Three things I’ve heard so far today that makes we chuckle—sardonically.

 George G. Hunter III former Dean at Asbury Theological Seminary and writer of over a dozen books (who has influenced me) says,

“With the breakdown of village life and group identify and the rise of individualism, a pathology has spread that no one predicted. Vast numbers of people are self-preoccupied, self-absorbed, and narcissistic. The American Psychiatric Association has considered the removal of ‘narcissism’ from its Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, is book on personality disorders—not because it is not a disorder, but because it is now so widespread.” ¹

Let me see if I understand. What has traditionally been a mental illness has become so prevalent and mainstream that it may now be considered normal?

2. Barbara Brown Taylor is featured as the cover story of Time Magazine,². In 1996, a Baylor University survey named her as one of the 12 most effective preachers in the English-speaking world. She was serving an 85-seat chapel in Georgia. When the church was required to go to 4 services to accommodate the crowds, Grace-Calvary Church suggested she take her popularity elsewhere. Time Magazine says,

“When nearby Piedmont College asked her to lead its newly formed religion department in 1997, she took the job. Today Grace-Calvary (where she had been preaching) does not even mention her in an online video of its 176-history.”

3. One of my academic friends has been reading one of my books. She says, “I don’t think I have ever received direct instruction in what a healthy person does (except from you).”

I love her and think she has good literary taste. But if I’m her only guide to a “healthy” person, she may need to widen her sphere of incoming influence.

 D. Dean Benton, author of

On My Family Watch

https://smashwords.com/

A free sample of the book is available It is listed under Non-fiction, Family and Relationships.

My book on forgiveness—Nailing Tapioca to the Ceiling—is available at one of my blog addresses: http://southwood.wordpress.com/

Notes from blog: 

        1. Should We Change Our Game Plan? George G. Hunter III, Abingdon Press, 2013

          2. April 28, 2014 edition.