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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Buy the Whole Series, June 4, 2003
This review is from: Living Alone (Family Living in Pastoral Perspective) (Paperback)
I own Anderson's entire Family Living in Pastoral Perspective series (Leaving Home, Becoming Married, Regarding Children, Promising Again, and Living Alone), and I refer to them frequently. Each book focuses on a different transitional event and the family tasks that event brings into focus. Anderson and his co-authors deal sensitively with the pastoral issues involved. The authors of Living Alone affirm that one can live alone and be whole, despite some of society's messages. The authors then examine two common situations of living alone: after divorce or the death of a spouse and living alone after becoming an adult (whether temporarily or for one's whole life). They also examine some situations where spouses may live apart temporarily or for an extended period of time. The authors then move to more general considerations as solititude and friendship are identified as two alternatives to loneliness. Finally the church's roles with people who live alone is discussed. The book concludes with an epilogue to the series describing the overall perspective on the family shared by the authors. All of the books are well-written and easy to read--no convoluted prose to parse here. The works have added texture from the many personal examples shared by the authors (both their own and examples others have shared with them). Every book in the series deserves an honored place on any religious professional's shelf. Except, you may find them so valuable they rarely make it back to your shelf.
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2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Living alone and being whole, February 2, 2004
About this 140 pages book one can say that it is thoughtful and accurate to deal with the issues that single people have to live along the time, in a life open to changes, open to the history of one's country, open to everyone else's freedom. An important topic that has not been emphasized by former reviewers is the importance of our expectations. Living in a society where most of the people is married and have children could be agonizing for someone who lives alone, if the standard of happiness and of a fulfilled life is based on them. This book tells us, to all who live alone, that being married (or having a stable partner) is just one way of living the paradox of autonomy and community every human life has and requires. The other ways of living this paradox, which the book explores with realism, will never replace the way "being married", among other reasons, because they are different, just different. The learning of those other ways to live the paradox will have the influence of our values and religious convictions, but it is possible receive good feedback and support from our churches and communities. Under the theological point of view of the authors, God has a place in the creation for every human being, no matter if they are alone or married, and their task should be being loyal to that God's call. Being stuck to reality, live with our grieves, and accept our vulnerabilities, are some of their advices. Those who live alone have the gift for doing so. This book invites them to think what to do with it. I recommend this book strongly for everyone concerned about his/her present loneliness and his/her future perspectives.
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2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Good, balanced, Christian view of living as a single, August 24, 1998
This review is from: Living Alone (Family Living in Pastoral Perspective) (Paperback)
I have not read the entire book, but plan to finish soon. So far, 1/3 - 1/2 of way through, my impression is that this book was written thoughtfully by people who want to present healthy psychological / spiritual living for singles from a Christian perspective.
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