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by Victor Lee Austin (Author), Jason Byassee (Editor)
"A rare and wonderful theological book that turns something ordinary--being a friend--into an expression of God's greatness."--Jeremiah Rood, Foreword (starred review)
In this vibrant theological reflection on the meaning of friendship, experienced pastor and leading Christian ethicist Victor Lee Austin argues that friendship is the medium through which God shares grace with his creatures. Mixing personal reflection and theological commentary, Austin provides a fresh reading of classical writers and biblical texts; shows how a robust theology of friendship addresses contemporary controversies in the areas of marriage, celibacy, and homosexuality; and draws on cultural examples of the desire for true friendship. Ultimately, Austin helps readers understand the strange yet real possibility of friendship with God.
About the Series
Pastors are called to help people navigate the profound mysteries of being human, from birth to death and everything in between. This series, edited by leading pastoral theologian Jason Byassee, provides pastors and pastors-in-training with rich theological reflection on the various seasons that make up a human life, helping them minister with greater wisdom and joy.
Back Jacket
Pastoring for Life: Theological Wisdom for Ministering Well
"I have long admired Victor Austin: his preaching, his writing, his persona, his faith. Here is a most unusual volume, grounded in wide learning as well as deep understanding of human nature. He helps us to know how to love one another as the Son of God has loved us."
--Fleming Rutledge, author of The Crucifixion and Advent: The Once and Future Coming of Jesus Christ
"In the course of writing my own book on friendship, I read dozens of good books on the theme. But none of them quite matches the biblical richness, theological depth, subtlety of observation and judgment, and artful prose found in this one. Its discussion of friendship with God is a particularly rich highlight. This is the best book on friendship by a Christian writer I have ever read."
--Wesley Hill, author of Spiritual Friendship: Finding Love in the Church as a Celibate Gay Christian
"In a learned and deeply meditative study of his subject, enriched by personal and pastoral experience, Austin claims for friendship a more exalted status than even that of marriage and calls it 'the highest human thing.' And he makes a powerful case for that bold assertion. Many readers will come away from this wise book convinced that Austin is right and that they should henceforth place the cultivation of friendship at the very center of their lives."
--Wilfred M. McClay, University of Oklahoma
"Austin is one of our most sensitive pastoral theologians. His account of friendship will surely become the gold standard for a Christian understanding. It is no exaggeration to say that this book will take its place alongside Aristotle's account of friendship in the Nicomachean Ethics and that it will be read for the same reason: to uncover the true significance of this deepest form of human relationship."
--Jeremy Waldron, New York University School of Law
"Austin takes us on a gentle, erudite, and judicious exploration of friendship from a Christian perspective. Filled with lucid readings of classical philosophers and theologians, enlivening examples from contemporary literature and art, and sometimes daring scriptural exegesis, this is a persuasive, bracing, and wise book by a penetrating soul. I hope it is widely read and shared."
--Ephraim Radner, Wycliffe College
"Friendship is an elegant theological text that emphasizes the importance of friends in developing a spiritual and emotional life. . . . Austin's achievable, human advice is beautiful, and Friendship is a rare and wonderful theological book that turns something ordinary--being a friend--into an expression of God's greatness."--Jeremiah Rood, Foreword (starred review)
"Friendship is an unquestionably worthwhile read for all thoughtful audiences. Informed by solid scholarship without being tediously academic, Austin leads us on an accessible, thoughtful, inviting, provocative, and genuinely friendly journey."--Don J. Payne, First Things
"The wealth and diversity of content contained in this reflection on friendship is such that it proves a useful introduction to the subject, whether for those who are simply reading for pleasure or those seeking a map by which to orientate themselves for higher-level studies into specific aspects of friendship."--Chloe Lynch, Studies in Christian Ethics
"An invaluable resource for courses that situate friendship in the biblical and virtue ethics tradition. Its pastoral focus also makes it significant work for ministry students."--Ebenezer Akesseh, Journal of the Society of Christian Ethics
"This book should find its way onto the desks of ministers and lay readers alike. It is also helpful for courses in pastoral ministry, counseling, and specific courses related to friendship."--Coleman M. Ford, Reading Religion
Author Biography
Victor Lee Austin (PhD, Fordham University), an Episcopal priest, is theologian-in-residence for the Episcopal Diocese of Dallas and Church of the Incarnation in Dallas, Texas. He has taught in various academic settings. His books include Losing Susan, Christian Ethics: A Guide for the Perplexed, and Up with Authority.
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