Renowned author and pastoral counselor Wayne Oates brings biblical and psychological insight into dialogue in this search for the meaning and management of temptation – a subject he believes has been neglected in theological dicussion and usurped by psychoanalysis, psychiatry, and psychology. The conventional religious assumption regarding temptation holds that to be tempted is to sin – an assumption Oates considers a misinterpretation of scripture. Instead, the author demonstrates that temptation helps form character. He seeks a holistic understanding of biblical and psychological vewis of temptation, integrating scripture, literature, and the work of psychotherapists. Oates broadens his analysis by looking at life stories of prophetic people – those who do not succumb to the temptation to avoid resisting oppressive social evil.
