Three Passions of the Soul: A Deep and Transforming Reorientation of the Soul

by Bruce K Terpstra

Why don't people look more like Christ after years of participating in the life of the church? Could it be that our discipleship methods are missing the mark? "Either there is something desperately wrong with the way we are doing ministry, or there is something desperately wrong with the Gospel," Bruce Terpstra explains. There is nothing deficient in the Gospel so we must examine the way we disciple. In this book, Bruce Terpstra will challenge you to think deeper about how people are changed by the Gospel. What he uncovers for us is that that very little discipleship is aimed at the soul. He draws from our rich church history and Scripture to establish an approach to discipleship that focuses on the three passions of the soul, (so named by Ignatius of Loyola) the need for acceptance, security, and significance. You will discover that your own soul will be challenged to think differently about your walk with God and what drives your life. If you want to read a book that will challenge you to reorient your understanding of the Gospel, you need to read this book. The book not only thoroughly and biblically helps us understand the anatomy of the soul and how a soul is transformed by the Gospel, but it also offers a way forward that can be applied to any Gospel ministry.

310 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 3, 2017

Reviews

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. It helped me to see discipleship as a matter of the soul's orientation towards God rather than simply a change in behavior or a building of new habits. The framework of acceptance, significance, and security is so helpful.

[Christopher · Rating 4 out of 5]

Soul doctor

Bruce Terpstra provides a biblical way to be better disciple makers. He suggests that we be alert to the orientation of a person's soul so that we may address the issues of the heart that keep them from finding their acceptance, security and significance in Jesus. The process may be long, but we are not in it alone for it is the work of the Holy Spirit. I appreciate this book as it lines up well with Instruments in the Hands of the Redeemed by Paul Tripp.

[Daniel Ammerman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Deep, transforming and life-giving discipleship

Terpstra offers a comprehensive and practical approach to discipleship. Really knowing and loving Christ is the solution for our natural psychological need for acceptance, significance and security. The book is easy to read and very practical. Very helpful for anyone desiring to be transformed and to lead others as a "physician of the soul."

[Mark · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m unsure how directly some of the biblical examples lined up with the SDI categories of security, significance, and acceptance, and would like to have seen some aspects developed further, but generally speaking greatly appreciated the thrust of this book. I'm looking forward to the 2nd book, Soul Discipleship Primer: Cultivating Discipling Communities, fleshing out more application.