionnaire and its interpretation in connection to spirituality. The intent of the book is to explore ways in which persons might best open their hearts and minds to God.
Knowing Me, Knowing God is a valuable resource for retreat leaders, worship committee members, spiritual directors, prayer group members, and others who are looking for material that help them focus on the needs of their community.
The spirituality questionnaire is designed for personal completion as an integral part of the total book. It can, however, be used in small groups to stimulate discussion.
Knowing Me, Knowing God is a valuable resource for retreat leaders, worship committee members, spiritual directors, prayer group members, and others who are looking for material that help them focus on the needs of their community.
The spirituality questionnaire is designed for personal completion as an integral part of the total book. It can, however, be used in small groups to stimulate discussion.
128 pages, Paperback
First published April 1, 1997
3 people are currently reading
133 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
November 3, 2014
I’ve always been interested in personality types, and the Myers-Briggs system has been my latest obsession. This book is a great slant on how personality types can influence our perception of religion, specifically Christianity. It’s a short little book, so not really a good starting point for someone wanting to get a start on Myers-Briggs. Neither is it a particularly in-depth look at the subject of type and religion. But it’s a highly enjoyable read that offers several great insights into the subject.
June 13, 2021
The author's insights are shallow, inaccurate, and based in his own personal opinion (or others' personal opinions that prove his point) rather than truth (Scripture or actual facts like stats).
For example,
"It seems likely that most devotional books are written by Introverts, and Introverted spirituality tends to be the norm in our churches. But many of our church members are Extroverts, and this will mean that for a great many of them they are having to operate in their less-preferred mode. Extroverts will not feel completely "at home" with what goes on, and they will have trouble identifying with the prevailing pattern. At the same time, their own preferences will be largely ignored by clergy and a tradition steeped in Introvert insights, language, and experience." (p. 81)
The opposite is actually true. God calls extroverted Christians to write devotional books because it's the opposite of their personal preference (to go inward and be introspective with God rather than outward and treat spirituality like a social club). Jesus famously said that carrying our cross means doing the opposite of our preferences, and this is His requirement for being His disciple (Matthew 16:24-25; Mark 8:34; Luke 9:23-24, 14:27). Not our will, but our Father's will (Matthew 26:39; Mark 14:36; Luke 22:41-42; John 5:30, 6:38, 14:24). When we do the opposite of our personal preference, then we mature spiritually, emotionally, relationally, etc.
The statistics for the overwhelming preference of extroversion (corporate worship, corporate prayer, corporate Bible study, etc. is emphasized) in Western churches are given in "Introverts in the Church: Finding Our Place in an Extroverted Culture" by Adam S. McHugh (an introvert who actually took the time to do the research rather than just spout his opinions as if they are truths and facts rather than simply based on his own limited personal experience). The mere fact that church is a social practice favors extroverts. We do not gather together in a group, then NOT interact with each other. Duh!
I'm an Introvert who successfully avoided "church" for 3 decades. But then God called me to participate in many church functions at least 3 times every week (Sunday service, 2 Bible studies, social events like bowling for "fellowship" as if we haven't already "fellowshipped" with these people!, etc.). In various churches. Online and offline. For 7 years. Without fail, immature Extroverts arrive to Bible study unprepared to participate meaningfully in the discussion because they haven't spent any 1-on-1 time with GOD. Their "spirituality" is people-based, not God-based. They argue with whatever is said because they don't pray or study the Bible on their own before class! They're a headache for Introverts.
In fact, before the COVID-19 pandemic, breaking up the group into small groups became a trend in Western churches to help introverts because the large gatherings are overwhelming! I'm convinced that this + the temporary shutdown of churches was God's way of answering Introverts' desperate prayers to shift the comfort-zone favor back to Introverts. We are more comfortable with the "home church model" and online church than Extroverts who thrive on interacting with people face-to-face and in large crowds rather than small groups, 1-on-1, or "virtually".
If you're looking for a quick read or broad understanding of Myers-Briggs spirituality, then this is the book for you. If you're looking for depth, then I suggest that you read a book written by an Introverted Christian. 😉
For example,
"It seems likely that most devotional books are written by Introverts, and Introverted spirituality tends to be the norm in our churches. But many of our church members are Extroverts, and this will mean that for a great many of them they are having to operate in their less-preferred mode. Extroverts will not feel completely "at home" with what goes on, and they will have trouble identifying with the prevailing pattern. At the same time, their own preferences will be largely ignored by clergy and a tradition steeped in Introvert insights, language, and experience." (p. 81)
The opposite is actually true. God calls extroverted Christians to write devotional books because it's the opposite of their personal preference (to go inward and be introspective with God rather than outward and treat spirituality like a social club). Jesus famously said that carrying our cross means doing the opposite of our preferences, and this is His requirement for being His disciple (Matthew 16:24-25; Mark 8:34; Luke 9:23-24, 14:27). Not our will, but our Father's will (Matthew 26:39; Mark 14:36; Luke 22:41-42; John 5:30, 6:38, 14:24). When we do the opposite of our personal preference, then we mature spiritually, emotionally, relationally, etc.
The statistics for the overwhelming preference of extroversion (corporate worship, corporate prayer, corporate Bible study, etc. is emphasized) in Western churches are given in "Introverts in the Church: Finding Our Place in an Extroverted Culture" by Adam S. McHugh (an introvert who actually took the time to do the research rather than just spout his opinions as if they are truths and facts rather than simply based on his own limited personal experience). The mere fact that church is a social practice favors extroverts. We do not gather together in a group, then NOT interact with each other. Duh!
I'm an Introvert who successfully avoided "church" for 3 decades. But then God called me to participate in many church functions at least 3 times every week (Sunday service, 2 Bible studies, social events like bowling for "fellowship" as if we haven't already "fellowshipped" with these people!, etc.). In various churches. Online and offline. For 7 years. Without fail, immature Extroverts arrive to Bible study unprepared to participate meaningfully in the discussion because they haven't spent any 1-on-1 time with GOD. Their "spirituality" is people-based, not God-based. They argue with whatever is said because they don't pray or study the Bible on their own before class! They're a headache for Introverts.
In fact, before the COVID-19 pandemic, breaking up the group into small groups became a trend in Western churches to help introverts because the large gatherings are overwhelming! I'm convinced that this + the temporary shutdown of churches was God's way of answering Introverts' desperate prayers to shift the comfort-zone favor back to Introverts. We are more comfortable with the "home church model" and online church than Extroverts who thrive on interacting with people face-to-face and in large crowds rather than small groups, 1-on-1, or "virtually".
If you're looking for a quick read or broad understanding of Myers-Briggs spirituality, then this is the book for you. If you're looking for depth, then I suggest that you read a book written by an Introverted Christian. 😉
June 18, 2022
Just not for me
March 21, 2022
Jesus and Myers-Briggs - two of my favourite things.
What more could I ask for?
What more could I ask for?
January 4, 2010
A useful book when thinking about spirituality from the Myers-Briggs type point of view. There's a 'spirituality questionnaire' which I found quite thought-provoking; I wasn't sure where all the questions were going, but it did correctly give me my type (INFJ). The different chapters explore aspects of relationship to God, looking at why some people enjoy lively church services, while others prefer solitary retreats; some need icons and candles to help them focus, others find them a distraction.
The explanations as related to the different functions (thinking, feeling, sensing and intuition) were a bit basic. I felt them rather lacking in that they didn't really mention the significant differences between the Introverted and Extraverted uses of each. But that's really my only gripe with the book. The writer didn't give much time to anecdotes or stories, but then he's a self-confessed ENTP, so the main focus was on the theories themselves.
I don't think I learned anything new, although I certainly thought about some aspects of the Christian life in a slightly different light. Overall, though, it was a good reminder of how we are all created so differently, with different strengths and weaknesses, and how important it is to honour those differences in our brothers and sisters. Recommended.
The explanations as related to the different functions (thinking, feeling, sensing and intuition) were a bit basic. I felt them rather lacking in that they didn't really mention the significant differences between the Introverted and Extraverted uses of each. But that's really my only gripe with the book. The writer didn't give much time to anecdotes or stories, but then he's a self-confessed ENTP, so the main focus was on the theories themselves.
I don't think I learned anything new, although I certainly thought about some aspects of the Christian life in a slightly different light. Overall, though, it was a good reminder of how we are all created so differently, with different strengths and weaknesses, and how important it is to honour those differences in our brothers and sisters. Recommended.
October 19, 2016
10/2016 After reading Quiet by Susan Cain, I wanted to explore more about the Myers Briggs personality types and worship/spirituality. This book had some interesting ideas but I disagreed with many of the authors conclusions. I disagreed with the author's claims that introverts look for God within themselves, have an easier time praying, and are more comfortable in church. The idea that we need to provide opportunity for all types in worship and examples of hymns that do so for T/F and N/S types were interesting.
April 22, 2015
One of the weaker works I've read on personality typing and the Myers-Briggs indicator. Goldsmith's versions of the various types are fairly different from others I have read, though this is not necessarily bad. He focuses on how one's MBTI type functions in church, prayer, and broader spiritual life. Unfortunately, the treatment is very shallow.
October 13, 2008
Building on the Myers-Briggs approach to personality preferences, Goldsmith offers helpful guidelines for nourishing one's spirit. It's a quick and thoughtful read, but having a good grounding in Myers-Briggs might be pivotal for maximum benefit.
April 17, 2008
Uses Myers-Briggs Type Indicator as a tool for exploring spiritual development. Very interesting insights, definitely useful!
January 8, 2010
This book could be helpful to "seekers" trying to find a worship style that is compatible with their makeup.
Read
October 29, 2011Call Number: 248 GOL
Checked Out.
Checked Out.
June 4, 2014
A waste to time. Threw it in the trash.
August 20, 2016
Good very interesting points made
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews