The Effectiveness of Bibliotherapy With the Bible — The Emotional Healing Efficacy of Biography and Story of Character in the Bible for Christian Undergraduate and Graduate Student

Abstract

This study involved the application of bibliotherapy with the Bible. The researchers deployed semi-structured in-depth interviews with 12 Christian undergraduates and graduate students from National Taiwan University. This study evaluated the emotional healing efficacy of the Bible by examining the emotional healing processes of identification, catharsis, and insight, and this paper focus on the biographies and stories of characters in the Bible. The findings showed that biographies and stories of characters in the Bible could provide a full process of emotional healing efficacy for Christians who suffer from such emotional disturbance as self-identity problems, struggling with their future careers, and feeling ashamed of their religious beliefs. Those characters are Abraham, Joseph, Moses, Samson, Ruth, David, Elijah, Esther and Mordecai, Job, Daniel, Hosea and Gomer, Jonah, Jesus, Mary (mother of Jesus), Peter, Mary Magdalene, Martha, and Stephen.

Keywords

• bible
• bibliotherapy
• emotional healing
• christian
• undergraduate
• graduated student