The Cry of Tamar: Violence Against Women and the Church's Response [Paperback]

Pamela Cooper-White (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 5, 1995

In this comprehensive, practical, and gripping assessment of various forms of violence against women, Pamela Cooper-White challenges the Christian churches to examine their own responses to the cry of Tamar in our time. She describes specific forms of such violence and outlines appropriate pastoral responses. The second edition of this groundbreaking work is thoroughly updated and examines not only where the church has made progress since 1995 but also where women remain at unchanged or even greater risk of violence.

--This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Pamela Cooper-White is Professor of Pastoral Theology, Care & Counseling at Columbia Theological Seminary.

Product Details

• Paperback: 352 pages
• Publisher: Fortress Press (January 5, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 080062730X
• ISBN-13: 978-0800627300
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 5.9 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #856,973 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

The Rev. Pamela Cooper-White is the Ben G. and Nancye Clapp Gautier Professor of Pastoral Theology, Care and Counseling at Columbia Theological Seminary, Decatur, GA, and Co-Director of the Atlanta Theological Association's ThD program in Pastoral Counseling. She is recipient of the American Association of Pastoral Counselors' 2005 national award for "Distinguished Achievement in Research and Writing," and the Samaritan Counseling Center of Philadelphia's 2007 "Spirit Award" for community service. She holds Ph.D.s from Harvard University and the Institute for Clinical Social Work, Chicago, and is the author of four books, including 'Braided Selves: Collected Essays on Multiplicity, God, and Persons' (2011), 'Many Voices: Pastoral Psychotherapy and Theology in Relational Perspective' (2006), 'Shared Wisdom: Use of the Self in Pastoral Care and Counseling' (2004), and 'The Cry of Tamar: Violence Against Women and the Church's Response' (1995; 2nd ed. forthcoming 2012) which won the 1995 Top Ten Books award from the Academy of Parish Clergy. She has published numerous scholarly and professional articles in pastoral theology, especially in the areas of postmodern, psychoanalytic and feminist theory in dialogue with both theology and clinical practice. An Episcopal priest and pastoral psychotherapist, Dr. Cooper-White is a certified clinical Fellow in the American Association of Pastoral Counselors, a National Board Certified Counselor (NBCC), and a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor in the State of Illinois. She currently serves on the Steering Committee of the Psychology, Culture & Religion Group of the American Academy of Religion, and the Editorial Board of of the Journal of Pastoral Theology.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Understanding the nature of violence against women, November 1, 2001

By 

ARIEL R. ONEIL "kyllene" (Arizona, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Cry of Tamar: Violence Against Women and the Church's Response (Paperback)

This book is a masterpiece, and should be on the bookshelf of every person interested in the cultural and religious support of violence against women. So many people are oblivious to the pervasive media and cultural propaganda that supports violence, especially violence against women. We accept, without question, bible stories and billboards that tell us that it is ok to objectify women-- that women are commodities-- to be used to further the ambitions of a male dominated hegemony. If the reader does not understand the source and nature of the support for violence against women, then all of the instruction for counseling in the world will not help-- How can a counselor be effective if she does not understand the cultural elements that support the misconceptions that mentally imprison these victims? The author is very careful to point out that there are limits to the areas in which a lay counselor should attempt to give advice and that the boundaries are quite clear. She gives charts and descriptions of the types of counseling that should be given to these victims, and recommends sources of help for women whose experiences require the assistence of professionally trained help. I found this book to be very readble, credible and timeless for its sound advice for helping the victims of domestic violence.

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Informative and Refreshing, December 12, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: The Cry of Tamar: Violence Against Women and the Church's Response (Paperback)

The Cry of Tamar is an excellent book. It was referred to me by a ministerial collegue who gave it a rave review. Since I teach in the area of Women Studies I am in constant search for materials and books in this subject area. I had specifically been looking for a book that expressed how the church "should" respond to the pain and suffering that women experience. Many of the facts and information, in this book, concerning the many forms of violence against women were not new. What I did appreciated was a clear concise presentation of how clergy persons and the church family continue to abuse women who come looking for and expecting to be comforted. I expecially appreciated how Cooper-White gave specific information as to what the church's response should be and what steps should be taken and how to carry out these steps if assisting women in the healing process is the goal.

3.0 out of 5 stars Seek More Current Information, December 21, 2011

By 

Paul Q. Kucera (Central Illinois) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Cry of Tamar: Violence Against Women and the Church's Response (Paperback)

I encountered this book as a required textbook for a course in Pastoral Care. I think it was probably very current when it came out in the mid-'90s, but the writing and the material seem a bit dated now. If you have to have this book for a course similar to the one I took, so be it, but if you are looking for a book on this subject matter to read out of personal interest, I would encourage you to seek a more recent book.