Promising Again (Family Living in Pastoral Perspective) [Paperback]

Herbert Anderson (Author), David Hogue (Author), Marie Mccarthy (Author)

Book Description

Series: Family Living in Pastoral Perspective | Publication Date: December 1, 1995

Marriage is a pilgrimage; a journey characterized by beginnings and endings as the life cycle of a particular family evolves. This timely and important book addresses how relationships need o be refocused when couples face changes such as the launching of young adult children, job change, the death of a parent or a child, the arrival of a "surprise" child, infidelity, retirement, illness, role change or reversal, and many others. Also addressed is the dissolution of marriage and the establishment of a new relationship through remarriage.

The Family Living in Pastoral Perspective series examines crucial times in family life in light of the family as a social unit. Each book addresses major changes that ordinarily occur in the life cycle of a family. Each volume takes into account family system theory and social and economic factors that affect the family.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Herbert Anderson is currently Research Professor of Practical Theology at Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary in Berkeley, California. He is the author or coauthor of over ninety articles and thirteen books, many of which are focused on integrating theology and family systems theory.

David Houge is Professor of Pastoral Theology and Counseling at Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary in Evanston, Illinios. His publications include Remembering the Future, Imagining the Past: Story, Ritual, and the Human Brain.

Marie McCarthy was formerly Professor of Pastoral Theology at the Catholic Theological Union in Chicago. She now serves as a General Officer of the Sisters of Providence of Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, Indiana.

Product Details

• Paperback: 152 pages
• Publisher: Westminster John Knox Press; 1st edition (December 1, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0664251242
• ISBN-13: 978-0664251246
• Product Dimensions: 7.8 x 4.9 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #182,496 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Buy the Whole Series, June 4, 2003

By 

Andrew Shults (Chicago, IL USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Promising Again (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.

Promising Again views marriage as a "pilgrimage of promising." The authors explore the nature of marital promises and the transformations these promises undergo as marriages transform. Issues of the emptying nest, a floundering marriage, and remarriage receive a full chapter each. Other issues covered include: the impact of natural disasters, death, infertility, serious/chronic illness, social/economic stresses, and personal psychological/spiritual changes.

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.

4.0 out of 5 stars Solid, basic book on Marital Counseling, December 28, 2009

By 

Ryan Hall (Chicago, IL) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Promising Again (Family Living in Pastoral Perspective) (Paperback)

This book is geared towards short term pastoral counseling of couples with minor problems. It lays out a good, practical approach to helping couples reclaim the joy of marriage they once had by "promising again." This is not too clinical or academic, and very helpful in putting couples back on track by improving relationship and communication skills.