Over the past few years, we’ve shared with you resources from prominent women theologians to the intersection of technology and theology. And while all are well and good and worthy of recognition, we’d be remiss not to share the plethora of resources and depth of knowledge that exist under our own roof!
Here you’ll find a reading list curated solely by published works of current faculty members of The Seattle School of Theology & Psychology. They range in topic from music and theology to trauma and modern culture, exemplifying the wide range of thought leadership in our school.
Handling Dissonance
By Dr. Chelle Stearns, Associate Professor of Theology
Handling Dissonance beautifully shows how “music accompanies our thinking, demonstrating not only how theology can benefit the philosophy of music but also how the philosophy of music can enrich and augment theological discourse.”
Dr. Stearns is also a violinist whose work focuses on the interaction between theology and music and the Christian imagination.
Core Competencies of Relational Psychoanalysis
By Dr. Roy Barsness, Professor of Counseling Psychology
“Core Competencies of Relational Psychoanalysis provides a concise and clearly presented handbook for those who wish to study, practice, and teach the core competencies of Relational Psychoanalysis, offering primary skills in a straightforward and useable format.”
Dr. Barsness has also been a therapist in private practice for more than 25 years and, in addition to his role at The Seattle School, teaches at the Brookhaven Institute for Psychoanalysis & Christian Theology. He is also the founder and director of the Relationally Focused Psychodynamic Therapy Post-Graduate Certificate.
2020’s Foresight
By Dr. Dwight J. Friesen, Associate Professor of Practical Theology
Along with Tom Sine, Dr. Dwight J. Friesen seeks “to equip Christian leaders to anticipate some of the new challenges in the 2020s; discover God’s shalom purposes for our lives, the church, and God’s world; and create innovative new possibilities for our lives, communities, and congregations that both engage new opportunities and advance God’s purposes.”
Dr. Friesen is a liturgical Anabaptist with progressively Evangelical and emergent sensibilities actively seeking to root his faith practice within place while linking globally with others who are seeking to live into their contexts and is co-founder of the Inhabit Conference. Other works by Dr. Dwight J. Friesen include The New Parish: How Neighborhood Churches Are Transforming Mission, Discipleship and Community.
The Least of These: Lessons Learned from Kids on the Street
By Dr. Ron Ruthruff
“Through concrete detail, current statistics, and qualitative insights from more than 25 years living among and ministering globally to youth mired in tough and dangerous street life, Dr. Ron Ruthruff provides a model for serving not only troubled youth but others as well.”
Dr. Ruthruff has served homeless and street-involved youth and their families for the past 30 years. He has provided case management services, designed programs, and educated the community on the issues that impact this vulnerable population, and his career goal is to empower persons to live lives of significance, to equip the church to love and serve their neighbors, and to engage communities in cross-cultural and global conversations. Other works by Dr. Ruthruff include Closer to the Edge: Walking with Jesus for the World’s Sake.
Healing the Wounded Heart
By Dr. Dan Allender, Professor of Counseling Psychology
Healing the Wounded Heart “offers hope for victims of rape, date rape, incest, molestation, sexting, sexual bullying, unwanted advances, pornography, and more, exposing the raw wounds that are left behind and clearing the path toward wholeness and healing. Never minimizing victims’ pain or offering pat spiritual answers that don’t truly address the problem, [this book] instead calls evil evil and lights the way to renewed joy.”
Dr. Dan Allender has pioneered a unique and innovative approach to trauma and abuse therapy over the past 30 years and continues to serve as Professor of Counseling Psychology at The Seattle School. He speaks extensively to present his unique perspective on sexual abuse recovery, love and forgiveness, intimacy and marriage, worship, and co-hosts The Allender Center’s weekly podcast. Other works by Dr. Allender include, To Be Told, Sabbath, Leading with a Limp, and The Wounded Heart.
The Rape of Eve
By Dr. Celene Lillie, Adjunct Faculty
The Rape of Eve “examines core passages from three Gnostic texts from Nag Hammadi, On the Origin of the World, The Reality of the Rulers, and the Secret Revelation of John, in which Eve is portrayed as having been humiliated by the cosmic powers, yet experiencing restoration, and highlights the importance of the Nag Hammadi writings for our fuller appreciation of the currents of Christian response to the Roman Empire and the culture of rape pervasive within it.
Dr. Lillie is a scholar of the New Testament and the early Jesus movement who considers herself multi vocational, adjuncting and advising at several undergraduate and graduate institutions; lecturing and preaching nationally; and serving as the Direct of Adult Education and Spiritual Formation at First United Methodist Church in Boulder. She works at the intersections of ancient language and context and contemporary questions of gender, trauma, justice, and community to ask meaningful questions of early Christian texts.
Reconnect
By Dr. Steve Call, Affiliate Faculty
Reconnect “explains that when we become more aware of the myriad factors that contribute to disconnection, we can develop new understanding and strategies that promote deeper connection and healing interaction” and is particularly suited towards those in relationships.
Dr. Call teaches in the realms of family systems, couples counseling, child and adolescent therapy, and is a licensed psychologist and a clinical member of the American Psychological Association. He has a private practice specializing in adolescents, couples, and families and provides consultation to healthcare and education professionals and provides clinical supervision to other therapists.
Confronting Old Testament Controversies
By Dr. Tremper Longman III, Adjunct Faculty
Confronting Old Testament Controversies helps to clarify questions often raised about the Old Testament, particularly by younger and modern audiences, through a well-reasoned approach. As noted in the description, “the Old Testament is rife with controversial passages and events that make both belief and sharing our beliefs with others difficult. Often our solutions have tended toward the extremes—ignore problem passages and pretend they don’t matter or obsess over them and treat them as though they are the only thing that matters.”
Dr. Longman is a Distinguished Scholar and Professor Emeritus of Biblical Studies at Westmont College who has written over 35 books that have been translated into seventeen different languages. He is also one of the main translators of the popular New Living Translation of the Bible. Other works by Dr. Longman includes The Fear of the Lord Is Wisdom: A Theological Introduction to Wisdom in Israel, How to Read Proverbs, and The Bible and the Ballot.