SPIRITUAL CARE
SPIRITUAL CAREGIVING HEALTHCARE AS A MINISTRY
By Verna Benner Carson and Harold G. Koenig 242 pp., Philadelphia, PA: Templeton Foundation, 2004, $18.95, paperback.
Review: Carson and Koenig have teamed up to create a must-have book for health care providers concerned with the spiritual element of their work. The authors share the stories of 65 health care professionals who believe all of their care is rooted in spirituality and that ministry is at the heart of what they do. The majority of the professionals were Christian (54), while the remaining participants represent Buddhist (2), Jewish (2), Hindu (1), Sikh (1), Muslim (4) and other (1) faith traditions.
Through the voices of the caregivers, many of whom are nurses, Carson and Koenig illuminate ten characteristics of a ministering person, such as one who seeks to understand the story of the suffering person before them, and one who is able to accept others, making no attempt to fashion them into different people. The insights are deep, drawing out the best ideals about being a caregiver. Carson and Koenig then develop a vision for a spiritual health care environment and offer strategies for creating a workplace that fosters spiritual growth in staff and clients. Preparing for and giving spiritual care are thoroughly discussed, followed by recommendations for care of special clients-those with chronic pain or the dying. Two appendices supply information on the religious beliefs and practices for numerous faith systems and resources for spiritual assessment. Although the book is not specifically Christian, rich quotes from the caregivers and thoughtful questions for reflection make it personal, interactive and inspiring. -KSS
SPIRITUAL CARE IN NURSING PRACTICE
By Kristen L. Mauk and Nola K. Schmidt 371 pp., Philadelphia, PA: Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins, 2004, $36.95, paperback.
Review: Mauk and Schmidt, along with 13 contributors and numerous reviewers, have prepared yet another exhaustive spiritual care textbook for nurses, students and nursing faculty. What is exceptional about this book is the incorporation of religious and cultural influences on health and nursing throughout the text. For example, doctrinal distinctions affecting care are given for numerous faiths, including branches of the major world religions. Helpful features include learning objectives, reflection questions, case studies, exhaustive resources and references, and summary points for every chapter. Religious symbols throughout cue the reader to specific beliefs and applications for a faith tradition. I was impressed that Christian and other beliefs are presented accurately and in depth, but disappointed in chapter 17 on ethics and spiritual care, where the suggestion is made that Christian nurses are proselytizers trying to convert unwilling clients as a means to their own end, when they try to convert a dying client. This disapproving connotation stood out because throughout the book no other faith tradition is considered in a negative context. Howbeit, this is an excellent resource to help nurses provide informed cultural and spiritual care to clients of any faith tradition. By knowing how to care appropriately for people of various faiths, Christian nurses can better represent Jesus Christ, his encompassing love and the truth we believe. -KSS
THE POWER OF SPIRITUALITY IN THERAPY
INTEGRATING SPIRITUAL AND RELIGIOUS BELIEFS IN MENTAL HEALTH PRACTICE
By Peter A. Kahle and John M. Robbins 227 pp., New York: Haworth Pastoral Press, 2004, $29. 95, paperback; $49. 95, hardcover.
Brief: Kahle and Robbins combine psychotherapy, spirituality and humor to address the pink elephants of counseling- Godphobia and a-spiritualism. They explore the age-old assumption that neutrality about spiritual things should be maintained in counseling, while presenting positive methods for incorporating spirituality into psychotherapy practice.
NURSING LANGUAGES
UNIFYING NURSING LANGUAGES
THE HARMONIZATION OF NANDA, NIC AND NOC
By Joanne McCloskey Dochterman and Dorothy A. Jones 132pp., Washington D. C.: http://Nursesbooks.org, 2003, $12.00, paperback.
Review: This is a useful monograph for nurses who want to understand the language used for nursing diagnoses (NANDA), interventions (NIC) and outcomes (NOC). Nursing languages communicate what nursing is and what nurses do to nurses, students, consumers, other health care providers, administrators and policy makers. Anyone involved with computerized documentation systems will find this resource especially helpful, whether designing or using a system to document clinical practice. Labels and definitions are provided for all of the diagnosis, intervention and outcome terms, along with a taxonomy that unites the NANDA, NIC and NOC vocabulary under four nursing practice domains: functional, physiological, psychosocial and environmental. -KSS
EVANGELISM
FINDING GOD IN THE QUESTIONS
A PERSONAL JOURNEY
By Timothy Johnson 216 pp., Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 2004, $19.00, hardcover.
Review: Johnson is a regular contributor for ABC News Good Morning America, World News Tonight and Nightline. Readers are encouraged to explore spiritual questions rather than shying away from them.
Section one appeals to the analytically minded, and asks, "Does God exist?" Questions regarding the universe, who we are and how we got here are explored.
Section two asks, "What is God like?" Here Johnson helps readers gain a basic understanding of who Jesus was, what he taught and how the Bible came to be. Johnson states, "For me, [the] path of belief has been distinctly shaped by the stories recorded in the Bible produced by the Judeo-Christian faith" (p. 76). These insightful chapters are valuable for seekers or new believers with little Christian background. Johnson looks at specific passages of Scripture, provides historical background and makes personal statements of how he's been influenced by trying to live the words.
Section three asks, "What difference does it make? "The Sermon on the Mount and various parables are outlined. After each section, Johnson provides commentary and personal insights. He discusses the use of money, lifestyle choices, use of time and others.
Johnson's exploration of the biggest questions: Can we believe in God in the face of the discoveries of science? And can Christian faith really be credible for a tough-minded seeker is addressed in a personal, practical and honest fashion. He states, "Finding God in the questions does not mean finding complete answers. In fact, you may discover that along the path of faith, you pick up more questions than you started with. But you might also discover that you need fewer answers, and those you do find are enough to live on" p. 183. - CMW
CRACKING DA VINCI'S CODE
By James L. Garlow and Peter Jones 252 pp., Colorado Springs, CO: Victor, 2004, $14.99 paperback.
Review: In his fictional novel The Da Vinci Code, Dan Brown asserts that Leonardo da Vinci imbedded clues in his art that reveal the truth about Jesus. Brown claims things such as Jesus and Mary Magdalene were sexual partners and had a child together; that Jesus was only voted divine by the Council of Nicea as a power play; and the church has it in for women. Garlow and Jones carefully examine these ideas and counter with thorough, accurate historical facts and logical reasoning, debunking every one of Brown's assertions.
At the heart of both the Da Vinci Code and Cracking Da Vinci's Code, is the serious question of historical accuracy and whose interpretation of history is correct. For example, Brown states that over eighty gospels were considered for the New Testament and yet only Matthew, Mark, Luke and John were chosen for inclusion in the official canon of New Testament Scripture in the 4th century A. D.
Brown presents as fact that the Roman Emperor Constantine invented the New Testament to gain power. While it is true that many so-called gospels were created by 350 A. D., Garlow and Jones counter the assumption that the official New Testament was created as a power play. They present numerous pieces of evidence (i. e., a Greek manuscript written in the first or early second century that contains the four Gospels exactly as we know them today; an accurate list of the books of the New Testament from the 2nd century), to show that the books of the New Testament canon were accepted as God's truth hundreds of years before Constantine. Constantine and the church fathers simply publicly and officially affirmed what had been known and believed for centuries. The authors further explain why the other gospels, including the Gnostic gospels, were not included in the New Testament.
Garlow and Jones help modern day believers in Jesus Christ understand the growing claims against Christianity and soundly defend biblical truth. If you (or someone you know) have wondered about The Da Vinci Code or if you want to strengthen your ability to present Christianity in today's postmodern society, this scholarly, fascinating book is a must read. -KSS
TELL THE TRUTH
THE WHOLE GOSPEL TO THE WHOLE PERSON BY WHOLE PEOPLE, THIRD EDITION
By Will Metzger 272 pp., Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 2002, $15.00, paperback.
Brief: Metzger offers a practical training manual for Christians stymied by evangelism, helping the reader understand what it means to share a whole gospel, that is, a complete message from a grace-full God; to whole people-mind, emotions and will; by wholly transformed people.
MISSION
MEDICAL MISSION TO ROMANIA
AN INWARD AND OUTWARD JOURNEY
By Theresa L. Puckett 121 pp., Victoria, BC, Canada: Trafford Publishing, 2003, $15.99, paperback.
Review: Puckett shares her experience as a pediatric nurse practitioner on a ten-day mission trip to Romania. She has written honestly about her experience, her fears, the lessons she learned and the challenges and shortcomings of short-term medical missions, as well as the blessings she received from her experience, her co-laborers and the opportunity to serve others less fortunate.
Information about Romania and travel abroad is included. This book will be of interest to persons who have not traveled abroad and are exploring short-term missions for the first time. -Grace Tazelaar, Missions Director, JCN
SPIRITUAL GROWTH
THE TRANSFORMING HABITS OF A GROWING CHRISTIAN
By William D. Watkins 288 pp., Bloomington, MN: Bethany House, 2004, $14.99, paperback.
Brief: This book presents a new understanding of the spiritual disciplines by helping us embrace what is at the heart of spiritual growth-our love relationship with God. Ten spiritual disciplines are discussed (prayer, study, etc.) in light of enriching our love for God and fully experiencing God's love for us.