Is it okay to get angry? Andrew Lester thinks it is, and in this accessibly written book he shows the reader how to understand anger so that it will be helpful, not hurtful, to Christian life. Lester, a popular professor and author, challenges misconceptions about anger that have followed Christians for centuries. By comparing the research of psychologists and sociologists with the teachings of Christianity, Lester uncovers a basic truth: anger occurs when you, or those people or things close to you, are threatened. Lester explores the biblical teachings about anger, focusing on the destructiveness of the dark side of anger as well as the creativity that can result from appropriate anger. Anger must be faced, he says, or it will become destructive. He shows how to face your anger and also how to know when it is time to get help.

In this work, respected scholar Andrew Lester discusses and incorporates the newest behavioral research models, contemporary biblical and theological scholarship, constructivist philosophy, and narrative theory into a comprehensive pastoral theology of anger. In revisiting through the lens of theological anthropology the very subject that brought him to the forefront of scholarship in pastoral care, Lester presents engaging new material and innovative new methods of interventions for dealing with this often-confusing human emotion.

In this book, the authors discuss how increasing intimacy in marriage allows both partners to approach issues of communication, power, anger, and faith more creatively and effectively. With exercises tested by dozens of couples in marriage and family therapy and a clear discussion of contemporary perspectives on marriage, this book is an indispensable resource for couples.

"When Children Suffer" is a collection of essays designed to help pastors, Christian educators, and other care givers work effectively with children in crisis. This illuminating book includes background in child development and psychology as well as specific guidance for helping children who are facing difficult situations, such as their parent's divorce or their own illness.

Noted teacher and experienced counselor Andrew Lester challenges ministers to take up an often neglected task--caring for the children of the parish. It is the pastor's role, Lester says, to make spiritual sense out of the chaos of crisis. He looks to the ministry of Jesus as the model for faithful, effective ministry and illustrates how a pastor's relationship with troubled children can have a significant impact on their development.

Argues that Christians should not suppress their anger but learn to deal with it and examines what the scriptures say about anger.

In this ground-breaking book, pastoral counselor Andrew Lester demonstrates that pastoral theology (as well as social and behavioral sciences) has neglected to address effectively the predominant cause of human suffering: a lack of hope, a sense of futurelessness. Lester not only looks at the reasons why addressing the ideas of hope and despair has been overlooked by pastoral theology and other social and behavioral sciences. He also offers a starting point for the development of addressing these important dimensions of human life. He provides clinical theories and methods for pastoral assessment of and intervention with those who despair. He also puts forth strategies for assessing the future stories of those who despair and offers a corrective to these stories through deconstruction, reframing, and reconstruction.