Making Judgments Without Being Judgmental: Nurturing a Clear Mind and a Generous Heart [Paperback]

Terry D. Cooper (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 21, 2006

We have all felt at times that someone was unfairly judging us. Occasionally, we wonder if we have unfairly judged others. Perhaps we've even been accused of doing just that. We know the Bible speaks about making judgments, but what does it mean and how does it apply? Counselor and teacher Terry Cooper helps us distinguish between a faithful discernment of right and wrong, truth and falsehood while avoiding being judgmental. He also helps us better deal with others who are judgmental toward us and with our own self-condemnation. A wise and practical guide for sorting through the issues and for dealing well with others in situations where conviction and compassion matter.

Editorial Reviews

Review

The book is not just for counseling--it also is good for self-reflection. Making Judgments Without Being Judgmental is a guide to better relationships.

Review

"Listen for a moment: our increasingly pluralistic world is increasingly nasty. Public discourse is contentious, and people of conviction imagine only belligerence will keep their viewpoint from being missed. Sadly, Christians are not exempt. In fact, many non-Christians assume Christianity's irrelevance because no religion worth serious consideration would produce such reactionary, judgmental people. Terry Cooper has it exactly right in Making Judgments Without Being Judgmental: it is possible to disagree without being disagreeable. His thoughtful, clear analysis is bracing and helpful for anyone wanting to respond winsomely instead of merely reacting."

Product Details

• Paperback: 139 pages
• Publisher: IVP Books (September 21, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0830833234
• ISBN-13: 978-0830833238
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 5.5 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #993,203 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Shedding light on making judgments, November 6, 2006

By 

Ann Marie Wyrsch (St. Charles, MO United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Making Judgments Without Being Judgmental: Nurturing a Clear Mind and a Generous Heart (Paperback)

Dr. Cooper explores the topic of making judgments from a theoretical and practical stance. The book contains insightful quotations related to the topic, as well as relevant theological information and the author's personal experience. It is presented in a format that is easily readable and includes practical implications for application to daily life. Examples help the reader get insights into their own use of judgments.

I would recommend this book to everyone to raise consciousness of the insidious pervasiveness of judgmentalism in ones self and others. Awareness of the impact of making judgments and the damage it has done to quality of life is widely neglected. Those who consider themselves to be the most non-judgmental are often unintentionally unaware of how insidious this habit is.

As Dr. Cooper says in his conclusion, "Eliminating all of our judgmentalism is a nice thought but not a likely reality." If what is shared in this book were widely practiced by individuals and groups, peace would ensue for both.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best book on Empathy and Non-Judgmentalism, January 16, 2010

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Review Book "Looking" (Los Angeles, CA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Making Judgments Without Being Judgmental: Nurturing a Clear Mind and a Generous Heart (Paperback)

Best book on judgmentalism and listening. I have read many books on empathy and listening from workplace to relationships, but this is it.

Sometimes when making judgments, people think "they have a monopoly on reality". Grandiosity and self-exaltation are one of the biggest factors in our judging and not listening. We should have care and concern rather than condemning.

The author paragraphs in the book are written to make you think, "This is exactly how I think" or "I didn't know this about myself", delving into common subconscious thoughts.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Well done!, August 5, 2010

By 

childdoc - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Making Judgments Without Being Judgmental: Nurturing a Clear Mind and a Generous Heart (Paperback)

Thoughtful and balanced presentation of this issue. Also includes a worthwhile excursus into narcissism--helped me look at this from another vantage point.