Norman Vincent Peale
Norman Vincent Peale ( born May 31, 1898 in Bowersville, Ohio, USA, † December 24, 1993 in Pawling, New York) was an American pastor, author and Freemason.
Biography
Peale was raised Methodist, but later moved to the Reformed Church of America and worked from 1932 as a minister at the Marble Collegiate Church in New York. There grew by him the number of church members from 600 to over 5,000, and his doctrine of the power of " positive thinking " has made him one of the most famous pastor of New York. From 1930 until his death he was married to Ruth Stafford Peale. In 1952 he published his first book, The Power of Positive thinking, which sold millions of copies worldwide. Peale in 1984 was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom for his theological work.
" Practically applicable theology "
Peale's theology should be " practically applicable theology for the people," according to his own formulation a. It created therefore basically a kind Christian help and sound life no spiritual- theological work in the strict sense. In his book, The Tough - Minded Optimist he wrote in a strongly worded paragraph apologetic that he had processed also thought the New Thought movement, in particular the Unity movement, and by various authors in the context of the New Thought movement in his book, but at Trinitarian image of God, hold fast, because he was a true Christian in the sense of his church.
Criticism
Peale's life help method is considered to be a significant groundswell of positive thinking. On the part of evangelicals and pietists Peale's approach from the beginning was rejected as purely inner-worldly or esoteric or occult. Especially Dave Hunt founded the fundamental rejection of Peale's theology on the 639 pages of his book Occult Invasion. In his summary essay A bright and a dark side of force? he claims Peale turn due to a magical understanding of the world to the " bright " side of the force and do not know any personal and righteous God.
Also of some cult experts that positive thinking is rejected by Peale.
A critical examination of the positive thinking makes the psychologist and psychotherapist Günter Sheikh. Sheikh examines the purposeful mixing of religion and psychology. Peale linked faith in God to " almost unbearable, blasphemous style with professional and economic success "
Causes of physical illnesses sees Peale causally mind. Consequently, he downplayed physical causes and gives the impression that medical treatment will be by process of positive thinking superfluous if one applies it correctly.
In the teachings of positive thinking, as Peale was representing the " basic Christian notions of faith, prayer or healing supposedly irresistible " is falsified success "methods. Because the fulfillment of Christian hopes among the eschatological proviso is, naively Magic Positive thinking forbids. "
Works
- The power of positive thinking. Oesch, Zurich 1960.
- The effectiveness of positive thinking.
- To help positive imagination. Oesch Verlag.
- So you have more from life. Oesch Verlag.
- Nevertheless, positive. Oesch Verlag.
- Therefore, be comforted. Oesch Verlag.
- Live positive! As the active imagination changed your life.
- Today your life begins. A positive word for each day.
- Take happiness in your hand.
- What can enthusiasm.
- Life can be fun.
- The book of joy.
- The affirmation of life. Oesch, Zurich 1994.
- The plus factor. Heyne, München 1991.