Peale begins by stating ten rules for "overcoming inadequacy attitudes and learning to practice faith". The rules include the following:
Picture yourself succeeding.
Think a positive thought to drown out a negative thought.
Minimize obstacles.
Do not attempt to copy others.
Repeat "If God be for us, who can be against us?" ten times every day.
Work with a counselor.
Repeat "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me" ten times every day.
Develop a strong self-respect.
Affirm that you are in God's hands.
Believe that you receive power from God.
The next chapter describes the importance of creating a peaceful mind, which can be done through inspirational reading, clearing one's mind, or visualization. Peale continues with how to obtain consistent energy, saying that "God is the source of all energy". The mind controls how the body feels; thus, letting go of negative energy and emotions will give infinite energy through God. Next, Peale speaks of the healing power of prayer, and how it will heal physical and emotional problems that arise from negative circumstances. In chapters five and six, Peale asserts that happiness is created by choice and that worrying only inhibits it and should be stopped. The next step in thinking positively is to always believe in success and not to believe in defeat because most obstacles are "mental in character". Habitual worrying is the next obstacle to overcome through emptying the mind and positive affirmations. Peale then states that asking God for help can solve one's personal problems and physically and emotionally heal them.
In chapter twelve, Peale states that letting go of anger and embracing a sense of calm can help with physical illnesses, such as eczema. Next, Peale states that letting positive thoughts in can change one's outlook on life drastically and that practicing relaxation through God's help will lead to a content life. Chapter fifteen gives concrete examples on how to get others to like you, including the following: remember names, praise others generously, become a people person, and resolve problems calmly as soon as they appear. Peale then continues with how to overcome heartache through prayer, meditation, social interactions, and keeping a daily routine. The final chapter restates the importance of reaching out to a Higher Power for help in living a peaceful, positive life. Peale ends The Power of Positive Thinking with an epilogue encouraging readers to follow his techniques and live more fulfilled lives. Peale writes, "I pray for you. God will help you — so believe and live successfully."
thinking often involves trying to believe upbeat statements such as 'Every day, in every way, I'm getting better and better,' in the absence of evidence, or even in the face of contrary evidence."[11] Seligman continues his critique saying, "if you can manage the feat of actually believing these sorts of statements, more power to you. Many educated people, trained in skeptical thinking, cannot manage this kind of boosterism."[11]
Similarly, Donald Meyer, in his book The Positive Thinkers, critiques the effectiveness of Peale's techniques saying that Peale always "reacted to the image of harshness with flight rather than competitive fight."[12] Meyer later quotes Peale as saying, "No man, however resourceful or pugnacious, is a match for so great an adversary as a hostile world. He is at best a puny and impotent creature quite at the mercy of the cosmic and social forces in the midst of which he dwells."[12] Meyer argues that positive thinking is disempowering to the individual; for, Peale presents individuals as weak compared to the "hostile world" with only the help of his techniques to overcome negative circumstances. In addition, Meyer also questions the effectiveness of Peale's positive thinking techniques in the antagonistic environment Peale presents.
Theological critique
Episcopal theologian John M. Krumm criticized Peale's teachings for their basis in religion, defining his teachings as heretical. Krumm writes that "the emphasis upon techniques such as the repetition of confident phrases" or "the manipulation of certain mechanical devices" gives "the impression of a thoroughly depersonalized religion. Very little is said about the sovereign mind and purpose of God; much is made of the things men can say to themselves and can do to bring about their ambitions and purposes."[13] Krumm argues that Peale does not have the backing of religion to support his techniques. Krumm continues with a warning: "the predominant use of impersonal symbols for God is a serious and dangerous invitation to regard man as the center of reality and the Divine Reality as an impersonal power, the use and purpose of which is determined by the man who takes hold of it and employs it as he thinks best."[13]
Edmund Fuller, book review editor of the Episcopal Churchnews, warned against following Peale's teachings in an article titled "Pitchmen in the Pulpit" from March 1957. Fuller cautions readers not to believe Peale just because he was a minister. He writes that Peale's books have no connection to Christianity and that they "influence, mislead and often disillusion sick, maladjusted, unhappy or ill-constructed people, obscuring for them the Christian realities. They offer easy comforts, easy solutions to problems and mysteries that sometimes perhaps, have no comforts or solutions at all, in glib, worldly terms. They offer a cheap 'happiness' in lieu of the joy Christianity can offer."[14]
Positive reviews
While contemporary theologians and mental health experts criticized Peale's teachings in The Power of Positive Thinking, the general public praised the self-help book. The Los Angeles Times estimates that "legions of followers testified that Peale's message changed their lives for the better and represented the best combination of faith and pragmatism."[6] This is evidenced by the popularity of Peale's book, which sold more than 5 million copies worldwide and was eventually translated into over 40 languages.[6] In addition, Peale was close friends with American presidents Eisenhower and Nixon, both of whom highly regarded his positive thinking teachings.[1] Countless others accredited The Power of Positive Thinking for their success in overcoming obstacles including George Foster, of the Cincinnati Reds,[15] Rev. Robert Schuller, founder and pastor of the Crystal Cathedral in Garden Grove,[6] and Billy Graham, a prominent Southern Baptist Minister.[5]