Emerging as Affirmative Pastoral Caregivers Beyond Gender Binaries - (Emerging Perspectives in Pastoral Theology and Care) by Craig A Rubano

About the Book

Spurred by encounters with gender diverse persons in his care, and employing a scriptural framework, the author urges caregivers of all kinds to look within and wrestle with the complexities of their own gendered selves, opening doors to emerging as affirmative pastoral caregi...

Book Synopsis

Emerging as Affirmative Pastoral Caregivers Beyond Gender Binaries: Gender Creative Promise uniquely brings a gender diverse theological imagination to the field of pastoral theology, supplemented by deploying a "gender creative" interpretative lens on scripture. The reader is introduced to an array of persons diverse in their gender variance, four continua of gender (sex, identity, expression, attraction), a gender affirmative psychotherapeutic model as a template for the field of pastoral theology, common resilience strategies that transgender persons employ in the face of cultural oppression and aspersion, benefits derived from religious affiliation that can enhance resilience, and scripturally-based principles for delivering affirmative pastoral caregiving beyond gender binaries. The author encourages readers to look within and wrestle with the complexities of their own gendered selves while journeying alongside him to emerge as pastoral change-makers in their places of teaching, ministry, and caregiving.

Review Quotes

"At last, we have in Beyond Gender Binaries an all-out pastoral theology suitable for countering rightwing operatives who, for purposes of political survival or clerical gain, demonize gender-creative young people and adults. Craig Rubano weaves meticulous research in the social sciences with fresh biblical insight, searing honesty, and abounding compassion into a seamless foray into anomalies of gender in all persons. This brave and subversive book arrives in the nick of time." --Robert C. Dykstra, Princeton Theological Seminary

"In this comprehensive interdisciplinary study pastoral theologian Craig Rubano is a learned, liberative guide in exploring, understanding, celebrating, and working with gender creative persons. This is an essential book for anyone in ministry or teaching ministry!" --Ryan LaMothe, Saint Meinrad Seminary and School of Theology

"With this book, Rubano offers a gift to pastoral theologians and spiritual care practitioners desiring to support trans, fluid, nonbinary, and gender creative people with the companionship, advocacy, and justice so often lacking in Christian approaches to gender diversity. He invites readers to push beyond the limits of empathy and quests for understanding into humble postures of listening and learning from gender creative people. Pastoral theologians and practitioners will find in this book a resource that increases competency in spiritual care praxis in order to increase resilience for gender creative people. An immensely helpful text." --Cody J. Sanders, Luther Seminary

About the Author

Craig A. Rubano received his Ph.D. in Pastoral Theology from Princeton Theological Seminary.