RETURN TO THE PROMISED LAND: THE STORY OF OUR SPIRITUAL RECOVERY [Paperback]

GRANT SCHNARR (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 1, 1997

Return to the Promised Land is a practical guide for spiritual growth that combines a twelve-step program with a fresh approach to the Exodus story. In this accessible, nonsectarian book, Schnarr compares the Israelites' struggles in the wilderness to present-day battles to overcome addictions or compulsive behaviors.

In each chapter, Schnarr examines one biblical episode, exploring the plight or progress of the Israelites as he shows parallels to contemporary psychological and behavioral setbacks or successes. Among the issues he addresses are escaping the ego's tyranny, holding onto hope in stressful times, and accepting minor problems. Practical exercises at the end of each chapter help the reader apply Schnarr's insights to his or her spiritual recovery.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Schnarr, a Christian minister, draws on the psychological influence of 18th-century scientist and theologian Emanuel Swedenborg to interpret the Exodus of the Jews from Egypt as an allegory for spiritual growth. Egypt is a symbol of the tyranny of addictions and past errors. The plagues represent spiritual conditions that we precipitate by our own doings. Wandering in the desert, the Jews grapple with hunger, thirst, enemy tribes, self-doubt, and the unshakable reality of God throughout one spiritual crisis after another. Each chapter ends with a few well-chosen exercises designed to ground the insights in practical application. Schnarr's understanding of the archetypal depths of the journey home to Canaan will inspire readers to revisit this Old Testament story. Recommended for most public libraries.
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review

In Return To The Promised Land: The Story Of Our Spiritual Recovery, Grant Schnarr lights the path of the soul's journey home by applying a twelve-step approach to the symbolic meaning of the Exodus story. He compares the struggles of the Israelites in the wilderness to present-day battles to overcome compulsive thoughts and actions. Each chapter examines one biblical episode, drawing parallels between the plight or progress of the Israelites and contemporary psychological and behavioral setbacks or successes. Universal issues (escaping from the tyranny of the ego, keeping hope during times of pain, and accepting minor problems ) are addressed. Schnarr recounts his own progress through darkness; his steadfast quest to recover his rugged and joy-filled spirit assure us that the journey is worth taking. Practical exercises at the end of each chapter help the reader survive his or her wilderness times and find the promised land of spiritual recovery. -- Midwest Book Review

Inspired by Emanuel Swedenborg, philosopher, scientist, and mystic who authored The Last Judgment in Retrospect in 1758, Grant Schnarr's book provides the basis for a spiritual journey. Using the Exodus event from the Hebrew canon (Christian New Testament), Reverend Schnarr relates the biblical stories associated with Israelite slavery under the pharaohs in Egypt, their escape from slavery, 40 years of wandering in the desert, and their eventual conquering of and settlement in the Land of Canaan to his own life and to the lives of contemporary people involved in recovery from addictions. Grant Schnarr grew up in an alcoholic family. He himself was a gang leader and an alcoholic in his youth. During early adulthood, he began to confront and peel away the addictions that had come to plague his life through soul-searching and spiritual labor [p. xiii]. Return to the Promised Land is Rev. Schnarr's genuine effort to help others as well as himself find spiritual shelter within our human experience. Particularly beneficial and insightful are his questions and suggestions at the end of each chapter, which include: "What are the taskmasters in your life?," "What destructive part of you must die before a new and healthy you can be born?," and "Make time to relax daily." -- From Independent Publisher

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Product Details

• Paperback: 232 pages
• Publisher: Chrysalis Books; 1st Edition edition (March 1, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0877851794
• ISBN-13: 978-0877851790
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.4 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,547,968 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Publisher's Weekly, December 19, 1997

By A Customer

This review is from: RETURN TO THE PROMISED LAND: THE STORY OF OUR SPIRITUAL RECOVERY (Paperback)

Review from Publisher's Weekly : In his latest book, Schnarr (Unlocking Your Spiritual Potential: A Twelve Step Approach) describes a method of slaking our spiritual thirsts by correlating the spiritual methods followed in 12-step recovery programs and in biblical stories of bondage and liberation. Focusing in particular on the Israelites' escape from slavery in Egypt to freedom in the Promised Land, Schnarr parallels this people's liberation with his own, and other addicts', spiritual recovery and growth. Each chapter opens with several scriptural passages and a brief quote from 18th-century scientist and theologian Emanuel Swedenborg, and contains exercises designed to lead readers to recognize the tyranny of their own addictions and to move toward spiritual recovery. Schnarr's readings of the Exodus material are lively because he offers these readings through the lenses of his own recovery from alcohol addiction. The combination of personal testimony and biblical interpretation that Schnarr offers in this book will enable those seeking spiritual recovery to move "from the fury of inner spiritual warfare to lasting spiritual peace." (Apr.) -Publisher's Weekly Review from Library Journal : Schnarr, a Christian minister, draws on the psychological influence of 18th-century scientist and theologian Emanuel Swedenborg to interpret the Exodus of the Jews from Egypt as an allegory for spiritual growth. Egypt is a symbol of the tyranny of addictions and past errors. The plagues represent spiritual conditions that we precipitate by our own doings. Wandering in the desert, the Jews grapple with hunger, thirst, enemy tribes, self-doubt, and the unshakable reality of God throughout one spiritual crisis after another. Each chapter ends with a few well-chosen exercises designed to ground the insights in practical application. Schnarr's understanding of the archetypal depths of the journey home to Canaan will inspire readers to revisit this Old Testament story. Recommended for most public libraries. -Library Journal

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This book describes our own spiritual journey out of slavery, January 21, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: RETURN TO THE PROMISED LAND: THE STORY OF OUR SPIRITUAL RECOVERY (Paperback)

The fascinating thing about this book is that it takes the familiar biblical account of the children of Israel leaving Egypt and going to the Promised Land and shows how it applies to each person's life. We are all slaves to various forces in our lives - addictions, anger, other people's opinions, etc. - and we all have an invitation to the promised land where we are free from those forces. This book shows how our journey parallels a journey taken thousands of years ago, and gives helpful tasks to work on at the end of each chapter. It is a great resource for groups.

5.0 out of 5 stars A must book for 12-Steppers, March 25, 1997

By A Customer

This review is from: RETURN TO THE PROMISED LAND: THE STORY OF OUR SPIRITUAL RECOVERY (Paperback)

Carl Jung said that alcoholism, on a primitive level, was the equivalent of a spiritual thirst. Grant Schnarr, in Return to the Promised Land, the Story of Our Spiritual Recovery, details the means of slaking that thirst. I recomend it highly for anyone on a spiritual journey. George Nash, M.D., Cottonwood Centers for Recovery