From Bedlam to shalom : towards a practical theology of human nature, interpersonal relationships, and mental health care / John Swinton.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Swinton, John, 1957-

Series:

Pastoral theology ; vol. 1.

Pastoral theology ; vol. 1

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Church work with the mentally ill.

Mental health--Religious aspects--Christianity.

Mental health.

Physical Description:

xiv, 176 pages : illustrations ; 24 cm.

Place of Publication:

New York : P. Lang, [2000]

Contents:

Mental Health 3

Chapter 1 Understanding Practical Theology 7

Understanding Praxis 10

Ecclesial Praxis 12

Defining Practical Theology 12

Chapter 2 Persons-in-Relation: Made in the Image of God 17

What Does it Mean to be a Human Being? 17

The Image of God 18

Created in the Image of God 18

The Image of God as a Physical Resemblance to God 19

Embodiment and the Image of God 20

The Image of God as the Capacity to Reason 22

The Image of God as Creativity 25

The Problem with Defining Humanity According to Humanity 26

The Image of God as Being-in-Relationship 27

The Image of God as God's Relationship with Humanity 28

The Image of God as Persons-in-Relationship 30

Chapter 3 The Character of Human Relationships 39

Diversity-in-Unity: Community, Individuality and the Triune God 39

Living the Trinity 43

The Image of God as Caring-in-Relationship 46

Chapter 4 From Bedlam to Shalom: The Image of God In Christ 53

Sin and Relational Disconnection 53

The Image of God Revealed and Restored in Christ 54

Towards Shalom: The Process of Redemption 57

The Concept of Shalom in the Old Testament 57

The Concept of Shalom in the New Testament 59

Chapter 5 The Strength to be Human: A Theology of Mental Health 65

Shalom and Mental Health 65

Mental Health: Defining the Concept 66

Mental Health as the Absence of Illness 66

Mental Health as a Statistical Norm 68

Mental Health as a Social Ideal 68

Mental Health as 'the Strength to be Human' 69

Mental Health as Process and Growth 70

Chapter 6 Rediscovering Friendship: Towards Shalom 77

Defining Friendship 77

A Theology of Friendship 80

Friendship as the Bearer of Shalom: Commitment and Sacrifice 81

Overcoming the 'Principle of Likeness' 84

Chapter 7 Friendship and Mental Health 91

The Healing Power of Friendship 91

Understanding Social Support 93

Women, Depression and Friendship 96

Chapter 8 Caring-in-Community 101

A Pastoral Community 103

Chapter 9 Depression and Ageing: Alienation, Dislocation and the Reconstruction of the Self 107

Integrity or Despair? 107

The Tragedy of Growing Old Without Our Friends 108

As History Crumbles: The Broken Self 110

The Relational Construction of the Self and the Meaning of Loss 111

Persons-in-Relation 112

The Irreparable Tear in the Fabric of Friendship: A Theological Perspective on Relational Loss 113

The Healing Power of Telling and Listening to Stories 114

Stories that 'Reconstruct the Universe' 116

Listening to Friends: Enabling Healing 118

Building a Community of Friends 119

Developing Small Group Structures 119

Care Groups 120

Retirement Preparation Groups 122

Making Decisions 123

The Nature of Work 123

Learning to Listen 124

Bereavement Groups 125

Caring with the Elderly 126

Chapter 10 Friendship, AIDS and a God who Cares: Discovering Healing in the Midst of Suffering 135

Understanding HIV and AIDS: A Brief Overview 135

Dana's Story 136

The Stigma of HIV and AIDS 137

Seeing the World From Both Sides 138

Rebuilding After Loss: The Healing Power of Presence 139

The Healing Power of Touch 140

Imaging Jesus 141

The Struggle That is Friendship 142

Hope in the Midst of Hopelessness 143

Rediscovering 'Hidden' Gifts 143

Chapter 11 From Bedlam to Shalom: Friendship and Schizophrenia 147

Mental Health in the Midst of Psychosis? 147

Losing One's Self in a Sea of Confusion: Defining Schizophrenia 147

Sarah's Story 148

Hope in the Midst of Hopelessness 150

Doing or Being? The Art of Shalomic Friendship 151

Conclusion: Towards Shalom 155

Friendship and Mental Health 156

Beyond the Therapeutic Paradigm: The Pastorhood of All Believers 157

Passionate Friends: Sharing in the Heart of God 159.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references (pages [161]-173) and index.

ISBN:

0820444251

OCLC:

40453095