Shame Interrupted: How God Lifts the Pain of Worthlessness and Rejection [Paperback]

Edward T. Welch (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 30, 2012

Shame controls far too many of us. Worthless, inferior, rejected, weak, humiliated, failure...it all adds up to wishing we could get away from others and hide. We know what shame feels like. The way out, however, is harder to find. Time doesn't help, neither does confession, because shame is just as often from what others do to you as it is from what you have done. But the Bible is about shame from start to finish, and, if we are willing, God's beautiful words break through. Look at Jesus through the lens of shame and see how the marginalized and worthless are his favorites and become his people. God cares for the shamed. Through Jesus you are covered, adopted, cleansed, and healed.

Editorial Reviews

Review

This is more than an important and redemptive book; it is a labor that could open the field of counseling, soul care, and pastoral work to a vital reformation that comes when one has cut open a path that has laid dormant for too long. --Dan B. Allender, PhD, Professor of Counseling Psychology and Founding President The Seattle School of Theology and Psychology; author of The Wounded Heart: Help for Adult Victims of Childhood Sexual Abuse

Dr. Ed Welch is one of my favorite authors. His work is biblical, practical, helpful, insightful, and hopeful. This book on shame is one I will be buying many copies of and giving away. --Pastor Mark Driscoll, Mars Hill Church; Acts 29 Network; Resurgence

Many today are stained by a crushing sense of being not good enough - worthy only of rejection. Ed Welch understands the shame-based person so fluently that it is easy to forget that he is a professional counselor and theologian. He writes more like a friend and fellow sufferer, so his counsel is richly biblical and practical. This book filled me with confidence in the cleansing, adopting, and sanctifying work of the cross. --Tara Klena Barthel, Author of Living the Gospel in Relationships and co-author of Peacemaking Women, and Redeeming Church Conflicts

Ed Welch finds us hiding in our shame and draws us out to be re-clothed by Christ. He surprises us again with the deep relevance of God's Word - even Leviticus - to the secret fears that dominate our daily lives. This brutally honest book is for every one. --Mike Wilkerson, Pastor and Director of Biblical Counseling at Mars Hill Church; Author, Redemption: Freed by Jesus from the Idols We Worship and the Wounds We Carry.

Shame is everywhere. It is obvious on the faces of those who have been abused. But because of sin, it lies in the depths of every human heart. Ed Welch shines the light of the gospel of Christ into the dynamics of shame, and explains how it is overcome in the honor Christ obtained for us through his identification with our shame on the cross. --Eric Johnson, Lawrence and Charlotte Hoover Professor of Pastoral Care, Southern Baptist Theological Seminary; Director of the Society for Christian Psychology

About the Author

Edward T. Welch, M.Div., Ph.D., is a licensed psychologist and faculty member at the Christian Counseling & Educational Foundation (CCEF). He has counseled for thirty years and is the best-selling author of many books including When People Are Big and God Is Small; Addictions: A Banquet in the Grave; Blame It on the Brain?; Depression: A Stubborn Darkness; Crossroads: A Step-by-Step Guide Away from Addiction; Running Scared: Fear, Worry, and the God of Rest; and When I Am Afraid: A Step-by-Step Guide Away from Fear and Anxiety. He and his wife Sheri have two daughters, two sons-in-law, and four grandchildren.

Product Details

• Paperback: 352 pages
• Publisher: New Growth Press (April 30, 2012)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1935273981
• ISBN-13: 978-1935273981
• Product Dimensions: 6 x 0.9 x 9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (18 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #22,430 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

20 of 20 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Another gift to the church May 1, 2012

By Matt & Heather Mitchell

Amazon Verified Purchase

I felt dirty when I read this book. And then I felt cleansed. Ed Welch takes readers into the disgusting depths of the experience of shame and then brings them up and out of it via the ever-startling story of the gospel of Jesus Christ--who was shamed for our sake. Shame Interrupted: How God Lifts the Pain of Worthlessness and Rejection is the only book of its kind and is worth reading for your own soul and for ministering to anyone who knows the horror of shame. I've already ordered two copies to give away. So many struggle from this without knowing what it is or what the gospel says about it. Hooray! Another gift to the church.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars The Destructive Power of Shame June 13, 2012

By Joshua Morgan

This review first appeared on my blog, Jacob's Café.

Shame is something that is discussed in a therapeutic context frequently because of its constant presence in the lives of those who seek therapy. I've written about shame before, differentiating it from guilt as the latter saying, "I did bad" while shame says, "I am bad." Shame pervades people's identities, creating a sense of worthlessness and rejection.

In Shame Interrupted, Ed Welch, a psychologist, addresses the topic of shame head-on. The first few chapters paint a very real and in-depth picture of the potency of shame and its effects in daily life. Welch then proceeds to illustrate the history of shame throughout the Bible.

I was very impressed with Welch's psychological and theological treatment of such a sensitive, hidden, and pervasive topic. He brings to life the impact of shame and the power of Christ over shame. However, he doesn't argue for a simple, "Have faith, and you'll be healed approach." Rather, he actually stated, "The most promising response is that Jesus loves you, which is certainly true. But, believe it or not, that usually doesn't work either" (p. 61). Earlier on, he explains why recognizing Christ's love doesn't instantly heal shame: "When you receive such reproach from the community, you can easily believe that God himself joins these many voices, though he certainly does not" (p. 21).

Many Christians minimize the impact they have on people's perceptions of God, good and bad. However, our interactions with others can become the foundations of people's experiences of God. We literally need to be the hands and feet of Jesus, incarnating God's love to those around us....

While there were times when Welch said it was appropriate to feel shame (I'm not sure I agree--I think it's normal, but not really accurate), he also made it clear that these messages are not from God. God does not shame. Many Christians need to hear this message and remember that shame is not a motivator and does not lead people to God. Rather, it leads them to hiding (remember Adam and Eve?). Ironically, one of the most shame-enhancing pastors in the US, Mark Driscoll, endorsed this book.

Shame Interrupted reminded me of Bruce Narramore's No Condemnation, which addresses a similar concept, arguing that God never condemns people, but seeks restoration from human-made condemnation. However, Narramore's tome was more of an academic text. Welch's book stands up to strong academic scrutiny, but is more of a popular press book, making it far more accessible to the general population, which is really needed.

If you're interested in the topic of shame, this is a good introduction to understanding its power and pervasiveness. It doesn't provide strong solutions, but there are a variety of psychological texts that address the treatment of shame. I think one of the most powerful and important parts of this book is not minimizing the potency of shame and recognizing that its resolution is not simple.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising." Read more ›

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Shame Exposed June 14, 2012

By Miriam from Wheels Have Eyes

I found this to be an excellent book dealing with an often forbidden and cursed subject. The author begins with describing shame and how it is viewed by others and by God and then he takes you on a trip through the Bible, explaining how God views our shame. We must remember that Jesus experienced great shame when He was led to His crucifixion and died upon the cross. The author reminds us of the reasons that Jesus took upon that shame and what it means for our lives. The book is strongly based upon scripture and the author often quotes the Bible throughout his writings. I believe that this would be a great book for someone who is feeling shame in his/her life, but also for any Christian wanting to travel further on a spiritual journey. I did find that this book took me longer to read than most books that I read and the information took time to digest as I read. It wasn't something that was easy to read in that it gives you a lot of thought that goes along with what you are reading. I did not see this as negative as I learn from books that make me slow down and sift through the material carefully.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from B and B Media for review purposes. I was not obligated to provide a positive review. The opinions in this review are my own.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Freedom from shame! June 10, 2012

By C. Estrella

Beginning with the author's experience and knowledge regarding the prevalence of shame, this 352 page book goes after the feelings and lies of shame, with the truth of God's word and the healing and help a relationship with Him brings.

As someone who is struggling with this issue, I found the first seven chapters incredibly painful to read because of the emotions they stirred up in me. After that, the in-depth look at what Jesus Christ did for me began to minister to my spirit with strength and hope. I would imagine however, this book may be difficult for many to read on their own because of its intense emotional content. I think it would be more easily processed in a study situation, either one-on-one with a trusted friend or in a small group. It has study questions at the end of each chapter to facilitate discussion. I would also recommend it be read for everyone in leadership positions to have a better understanding of what many are drowning in every day.

For a motivated individual, this book gives an excellent blueprint to find cleansing and wholeness from shame.

B&B Media sent me the above book for review purposes. It will allow me to keep the book. I have no other connection to and have received no other compensation from B&B Media.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Resource! June 13, 2012

By Jennifer C. Mcilwain

Edward T. Welch, MDiv, PhD, is a licensed psychologist and faculty member at the Christian Counseling & Education Foundation (CCEF). The B&B Media Group sent me his latest book Shame Interrupted: How God Lifts The Pain Of Worthlessness & Rejection for the purpose of review. Shame Interrupted is endorsed by popular pastor Mark Driscoll and Dan Allender, PhD,professor of Counseling Psychology at The Seattle School of Theology and Psychology.

In Shame Interrupted, Welch seeks to bring the darkness of shame into the marvelous light of God's Word helping the reader to identify shame in their own lives and begin to understand the truth of how God sees them. There are discussion questions at the end of each chapter which help the reader to apply principles taught within the chapter. The book is thorough and biblical as it points to Scripture as the ultimate "word" on dispelling shame. Shame Interrupted would be a helpful resource to pastors, lay counselors or for use in a discipleship/training class. Welch's writing style in the book is conversational and engaging. The only real criticism I can give the book is that the first few chapters are a bit repetitious and "wordy".

Here are a few of my favorite quotes from the book:

"This is the gospel: God touches us. All the talk about cleanness and uncleanness points to this divine touch. This is what the universe itself was waiting for. It is an unbalanced transaction that displaces our shame and replaces it with holiness. The apostle Paul put it this way: 'For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.' With our touch, Jesus becomes our scapegoat. In his touch, Jesus takes our sin and absorbs our shame and we receive his righteousness...."

"This is faith: we reach out and touch the Holy One. Faith means we believe that the kingdom of heaven has come to us in Christ. It means we believe there is hope in Jesus and only in him. It means we believe that rescue, healing, covering, acceptance, and cleansing are possible, and possible only in Jesus. Faith - touching Jesus - means saying, 'Jesus, I need You.'" Read more ›