James Newton Poling

Agency, Culture, and Human Personhood

Counseling, Grief & Mental Health

“Jeanne Hoeft is one of the best of a new generation of brilliant pastoral theologians. In Agency, Culture, and Human Personhood she has made an original and much needed contribution to the ministry of the churches in society by focusing on the question of human agency and freedom. Instead of victims and perpetrators, God has created complex human beings with various layers of freedom and responsibility. Every church leader who is serious about understanding human personhood from a Christian perspective must read this book.”

Healing Violent Men

Counseling, Grief & Mental Health

“This book helps to meet a desperate need. Livingston suggests a radical redefinition of reconciliation that shifts the focus from the victim to the community and sets high standards for what reconciliation might mean for all people.”

Raging with Compassion

Theology

“What should pastoral leaders do with the problem of evil? The arguments about theodicy in seminary are always inadequate in a real pastoral encounter. In this creative book John Swinton develops a practical theology of theodicy for the ministry of the church that focuses on lament, forgiveness, thoughtfulness, and friendship. For the first time, we have an approach that combines the best in theology with the best in ministry practices. Every pastoral leader should read this book!”

Shackled by a Heavy Burden

Counseling, Grief & Mental Health

“The history of white racism in the mental health system and the resistance of the African American community have meant that many individuals and families do not receive the mental health services they need in times of crisis. In this book, Murray presents a creative plan for cooperation between African American churches and mental health caregivers that promises needed resources for healing.”

The Cry of Tamar

Counseling, Grief & Mental Health

“Pamela Cooper-White's The Cry of Tamar in 1995 quickly became a standard text on gender justice in the U.S. churches. In spite of significant increases in local and global social activism to end violence against women, the epidemic continues, supported by a backlash of religious patriarchal forces. This revised edition is required reading for all pastors and laity concerned about gender equity in the churches.”