Skip to main content
Log in

Pastoral counseling and the compassionate God

  • Published:
Pastoral Psychology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Taking up a suggestion of Michael Cavanagh in a recent issue of this journal, Marcel Sarot contributes to the theological task of distinguishing conceptions of God that are psychospiritually unhelpful from those that are helpful. More specifically, he argues that the conception of God as compassionate and co-suffering is psychospiritually more helpful than that of God as blissfully impassible. In the final section, he shows that there is some empirical research confirming this conclusion.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Bickley, H. J. (1979). Communications, as Ministry, with the Terminally Ill.Abstracts of Research in Pastoral Care and Counseling, 8, 107–108.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cavanagh, M. (1992). The Perception of God in Pastoral Counseling.Pastoral Psychology, 41, 75–80.

    Google Scholar 

  • Creel, R. E. (1986).Divine Impassibility: An Essay in Philosophical Theology. Cambridge: CU.P.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fiddes, P. S. (1988).The Creative Suffering of God. Oxford: Clarendon Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hartill, P. (1952).The Unity of God: A Study in Christian Monotheism. London: Mowbray.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kelsey, D. H. (1990). God, Doctrine of, and Pastoral Care. In R. J. Hunter (Ed.).Dictionary of Pastoral Care and Counseling (pp. 462–465). Nashville: Abingdon.

    Google Scholar 

  • Nouwen, H. J. M., McNeill, D. P. & Morrison, D. A. (1989).Compassion: A Reflection on the Christian Life. London: Darton, Longman & Todd.

    Google Scholar 

  • Randles, M. (1900).The Blessed God: Impassibility. London: Charles H. Kelly.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sarot, M. (1992a). Omnipotence and Self-limitation. In G. van den Brink, L. J. van den Brom & M. Sarot (Eds.).Christian Faith and Philosophical Theology: Essays in Honour of Vincent Brümmer (pp. 172–185). Kampen: Kok Pharos.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sarot, M. (1992b).God, Possibility and Corporeality. Kampen: Kok Pharos.

    Google Scholar 

  • Van der Ven, J. A. (1993).Practical Theology: An Empirical Approach. Kampen: Kok Pharos.

    Google Scholar 

  • Varillon, F. (1975).La Souffrance de Dieu. Paris: Le Centurion.

    Google Scholar 

  • Woollcombe, K. J. (1967). The Pain of God.Scottish Journal of Theology, 20, 129–148.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Sarot, M. Pastoral counseling and the compassionate God. Pastoral Psychol 43, 185–190 (1995). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02253786

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02253786

Keywords

Navigation