Books by Pamela Cooper-White

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.

What if we are more multiple as persons than traditional psychology has taught us to believe? And what if our multiplicity is a part of how we are made in the very image of a loving, relational, multiple God? How have modern, Western notions of Oneness caused harm--to both individuals and society? And how can an appreciation of our multiplicity help liberate the voices of those who live at the margins, both of society and within our own complex selves? Braided Selves explores these questions from the perspectives of postmodern pastoral psychology and Trinitarian theology, with implications for the practice of spiritual care, counseling, and psychotherapy. This volume gathers ten years of essays on this theme by preeminent pastoral theologian Pamela Cooper-White, whose writings bring into dialogue postmodern, feminist, and psychoanalytic theory and constructive theology.""The polyvalent beauty of the titular metaphor weaves right through this powerful new contribution to relational theology--in its most currently postmodern theory and practice. Managing to remain breathtakingly readable, this text offers its manifold gifts to the whole range of theological disciplines. Braid this book into your lives, your ministries, your studies, your selves!""--Catherine KellerProfessor of Constructive TheologyDrew Theological School""Braided Selves is a remarkable collection of richly nuanced, provocative, debatable, generative, and above all, truly important essays at the intersection of psychoanalytic theory, theological anthropology, constructive theology, and pastoral theology by one who may now be the most profound and searching pastoral theologian of our time. Pamela Cooper-White writes in a fluid, interesting, and highly readable style, while probing the depths of some of the most important issues in contemporary, postmodern theological anthropology and clinical and pastoral practice. This book cannot be too highly recommended.""--Rodney J. HunterProfessor Emeritus of Pastoral TheologyCandler School of Theology, Emory University""Braided Selves is what authentic theology could be in the twenty-first century: theoretically rich without fleeing into metaphysical and rhetorical abstractions; rooted in human experience without degenerating into sentimentality and cliche. Anyone who cares about religious reflection in this troubled time should read this book. It will be a loss if Dr. Cooper-White''s text is in any way restricted only to those who have ''pastoral'' in their job description.""--James W. JonesProfessor of Psychology of ReligionRutgers UniversityPamela Cooper-White is the Ben G. and Nancye Clapp Gautier Professor of Pastoral Theology, Care, and Counseling at Columbia Theological Seminary, Decatur, Georgia, and Director of the Atlanta Theological Association''s ThD program in Pastoral Counseling. In 2005 she received the American Association of Pastoral Counselors'' national award for Distinguished Achievement in Research and Writing. Cooper-White holds PhDs from Harvard University and from the Institute for Clinical Social Work in Chicago. She is the author of Many Voices: Pastoral Psychotherapy and Theology in Relational Perspective (2007), 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).

Description:What if we are more multiple as persons than traditional psychology has taught us to believe? And what if our multiplicity is a part of how we are made in the very image of a loving, relational, multiple God? How have modern, Western notions of Oneness caused harm--to both individuals and society? And how can an appreciation of our multiplicity help liberate the voices of those who live at the margins, both of society and within our own complex selves? Braided Selves explores these questions from the perspectives of postmodern pastoral psychology and Trinitarian theology, with implications for the practice of spiritual care, counseling, and psychotherapy. This volume gathers ten years of essays on this theme by preeminent pastoral theologian Pamela Cooper-White, whose writings bring into dialogue postmodern, feminist, and psychoanalytic theory and constructive theology.Endorsements:""The polyvalent beauty of the titular metaphor weaves right through this powerful new contribution to relational theology--in its most currently postmodern theory and practice. Managing to remain breathtakingly readable, this text offers its manifold gifts to the whole range of theological disciplines. Braid this book into your lives, your ministries, your studies, your selves!""--Catherine KellerProfessor of Constructive TheologyDrew Theological School""Braided Selves is a remarkable collection of richly nuanced, provocative, debatable, generative, and above all, truly important essays at the intersection of psychoanalytic theory, theological anthropology, constructive theology, and pastoral theology by one who may now be the most profound and searching pastoral theologian of our time. Pamela Cooper-White writes in a fluid, interesting, and highly readable style, while probing the depths of some of the most important issues in contemporary, postmodern theological anthropology and clinical and pastoral practice. This book cannot be too highly recommended.""--Rodney J. HunterProfessor Emeritus of Pastoral TheologyCandler School of Theology, Emory University""Braided Selves is what authentic theology could be in the twenty-first century: theoretically rich without fleeing into metaphysical and rhetorical abstractions; rooted in human experience without degenerating into sentimentality and cliché. Anyone who cares about religious reflection in this troubled time should read this book. It will be a loss if Dr. Cooper-White''s text is in any way restricted only to those who have ''pastoral'' in their job description.""--James W. JonesProfessor of Psychology of ReligionRutgers UniversityAbout the Contributor(s):Pamela Cooper-White is the Ben G. and Nancye Clapp Gautier Professor of Pastoral Theology, Care, and Counseling at Columbia Theological Seminary, Decatur, Georgia, and Director of the Atlanta Theological Association''s ThD program in Pastoral Counseling. In 2005 she received the American Association of Pastoral Counselors'' national award for Distinguished Achievement in Research and Writing. Cooper-White holds PhDs from Harvard University and from the Institute for Clinical Social Work in Chicago. She is the author of Many Voices: Pastoral Psychotherapy and Theology in Relational Perspective (2007), 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).

Fortress Presss Foundations for Learning series prepares students for academic success through compelling resources that kick-start their educational journey into professional Christian ministry. In Exploring Practices of Ministry, Pamela Cooper-White and Michael Cooper-White share insights from their extensive experience as parish ministers, church agency executives, and seminary educators in diverse multicultural and international contexts. Pamela, an Episcopal priest who teaches pastoral theology, care, and counseling, is also a pastoral psychotherapist with an extensive clinical background. Michael, a Lutheran pastor and seminary president, is also a pilot and flight instructor and has served as a chaplain with the Civil Air Patrol.The authors share their wisdom with seminarians and other readers seeking to deepen theological reflection and expand skills as ministry practitioners. While not all readers are preparing to be ordained ministers, most will engage in many of the practices described in the book: preaching and public speaking, teaching, leading liturgies, conducting ceremonies, counseling and offering pastoral support for persons undergoing life transitions, and serving as organizational leaders in congregations, chaplaincies, social ministries, and in the public arena. This book is a companion journal for pilgrims on the way to becoming confident practitioners of ministry.