| A Mature Faith: Spiritual Direction and Anthropology in a Theology of Pastoral Care and Counseling Contributor(s): Louw, Dj (Author) |
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ISBN: 080284670X ISBN-13: 9780802846709 Publisher: Peeters OUR PRICE: $26.60 Product Type: Paperback - Other Formats Published: December 1998 Annotation: This series relates past thought from the history of Western theological traditions to areas of contemporary concern in fresh, innovative, and constructive ways. Designed for those with no formal theological training, these student-friendly volumes guide readers through core theological issues in a systematic and accessible way. Volume 25 in the LTPM series develops a view of personhood that draws not only from the Christian perspective but also from the human sciences. Written for priests, ministers, and pastoral caregivers involved in counseling and spiritual direction, this study clearly shows the need for an integrative approach to pastoral care that takes seriously both spirituality and the human quest for meaning. |
| Additional Information |
| BISAC Categories: - Religion | Christian Ministry - Counseling & Recovery - Religion | Christian Ministry - Pastoral Resources |
| Series: Louvain Theological & Pastoral Monographs |
| Physical Information: 0.8" H x 5.5" W x 8.6" (0.90 lbs) 312 pages |
| Themes: - Theometrics - Academic - Religious Orientation - Christian - Religious Orientation - Catholic |
| Descriptions, Reviews, Etc. |
| Publisher Description: A Mature Faith is an attempt to develop an anthropology for pastoral care and counseling which deals with both Christian perspective and important data from the human sciences, such as psychology. This book presents an integrative approach which views spirituality and our human quest for meaning as central to a psycho-pastoral approach. A doctrine of persons is designed which deals with both the dimension of creation (image of God) and of salvation (the new being in Christ). This book argues for an understanding of human beings in terms of their human identity before God (Coram Deo) as well as the empowerment of persons by the gift and fruit of the Spirit. Hence the importance of a pneumatological perspective on maturity and adulthood. The interplay between God-images and our human selfunderstanding is discussed. In this regard the question about diagnosis in pastoral counseling and the technique of storytelling receive attention. A pastoral hermeneutics which tries to understand our human predicament in terms of both the social and cultural context as well as our relationship with God is fundamental to the models presented in this book. In spiritual direction, the basic assumption is that God-images and the implication of different perceptions of God on life issues should play a decisive role. In terms of our human quest for meaning within a secularized society, the following metaphor for God is proposed: God as our "Soul Friend". The book is written for priests, ministers and pastoral caregivers involved in counseling and spiritual direction. Its main focus is on professional training within an academic setting. It will also be useful for the training of lay members within a congregational setting. |