Spiritual Direction and the Care of Souls: A Guide to Christian Approaches and Practices [Paperback]

Gary W. Moon (Editor), David G. Benner (Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 8, 2004

In recent years, many Christian clergy, laity and mental health professionals have rediscovered the ancient practices of spiritual direction. Seen as a refreshing alternative to the techniques and limitations of modern psychology, such practices offer new insights for pastoral care. But many remain unclear on what spiritual direction is and whether its methods are applicable to their own clients and parishioners. Spiritual direction is a practice of Christian soul care that is found most notably in the Catholic, Orthodox and Episcopal traditions but is also present in Wesleyan/Holiness, Pentecostal/charismatic, social justice and Reformed communities. Predating modern counseling and psychotherapy movements but sharing key principles and insights for spiritual formation, spiritual direction offers significant resources for today’s pastors, counselors, therapists, chaplains and other caregivers attuned to the work of God in people’s lives. In this landmark volume, editors Gary W. Moon and David G. Benner, along with a team of expert contributors, provide a comprehensive survey of spiritual direction in its myriad Christian forms. Specific chapters offer careful historical perspective and contemporary analysis of how Christians from various backgrounds have practiced spiritual direction, with particular attention to each tradition’s definition of spiritual direction, the process of authentic transformation, the role of the spiritual director, indicators of mature spirituality and other aspects of the spiritual direction process. Chapters also provide psychological and clinical insight into how spiritual direction is similar to, different from and can be integrated with psychotherapy and pastoral counseling to help others experience spiritual transformation and union with God.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"There is a tradition of wisdom about human life and the nature of change that has been lost to many of us in the evangelical community. Spiritual Direction and the Care of Souls recaptures that wisdom from multiple perspectives and makes it available to us all. This is a rich resource for pastors, counselors, small group leaders and everyone interested in change." (John Ortberg, Teaching Pastor, Menlo Park Presbyterian Church )

"The variety of insightful authors brought together by the editors of this book offer the reader a unique and valuable perspective on the ways eight different Christian traditions understand and practice spiritual companionship, as well as elucidating the relation of this historic spiritual practice to modern pastoral counseling and psychotherapy. The book offers a distinctive contribution to the growing literature on this vital subject." (The Rev. Dr. Tilden Edwards, Founder and Senior Fellow, Shalem Institute for Spiritual Formation, Bethesda, Maryland )

"Is anything more needed in our present culture than spiritual direction and soul care? I think not. So I'm elated with this comprehensive guide to spiritual direction. It is both theoretical and practical. I welcome it especially for pastors, professors and persons training for ministry. Only able advocates and practitioners of spiritual direction--Dr. Benner and Dr. Moon--could have put together this remarkable resource. I commend it." (Maxie D. Dunnam, President, Asbury Theological Seminary )

"Gary W. Moon and David G. Benner are respected and visionary leaders in contemporary Christian soul care. Spiritual Direction and the Care of Souls is an excellent resource for those seeking to understand major traditions of spiritual direction and distinguish among psychotherapy, spiritual direction and pastoral counseling. History, wisdom, faith and compassion meet in the pages of this book." (Mark R. McMinn, Rech Professor of Psychology, Wheaton College, Author of Why Sin Matters )

From the Inside Flap

"The variety of insightful authors brought together by the editors of this book offer the reader a unique and valuable perspective on the ways eight different Christian traditions understand and practice spiritual companionship, as well as elucidating the relation of this historic spiritual practice to modern pastoral counseling and psychotherapy. The book offers a distinctive contribution to the growing literature on this vital subject." The Rev. Dr. Tilden Edwards, Founder and Senior Fellow, Shalem Institute for Spiritual Formation, Bethesda, Maryland

"There is a tradition of wisdom about human life and the nature of change that has been lost to many of us in the evangelical community. Spiritual Direction and the Care of Souls recaptures that wisdom from multiple perspectives and makes it available to us all. This is a rich resource for pastors, counselors, small group leaders and everyone interested in change." John Ortberg, Teaching Pastor, Menlo Park Presbyterian Church

"Gary W. Moon and David G. Benner are respected and visionary leaders in contemporary Christian soul care. Spiritual Direction and the Care of Souls is an excellent resource for those seeking to understand major traditions of spiritual direction and distinguish among psychotherapy, spiritual direction and pastoral counseling. History, wisdom, faith and compassion meet in the pages of this book." Mark R. McMinn, Rech Professor of Psychology, Wheaton College, Author of Why Sin Matters

"Is anything more needed in our present culture than spiritual direction and soul care? I think not. So I'm elated with this comprehensive guide to spiritual direction. It is both theoretical and practical. I welcome it especially for pastors, professors and persons training for ministry. Only able advocates and practitioners of spiritual direction--Dr. Benner and Dr. Moon--could have put together this remarkable resource. I commend it." Maxie D. Dunnam, President, Asbury Theological Seminary

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Product Details

• Paperback: 254 pages
• Publisher: IVP Academic (April 8, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0830827773
• ISBN-13: 978-0830827770
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 3.6 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #343,607 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

David G. Benner (Ph.D., York University) is Emeritus Distinguished Professor of Psychology and Spirituality at Richmont Graduate University in Atlanta, Georgia. Previously he was an associate fellow at the Centre for Studies in Religion and Society at University of Victoria in British Columbia, Canada. A psychologist, spiritual director and retreat leader, Benner has written and edited many books, including the Baker Encyclopedia of Psychology and Counseling and Care of Souls. He is the founding executive editor of the journal Conversations.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Puzzled by a one star review, February 25, 2012

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Patrick R. Watters "Da Moose" (Sacramento, CA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Spiritual Direction and the Care of Souls: A Guide to Christian Approaches and Practices (Paperback)

This is a wonderful collection on the subject, edited by two very good authors in their right. The one star review is puzzling in the least, and troubling at it's worst, I would ignore it and judge for yourself. Ironically, Marjorie Thompson (disciple of the late Henri Nouwen, whom I love) is cited. Makes me wonder if that "student" actually read this book?

0 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Patronizing and Destructive, January 2, 2012

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Elizabeth Simson (Portland, OR USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Spiritual Direction and the Care of Souls: A Guide to Christian Approaches and Practices (Paperback)

I bought this book because it was required reading for a class at my university and I LOATHED it. This is a book about spiritual direction for CONSERVATIVE Christians, not all Christians. It exemplifies the very kind of patronizing, demeaning we-know-better-than-you attitude held by people who set themselves up as "experts" at spirituality, those who have the "right" beliefs about how to live. This attitude can be destructive to those who are in crisis or are spiritually vulnerable.

There are so many good books on spiritual direction. This is not one of them.

Try Henri Nouwen or Norene Vest's edited book instead.

4 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful Book, April 25, 2009

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Robert Taormina "robert taormina" (florida) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Spiritual Direction and the Care of Souls: A Guide to Christian Approaches and Practices (Paperback)

I think this is a wonderful book. It gives you the perspective of seven different denominations and what they think Spiritual Direction is all about It also is a great primer for Spiritual Direction for anyone wanting to become a SD.