Book Review: Cultivating Wholeness: A Guide to Care and Counseling in Faith Communities

Abstract

ing scripture pastorally. He believes that Scripture teaches the law and the gospel, challenges the unhelpful beliefs that underlie many issues and unmet needs, and most important, Scripture guides couples into more helpful perspectives from which to view these issues and meet these needs. Thus, Chapter Five, utilizing the case scenarios, walks the reader through various skills and methods in the arts of challenging stagnant beliefs and the biblical exegesis of Ephesians 5:21-33. A book on premarital guidance would not be complete without a chapter on preparing for the wedding ceremony. Chapter Six is a continuation of the teaching model found in Chapter Five. Taylor presents a model for praying scripture and for the wedding rite to help couples prepare for their nuptials. An outline for constructing a wedding policy for individualized ceremonies, rehearsals, and family conferences is also provided. The final chapter is a reflection of the Metanoia Model from each pastor used in the case scenarios. An Appendix A provides the reader with available materials for couple guidance and Appendix B gives Tailor's models for prayer with a couple. This book is a hallmark contribution in the area of premarital "counseling." The Metanoia Model is impressive in its ability to be all-encompassing, yet simple to understand and employ. Taylor has done an exceptional job in providing a manual that fills the gap in the area of pastoral training. He readily admits that the scope of the book is limited to a directly Christian influence and a primarily American culture. Nonetheless, seminary students and congregation-based ministers should benefit greatly from the information gleaned in this volume.