The Family Handbook (The Family, Religion and Culture)

Rating:
Summary: Practical resource for family ministry
Review: This book is a practical reference resource for churches and other institutions working with families. In a time when churches seem hesitant to preach, teach, or even have open discussion on the subject of marriage and family for fear of alienating their members, this book provides numerous jumping off points for conversation and ministry.

The book begins with useful summaries of the Jewish, Catholic, Protestant, and secular perspectives on marriage, family, divorce, reproductive technologies, division of domestic responsibilities, and the relation of family to government. It also discusses approaches from these four perspectives to family ministry with children and youth, single parents, stepfamilies, families of gays and lesbians, the elderly, abusive families, and bereaved families. There are also sections on the impact of violence, substance abuse, and popular culture on today's families.

Of particular interest to ministers is the section on resources for congregational ministry with families. This section includes interpretations of specific Biblical passages on the family from the Old and New Testaments. These Biblical references are placed in context with discussion of the family in ancient Israel, the Greco-Roman world, early Christianity, medieval Christianity and the Reformation, and the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. This resource section furnishes material that would be extremely useful in sermon preparation or as the basis for congregational education.

The book concludes with a directory of family resources. This list of religious and secular organizations dealing with family issues provides helpful summaries of these organizations' offerings for individuals and congregations, including web site and e-mail contact information. This is a very practical resource for anyone involved in family ministry or simply interested in a highly accessible comparative summary of religious perspectives on the most pressing issues for contemporary families.