I found it refreshing as it was straight forward and didn't "pad the blows." Not only did it point straight to the truth of human nature, it abolished the idea that we, as humans, can make it in this world without the Lord. I was so very impressed with the truth given quickly, and then the blessings added. Not only did it point out how truly selfish we were, it then lifted us to new heights with the reality that God can change it all.
Amen to Dr. LaHaye! Thank God for his wisdom and his ability to share God's heart. Finally, a book that calls it as it is.
First, LaHaye condemns "negative" human emotions as SINS. This idea comes from late medieval theology, and was implemented by--who else?--John Calvin. LaHaye insists that anger--which he says is the dominant "negative" emotion for the "choleric" temperament--is the fruit of selfishness. At times he confuses selfishness with self-centeredness. He implies that losing one's temper is a sin, and that by being "controlled by the Holy Spirit" a Christian can NEVER get emotionally angry. He also insists that fear of any kind--especially worry--is also sin, and that the root of fear is selfishness.
The second problem with this book's ideas--which are naturally the author's ideas--is that the fruits of the Spirit are positive emotions. LaHaye also teaches the so-called four temperaments as if they are modern-day notions, while they are actually classical in origin and no longer accepted by behavioral scientists.
LaHaye believes in Sola Scriptura--one of the cries of the Protestant Reformation. Yet, he goes outside of Scripture in his dogmatism. What's more, he manipulates Scripture in order to have it say what he wants it to say.