Practical Theology – serie

The Stranger’s Voice examines some of Julia Kristeva’s major psychoanalytic texts which focus on themes of women’s depression, feminine identity, motherhood, and the need to believe as these themes relate to the power of religious language in a therapeutic relationship. The central thesis of the book is that attention to critiques of religious discourse offered by those (in this case, Julia Kristeva) in the psychoanalytic tradition will facilitate a more fully nuanced approach to an interdisciplinary model for pastoral theology.

The work of practical theologian James E. Loder, Jr. (1931-2001) deserves a wider audience. For more than forty years, he developed and exercised an interdisciplinary methodology that identified patterns of correlation in the fields of psychology, educational theory, phenomenology, epistemology, and physics, producing a compelling theological vision that centers on the person and work of the Holy Spirit engaging and transforming human life. At his untimely death in November 2001, Loder was the Mary D. Synnott Professor of Philosophy of Christian Education at Princeton Theological Seminary, where he lectured primarily in the areas of human development and the philosophy of education.This book introduces and examines, explores and untangles the complexity of Loder’s thought in order to make it more accessible to a broader audience. At the core of Loder’s work is a relational phenomenological pneumatology of inestimable value to the theologian engaged in the ongoing renewal of the church. The Christian life is preeminently relational, distinguished by a relationship with God constituted by Jesus Christ, and sustained by the Holy Spirit. Relationality, Loder claims, takes place in and through the life of the Holy Spirit who operates within a complementary relationship with the human spirit, through an analogia spiritus: a profound, transformational interrelation of the Holy Spirit and the human spirit. The Holy Spirit, intimately connected to the person and work of Christ, takes up and extends the work begun in the incarnation by enfleshing the presence of Christ, thus transforming human life. Loder is distinctive for articulating a pneumatology that incorporates ‘how’ the self participates in the relationship and the way the self, through the relationship, comes to have a full knowledge of itself, the world, and God. It is precisely the logic of this Christomorphic dynamic that has extraordinary implications for the way we attempt to fathom the depths and convey the meaning of Christian experience. Loder’s relational phenomenological pneumatology contains rich and principally unrecognized resources for providing new frameworks for the Christian life.

Vulnerability and Courage examines the influence of poverty on the experience of self among adolescents. It explores psychosocial and theological aspects of poverty and alienation from ontological and existential perspectives. Although poverty and alienation are typically considered from sociological or ethical perspectives, this book focuses on the psychosocial mechanisms that impact character and identity formation and on their pastoral theological implications. To this end, Vulnerability and Courage examines Erich Fromm’s discourses on an inauthentic pseudo-self as well as Erik Erikson’s view on an individual’s identity formation. In addition, it points to the innately existential impact of the experience of poverty by means of Paul Tillich’s ontological understanding of alienation. The main theme is that psychological and existential perspectives on poverty enrich discourses on alienation as a window through which we can see the multi-layered structure or mechanism of economic vulnerability, a structure that through various means can hugely influence one’s life.

Peter Gubi's book, the fruit of both his own extensive research and a detailed study of the available literature, explores in depth the way prayer is, and could be, used in counselling and psychotherapy.This book would provide excellent material for a group of counsellors to share and reflect on. Gubi's book is a fine guide to anyone ready to seriously explore these issues.'- Thresholds'... [A] challenge to all therapists to examine their own presuppositions and prejudices and to discover, in so doing, an enhanced flexibility without losing their integrity. It is not recommended reading for those settled in their ways or unwilling to acknowledge their own spiritual yearnings or their lack of courage in the face of another's spirituality. Prayer can be a tough discipline and Peter Gubi demonstrates that its incorporation into the work of the therapist requires no little courage and a willingness to explore afresh what constitutes ethical behaviour as opposed to following the rule book.'- from the foreword by Brian Thorne, Professor Emeritus, University of East Anglia, and Honorary Lay Canon, Norwich CathedralWithin mainstream counselling and psychotherapy there is growing interest in the spiritual dimension of counselling. Prayer is at the centre of most spirituality and prayer is important to many people's psychological well-being.Peter Madsen Gubi argues that philosophically, all counselling can be regarded as prayer, particularly when working at relational depth; that prayer plays an important part in maintaining many mainstream counsellors' well-being and, with caution and considered ethical awareness, prayer can be integrated ethically into counselling when working with people of faith. The use of prayer in counselling is not the antithesis of counselling as some have argued, but can be identified with many accepted therapeutic practices.Grounded in his doctoral research among mainstream counsellors whose work includes prayer, this book encourages counselling and psychotherapy practitioners, and those with an interest in the welfare of others, to consider carefully the ethical place of prayer in counselling.

This is not a book about theory, it is a book about life. This volume is in the excellent Practical Theology Series published by Jessica Kingsley and under the general editorship of John Swinton of Aberdeen University who writes the Foreword. Ray Anderson is an American pastor and academic of many years standing. His starting point is (pre) theoretical, arguing vigorously that practical theology has a particular end in view and therefore differs from the empirical (social) sciences. It is well worth sticking with his argument to see how it works out in practice. Early chapters with phrases in their titles such as "Spiritual Praxis of Practical Theology", "Integrative Gestalt of the Human Self", "Ecological Matrix of the Human Person" and "Social Ecology of Human Spirituality" might seem heavy going at times. Don't be put off! The reader is rewarded with highly relevant contemporary understandings of spirituality illuminating and illuminated by both Scripture and modern theologians and therapists. This book comes highly recommended for anyone involved in the field of mental health care.'- Leveson Newsletter'This is a book that deserves to be read, and perhaps re-read, by those who deliver spiritual care and wish to reflect on what they do.'- Scottish Journal of Healthcare ChaplaincyBridging the gap between clinical and religious professionals, this book examines how both can understand the spiritual needs of the individual, and the importance of this spirituality in bringing about health and wholeness.With an emphasis on mental health, the author explores spirituality in the context of the individual and of society, and discusses how those practicing pastoral or health care can deal with the issues raised outside of any specific religious ideas or practice. Taking an ecological approach to understanding the needs of the individual, Ray S. Anderson shows how professionals can help people move towards a more positive state in the face of pain, distress and illness.Moving religious professionals away from the pursuit of simple edification, and those in health from purely medicalized approaches, Spiritual Caregiving as Secular Sacrament brings together professionals' roles in the context of spirituality to enable them to bring the greatest benefit to those in their care.