Customer Reviews

RETURN TO THE PROMISED LAND: THE STORY OF OUR SPIRITUAL RECOVERY

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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

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.

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