As an observant woman psychoanalyst-an anomaly to both my Orthodox friends and psychoanalyst colleagues-I have attempted to apply the fruits of my professional training in revealing the psycho-dynamic underpinnings of Biblical events and figures. The synagogue's cycle of weekly Sabbath Torah readings provides a practical framework for the examination of the psychological issues experienced by Torah figures.Beginning with the book of Genesis, one finds fertile ground for psychoanalytic explication. Adam and Eve are portrayed as beset by unrestrained narcissistic desires typical of young children. Matters of good and evil are a foreign realm to them; they are being driven by the need for instant gratification. In succeeding chapters, from that of Cain and Abel, through the lives of the patriarchs and matriarchs in the book of Genesis, and through the life of Moses concluding with the book of Deuteronomy, we see a pattern of gradual development of human potential moving toward maturity.

Salvation begins with faith but many Christians are frustrated trying to live the Christian life in this world. They want to serve Christ but find that they fail again and again in their attempts to get victory over sin, overcome the flesh, die to the self, and love others. Most have no definite idea of how these goals are to be achieved. This should not be the case because the Bible gives us a clear road map to spiritual and psychological maturity; it is accomplished revelation by revelation as we grow in our knowledge of God. It is not enough to have the knowledge of God in our minds or even to love Him with our emotions-faith must grow in our spirit. Only through this kind of faith is it possible to overcome our selfishness, develop the self-discipline necessary to conquer sin, and achieve a life of peace motivated by unconditional love. This book clearly and concretely explains each step in this process, identifies the spiritual revelations required, and provides methods and models for assisting us in moving to the next step. The goal of this book is to remove the mystery that shrouds the process of spiritual and psychological growth so that the path to spiritual maturity can be clearly seen and followed.

In my decades of ministry, I have watched ministry leaders struggle to develop healthy and functional relationships within their families, churches, and organizations. This excellent work provides theoretical and practical insight for encouraging and guiding leaders for building the most fundamental dimension of ministryspiritually and emotionally mature leaders. Rev. Eugene Weaver President Gospel Crusade Ministerial Fellowship Spiritual Adoption is a fascinating study of the interrelationships among and between the psychological, spiritual, and neurological dimensions of behavior. Using the metaphor and example of attachments, rooted in biblical examples, the Doctors Ascano weave a useful framework for working with people in the midst of their lives, not just within a clinical framework. I would recommend this book for clinicians, pastors, and ministry administrators who want to understand what they and their staff and clients bring to the arena, and how to address these issues from a biblical context. Brent Lindquist, Ph.D. President, Link Care Center

Are You a Mature Christian? How do you know? Is there a Biblical way to know if you are maturing in the faith? Does God give us a way to measure growth? Absolutely! In Seven Steps To Maturity, Pastor Randy Bell shares powerful insights from two of Christ's closest friends, John and Peter. You will be taken back to the clear instructions God gives on how to grow up and please Him. This book will teach you how important it is to mature in the faith God's way, and how to measure your progress. And also Peter warns you must follow this narrow way. "But those who fail to develop in this way are shortsighted or blind, forgetting that they have been cleansed from their old sins. So, dear brothers and sisters, work hard to prove that you really are among those God has called and chosen. Do these things, and you will never fall away. Then God will give you a grand entrance into the eternal Kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ." 2 Peter 1:9-11 (NLT)

At a time when the place and significance of myth in society has come under renewed scrutiny, Myth, Literature, and the Unconscious contributes to shaping the new interdisciplinary field of myth studies. The editors find in psychoanalysis a natural and necessary ally for investigations in myth and myth-informed literature and the arts. At the same time the collection re-values myths and myth-based cultural products as vital aids to the discipline and practice of psychoanalysis. The volume spans a vast geo-cultural range (including ancient Egypt, India, Japan, nineteenth-century France, and twentieth-century Germany) and investigates cultural products from the Mahabharata to J. W. Goethe's opus and eighteenth-century Japanese fiction, and from William Blake's visionary poetry to contemporary blockbuster television series. It encompasses mythic topics and figures such as Oedipus, Orpheus, the Scapegoat, and the Hero, while mobilising Freudian, Jungian, object relations, and Lacanian psychoanalytic approaches.