A survey of recent publications in pastoral psychological fields

The author calls attention to a number of recent publications to assist pastors in selecting titles which will prove most helpful to them. He discusses books of general interest on religion and ministry, books on counseling and psychotherapy, books on psychology and personality, and books in theology, ethics and philosophy.Dr. Hunter is Associate Professor of Pastoral Theology at Candler School of Theology, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia 30322, and serves as Book Review Editor ofPastoral Psychology.     

Voices outside the camp: Some significant nonpastoral books in 1979–80

A review article of recent books in disciplines related to pastoral care which may increase the effectiveness of the pastor's care and counseling ministries. Books selected challenge prevailing assumptions, offer new ways to perceive the pastoral task, and provide new and significant information. Books are reviewed from personality and psychotherapy, family history, theory and therapy, studies of violence and victimization, psychology and theology, and general ministry theory.Dr. Hunter is Associate Professor of Pastoral Theology and Book Review Editor ofPastoral Psychology. His address is: Candler School of Theology, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia 30322.     

Shared Wisdom: Use of the Self in Pastoral Care and Counseling (Person, Culture, and Religion Group, American Academy of Religion, November 18, 2005)

This article summarizes the method of pastoral assessment and theological reflection detailed in Shared Wisdom, with particular attention to pastoral counselors’ countertransference or intersubjective “use of the self” as a tool for empathic understanding of clients. A model of multiplicity of mind, subjectivity, and God is advanced in contrast to more traditional views. The article concludes with an appeal for messiness, complexity, and kenosis in both psychology and theology.Pamela Cooper-White is Professor of Pastoral Theology at the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia, and recipient of the American Association of Pastoral Counselors’ 2005 National “Distinguished Achievement in Research and Writing” Award. She is the author of four books: Many Voices: Pastoral Psychotherapy and Theology in Relational Perspective (forthcoming, Fortress, 2006), Shared Wisdom: Use of the Self in Pastoral Care and Counseling (Fortress, 2004), The Cry of Tamar: Violence Against Women and the Church's Response (Fortress, 1995) which won the 1995 Top Ten Books award from the Academy of Parish Clergy, and Schoenberg and the God Idea (UMI Research Press, 1985). An Episcopal priest and pastoral psychotherapist, Cooper-White is certified as a clinical Fellow in the American Association of Pastoral Counselors, and serves as Co-Chair of the Person, Culture, and Religion Group of the American Academy of Religion.     

The Relationship Between the Francis Scale of Attitude Toward Christianity and Measures of Intrinsic,Extrinsic and Quest Religiosity

A sample of 244 churchgoers completed the Francis Scale of Attitude toward Christianity, together with measures of intrinsic, extrinsic and quest religiosity proposed by Batson. The findings support the view that, among a religiously committed sample, a positive attitude toward Christianity is associated positively with intrinsic religiosity and negatively with both extrinsic religiosity and quest religiosity. Pastoral Theology and Mansel Jones Fellow at     

Psychological Type and Tolerance for Religious Uncertainty

A sample of 315 adult church-goers completed the MBTI questionnaire assessment of psychological type together with an index of Christian agnosticism. The data demonstrate that Christians who prefer intuition rather than sensing are more tolerant of religious uncertainty. The implications of this finding are discussed for pastoral practice. Pastoral Theology and Mansel Jones Fellow at     

The Relationship Between Personality and Satisfaction/Dissatisfaction with Ministry Among Female Stipendiary Anglican Clergy in the UK

A sample of 565 female stipendiary Anglican clergy in the UK completed the short form Revised Eysenck Personality Questionnaire together with indices of satisfaction with ministry and of dissatisfaction with ministry. The data demonstrate that satisfaction with ministry is associated with stable extraversion, while dissatisfaction with ministry is associated with toughminded neuroticism. Satisfaction and dissatisfaction with ministry are not opposite ends of the same continuum. Pastoral Theology and Mansel Jones Fellow at Trinity College     

You must leave before you can cleave: A family systems approach to premarital pastoral work

We advocate the use of a family systems approach to premarital pastoral work, involving exploration of the families of origin of the intended spouses. Family systems theory argues that a marriage is like a merger of two corporations, each having its own stockholders; thus, adequate preparation for marriage involves coming to terms with the realities of one's family of origin and that of one's intended spouse. Exploratory techniques include genograms, house tours, family photo albums, and discussions of the rules and rituals in the respective families. Leaving father and mother is the central prerequisite to marriage.Dr. Mitchell is Professor of Pastoral Care and Theology, Eden Theological Seminary, 475 E. Lockwood Ave., Webster Groves, Missouri 63119. Dr. Anderson is Associate Professor of Pastoral Theology, Wartburg Theological Seminary, 333 Wartburg Place, Dubuque, Iowa 52001.     

Pastoral theology in a pluralistic age

The article presents a theological and normative response to the question, “What is Pastoral Theology?”. The primary task is to bring together theological ethics and the social sciences to provide a normative vision of the human life cycle for a pluralistic setting with diverse religio-cultural assumptions. Introduces a clinical case to suggest the range of questions with which Pastoral Theology should be concerned and presents four propositions informed by a theological ethic and a dynamic perspective.     

The Lessons of Art Theory for Pastoral Theology

This essay applies art theory to pastoral theology, using Rudolf Arnheim's views on the compositional structure of paintings to propose models for expressing the relationship of theology and psychology. From a structural feature of paintings, namely, their possession of a depth dimension and a frontal plane, two primary models are derived, convergence and juxtaposition. The viability of a third, structural uniformity, is also recognized. The larger purpose of the essay is to contend for a recovery of pastoral theology's mid-century emphasis on perception. Pastoral Theology at     

Clergy divorce and remarriage

The incidence of clergy divorce and remarriage requires a rethinking of the church's position when the divine intent for marriage is not fulfilled. A ministry to clergy couples and families marked by truth and grace can lead to a restoration of persons and an effecting of constructive ministries for clergy who have themselves been restored.Dr. Brown is Assistant Professor of Pastoral Theology, Princeton Theological Seminary, CN 821, Princeton, New Jersey 08540. She is currently serving as the Chairperson of the Theological and Social Concerns Committee of the American Association of Pastoral Counselors.     

Short Notices

Jerrold E. Levy, In the Beginning: The Navajo Genesis Luise Schottroff, Silvia Schroer & Marie-Theres Wacker, Feminist Interpretation: The Bible in Woman's Perspective Ben Witherington, Grace in Galatia: A Commentary on St Paul's Letter to the Galatians Donald Armstrong (ed.), The Truth about Jesus R. N. Longenecker (ed.), Life in the Face of Death: The Resurrection Message of the New Testament A. Friesen, Erasmus, the Anabaptists and the Great Commission Alan P. F. Sell (ed.), Mill and Religion: Contemporary Responses to Mill's, ‘Three Essays on Religion’ G. W. F. Hegel (ed. Peter C. Hodgson), Lectures on the Philosophy of Religion, Volume III: The Consummate Religion John Webster, Barth's Moral Theology: Human Action in Barth's Thought Anne Hunt, What are they saying about the Trinity? David A. S. Fergusson, The Cosmos and the Creator: An Introduction to the Theology of Creation C. David Grant, Thinking Through Our Faith: Theology for 21st Century Christians Walter Wink, The Powers That Be: Theology for a New Millennium Michael Nazir-Ali, Citizens and Exiles: Christian Faith in a Plural World Robert J. Schreiter, The Ministry of Reconciliation: Spirituality and Strategies John Gladwin, Love and Liberty: Faith and Unity in a Postmodern Age Eric O. Springsted (ed.), The Spirituality and Theology: Essays in Honour of Diogenes Allen Kenneth Leech, Drugs and Pastoral Care S. E. Lammers and A. Verhey (eds), On Moral Medicine: Theological Perspectives in Medical Ethics Anthony Elliot (ed.), Freud 2000     

Use of family systems in preparation for ministry

Understanding the systematic dynamics of one's family of origin is necessary in preparation for ministry and can be most powerfully effected by engaging students in one of several family therapy techniques. Moreover, a family systems orientation is useful for theological explorations regarding family and Church as family, as well as enhancing skills for ministering to the contemporary family in all its diversity.Dr. Anderson is Associate Professor of Pastoral Theology, Waterburg Theological Seminary, Dubuque, Iowa 52001. Dr. Fitzgerald is Chaplain Supervisor, Medical Center at Princeton, Princeton, New Jersey 08540. This article stemmed from a presentation made by the authors on November 11, 1977, at the annual Conference of the Association for Clinical Pastoral Education.     

Spiritual direction and pastoral counseling

The thesis is that spiritual direction is a form of pastoral counseling-indeed, the core from which all other forms of pastoral counseling radiate, since all pastoral counseling aims ultimately to help others to ground their lives in God. The major elements of spiritual direction are described in an attempt to justify the thesis.Dr. Barry is Associate Professor of Pastoral Theology at Weston School of Theology and a staff member of the Center for Religious Development, both in Cambridge, Massachusetts. He is a priest of the Roman Catholic Church.     

REVIEWS

Book reviewed in this article:
A Global Ethic The Declaration of the Parliament of the World's Religions, Hans Küng and Karl-Josef Kuschel (eds)
Evangelization and Culture, Aylward Shorter, Geoffrey Chapman
Revelation: Vision of a Just World, Elisabeth Schüssler Fiorenza, T. & T. Clark
The Convert Cardinals: John Henry Newman and Henry Edward Manning, David Newsome, John Murray
The Model of Love: A Study in Philosophical Theology, Vincent Brümmer
Saint Paul at the Movies: The Apostle's Dialogue with American Culture, Robert Jewett, Westminister/John Knox
A Troubling in My Soul: Womanist Perspectives on Evil and Suffering, Emilie M. Townes (ed.)
Critical Caring: A Feminist Model for Pastoral Psychology, Valerie M. DeMarinis, Westminster/John Knox
Life Cycles: Women and Pastoral Care, Elaine Graham and Margaret Halsey (eds)
Religions in the UK: A Multi-Faith Directory, Paul Weller (ed), researched by Rachelle Castle and Paul Weller
Church People in the Struggle: The National Council of Churches and the Black Freedom Movement 1950–1970, James F. Findlav Jr.
Grace and Gratitude: The Eucharistic Theology of John Calvin, B. A. Gerrish, T. & T. Clark
Worship, Adoration and Action, D.A. Carson (ed.)
Explorations in Science and Theology. The Templeton Lectures at the RSA,
Theism, Atheism and Big Bang Cosmology, William Lane Craig and Quentin Smith,
Science and Christian Belief: Theological Reflections on a Bottom-up Thinker, John Polkinghorne
Theology for a Scientific Age (enlarged edition), Arthur Peacocke
The Death and Resurrection of the Beloved Son, Jon D. Levenson
Jung and the Monotheisms, Joel Ryce-Menuhin
SSM: History of the Society of the Sacred Mission, Alistair Mason
How to Understand the Virgin Mary, Jacques Bur     

Story and promise in pastoral care

The writer describes the pastoral office and considers the difference his theological orientation makes in understanding its work. The gospel is described as narrative and as promise. As narrative it concerns a particular person, Jesus, and especially his passion and resurrection. Becoming Christian means allowing one's own story and that of one's communities to be shaped and reshaped by Jesus. As promise, the gospel comments on the final outcome of the human enterprise. Ministers are those to whom the community grants the burden of tending the life of the gospel in the church. Their temptation in pastoral care is to lose the specificity of the gospel in slogans that are temporary and partial, e.g., identifying health care with the liberation of the gospel. Pastoral care is described as sacramental and as eschatological.He is the author ofStory and Promise: A Brief Theology of the Gospel About Jesus.     

REVIEWS

Book reviewed in this article: The Origins of Satan, Elaine Pagels Lydia's Impatient Sisters: A Feminist History of Early Christianity, Luise Schottroff LAKierkegaard as Religious Thinker, David J. Gouwens LAThe Consecrated Life: Crossroads and Directions, Marcello Azevedo SJ LATertullian and the Church, David Rankin Judaism in the New Testament: Practices and Beliefs, Bruce Chilton and Jacob Neusner The Image of God: A Theology for Pastoral Care and Counseling, Leroy T. Howe Systematic Theology Volume 2: Doctrine, James W. McClendon Jr Journey into Truth: Spiritual Direction in the Anglican Tradition, Peter Ball Dictionary of Feminist Theologies, Letty M. Russell and J. Shannon Clarkson Golden Mouth: The Story of John Chrysostom - Ascetic, Preacher, Bishop, J.N.D. Keily The Kingdom of God: The Message of Jesus for Today, John Fuellenbach University of Birmingham The Religion of the People: Methodism and Popular Religion c. 1750–1900, David Hempton Religion and Political Culture in Britain and Ireland: From the Glorious Revolution to the Decline of Empire, David Hempton Nineteenth-Century English Religious Traditions: Retrospect and Propect, D.G. Paz Old Testament Theology Volume 1, Horst Dietrich Preuss Revelation and Reconciliation: A Window on Modernity, Stephen N. Williams Jesus Framed: Biblical Limits, George Aichele Women in the Presence: Constructing and Seeking Spirituality in Mainline Protestantism, Jody Shapiro Davie In Search of a Calling: The College's Role in Shaping Identity, Thomas O. Buford University of Birmingham Judges 1–5: A New Translation and Commentary, Barnabas Lindars SSF, edited by A.D.H. Mayes Escape from Paradise: Evil and Tragedy in Feminist Theology, Kathleen M. Sands Worship in Transition: The Twentieth-Century Liturgical Movement, John Fenwick and Bryan Spinks Encountering Illness: Voices in Pastoral and Theological Perspective, James Woodward Divine Meaning: Studies in Patristic Hermeneutics, Thomas F. Torrance Christian-Jewish Dialogue: A Reader, Helen P. Fry University of Birmingham From Women's Experience to Feminist Theology, Linda Hogan Augustine: Ancient Thought Baptized, John Rist     

Theology of Creation and the Use of Scripture Creation,David Fergusson,Eerdmans, 2014 (ISBN 978‐0‐8028‐7196‐1), viii + 149 pp., pb $18 From Nothing: A Theology of Creation,Ian A. McFarland,Westminster John Knox, 2014 (ISBN 978‐0‐664‐23819‐3), xvii + 212 pp., pb $35

David Fergusson's recent book, Creation, overviews differing aspects of creation for a theologically‐literate but non‐specialist readership, while Ian McFarland's From Nothing: A Theology of Creation offers a sophisticated account of the meaning and theological implications of the classic doctrine of creatio ex nihilo. Although both books make constructive appeal to Scripture, I suggest that their use of Scripture indicates that their creative theological thinking is not primarily done by working through the interpretative challenges that Scripture presents. There thus remains a distance between biblically and systematically oriented theological thinking.     

Don Quixote as Moral Narcissist: Implications for Mid-Career Male Ministers

This essay uses the figure of Don Quixote to explore the mid-career crisis experienced by many male ministers. It proposes that Don Quixote is less problematic than Don Juan for ethical reasons, but employs psychoanalytic interpretations to reveal the complexity of his self-structure, focusing especially on his moral narcissism, proneness to paranoia and melancholia, and his fictive personality. While evidence of his disordered mind, these diagnoses also testify to his nobility under trying circumstances. Heinz Kohut's concept of the transformation of narcissism is introduced and implications for the future destiny of Don Quixote are drawn. These implications have relevance to the issue of survival in ministry after the effects of the mid-career crisis have been absorbed. Pastoral Theology at     

Book Reviews

Book reviewed in this article: Pastoral Counseling in Inter-Cultural Perspective, by Emmanuel Yartekwei Lartey. Household of Freedom: Authority in Feminist Theology, by Letty M. Russell. Risking Christ for Christ's Sake: Towards an Ecumenical Theology of Pluralism, by M.M. Thomas. History of the Ecumenical Movement, by Vasil Istavridis. Islamic Experience in Contemporary Thought, by Syed Vahiduddin. Ami de Dieu et Notre Ami: El Hadj Boubacar G. Sakho, by Gwenolé Jeusset and Raymond Deniel.