Leadership and the Sin of Empathy

Joe Rigney's analysis of the sin of empathy is helpful for many reasons, but mostly because it offers a detailed anatomy of how those who just want to "help you," use empathy to steer leaders and organizations into a competing or contrary vision. If you are a leader, then someone is trying to steer you where they want you to go. Understanding how they use the sin of empathy to manipulate you and try and get you there is invaluable information.

I’ve been a pastor for 42 years and love to read. I’ve read a lot of fine books on leadership over the years but some rise to the top for their exceptional instruction and insight. This book provides greater insight into leading in the present moment than any book I have read. It is full of wisdom. The chapter on leadership in the church is worth the price of the book and a couple of the pages in that chapter are so good they are worth memorizing. A book like this doesn’t come along very often. I’ve recommended it to virtually every pastor I know. I also think wives would benefit immensely from reading it — to know how to encourage their husbands in this vital task of leadership.

I especially enjoyed the last half and his engagement with Paul in Gal 2 and Acts. I’d love to be more of the sober-minded leader (or the differentiated leader) that Rigney describes.

On a slightly related, on the printed page, his criticisms of empathy and winsomeness are far more nuanced, balanced, and sensible than the Twitter soundbites seem to suggest.

I enjoyed this concise book on leadership. While I found it directed toward men, the methodology applies to men and women. Every believer can use these tenents in home, church and world. As a young man I observed older men in leadership positions who exhibited these very characteristics. They were the men others respected and acknowledged. It is clear to me that some are naturally born leaders. Our culture today needs Christian leaders willing to stand firm. Thank you Joe and Canon Press.

There is nothing inherently sinful about a rock just like there is nothing inherently sinful about placing oneself in another's shoes to understand their state of emotion.

When Cain used a rock against Abel, the usage of the rock does not make the rock itself sinful. Rather, the action against Abel was sinful regardless of how it was carried out.

Therefore, to title a book in a way that equates empathy itself with sin instead of unbalanced applications of empathy is inherently a form of lying that is non-Christian and ironically a sin by definition.

Every man should read this. Powerful, powerful book.

Well bound proper hardback bookswith nucely printed cover sleeves. Good quality paper and printing.

Thank you very much looking forward to reading it.

Looking forward to reading it.

*The Sin of Empathy: A Biblical and Psychological Reflection* By. Dr. Michael Napier In a world that elevates emotionalism over truth, we must be discerning about the forces that shape our hearts and minds. Empathy, often praised as the highest virtue, can become a dangerous counterfeit of biblical compassion when untethered from truth. While Scripture calls us to bear one another’s burdens (Galatians 6:2), it does not command us to surrender discernment or to be swept away by the emotional tides of another’s suffering. Joe Rigney’s *The Sin of Empathy* exposes how unchecked empathy demands that we not only feel with others but that we adopt their perspective entirely, forsaking objective truth for subjective experience. This is where empathy becomes a sin—it leads us away from the firm foundation of God’s Word and into the unstable waters of emotional manipulation. Rigney critiques how modern culture weaponizes pity to pressure believers into affirming sinful behaviors, replacing biblical discernment with emotional coercion (Rigney 2025, 45). Consider Christ’s example. He was moved with compassion (Matthew 9:36), but He never allowed Himself to be emotionally manipulated. He did not weep with the Pharisees when they rejected Him, nor did He affirm the rich young ruler’s sorrow when he walked away from truth (Mark 10:22). Christ’s love was steadfast, rooted in righteousness, not in emotional entanglement. From a Biblical Psychology perspective,

Republicans justifying not caring for anyone but themselves. Not very Christian if you ask me.

Everyone needs to read this book!!!

Great book - Although the title is made to be controversial, the book lays out a good history of the word 'empathy' and the dangers with how it's used today. Beyond the word, it also shows the worldview that's putting more emphasis on being stuck in a bad situation with someone's feelings vs. being able to help them through it by staying emotionally stable yourself.

When Democrats are flying to an El Salvador prison to fight for the release of a deported illegal alien, who committed multiple crimes yet allowing other egregious atrocities to happen on our soil (i.e. abortion, transing kids), you know empathy is being used for evil.

Cogent, timely, enlightening. Explains so much.

This book is a sobering temperature check of the visible church today, and how it got here. I prefer books written by dead guys, but for anyone who doesn’t want their head in this sand, this is a helpful read. I appreciated the succinct explanation of recent events, and how they shaped current ideology.

The truths expressed in this book are needed by the Church now more than ever! I am so grateful for the clarity the author provides.

This book is outstanding. I’m a biblical counselor and domestic violence advocate who flirted heavily with the quicksand of empathy before I saw the Man Rampant episode after which this book is named. Dr. Rigney has helped me be more courageous and wise as I care for people. I am much more steadfast and immovable now, which is great because you can’t export to others what you yourself do not possess. This teaching has been crucial to my growth.

Excellent book! I read this with my children as part of our homeschool curriculum. Easy to understand, very practical material, and necessary reading for believers who are being pressured to follow the '11th Commandment': Be Nice. I really appreciate Joe's perspective and highly recommend this book.

Another good example on why people should bomb churches and not abortion clinics lol

Please don’t listen to the haters. I personally found myself in a turbulent situation that had to do with untethered empathy —which is different from showing compassion and found this book SO SO helpful and a blessing. It’s grounded in Biblical truth as it exposes the dark side of empathy without sound biblical judgment and critical thinking. People saying this is unloving and not the message of Jesus, but they tend to forget that Jesus also spoke some bold things that would be considered, in today’s modern sensitive era, “offensive” such as making the comparison of a Canaanite woman to a dog and ignoring her initially as a way to test her faith. She could’ve thought that was bigotry, insensitive, and racist and make complain about it to others (bad reviews and spreading hate online in today’s twisted world) but knew who Jesus was. Another example is telling Peter “get behind me Satan” after Peter mentioned he will not allow Jesus to be crucified. Peter’s attempt to do “good” and “love” Jesus was not perceived by Jesus as loving and instead it was perhaps carefully crafted by the enemy to sabotage Jesus’ plan for our salvation and GREATER good. We really have to ask ourselves if we are getting in the way of people getting saved and knowing the Father, Son and Holy Spirit because we just don’t understand, are quick to report and hate on anyone, and perpetuate a victimhood that allows our flesh to fester our minds and hearts and ultimately reject the Word of God. This book will expand deeply on this.

Leadership and Emotional Sabotage: Resisting the Anxiety That Will Wreck Your Family, Destroy Your Church, and Ruin the World

The Sin of Empathy: Compassion and Its Counterfeits

Truth that needs to be stated out loud!

Every believer should read this book. It belongs in every library. I noticed that all the bad reviews are from feminists and leftists. So, that should tell you everything you need to know about the validity of this idea and how manipulative empathy is when deployed by people who love being victims.

I bought this book because I thought it would be good. It was good. It absolutely clarifies the last 10 years of evangelical confusion. Thanks Mr. Rigney!