Stumbling toward Wholeness: How the Love of God Changes Us

by Andrew J. Bauman

We desire to be transformed, to grow more and more like Christ. But for many of us, our strategies for change don’t work. We misperceive God as a judgmental Father, leaving us demoralized and paralyzed by shame. Stumbling toward Wholeness offers a new strategy for spiritual growth and life regularly returning to the arms of a kind and loving Father.There are many books that explore the parable of the Prodigal Son, but few approach it with the personal vulnerability and psychological insight of Andrew Bauman. Andrew shows how taking the time to identify with each of the brothers in this story can help us come to terms with our own brokenness and the need for God revealed in it. We discover a process of change that applies to each of us and a healing journey that moves us toward the likeness of the Father in how we love the people around us and address the pain others have caused us.

Genres: Christian, Discipleship

196 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 18, 2018

About the author

Co-Founder & Director of the Christian Counseling Center: For Sexual Health & Trauma (CCC), Andrew J. Bauman is a licensed mental health counselor with a Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology from The Seattle School of Theology & Psychology. He spent 10 years studying under Dr. Dan Allender. Andrew is the author of Floating Away, Stumbling Toward Wholeness, The Psychology of Porn, and (with Christy) A Brave Lament.

Reviews

[Locker McDonald · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow. Wonderful book integrating the story of the prodigal son (and its main characters) with the journey of healing and becoming whole. Bauman shares his story of transformation and his insights from his experience as a licensed mental health counselor.

A great read, especially for men in the early stages of their transformation process or recovery. I found a lot of helpful and valuable insights as a mental health professional as well.

[Samuel Hopkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was absolutely incredible! I will be using this as a resource to recommend for anyone. The way he writes about the prodigal son and how growing in faith is tied to healing wholly is amazing. The discussion questions at every chapter are also very therapeutic and great journal entries over just simple end of chapter questions

The author definitely poured his heart, expertise, and love for God into this book.

[Anna Leverett · Rating 4 out of 5]

“This is what healing looks like, this is what resurrection tastes like: The war stops inside our bones, and we become more comfortable with peace than with struggle.”

[Charlotte · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing book using the Prodigal Son parable. I can't even express the depth.

[Hannah Jeffreys]

This book felt like therapy and the face of kindness and truest grace intertwined. What a gift this book was and is to me.

[Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Parable of the Prodigal Son is one the most well-known stories (parables) that Jesus told.  Most of us can see ourselves in the self-centered, wayward son.  In Stumbling Toward Wholeness, author, Andrew Bauman, delves deeper into the characters and proposes that we are actually all the characters.  At different points in our lives, we model the characteristics of the Loving Father, the jealous, frustrated Older Son, and the wayward, selfish, Prodigal Son.

Personal change begins when we see ourselves accurately and are willing to dig into the stories of our lives to become the person we were meant to be.  There has to be a willingness to see clearly the different people we are in different parts of the stories of our lives.  We also have to include others in the search for our purpose in life.  (The author makes a great point in saying we must be careful who we include in working through our story because there is always the potential for damaging relationships.)

The book is divided into three sections.  The Runaway Son deals with that part of us that deals with shame, self-contempt, and considering ourselves the victim.  The Entitled Older Brother looks at contempt (of others) and betrayal.  The Welcoming Father helps us understand the need to grieve our mistakes and being kind to ourselves.  Each chapter ends with questions that dig deeper into our own life experiences to draw us closer to understanding ourselves.  Questions like, what purpose has been served by your own pursuit of pleasure or avoidance of pain?  Or, reflect on a time when you felt shamed by another person.  And, identify some ways you have been resistant to kindness.

My favorite quotes include:

pg. 47  "To journey toward change, we must first make a commitment to be on our own teams."
pg. 78  "Jesus continually calls us to look at ourselves in the mirror and tell the truth about what we see."
pg. 125  "...no matter how hectic our lives or crazy our mental states, we can be still and know God (Psalm 46:10).  He is always available, even when we are not."
pg. 152  "...superficial standards of perfection have no actual relation to personal piety or spiritual maturity.  If we have no safe places to bring our real struggles, doubts, and heartache, we are likely to stray further from the truth and deeper underground with our pain."
If you really want to take a close, personal look at the person you are I highly recommend reading this book and truthfully answering the questions.  In fact, find a friend who you can trust and work through it with them by your side.  I guarantee, it will be worth it.



Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Tyndale House Publishers. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

[Pam Ecrement · Rating 4 out of 5]

When we accept Christ and begin our Christian journey, we begin the process of transformation and sanctification moving toward greater maturity and wholeness. As Andrew J. Bauman looks at this process in his new book, Stumbling Toward Wholeness, he reminds the reader that it does not happen all at once and requires courage for the journey.

Bauman frames the theme of the book through the lens of the well-known parable of “The Parable of the Prodigal Son.” He opens a wider window of understanding that each of us may have parts of each of the main characters of the parable at work within us. He looks at the necessity of addressing the wounds of our lives if we are to experience intimacy with the Lord and those closest to us so we can know the joy and delight God would desire.

This book will especially resonate and give hope to those who have struggled to face the long journey to wholeness marked by shame and self-contempt from whatever the cause. It will also remind those whose lives have been less wounded to consider how they respond to the broken among us and come face-to-face with the power of the message of the gospel.

[Joel Nevius · Rating 5 out of 5]

What I love about this book is what makes me squirm when I read it: Bauman is heartbreakingly and uncomfortably authentic. In his creative approach to the story of the Prodigal Son, Bauman isn't afraid to offer scholarly insight, but with a healthy dose of brave, personal transparency that had me feeling awkward FOR him, because I could relate to much of his experience. I could sense that this book sprung from a deep place in his soul as he related to this parable in a number of ways, which in turn, allows us to relate to it in new ways as well. Because of his openness with his experiences, his psychological insights and biblical encouragements feel equal parts weighty and compassionate.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who wants to move beyond self-contempt and shame, yet willing to experience the piercing, but tender love of God in uncomfortable ways.

*Full disclosure: The reviewer was given an advanced copy for review.*

[Michelle Kidwell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stumbling toward Wholeness
How the Love of God Changes Us
by Andrew J. Bauman

Tyndale House Publishers

NavPress
Christian , Health, Mind & Body
Pub Date 18 Sep 2018


I am reviewing a copy of Stumbling Towards Wholeness through Tyndale House Publishers/NavPress and Netgalley:

We have a desire to be transformed, we want to grow more like Christ, but our strategies don't always work much of the time.


This book tells us that we often misperceive God as a Father who only wants to pass judgement and that often leads us paralyzed by shame.


This book offers a new strategy for spiritual growth and transformation.


I give Stumbling Towards Wholeness five out of five stars!


Happy Reading!

[Doris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Accept the Pain to Experience True Joy

I was doing a 3 part devotional reading plan in YouVersion app based on this book, which I loved the reading plans I bought the Kindle version.

I learned a great deal that I hadn’t been truly dealing with embracing pain, my emotions. I was avoiding and stuffing things down, becoming like a pressure cooker.

This book is very wise and chock full of good things based on the parable of the Prodigal Son. It looks I’m depth at the older brother, younger brother, and the father.

At times I was in tears. I’m much better as a result of this book and have already begun addressing my grief, loss, anger so that I can really begin to have joy, be authentic:

[Debbie Fehr · Rating 5 out of 5]

Using the Prodigal son story, Andrew wrote this book to cover shame, self contempt towards self:others, mounting, grief and kindness towards self and others. This book nudged me to move towards mine (and others) brokenness. For only then, embracing our sorrow, will we see and appreciate more fully the love of God. This book is a brave look at a brave story and an encouragement to live and love fully in true freedom.

[Jonathan Ben-Ezra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Required reading for my generation

I grew up in the church in the late 80s and 90s when piling on shame and guilt was all the rage. This book has been so healing for me. Realizing that we deal with our sin better when coming from a place of self-kindness rather than self-contempt is a game changer for me and I have found it to be true.

This book is the culmination of a years-long journey Jesus has been taking me on and I cannot recommend this book enough.

[Marybeth · Rating 1 out of 5]

I didn't finish this book, but when he rewrote the prodigal son story I was finished. We cannot take man's knowledge and interpret Scripture through it because our knowledge is fallible. How then can we ever understand the Scripture? The Holy Spirit living in us and the inspired word of God. Jesus came that we might know God (John 1:18, 2 Corinthians 4:6) and then he sent the Helper to be with us forever. John 14:16

[Hannah Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This has become one of my all time favourite non fiction books, if not my very favourite. I cried tears of grief, hope, and healing every time I would read. This book is powerful, and I recommend it even if you are in a place where you have given up on Christian books. This was a healing read for me.

[Lewis Lea · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book took me by surprise with its honesty and compassion. As I journeyed through each lens of the story, I was struck how I embodied each and was grateful to be given a vision for self-compassion and healing.

[Dawn Harvey · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a real difficult read... I had to take a break... beware there are possible triggers for people who have experienced trauma. Gets to the core of many many things... I would recommend reading it in a group of trusted friends or going thru it with a therapist. A good one. :)

[Barry Pearman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read

An amazing read. So many highlighted sentances. Loved the wordsmith of this excellent book. Thanks Andrew. Looking forward to reading future books.

[Frances Dalacio · Rating 5 out of 5]

I cannot say good enough things about this book. Brilliantly written and it touches your heart and soul. Perceptions changed and healing definitely should give it a read

[Cassie Elston · Rating 5 out of 5]

honestly everyone should read this!

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow. A liberating read and discussion about the deep, wild, restorative grace of God.

[Nan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ebook, love the discussion points at the end of each chapter. Interesting take on things and healing. Going to need to chew on all this a bit more in silence. May you walk in beauty.

[Cathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Incredible book! I would recommend this book to any Christian dealing with the reality that they aren't perfect.

[Shintell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Deep, insightful, healing

[Delta A · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read pre-released copy of this book. You can pre-order now on Amazon! It releases on September 18th. Loved this book. Very insightful, causes you to be introspective. Focus on how we are often raised in a theme of "shame" in the church and the difference between shame and guilt. God loves us NOW as we are - we change BECAUSE he loves us - we DON'T have to change in order to be loved. This book will help you accept yourself in all your various stages and you'll want to release yourself from all the burden you carry for all your wrong doing.
"It seems that the story of the prodigal son is teaching us what science is just now coming to understand: it is relationship that drives us, damages us, and heals us."

[Jason Kanz · Rating 5 out of 5]

For the last couple of years, I have been trying to understand what it means to live an integrated life. It seems to me that so many of the problems that we face have to do, at least in part, with our sense of disintegration or disconnection, from God, others, and ourselves. We lack wholeness. Needless to say, I was excited for Bauman's book. I pre-ordered it in March and it was worth the 6 month wait. Bauman writes in a way that connects with me. Through the book, I found myself laughing, tearing up, and speaking my assent aloud. He writes with a raw honesty that spoke deeply to my experience. I cannot recommend the book highly enough.

[Karl Dumas]

Sometimes I like a book, but I can’t really say why, other than at times it makes so much sense with what’s going on in my life right now, or it tells a story from my past. And sometimes I can’t even tell if it’s talking to my past self or my present self. And that’s the case with Stumbling toward Wholeness: How the Love of God Changes Us by Andrew J. Bauman, (NavPress, 2018).
I don’t know anyone who could truly be called “split” or “multiple” personality, but I think for each of us there are times when we feel like someone else has taken over our body, and we just don’t know how to cope. Just as we get used to dealing with the world in a certain way, it seems that a different part of our brain kicks in, and we have to look at things differently. In a sense this book is written to/for/about those who suffer from substance abuse. Yet it’s also for people whose hearts have been broken by those they love, those who have broken someone’s heart, and those who are bitter because of the perceived injustice that exists in their family or community. I guess that covers just about everyone.
In this book, Bauman looks at the 3 main characters of the Parable of the Prodigal Son, as recounted in chapter 15 of the Gospel of Luke. I know that most people, depending on where they might be on their faith walk, identify more closely with either the Father, the elder brother, or the younger brother. That’s true in my case also, but at different times, depending on the circumstance, the situation, or with whom I’m interacting at the time, I might also identify closely with one of the other characters.
And that confuses me. I identify with a certain set of beliefs, values, and emotions, and suddenly I get to experience things in a different light. And I think that’s the strong point of this book. Bauman, helps us to recognize that sometimes we overlook the other characters of this story, and as a result we’re left fragmented. Only when we realize that at different times we are the runaway son, the entitled older brother, or the welcoming father do we reach a state of wholeness.
This is a delightful mix of theology, self-reflection, professional experience, and a rare (but welcome) vulnerability. As I was reading, I found myself naming the people he was talking about—not really, I named the people in my life who sounded just like the people in his. And I found myself making a list of people within my circle who might benefit from reading this book—if only they would.
Well worth the read
5/5
A member of the publisher’s blogging program, I received a copy of this book in exchange for a review. There was no requirement of expectation of a positive review.