Strengthquest- A book review by Sutton

STRENGTHQUEST: DISCOVER AND DEVELOP  

YOUR STRENGTHS IN ACADEMICS, CAREER,

AND BEYOND

By

   Donald O. Clifton &

   Edward Anderson

Reviewed by

   Geoffrey W. Sutton

I read and reviewed (Sutton, 2007b) the 2004 edition of this book published by Gallup. There is a new version (Second Edition), which includes a third author, Laurie Schreiner. The authors present their strength-based philosophy, which fits nicely with the concurrent trend in positive psychology (Sutton, 2007a). Others have shown how the strengths approach is compatible with Christianity (e.g., see Sutton, 2007c).

"A strength is the ability to provide consistent, near-perfect performance in a given activity (p. 8)."

The authors explain how talent, qua raw material, can be combined with knowledge and
skill to produce a unique pattern of strengths.

The book and the test have been revised. Overall, I think this approach to identifying personal strengths is a useful starting point in academic and vocational counseling. I also think it is a good reminder for those of us who worked in education and psychotherapy to ensure an adequate focus on the strengths of students and patients. I do not think we can ignore diagnoses, but I do think it is too easy to forget a person's strengths.

In addition to the review, I worked with colleagues on a strengths study, which was published in 2011 (see below).

References

Sutton, G. W. (2007a). [Review of the book Positive psychology: The scientific and practical explorations of human strengths by C. R. Snyder & S. Lopez]. Journal of Christianity and Psychology, 26, 273-274.   Academia Link    ResearchGate Link

 Sutton, G. W. (2007b). [Review of the book StrengthsQuest: Discover and develop your strengths in academics, career, and beyond by D. Clifton & E. Anderson]. Journal of Christianity and Psychology, 26, 82-83.   Academia Link    ResearchGate Link  

Sutton, G. W. (2007c). Strengths and Christian Service. [Review of the book Living your strengths: Discover your God-given talents, and inspire your congregation and community by A. Winseman, D. Clifton, & C. Liesveld]. Unpublished manuscript available at https://www.academia.edu/11728647/Strengths_and_Christian_Service

Sutton, G. W., Phillips, S., Lehnert, A. B., Bartle, B. W., & Yokomizo, P. (2011). Strengths, academic self-efficacy, admission test scores, and GPA in a Christian university sample. Journal of Psychology and Christianity, 30, 28-36.  Academia Link    Research Gate Link

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Love & the Assemblies of God -- A Book Review by Sutton

THE ASSEMBLIES OF GOD: 

GODLY LOVE and the 

REVITALIZATION of

AMERICAN PENTECOSTALISM.    

     By 

Margaret M. Poloma 

& John C. Green. 

            

Poloma and Green report findings from a sociological study of the Assemblies of God by interpreting interview and survey data from 447 clergy and 1,827 congregants, contextualized by historical narratives, website documents, previous research, and sociological theories. 

They posit that organizational tension between charisma (primal spirituality) and social structure (pragmatic, organizational concerns) can catalyze revitalization; however, extant data are not quite sufficient to support the hypothesized dynamic. Data illustrate both a commitment to classic Pentecostal experiences (e.g., glossolalia, divine healing) as well as concerns for orthodoxy and structure. We also see a strong moral stance consistent with their history.

Godly Love is offered as a theory to explain a dynamic interaction between believers and God, which yields love energy flowing outward in benevolent service. Attitudinal and benevolent activities data suggest the potential for Godly Love as a relational model of the Pentecostal experience.

The analyses and interpretations are heavily dependent upon self-reported attitudes and behaviors. Some survey scales are challenged by low scale reliability and limited construct validity. The lack of cohort-based longitudinal data in the context of the American host culture and other religious bodies may relegate trend analysis to speculation. Nevertheless, the authors successfully maintain a delicate balance between a plethora of statistics and readable narratives making the work a primary source for a wide audience of scholars interested in this century-old American Pentecostal journey.

When I think about Christian love, I think about forgiveness, but forgiveness is not a concept listed in the index. My colleagues and I explored the concept of forgiveness and reconciliation in a few publications, including a a research study (See references below.)

The tables at the end of the book are a bonus, which offers useful information to generate hypotheses for future studies and implications for consultants. I included references to some of their findings in Counseling and psychotherapy with Pentecostal and Charismatic Christians: Culture & Research | Assessment & Practice (2021).

Some examples of pastors' Pentecostal practices from Table A.2, p. 208

Pastors: 16% reported speaking in tongues with interpretation at least weekly. And 82% pray in tongues at least weekly. The percentages were low for weekly or greater experiences of singing in the spirit (18%), Holy laughter (5%), and dancing in the Spirit (8%).

Examples of beliefs and values from Table A.5, p. 210.

Pastors' Beliefs- data for those who Agree and Strongly Agree
The devil actually exists 99%
Scriptures are literally accurate 98%
Christ is the only way to salvation 100%
Immanent rapture 99%

Pastors' morality
No dancing 76%
No gambling 99%
No movies 51%


References

Mittelstadt, M. & G. W. Sutton (eds.) (2010) Forgiveness, reconciliation, and restoration: Multidisciplinary studies from a Pentecostal perspective. Eugene, OR: Pickwick Publications. ISBN: 9781608991945

Poloma, M. M. & Green, J.C. (2010). The assemblies of God: Godly love and the revitalization of American Pentecostalism. New York: New York University Press.

Sutton, G. W. (2011). [Review of the book The Assemblies of God: Godly love and the revitalization of American Pentecostalism by M.M. Poloma & J.C. Green]. Religious Studies Review, 37, 185. Accepted 3 February 2011.   Academia Link    Research Gate Link  

Sutton, G. W. (2021). Counseling and psychotherapy with Pentecostal and Charismatic Christians: Culture & Research | Assessment & Practice. Springfield, MO: Sunflower. ISBN-13 : 979-8681036524 (See review) AMAZON 

Sutton, G. W., Jordan, K., & Worthington, E.L., Jr. (2014). Spirituality, hope, compassion, and forgiveness: Contributions of Pentecostal spirituality to godly love. Journal of Psychology and Christianity, 33, 212-226. Academia Link     ResearchGate  

Sutton, G. W. & Mittelstadt, M. W. (2012). Loving God and loving others: Learning about love from psychological science and Pentecostal perspectives. Journal of Christianity and Psychology, 31, 157-166.  Academia Link Research Gate Link

 Related Books

Counseling and psychotherapy with Pentecostal and Charismatic Christians: Culture & Research | Assessment & Practice AMAZON

Forgiveness, Reconciliation, Restoration: Multidisciplinary Studies from a Pentecostal Perspective
Published by Pickwick / WipfandStock  FREE copies to Reviewers and Instructors

Related Posts

Catch the Fire

Godly Love: Impediments and Possibilities

Love and the Assemblies of God

Science and Theology of Godly Love

Testing Prayer

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Checkout My Page    www.suttong.com

  

My Books  AMAZON          and             GOOGLE STORE

 

FOLLOW me on   FACEBOOK   Geoff W. Sutton   TWITTER  @Geoff.W.Sutton

 

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Articles: Academia   Geoff W Sutton   ResearchGate   Geoffrey W Sutton