Although much attention has been given to the various social and psychological experiences of two essential parts of the adoption triad - adopted persons and birth parents - adoptive parents are largely overlooked in the literature. More particularly, sparse information has been collected on the issue of adoptive parents' spiritual narratives. Cultural and religious traditions significantly affect how adoptive parents interpret and make spiritual and theological meaning of their unique experiences. Ryan Noel Fraser's cutting-edge research uncovers the distinctive re-authoring process of Christian adoptive parents' faith narratives resulting from the experience of receiving a child through adoption. The Spiritual Narratives of Adoptive Parents is ideal for courses in family studies, marriage and the family, adoption studies, pastoral theology, pastoral counseling, Christian counseling, theological anthropology, and practical theology.

Autorentext

Ryan Noel Fraser holds a BA in Bible and a Master's in Ministry (from Freed-Hardeman University), he earned his MDiv (from Abilene Christian University), and his PhD in Pastoral Theology and Pastoral Counseling (from Brite Divinity School, Texas Christian University). Dr. Fraser currently serves as Assistant Professor of Counseling in the graduate school at Freed-Hardeman University. He is also the preaching minister of the Bethel Springs Church of Christ. Dr. Fraser is a Certified Pastoral Counselor in the American Association of Pastoral Counselors. He received a full stipend while studying at Brite Divinity School and recently received a faculty research award at FHU. His articles have appeared in the Journal of Pastoral Care & Counseling and in New Wineskins.

Inhalt

Contents: Background and Purpose of the Project - Christian Tradition and Canonical - Social Science Scaffolds - Adoptive Parents' Experiences and Interpretations - Pastoral Theological Reconstructions.