Chaplain Earl Jabay recorded important insights for pastoral care and counseling. For example, in his book, The Kingdom of Self, he presents the root cause of mental and emotional problems and also the biblical solution for wellness. The back cover includes some of the qualifications of the author:

“Earl Jabay has had quiet continuing success in thousands of counseling situations… An ordained minister of the Reformed Church in America, with two pastorates behind him and extensive grounding in modern psychiatry, Earl Jabay joined the staff of the famed Neuro–Psychiatric Institute at Princeton in 1959, as a clinically trained Chaplain…”

An bookseller’s synopsis states:

“The Kingdom of Self … explores the concept of self-centeredness, arguing that excessive self-focus leads to self-destruction and mental illness, and offers a path to mental health through a spiritual, less self-absorbed life. Jabay, a chaplain, presents a revolutionary approach to mental well-being by reframing the “kingdom of self” as the source of problems, contrasting it with a healthier, God-centered life. 

After showing the pervasive problems related of selfish living and the ineffective approaches of secular therapy, Jabay ends his book with a chapter called “The Power to Deliver,” where he talks about the One who can change and restore lives.

“King Self completely devoted himself throughout his life to acquiring power. From earliest childhood, he dreamed of controlling his world. Even supernatural power was called upon to support (but not control, thank you) the exciting destiny of himself as a god-king. The results, we know all too well, were completely disastrous. It was because King Self was fascinated with his own power. He was right in that he needed power—but wrong in looking to himself as the source of that power. This is the basic problem with all egocentrics: we lack the power to deliver ourselves from the power of evil. This is why we must turn away from the pseudo-religionists and the psychologists and turn to the God of all power. This God—this God of all power—has a name. 

He is the Holy Spirit.” 


As he discusses the positive characteristics of Spirit-filled ministries, he observes the significance of man as spirit, soul, and body.

“The movement of the Holy Spirit accurately discerns the spiritual nature of our basic problem in life.

 Most charismatics [those who value spiritual gifts], following the teaching of that most unusual Chinese Christian, Watchman Nee, affirm the biblical teaching that man is composed of spirit, soul, and body. Modern psychology ignores man’s spirit, because the behavioral scientists are so completely absorbed in the study of man’s soul (intellect, will, and emotions). [In secular psychotherapy] We are encouraged to develop our soulish powers by which to assert our mastery over life. Watchman Nee correctly discerned that this is the very worst mistake man can make. What we need is not soul-development but for our dead human spirits to be brought to life and joined by the Holy Spirit. We cannot really be helped until we are born of the Holy Spirit. Once our spiritual need is met by the Holy Spirit joining Himself to our spirits, a sure foundation for emotional health is laid. 

What this means is that the problem with man is basically spiritual rather than psychological or genetic or environmental. We are human spirits who need the Holy Spirit. When “he who is united to the Lord becomes one spirit with him” (1 Corinthians 6:17), the basic life-problem is solved. How simple!” (bold font added)


It is important to recognize that the spiritual answer to freedom from self-centered living is clarified through observing that man not only has potential for nobler aspirations in the soul, but has been created with a human spirit (Gen. 2:7; Prov. 20:27). This spirit needs rebirth (John 3:3-6), and then should be given ascendancy in man’s functioning (1 Cor. 2:10-16) as illumined and empowered by the Holy Spirit.

---

The Kingdom of Self, Earl Jabay. (Plainfield, NJ: Logos International, 1980), ch. 9. His other published books include The God Players, Power Greater Than Ourselves, and The Search for Identity.

Clarification: This book is critiquing self-centeredness, which corresponds to being in the flesh (an unsaved person’s state – Rom 8:8,9), or walking after the flesh (the condition of the carnal Christian – 1 Cor. 3:1-3). Note, however that there are three other aspects of “self” to define. See https://gracenotebook.com/sorting-your-self-out/

JBW