I Told Me So: Self-Deception and the Christian Life

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I TOLD ME SO: SELF-DECEPTION AND THE CHRISTIAN LIFE. Gregg A. Ten Elshof. (2009). Grand Rapids, MI: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company. Pb. Pp. 158, $15.00.

A recent meta-analysis in Personality and Social Psychology Review on religiousness and self-enhancement piqued my interest regarding this title. The book is an easy read appropriate for professionals and lay folks alike. The essential thesis of the book is that fallen individuals often avoid the hard work of good action and good character but reap the good feelings associated with such work and action by deceiving themselves. If we can think of ourselves as good and worthy, without doing the hard work of good and worthy, …