Losers, Loners, and Rebels: The Spiritual Struggles of Boys [Paperback]

Robert C. Dykstra (Author), Allan Hugh Cole Jr. (Author), Donald Capps (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 2, 2007

The early years of adolescence are a tumultuous time, full of challenges and opportunities that can shape one's whole life. In recent years several books have analyzed this period of life for girls, but this is the first book that investigates the interior life of boys as they develop their sense of self and begin the spiritual journey that will carry them throughout their lives. The authors contend that adolescent boys often experience themselves at various times as losers, loners, and rebels. As self-defined losers, boys begin to realize self-awareness; as loners they begin to understand their own relatedness to the larger world; as rebels they gain a sense of self-sufficiency. Through these common experiences of life, boys gain self-awareness, self-transcendence, and self-sufficiency, concepts that take root in the spirituality that will last their lifetime.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Snakes and snails and puppy dog tails are not the only things of which little boys are made, according to seminary professors Dykstra, Cole and Capps. Each author draws upon his own autobiographical story in this important examination of the spirituality of boys. Boys' spiritual lives, according to the authors, are influenced much more by their negative experiences than by positive ones. These negative experiences are gathered under three archetypes: the loser, the rebel and the loner. Each of these experiences can give rise to spiritual virtues, in this case, self-awareness, self-transcendence and self-sufficiency. While the authors are not psychologists, they have done exhaustive research in this field, and their backgrounds in pastoral care and theology help convey an authentic and holistic approach to an underresearched topic. The practical application of this work, the authors posit, is to demonstrate that by connecting with one's boyhood one is better able to connect with one's own and other men's sons. Many men will find the book's insights and frank honesty enlightening. The authors use the word spirituality ambiguously at times, but this is a minor nuisance in an otherwise important work. (Aug.)
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About the Author

Robert C. Dykstra is the Charlotte W. Newcombe Professor of Pastoral Theology at Princeton Theological Seminary in Princeton, New Jersey. An ordained minister in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), Dykstra served for a number of years as a minister, youth minister, hospital chaplain, and pastoral counselor.

Allan Hugh Cole Jr isthe Nancy Taylor WilliamsonAssociate Professor of Pastoral Care at Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary in Austin, Texas. He serves on the editorial boards of two journals, Pastoral Psychology and Insights: The Faculty Journal of Austin Seminary and is an ordained minister in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).

Donald Capps is William Harte Felmeth Professor of Pastoral Theology at Princeton Theological Seminary in Princeton, New Jersey. He is the author of more than two dozen books in pastoral theology, including The Poet's Gift and The Child's Song.

Product Details

• Paperback: 216 pages
• Publisher: Westminster John Knox Press (August 2, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0664229611
• ISBN-13: 978-0664229610
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 6 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #810,007 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Wanting more......., September 11, 2009

By 

A. Na (New Castle, PA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Losers, Loners, and Rebels: The Spiritual Struggles of Boys (Paperback)

In this book, the introduction explained that each sub-topic- loner, loser and rebel has been identified with each of the three authors who collaborated on this book. It was interesting to read about each man's journey through boyhood, family and adolescence. As a parent and a minister (PC(USA)), I was hoping to read more profound conclusions from these three well trained scholars. I was disappointed with some of their insights and even mildly surprised at some of their mini-conclusions. That boys who are loners, losers or rebels at young ages may grow into spiritual beings was more or less the jacket cover summary. I was hoping for more meat once I read beyond the back of the book and I was disappointed.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Honest revelation, fills in missing piece to an important story, October 21, 2011

By 

Elizabeth Rhodes - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Losers, Loners, and Rebels: The Spiritual Struggles of Boys (Paperback)

When I discovered that this book even existed, it was a like finding a missing piece in a silent, mysterious, and life-long story.

Not being male, I've often wished that someone could or would voice what dynamics and experiences are behind so many of the more socially isolated male personality types. As the book outlines, those types emerge early in life and carry a persistent influence on who a boy becomes as a man. While I respect the opinion of A. Na, I wonder if he is looking for something for the "well-trained scholars" to tell him that in fact the book wants him to see is for him to discover for himself.

The authors in this book do not purport to tell the reader what conclusions to draw about himself or about males in his or her life. What they offer is a rare opportunity to learn from 3 portraits of male vulnerability and openness about the spiritual growth and self-understanding found in the journeys of each author.

I find the book unique and enlightening, and highly recommend it to readers who don't want to be told what to conclude, but who are willing to listen and learn.