The Vertical Self by Mark Sayers
If you’re looking for a self-help, Dr. Phil approach to finding your untapped potential and personality, this book isn’t it. And truthfully, I can think of no higher praise to offer Mark Sayers.
If you are looking for a Christian perspective not just on western culture, but on the effects of western culture on the Church and on the individual, then you need to add this book to your library and you need to read it with pen, paper and sticky notes close by. Sayers cuts through all of the pomp and splendor of our concepts of “image” and challenges us to begin the search for our true self, which is often difficult and frustrating.
I’ve read so many books that talk about our desires and why we are the way we are and…et cet. But this is the first book I’ve read that ends with a clear teaching about holiness, peace, sanctification, and becoming our redeemed selves.
For more information about this book, please visit the Thomas Nelson product page for The Vertical Self.
Disclosure: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze.com book review bloggers program.
barefooted semmie 
That looks good! I’ll have to check it out!
Oh, I hope you do! It’s such a great perspective on identity and becoming who we are! It reminded me of what G.K. Chesterton wrote in Orthodoxy…that Christianity was not made by him, but rather, it was making him. Such an incredible book. I cannot praise it enough. So many struggles in our society revolve around the question of who we are.
Pax Domini, Kelp! Good to see you. 🙂
Certianly nothing to sneeze at. (booksneeze.com – bad joke, huh?) I would like to add it to my reading list, but my reading list is quite full at the moment.
Western culture- especially that in the United States- is very threatening to the Church and the individual since there is great pressure concentrated toward changing the Church and the individual (Christian). Thank you, Sarah for making us aware of this book and its author. The problem will be getting everyone else to read it and actually take it to heart.
Steve! Gesundheit.
Okay…this is a pretty quick read. Are you sure you can’t find room for it on your list???
You are SO right about culture and the Church. Unfortunately, I think a lot of changes have already happened, and I wonder what it will take to restore the Church. I am sure God has a plan–that’s the good news in all of this mess. But man…it breaks my heart to see our culture, where people are just broken and searching for meaning and identity, and the Church has very little to offer in response to that struggle. I don’t mean to be critical of the Church, certainly…and…I understand fully that when I speak of “the Church,” I am speaking first and foremostly of myself. But there is a lot of unintended jargon happening in the modern Church, rather than honest answers and guidance.
I will be encouraging everyone I can to read this book. We need this message!
Pax Domini…and good to see you, Steve. 🙂