Pastoral Care Under the Cross

by Richard C. Eyer

Pastoral Care Under the Cross points to the cross as the paradigm for pastoral care when counseling suffering people. This book offers insight that is useful not only for pastors but also Christian counselors, chaplains, nurses, doctors, and social workers who interact with the elderly, dying, mourning, mentally ill, or depressed.

133 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 1994

Reviews

[Jim B · Rating 3 out of 5]

This 2014 revision of the 1994 edition offers food for thought from a chaplain who approaches the subject of pastoral care from the perspective of “theology of the cross” instead of the almost universal chaplain care that either refuses to discuss the place of God in suffering or regards suffering as something that must be eliminated (even if that requires putting the sufferer to death).
Spiritual care givers who already embrace “theology of the cross” care will still find many interesting comments. Chaplain Eyer urges Christians to do a better job of listening, not because he agrees with the philosophy that we have much to learn from others, but because by listening carefully, we suffer with those who suffer. Many people jump to solution giving and walk away from the sufferer feeling triumphant because they have proven God victorious – and the sufferer feels more isolated and misunderstood than ever. But the chaplain who listens carefully begins to feel the helplessness of the sufferer. Then God can enter in and help.

The first part of the book lays the foundation of the theology of the cross and how it affects pastoral care. Part 2 applies the thoughts of the first part to the kinds of situations that chaplains often are called upon to give pastoral care: elderly people, homosexuality, dying, mourning, post disaster, mental illness and depression. There is also a chapter on theology of the cross and medical ethics that reaffirms the need for pro-life pastoral care in a world where sentimentality and burden avoidance has led families of the suffering as well as the medical field to press for death instead of protecting life.

This is not an indepth chaplaincy text book. The author says at the outset that he is reflecting on his chaplain experience and looking at how his decisions were guided by the theology of the cross. Sometimes you wish the book was longer and able to treat topics more in depth (the reprint is only 155 pages long). You get the feeling that some topics are treated in brief summaries, to just show a different approach, but more explanation would be appreciated.

[Bethany · Rating 4 out of 5]

What does it mean to live under the cross? Pastor Eyer addresses this topic from multiple perspectives, well illustrated by the chapter titles that focus on different facets of suffering -- watching loved ones die and grieve and struggle, going through those struggles oneself, and facing specific burdens such as illness, chronic or terminal illness, loneliness, sinfulness, etc. Throughout the book, the reader is constantly reminded that suffering as a Christian is not a sign that we are hated by God; rather, suffering is a consequence of sin but is also a means through which God's love and grace are revealed. A must-read for pastors, deaconesses, and those who wish to care for others. It is also a wonderful book for understanding our own lives and struggles in a joy-infused light even when the world seems dark.

[Terry · Rating 4 out of 5]

My friend and pastor David Wayne recommended this book. It was a book that he found helpful as he struggled with cancer.

The author Richard C. Eyer has had a calling as a hospital chaplain. As such his ministry has been focused on caring for the suffering. He sees pastoral care as much different than psychological counseling.

While Eyer has a theory of pastoral care, the book is laced with personal examples and explanations that do much more to make the topic practical. He shows from case study the ways of pastoral care.