Unashamed

Nelson draws on her work as a counselor and her education at Westminster Theological Seminary for this probing look at shame and its effects on many corners of our lives. As she explains in the introduction, Nelson draws significantly on the work of author Bren%C3%A9 Brown, layering in additional insight on shame from a biblical perspective. With scriptural references, personal anecdotes, and composites drawn from her counseling work, she examines shame generated by body image, social comparisons, and performance, and provides a response based on how the Bible says God views us. Nelson also applies those principles in day-to-day relationships, with chapters on how shame functions in marriage, parenting, and within the church. Her strategic use of reflection questions at the end of each chapter and appendices on body, eating disorders, and abuse help personalize the material without sidetracking the conversation. Some readers may wish for an approach that's warmer with personal narrative, but Nelson's choice to ground the topic firmly in scripture and counseling experience offer a valuable framework for addressing shame. (June)