What Your Counselor Never Told You: Seven Secrets Revealed-Conquer the Power of Sin in Your Life [Paperback]

William Backus (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1, 2000

Groundbreaking book on how sin is the basis of many common emotional and psychological problems. Includes a unique self-test.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Dr. William Backus is founder of the Center for Christian Psychological Services, and an ordained clergyman in the Lutheran church. He is also a licensed Consulting Psychologist. He has a master's degree in theology from Concordia Seminary in St. Louis and a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from the University of Minnesota.



Dr. Backus has conducted follow-up studies of his clients, which show a 95 percent improvement rate, compared to a 67 percent success rate for other methods of therapy. The difference, Dr. Backus says, is "the truth of God as revealed in the Word."



In addition, he serves as an assistant pastor on the staff of North Heights Lutheran Church, Roseville, Minnesota, where he has founded and directed a lay-staffed free counseling clinic. He and his wife live in Minnesota.

Product Details

• Paperback: 250 pages
• Publisher: Bethany House Publishers (September 1, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0764223925
• ISBN-13: 978-0764223921
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 6 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.4 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: #286,008 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

William D. Backus was founder of the Center for Christian Psychological Services, a licensed consulting psychologist, and an ordained minister. Dr. Backus passed away in June 2005.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Prepare to be changed, March 12, 2008

By 

Kitty Foth-Regner "author of Heaven Without Her" (Waukesha, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: What Your Counselor Never Told You: Seven Secrets Revealed-Conquer the Power of Sin in Your Life (Paperback)

Talk about eye-openers! Dr. Backus claims that most of our problems are the result of (brace yourself, I'm going to use that ghastly word) sin - pride, envy, anger, greed, sloth, lust, gluttony, and all the rest. Believe it or not, he's right. He even includes a "sin test," which I took upon first reading the book in 2001 and again not long ago; it was humbling to be reminded that I still have miles and miles to go.

21 of 29 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Biblical, practical, and wise, November 27, 2000

By 

Douglas Groothuis "Douglas Groothuis" - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: What Your Counselor Never Told You: Seven Secrets Revealed-Conquer the Power of Sin in Your Life (Paperback)

I have not yet read this entire book, but I did read a chapter excerpted in "Cornerstone Magazine" this month (November, 2000). I have also read several of Backus's other books, such as "The Hidden Rift With God," which was excellent.

The chapter I read was on the sin of sloth. Backus address the psychological, spiritual, and moral dimensions of depression as it relates to the "deadly sin" of sloth. I found it to be balanced, biblical, and historically grounded in that the author refers to spiritual doctors of the church who have addressed matters of sin and righteousness in the Christian life. He also used a case study to illustrate how "telling ourselves the truth" about our situations and God's character leads to spiritual liberation. This is the main theme of Dr. Backus's works over the years.

The book addresses "the seven deadly sins" and how to overcome them in the Christian life. From what I read in the excerpt, and from what I have read before, I'm sure this is a fine book. I plan to get it and read it soon. Maybe I'll give another review then.

Douglas Groothuis

5.0 out of 5 stars The Heart of the Matter, September 18, 2011

By 

Joy - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: What Your Counselor Never Told You: Seven Secrets Revealed-Conquer the Power of Sin in Your Life (Paperback)

"What Your Counselor Never Told You" is another insightful book by William Backus. After having read his book about "Telling Yourself The Truth", this book went to the heart of what goes on in our lives. Sin. It is our sinful human nature that battles against the truth of God's word and resists it, choosing to believe lies instead. With Christ's strength, we can battle those lies in order to live the way God wants us to. This book convicts and points out sin in great detail. I am so thankful for Jesus, my savior, for without Him I would have no hope.

Backus categorizes sin into the seven deadly sins of envy, lust, gluttony, pride, sloth, anger and greed. In one of the chapters Backus mentions boredom, which seems to be a chronic problem in our society. He writes that "boredom is God's device for sounding an alarm, tyring to make us aware that, "you are serving the wrong God."

This book is convicting, insightful and truthful. It goes right sin, the root of our problems. Definitely a worthwhile read!