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Historian's New Book Offers Compassionate Take on the Seven Deadly Sins
Peter Jones' 'Self-Help From the Middle Ages' explores how medieval thinkers viewed the sins as tools for self-improvement, not just things to avoid.
Apr. 14, 2026 at 10:26pm
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A vibrant, pop art-inspired illustration celebrating the timeless wisdom found in medieval writings on the human condition.Phoenix TodayPeter Jones' new book 'Self-Help From the Middle Ages: What the Seven Deadly Sins Can Teach Us About Living' takes a fresh look at the seven deadly sins, exploring how medieval theologians viewed them not as things to eradicate, but as a framework for self-improvement and understanding the human experience. As a historian, Jones shares insights from 12th and 13th century writings that reveal surprisingly relatable reflections on emotions, psychology, and everyday struggles that modern readers can apply to their own lives.
Why it matters
Jones' book challenges common misconceptions about the seven deadly sins, showing how medieval thinkers saw them as a compassionate system for recognizing and working with our human flaws, rather than condemning them. By reframing the sins through a historical lens, the book offers readers a unique path to self-improvement and personal growth.
The details
In 'Self-Help From the Middle Ages', Jones follows the framework of the seven deadly sins - pride, greed, lust, envy, gluttony, wrath, and sloth. He found that medieval writers often discussed these 'sins' not as things to avoid, but as common human experiences and emotions that could be used as tools for self-reflection and betterment. For example, Jones discovered passages in medieval sermons that described relatable experiences like career burnout, which the writers approached with compassion rather than judgment.
- Jones has studied medieval history for nearly 20 years.
- He wrote the book during the COVID-19 pandemic, when he was not able to see his students in person.
The players
Peter Jones
A historian who has studied the Middle Ages for almost 20 years and recently wrote the book 'Self-Help From the Middle Ages: What the Seven Deadly Sins Can Teach Us About Living'.
What they’re saying
“I always just wanted to tell stories to people.”
— Peter Jones, Historian
“What they're really doing is they're actually in the moment that they're writing about these books, they're giving all these insights into psychology, emotion, emotional breakdown, and all kinds of things that we recognize from our lives, career burnout.”
— Peter Jones, Historian
“The reason they resonate is these are all fantastic mirrors for thinking about those little moments where we could improve.”
— Peter Jones, Historian
What’s next
The book 'Self-Help From the Middle Ages: What the Seven Deadly Sins Can Teach Us About Living' by Peter Jones is available for purchase on April 14, 2026 from Knopf Doubleday, an imprint of Penguin Random House.
The takeaway
Jones' book offers a refreshing and compassionate perspective on the seven deadly sins, showing how medieval thinkers viewed them not as things to eradicate, but as a framework for self-improvement and understanding the shared human experience. By reframing these 'sins' through a historical lens, the book provides readers with a unique path to personal growth and a reminder that the struggles we face today are not so different from those grappled with centuries ago.
