Signature Sins: Taming Our Wayward Hearts [Paperback]

Michael Mangis (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 25, 2008

Finally--a safe place to talk about sin. The topic of sin in general has been safe for a while. But here, guided by psychologist Michael Mangis, we get specific by learning to know ourselves and our signature sins--the individual and specific patterns of sin in our life that affect our thoughts, actions and relationships. In these pages, the author empathetically and honestly reflects on the ways we manage our behavior to hide our sin and ignore the true poverty of our hearts. But until we deal with the root of our sin, we will be ruled and fooled by it, and miss the freedom Christ died to bring. Exploring common forms of sin and then discovering how our own temperament, culture, family and gender affect the way those sins manifest themselves in our lives will lead us to a place of real honesty with ourselves, God and others. But the book doesn't stop there; it also shows ways to combat our sin so that we can change our hearts, not just our behavior. Sin is serious and specific, and it doesn't go away on its own. But here is serious--and safe--help for facing sin and finding freedom in Christ.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Michael Mangis's book offers more than just diagnosis of our signature sins--it offers help and hope in the areas where we need it most. Of particular value is Mangis's thoughtful integration of psychology and spirituality as it relates to the subject of sin--something that is much-needed!" (Ruth Haley Barton, cofounder and president, Transforming Center, and author of Strengthening the Soul of Your Leadership )

"Mangis says he wants to induce excitement on our Christian journey, not guilt or gloom. That is difficult to do in a book about sin, but he succeeds by helping us to recognize that sin is far more complex and grace is far more dynamic than we might have thought. By constantly reminding us that one size doesn't fit all, Mangis draws on Scripture and the Christian tradition, anecdotes from his own life and his practice as a psychotherapist, and a reservoir of helpful analogies to engage readers in an eminently practical and thoughtful examination of their own spiritual health with prescriptive suggestions for hearts that are prone to wander. What I found encouraging was his ability to integrate insights from the field of psychology with an honesty and humility that refrains from making Christianity obsequious to the social sciences." (Dennis Okholm, professor of theology, Azusa Pacific University and author of Monk Habits for Everyday People )

"I often hear people distinguish between wisdom and knowledge. Michael W. Mangis brings the two together--in his personal life, in his teaching and now in this remarkable book, Signature Sins. Read this book. It is deeply informative, spiritually inspiring, written with clarity, filled with practical questions for self-reflection and saturated with an awareness of God's grace." (Mark R. McMinn, professor of psychology, George Fox University, and author of Sin and Grace in Christian Counseling )

"Michael Mangis has provided an excellent resource for soul-care professionals and laity. Signature Sins is honest, comprehensive and accessible. Few writers could offer the blending of psychological scholarship and theological sophistication in a style that is warm and approachable." (Gary W. Moon, executive editor, Conversations and author of Falling for God )

"Mangis is a subtle prophet-sage, confronting our sin while gently steering us between the shoals of legalistic sin management and psychological excuse making. His book is marked by beautiful contrasts: deep but simple; ancient but fresh; it is good integration that takes the Bible seriously. The author accomplishes a lot in a small space, combining practical spiritual direction with the insights of a Christian dynamic therapy. This will be useful for laypersons and pastors, counselors and their counselees, directors and their friends." (Eric L. Johnson, director, Society for Christian Psychology and author of Foundations for Soul Care )

"Drawing wisdom from the worlds of both psychotherapy and spiritual direction, this introductory overview of vital disciplines for the Christian's inner life is clear, strong and robustly down-to-earth. Especially salutary is Mangis's stress on finding and fighting one's own core sin." (J. I. Packer, professor of theology, Regent College and author of Knowing God )

"After embracing Christ's death as paying the penalty for our sins, Christians embark on a life of discipleship and growth by which we can experience increasing freedom from the bondage and power of sin. Signature Sins offers us insights from Scripture, tradition and contemporary psychology that illuminate that path of growth, helping us to see the patterns of our failings and offering us possibilities for increasing freedom." (Stanton L. Jones, provost, Wheaton College, and author of Ex-Gays? and the God's Design for Sex book series )

About the Author

Michael Mangis is a professor of psychology at Wheaton College in Wheaton, Illinois. He is also a practicing psychologist and cofounder of the Center for Rural Psychology in Elburn, Illinois. His research interests include integration of psychology and theology as well as rural psychology. Signature Sins is his first InterVarsity Press title.

Product Details

• Paperback: 244 pages
• Publisher: IVP Books (August 25, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0830835156
• ISBN-13: 978-0830835157
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.5 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #560,639 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Michael Mangis, Ph.D. is Professor of Psychology at Wheaton College where he has taught Master's and Doctoral courses since 1989. Dr. Mangis is also a licensed clinical psychologist and the founder and Executive Director of the Center for Rural Psychology and its training clinic, Heartland Counseling in Elburn, Illinois. Dr. Mangis practiced for twelve years at the Christ Church Counseling Center in Oak Brook and prior to moving to Illinois, he was a staff psychologist at Pine Rest Christian Hospital in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
Michael suffered a Major stroke on May 18, 2008. He is recovering well and has returned to his teaching position at Wheaton College. He Hopes to resume his Writing as soon as possible

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Challenging and Compassionate Call to Holiness, November 3, 2008

By 

Claudia Nalven - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Signature Sins: Taming Our Wayward Hearts (Paperback)

Signature Sins

In my Christian life and ministry I often find myself asking this question about sin: Where do I need repentance? Where do I need healing? Am I really growing in my relationship with God - or am I just putting a positive spin on my inner life? How do I help the people I minister to confront their sin in a way that leads to life?

Signature Sins provides helpful insights into both holiness and wholeness. It takes sin seriously as human rebellion against a good and just God. It also acknowledges that sinners have also been sinned against, and that our emotional wounds can create particular patterns of sin that are unique to each individual. Dr. Mangis applies Biblical truth, the classical vices and virtues, and spiritual disciplines to the emotional and spiritual life of human beings. He does this in a way that helps us to overcome our blindness to our own sin and to find both healing and a path to holiness.

The book includes after each chapter thought-provoking questions for reflection and discussion. I profited from it in my personal reading and expect it would be an excellent tool for a book group. I plan to read it again as my Lenten discipline. A compassionate and insightful book that will encourage true holiness both in ourselves and those we serve.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Insightful and Helpful for Personal and Spiritual Growth, November 1, 2008

By 

E. Nicole Saylor "Clinical Psychologist" (Knoxville, TN) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Signature Sins: Taming Our Wayward Hearts (Paperback)

As a doctoral student in clinical psychology, I had the privilege of seeing this book in its many forms as it went through the writing and editing process. The end result is a text that incorporates the rich domains of spiritual direction and holiness with a psychologically sensitive and informed perspective.

Drawing on decades of experience as a professor, therapist, mentor, and spiritual seeker himself, Dr. Mangis brings together his multiple domains of knowledge to help the reader understand her personal cyclical struggles with sins. The reader gains an understanding of how personal psychological and cultural factors such as family of origin, biology, temperament, ethnicity, etc. contribute to and help to maintain each of our own personal struggles. He exposes subtleties of sinfulness and struggle that, on most days, we would all like to ignore or avoid.

However, this is not a doom and gloom expose of how utterly wretched we all are. Few of us need reminders to feel poorly of ourselves. Rather, Dr. Mangis, provides hope for personal and communal spiritual growth by pointing the reader toward spiritual disciplines that reshape, relieve, and heal. His suggestions are realistic and aspirational without being overwhelming.

I recommend this as a fantastic read for those in the helping professions, ministry, or who are interested in people and how we work (or don't). Most will find it a well-balanced, thoughtful integration of faith and psychology and find insights about how to address the whole self, including spirituality.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Very helpful, November 17, 2008

By 

M. Partain "a little sister of Christ" - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Signature Sins: Taming Our Wayward Hearts (Paperback)

If you find yourself trapped in Paul's dilemma (why do I do the things I don't want to do?), this can be a very helpful tool to help uncover the roots behind "why we do what we do." It certainly spoke to and convicted my heart.