Over more than twenty years as a mediator, Aaron T. Wolf has learned that successful conflict resolution is shaped by complicated dynamics--from how comfortable the meeting room is to the participants' deepest senses of self. Bridging seemingly intractable issues means addressing multiple layers of needs. Wolf's approach may be surprising to Westerners who are accustomed to separating rationality from spirituality and science from religion. The Spirit of Dialogue draws lessons from a diversity of faith traditions to transform conflict, from identifying the root cause of anger to aligning with an energy beyond oneself--what Christians call grace--to the true listening practiced by Buddhist monks. Whether atheist or fundamentalist, Muslim or Jewish, Quaker or Hindu, any reader involved in difficult dialogue will find concrete steps towards a meeting of souls.

Can the phenomena of the human mind be separated from the practices of spiritual formation—of growing to have the mind of Christ? Research into the nature of moral and spiritual change has revived in recent years in the worlds of psychology on one hand and theology and philosophy on the other. But psychology and spiritual formation draw upon distinct bodies of research and theory grounded in different methodologies, resulting in conversation that has suffered from a lack of interdisciplinary cross-pollination. Rooted in a year-long discussion held by Biola University's Center for Christian Thought (CCT), this volume bridges the gaps caused by professional specialization among psychology, theology, and philosophy. Each essay was forged out of an integrative discussion among theologians, psychologists, philosophers, New Testament scholars, educators, and pastors around the CCT seminar table. Topics that emerged included relational and developmental spirituality, moral virtue and judgment, and suffering and trauma. Psychology and Spiritual Formation in Dialogue speaks across disciplinary divides, fostering fruitful conversation for fresh insights into the nature and dynamics of personal spiritual change. Contributors include Justin L. Barrett, School of Psychology, Fuller Theological Seminary Earl D. Bland, Rosemead School of Psychology, Biola University Ellen T. Charry, Princeton Seminary John H. Coe, Biola University Robert A. Emmons, University of California, Davis Stephen Evans, Baylor University Bruce Hindmarsh, Regent College, Vancouver Marie T. Hoffman, New York University James M. Houston, Regent College, Vancouver Steven J. Sandage, David R. Paine, and Jonathan Morgan, Boston University Siang Yang Tan, School of Psychology, Fuller Theological Seminary Everett L. Worthington, Jr., Brandon J. Griffin, and Caroline R. Lavelock, Virginia Commonwealth University Edited by Thomas M. Crisp, professor of philosophy, Biola University Steve L. Porter, professor of theology, spiritual formation, and philosophy, Talbot School of Theology and Rosemead School of Psychology, Biola University Gregg Ten Elshof, professor of philosophy, Biola University Christian Association for Psychological Studies (CAPS) Books explore how Christianity relates to mental health and behavioral sciences including psychology, counseling, social work, and marriage and family therapy in order to equip Christian clinicians to support the well-being of their clients.

Rosenau helps Christians to respond to conflict in healthy ways by learning to dialogue in the Spirit of Christ. He presents practical ways to transform communication skills and respond to conflict more effectively.

Dialogue is a many-sided critical concept; at once an ancient philosophical genre, a formal component of fiction and drama, a model for the relationship of writer and reader, and a theoretical key to the nature of language. In all its forms, it questions ‘literature’, disturbing the singleness and fixity of the written text with the fluid interactivity of conversation. In this clear and concise guide to the multiple significance of the term, Peter Womack: outlines the history of dialogue form, looking at Platonic, Renaissance, Enlightenment and Modern examples illustrates the play of dialogue in the many ‘voices’ of the novel, and considers how dialogue works on the stage interprets the influential dialogic theories of Mikhail Bakhtin examines the idea that literary study itself consists of a ‘dialogue’ with the past presents a useful glossary and further reading section. Practical and thought-provoking, this volume is the ideal starting-point for the exploration of this diverse and fascinating literary form.

The author’s original intent in writing this memoir was to reflect on her life and share personal stories of faith with her children and grandchildren. She writes of prayer and of God’s often unrecognized availability, presence, and providence. A writer-editor at one Christian Writers Conference examined the developing manuscript and encouraged her to add questions at the end of each chapter, directing reader reflection and extending the book’s usefulness far beyond just family. A contemplative Quaker upbringing created keen awareness of the Holy Spirit and established a mystical foundation for the author’s life, helping her understand what it means to be in an active living-loving relationship with God, a channel of divine love such as revealed in the life and teachings of Jesus. Each chapter has its own theme, and the stories are not always in chronological order because some themes recur over a lifetime. The author shares openly the highs and lows of her less-than-perfect life—things not uncommon to humankind but which are seldom subjects of conversation in our fast-paced, secular world. The stories reveal vulnerability and challenges to faith as well as affirmations. Poems and prayers, written at or near the time of the unfolding stories, plumb the depths of the author’s experience. Questions at the end of each chapter are similar to those a spiritual director might ask to invite consideration of one’s own spiritual journey—where faith has strengthened them, where it has faltered, or where it has invited new growth.

In these dialogues, Jesus, now teaching as the fully awakened Christ shares how he awakened to this Reality and clarifies many of his own experiences when he too once experienced the state of mind we now identify as being a separate body in a world.

St. Catherine of Siena's Dialogue describes the entire spiritual life through a series of conversations between God and the soul, represented by Catherine herself. Readers of The Dialogue of Saint Catherine of Siena, will find her revelations from God as informative - and formative - as those who recognized her sanctity during her life. The universally applicable yet intimately personal messages she received from God are as much for us as they were for Catherine. We can read God's communications to his beloved daughter with detached awe or we can receive His messages to us through her writings. Do you long for certainty that Divine Providence exists in the midst of our chaotic world? Does your prayer seem too dry, or too routine? Have you sought guidance for the challenges of your life from unhelpful people or things? Or has pride kept you from humble obedience to the Church? If so, The Dialogue will provide consolation, encouragement, and hope.