Biblical Themes for Pastoral Care

I picked this book up in the chaplain's lending library at my local hospital. The copy I borrowed has 1980 copyright and is the 9th printing (1992). The author was (is?) a professor emeritus of pastoral counseling at Union Theological Seminary in Richmond, Va. I waded through his preface and first chapter that, while very helpful in understanding the rest of the book, did require discipline. But then come the treasures! He uses verbatim accounts of pastoral encounters prepared by students in seminary and pastors in parish and specialized settings to give us a window into what pastoral care can be. And this makes his theory come alive! He notes, "...the Bible was not written to provide a manual or book of rules for everything the minister does." But he makes it very clear that the Bible provides much help in wrestling with the issues posed in pastoral care. He picks out five themes found in the Bible and explores each - tracing the theme through the Old and New Testaments and then discussing ways those themes impact men & women in their lives and pastors as they enter into caring relationships with them. He uses the verbatim material with comments to illustrate. The five themes are (1) intiative and freedom, (2) fear and faith, (3) conformity and rebellion, (4)death and rebirth, (5) risk and redemption. I have finished reading the first two themes and KNOW I need my own copy of this book so I can read, re-read, and highlight it. Aside from being very helpful in thinking through how my own faith intersects with how I relate to others; I also find this book very useful in helping me build sermons that speak to deep issues while being biblically honest and at the same time current and real. This book turns out to be a very thoughtful, yet very practical and humane guide. What a find!

A must for every pastor and pastoral counselor ! In his grace-full pastoral way, Oglesby sets forth a model for pastoral care & counseling using the themes in the Bible that show God's initiative in offering care and our reluctance, as humans, to receive care. More than a how-to, better than a theory, Oglesby is a master!

In his grace-full pastoral way, Oglesby sets forth a model for pastoral care & counseling using the themes in the Bible that show God's initiative in offering care and our reluctance,as humans, to receive care. More than a how-to, better than a theory, Oglesby is a master!