Taking on the Gods: The Task of the Pastoral Counselor

by Merle R. Jordan

"Taking on the gods is a significant responsibility of pastoral counseling. Confronting those psychic structures, forces, and images which masquerade as God; bringing love, faith, and hope into the lives of persons; and being an extension ministry of Jesus Christ walking in the hells of human existence are all ways of expressing the true evangelistic purposes of pastoral counseling. The thought of taking on the gods in one's clients and in oneself may seem like arrogance or a humbling and awesome challenge. Nevertheless, taking on the gods is at the heart and soul of pastoral counseling." --from the author's Introduction

168 pages, Paperback

First published December 19, 1988

Reviews

[Mary Lou · Rating 5 out of 5]

Most readers have a mental list of the books which have been most encouraging or transformative in their lives. Merle Jordan's book, Taking on the gods, is one of those books on my list. His understanding of people's operational theology, the authoritarian structures in people’s minds that serve as their gods, is crucial in understanding mental well-being. The book was published in 1986 but it is still available to purchase on the internet. Jordan combines insights from pastoral counseling with Biblical theology in a very readable style. This makes his work easy helpful to anyone, not just a trained pastoral counselor, learn how to help others move from parts of a dysfunctional operation theology that is hindering their walk with God in Jesus Christ. He says, “Those sacred times of life touching life, of heart touching heart, of love touching love, are beautifully humbling experiences of feeling used by the Spirit in its healing work in human life” (Taking on the gods, The Task of the Pastoral Counselor by Merle R. Jordan, Abingdon Press, 1984 ,p. 149). That is a worthy life goal for all Christians. Five stars. ML Codman-Wilson, Ph.D. 9/14/17