Trading Faces

Removing the Masks that Hide Your God-Given Identity

John Beeson, Angel Beeson

• Publisher: Kregel Publications
• Year: 2023
• Print ISBN:
  9780825447846
• eBook ISBN:
  9780825470417
• Topic: Theology & Religion
• Subtopic: Mental Health in Psychology

A biblical and practical guide on how to replace false identities with the healthy truth
Seeking fulfilment, many Christians turn to identities that promise to give their lives meaning: profession, roles as spouse or parent, personality types, even sexuality--anything that can be held up to others as the empowering core of who they are. But when these new labels don't give them any real foundation for hope, they end up feeling disappointed, directionless, and defeated. Those false identities turn out to be only sand.
John and Angel Beeson have seen this problem again and again in their respective roles as pastor and counselor. And they want searching Christians to know the truth: a fulfilling understanding of self can only be found by rooting one's identity in the unchangeable and nonnegotiable understanding of who we were created to be.
This husband-and-wife team considers ten identities that masquerade as truth and challenge readers to trade those labels for the ones Christ offers. They explain why true identity matters, how our masks can suffocate us, and how substitute identities can become idolatry. They share real struggles from real people. And they offer hope in a comprehensive index of our identities in Christ, both individual and the collective identity of the church.

Table of contents

• Cover
• Title Page
• Copyright
• Dedication
• Contents
• The Elusive Search
• Mask 1: Shame—Finding Worth as an Image Bearer
• Mask 2: Good Works—Finding Acceptance as a Redeemed Sinner
• Mask 3: Independence—Finding Freedom as a Servant
• Mask 4: Individuality—Finding Rest as a Sheep of the Good Shepherd
• Mask 5: Desires—Finding Satisfaction as a Saint
• Mask 6: Marriage—Finding Wholeness as the Bride of Christ
• Mask 7: Parenthood—Finding Belonging as an Adopted Son
• Mask 8: Ideologies—Finding Humility as Jesus’s Friend
• Mask 9: Career—Finding Purpose as a Gifted Member of God’s Family
• Mask 10: Patriotism—Finding Boldness as an Ambassador of Christ
• Now What?
• Acknowledgments
• Appendix: Our Biblical Identities
• Notes