Table of Contents

Acknowledgments ix

Introduction 1

Part I Why Fear? Why Now?

1 This Emotional Life 13

2 A Culture of Fear 27

Part II What Does It Mean to Be Afraid?

3 Our Frightened Brains 43

4 Communities of Faith, Communities of Fear 59

Part III A Pastoral Theology of Fear and Hope

5 A Process Perspective 73

6 Fear and Hope 91

Part IV Responding to Our Fears

7 Telling Ourselves a More Complex Story 101

8 Fear in the Public Sphere 111

9 Perfect Love Drives Out Fear 123

10 Conclusion: Finding Hope 141

Index 147