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The spiritual narratives of adoptive parents: constructions of Christian faith stories and pastoral theological implications
Fraser, Ryan Noel
Fraser, Ryan Noel
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Fort Worth, TX : [Texas Christian University],
Date
2010
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Abstract
In this dissertation, I present the research findings of my interviews conducted with twenty Christian adoptive couples. I explore the narratives of their adoptive parenting experiences, primarily focusing on the ways that adopting children affects the parents' spirituality and theological understandings. Furthermore, I investigate adoptive parenthood as a spiritually challenging and formative experience. In this study, the broader descriptive notion of narrative" is utilized as a hermeneutical approach that crosses disciplines. The primary lenses through which I view the adoption stories include canonical narrative theology and adoption literature from the social sciences in addition to narrative psychology. I delineate and discuss four central categories that emerge from the raw narrative data by means of grounded theory, including the following: (1) systemic evil that militates against adoption, (2) divine initiative and love, (3) spiritual struggles, and (4) faithful human response. Finally, I suggest pastoral theological reconstructions of adoptive parenthood as well as implications for pastoral theology, pastoral care and counseling, and the practice of ministry"--Abstract.
Contents
Subject
Subject(s)
Adoptive parents.
Adoption Religious aspects Christianity.
Narrative theology.
Pastoral counseling.
Church work with adoptive parents.
Adoption Religious aspects Christianity.
Narrative theology.
Pastoral counseling.
Church work with adoptive parents.
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Genre
Dissertation
Description
Format
Department
Brite Divinity School
Advisor
Gorsuch, Nancy J.