Broken Windows of the Soul: A Pastor and Christian Psychologist Discuss Sexual Sins and the Prescription to Heal Them by Arnold R. FleagleMy rating: 4 of 5 stars
The chapter on “Fixing Broken Windows” is an exceptional resource in helping those who have fallen in sin, especially the outstanding eight-question template that provides a framework for accountability partners to refer. While Paul may not have explicitly instructed his readers to adhere to such a structure, the values presented in Broken Windows of the Soul come across as wise advice. These principles, like Scripture, are “useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work” (2 Tim. 3:16-17 NIV).
The outstanding reflection questions provided at the end of every chapter would provide an excellent framework that close friends in covenant relationship to one another, to journey together toward sexual purity. The reflection questions would also be helpful if the book was used as a guide for a small group discussion or study. For purposes of further study, a worthy companion that can be used in conjunction with Broken Windows of the Soul would be Finally Free.
The authors require the reader to make a mental leap of how the broken windows theory, which has its roots in social psychology, is linked to abnormal/cognitive psychology, and then to the “spiritual treatment” of sexual sin. Only halfway through the book, does the chapter about the “spiders in the glass” analogy shed a little more light on the validity of the spiritual application of the broken windows theory to address sexual sin. If placed closer to the introduction, the analogy could possibly aid the reader’s logical thought progression of psychology to the bible and to application in one’s own life. A similar case could be made for the chapter on “Arming the Alarm System” to be placed nearer to the beginning of the book.
If the book’s primary audience are pastors, ministers and “true-blue” Christians, then the arrangement of chapters should start with a biblical foundation before drawing links to social psychology and application of the truth claims. If however the book’s brevity indicates that the intended audience are the “fair-weather” Christians or non-Christians, then the current introductory psychological references creates a helpful apologetic bridge to the biblical model for sexual healing.
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