Martin William Mittelstadt

Geoffrey W. Sutton

Although history is replete with tales of revenge, Christian forgiveness provides an alternate response. In this volume, Pentecostal scholars from various disciplines offer their vision for forgiveness, reconciliation, and restoration. The essayists offer long-overdue Pentecostal perspectives through analysis of contemporary theological issues, personal testimony, and prophetic possibilities for restoration of individual relationships and communities. Though Pentecostals remain committed to Spirit-empowered witness as recorded in Luke-Acts, these scholars embrace a larger Lukan vision of Spirit-initiated inclusivity marked by reconciliation. The consistent refrain calls for forgiveness as an expression of God's love that does not demand justice but rather seeks to promote peace by bringing healing and reconciliation in relationships between people united by one Spirit.

Multidisciplinary Studies from a Pentecostal Perspective

Forgiveness, Reconciliation, and Restoration

The purpose of this book is to help mental health professionals increase their cultural competence to better serve Pentecostal and Charismatic Christians who are congregants in the world’s fastest-growing religious movement. My focus is twofold. First, I aim to increase the reader’s awareness and knowledge about Christians who live their faith within Pentecostal cultures. Second, I hope to increase the reader’s knowledge about the assessment and treatment of Pentecostal and Charismatic Christians with mental health needs based on a review of research and recommendations from experienced clinicians. My approach to assessment and treatment is the commonly held view that best practices are holistic. Therefore, I will attempt to integrate Pentecostal and Charismatic spirituality with assessment and treatment in ways that respect the spirituality of the person seeking treatment and enhances therapeutic outcomes. “The first part of the book can help all readers…understand people who live into that religion. The second part of the book is a practical and insightful guide to effective helping for psychological difficulties. I highly recommend this book to anyone who seeks to understand and help Pentecostals and Charismatics.” —Everett L. Worthington, Jr., Commonwealth Professor Emeritus ***** “…a well written, comprehensive, and very helpful guide to understanding and counseling Pentecostal and Charismatic Christians. It is a substantial and unique contribution to Christian counseling and also to the field of counseling and psychotherapy. I highly recommend it as essential reading for everyone interested or involved in counseling Pentecostal and Charismatic Christians.” —Rev. Siang-Yang Tan, PhD, Senior Professor of Psychology, Fuller Theological Seminary and author of Counseling and Psychotherapy: A Christian Perspective, and Shepherding God’s People. a must read not only for Pentecostal and Charismatic counselors but for anyone in the mental health field.” —Tony Richie, D. Min., Ph. D., Associate Professor of Theology Pentecostal Theological Seminary, Cleveland, TN

Culture & Research | Assessment & Practice

Counseling and Psychotherapy with Pentecostal and Charismatic Christians

DISCIPLINE WITH RESPECT is a challenge to look beyond the day-to-day activities of raising children to consider what children must learn to become mature responsible young adults. It is only when considering adulthood that all the encouragements, coaching, rules, guidance, and re-directions make sense. Discipline is education. To accomplish our task, we must be well equipped and committed to an educational program that will help children meet their life goals. But there’s more to child discipline than techniques. Discipline with respect means developing a respectful, loving relationship with children.

DISCIPLINE WITH RESPECT in Caring Relationships

Brandon Schmidly

Should society care about Christian morality? Are Christians out of touch with complex moral decision-making? Christian Morality: An Interdisciplinary Framework for Thinking about Contemporary Moral Issues provides readers with a framework for identifying and applying Christian moral principles to divisive issues. First, readers learn of the theological and philosophical foundations of Christian ethics. Two additional chapters explain how personal and social factors influence our capacity to think critically and Christianly about morality. Second, readers will learn about forming Christian moral judgments by seeing how different thinkers address six contemporary moral issues: abortion, same-sex relationships, equal treatment of men and women in the workplace, sex education, and racial bias in incarceration polices. ""As a rhetorician, I repeat often to students that 'how we talk about things matters.' What Sutton and Schmidly have provided in this text is an admonition to readers that how we think about things matters. Drawing from both the philosophical and psychological study of morality, the editors and contributors challenge the reader to consider how we think about morality, but also how to apply a moral framework to the issues and situations that we encounter in our homes, churches, and society. How we talk about these issues and moments matters, but if we are to speak in a way that allows us to demonstrate real influence we must first consider the thought with which we engage to formulate our response. This is a book that is both meaningful and accessible to the scholar, pastor, and lay person alike and a must-read for anyone who seeks to speak into the world as a voice of redemption."" --Joy E. A. Qualls, Chair, Department of Communication Studies, Biola University ""Books on moral theory and applied ethics abound. They are readily available in bookstores everywhere as well as online. What makes the present volume distinctive is its interdisciplinary approach to moral concerns. Here we have Christian scholars, representing a variety of academic disciplines and professional backgrounds, engaging foundational questions as well as contemporary moral issues. The Christian community is indebted to Drs. Sutton and Schmidly for bringing this volume to us."" --Michael D. Palmer, Professor of Philosophy, Regent University School of Divinity ""Christian Morality is a timely and accessible resource that provides the reader with the language, the categories, and the concepts that help us talk responsibly and respectfully to each other about the topics that matter most to us. The cultural and moral climate today begs for resources like this one."" --Heather Kelly, Professor of Psychology, Evangel University, Springfield, MO Geoffrey W. Sutton is a psychologist and Emeritus Professor of Psychology at Evangel University in Springfield, Missouri. He is the author, coauthor, editor, or coeditor of a hundred publications, including Forgiveness, Reconciliation, and Restoration (2010) and A House Divided (2016). Brandon Schmidly is Associate Professor of Philosophy at Evangel University in Springfield, Missouri. He teaches on a broad range of topics in philosophy. His interests and specializations are in ethics and political philosophy, specifically as they relate to family relationships.

Christian Morality

Should society care about Christian morality? Are Christians out of touch with complex moral decision-making? Christian Morality: An Interdisciplinary Framework for Thinking about Contemporary Moral Issues provides readers with a framework for identifying and applying Christian moral principles to divisive issues. First, readers learn of the theological and philosophical foundations of Christian ethics. Two additional chapters explain how personal and social factors influence our capacity to think critically and Christianly about morality. Second, readers will learn about forming Christian moral judgments by seeing how different thinkers address six contemporary moral issues: abortion, same-sex relationships, equal treatment of men and women in the workplace, sex education, and racial bias in incarceration polices.

An Interdisciplinary Framework for Thinking about Contemporary Moral Issues

A House Divided helps answer the question, how do Christians form moral judgments about sex-linked issues? After analyzing key differences between conservative and progressive Christians on such divisive issues as abortion, sex education, and same-sex marriage, readers will learn how a combination of four factors can lead to principled Christian morality. First, a review of diverse interpretive comments on relevant Scriptures can help identify a foundation for agreement as well as sharpen differences. Second, a review of psychological factors can help identify prejudices, personality traits, and powerful emotions that intensify and color public debate. Third, new research on moral psychology will add six dimensions of analysis to appreciating the reasons conservatives and progressives draw upon when forming moral judgments. And finally, knowledge about sexual attraction, sexual orientation, conception, and sexual health is vital to thinking ethically about the specific issues addressed in this book.

Sexuality, Morality, and Christian Cultures

A House Divided

Laugh as you learn how Brits refer to their friends. Enjoy the snarky remarks that pepper the banter in British comedies and dramas. Master the art of understatement. Bone up on British Baking terms. Have a field day with the language of British sports. Learn how NOT to be posh. Learn how NOT to insult your British friends. And pick up some useful words and phrases for your visit to the UK. This edition of Mind the Gap… Between British & American Language & Culture contains chapters on British culture and an extensive A to Z reference list of hundreds of words and expressions that you will hear when visiting the UK, watching British movies and television programs, or reading British literature.

Geoffrey W. Sutton

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