Grounded in the Living Word addresses the disconnect between pastoral care and biblical interpretation in a unique -- and much-needed -- manner. In this cross-disciplinary conversation Denise Hopkins and Michael Koppel show how the themes and narratives of the Old Testament can effectively speak to and interact with the real-life stories of people today.
Writing in a frank, open style, Hopkins and Koppel have created a richly complex book covering a wide range of pastoral care issues and biblical texts and informed by current scholarship as well as practical pastoral and cultural insights. Through their nuanced approach, the Bible reemerges as a powerful tool for spiritual care, helping pastors and others bridge cultural divides, navigate widely different experiences, and engage in the transformative work of healing persons, communities, and creation.
Each chapter includes personal stories that draw readers into the issues, challenges, and questions to be raised in the following pages; questions for reflection and group exercises dispersed throughout; take-away points that give practical suggestions; and a closing prayer to help anchor the reader in the community of faith.