Quotable

A true Christian has been dispossessed of his self-esteem and self-sufficiency to make room for God in the heart where there was none but for sin....Now the preferring [of] self before God is the essential part of the corrupt nature....Self-esteem, self-dependence, self-willedness deny affection and subjection to God.

—Stephen Charnock (1628-80)

"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven" (Mt 5:3). Poverty of spirit [is]...an absence of self-esteem. Where that kind of spirit is found, it is sweet poverty...for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

—Charles Spurgeon (1834-92)

Recently I was inspired to reflect on the sufferings of the martyrs. How did these, our brothers and sisters in the faith, without the aid of "Christian" psychology, triumph in such circumstances? And what about their loved ones—how did they face such sorrow? And how will the Tribulation saints (without "Christian" therapists) do likewise? These questions are asked in all sincerity, with due respect. I'm just a Berean, endeavoring to "prove all things; and hold fast to that which is good."

—Anonymous (Excerpted from a letter a member wrote to his church out of concern for its growing involvement in Christian psychology.)