A Theology of Pastoral Care

by Eduard Thurneysen, Jack A. Worthington (Translator), Thomas Wieser (Translator)

Overview

From a thoroughly biblical viewpoint Eduard Thurneysen probes deeply into the nature and practice of pastoral care. His rich understanding of men, his experience in counseling, and his grasp of theological thought infuse his approach with vitality and truth. As he considers the basis of pastoral care, Thurneysen puts forward the thesis that the purpose of counseling is to communicate the Word of God to individuals. Pastoral care is a ministry along with those of sermon and sacrament; its aim is to lead the counselee back to sermon and sacrament in the worship of the church. Although he does little more than hint at rules and techniques for pastoral care, Thurneysen is greatly concerned with its practical aspects. It is his belief that the care of souls occurs through conversation--confident, open-minded conversation which is founded on the Word of God, informed by prayer, and manifested in active listening to, and acceptance of, the counselee. Thurneysen demonstrates the importance of a knowledge of psychology and the principles of psychotherapy. Depth psychology and psychotherapy deeply enrich our understanding of human nature and serve to communicate the message of forgiveness all the more powerfully. This book provides a critical theological study of the whole field of pastoral care. As a work in practical theology, it will be stimulating and useful to professors of counseling as well as to students in the field. Counselors and pastors will find it helpful because it throws light on the fundamental issues involved in problems which they face in their ministries.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781725228689
Publisher:	Wipf & Stock Publishers
Publication date:	07/01/2010
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	344
File size:	47 MB
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About the Author

Eduard Thurneysen (1888-1974) was a pastor in a Swiss town near where Barth was pastor, and they worked out dialectical theology together. He was later Professor of Theology at Zurich.

Table of Contents

I The Basis of Pastoral Care

1 Pastoral Care in Theology and the Church 11

2 Pastoral Care as Church Discipline 32

3 The Soul of Man as the Object of Pastoral Care 54

4 The Struggle to Understand Man in Pastoral Care 68

II The Nature and Practice of Pastoral Care

5 Pastoral Care as Conversation 101

6 The Form of Pastoral Conversation 115

7 The Breach in the Pastoral Conversation 131

8 The Content of Pastoral Conversation 147

9 Man's Responsiveness to the Forgiveness of Sins 179

10 Pastoral Care and Psychology 200

Pastoral Care and Psychotherapy 221

III The Implementation of Pastoral Care

12 Gospel and Law in Pastoral Care 255

13 Evangelical Repentance in Pastoral Care 274

14 Pastoral Care as Confession 284

15 Pastoral Care as Exorcism 315

16 The Pastoral Counselor 334