Good God? - Kohn, Rosemarie

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Résumé :
The Image of GOD we have in our soul has the potential of enhancing our life. This happens when the image of GOD is one of goodness, justice, and encouragement. The opposite is also true. A GOD image can be destructive, inflict guilt, cause insecurity, and foster condemnation of self and others. In a refreshing and life-giving way the two authors, Rosemarie Kohn and Susanne Sonderbo, present a slideshow of insights: Kohn as the Biblical theologian, Sonderbo using developmental psychology. They address how a Toxic Faith can poison and writhe a person's life into absolutism. This happens, they note, when one image of GOD becomes dominant and exclusive of all other images. A section of the book is devoted to an analysis of the homosexuality debate inside and outside the Norwegian church. Using over 1400 letters from the Sunde Case in 1999 they uncover a variety of GOD images: rigid and judgmental, warm and comforting, some based on Scripture and others on a broad range of human experiences hoping in a gentle and loving GOD. Kohn and Sonderbo have through their work met many people with a GOD image causing much hurt and pain. It is the authors' hope that the book will be a helpful tool in reflection on and perhaps reconstruction of the GOD image to which the reader has grown accustomed. They advocate lifelong growth in faith. The book also provides pastors and therapists with a key to understanding. Both authors plead a case for images of GOD that focus on inclusivity, love, and friendship--offering inner strength and hopeful living. They also make a strong case for how our image of GOD is not so much about theology but rather about growth and development in our personal lives. How we imagine GOD says a great deal about how we look at ourselves and others.

Biographie:
ROSEMARIE KOHN is bishop of the Diocese of Hamar in Norway. She was the first woman to become a bishop in Scandinavia. Born in 1939 in Rathenow near Berlin, Germany, she graduated in theology from Oslo University in 1966. She went on to teach Old Testament theology, Hebrew, and Biblical exegesis as a member of the Faculty of Theology and the Faculty of History & Philosophy at the University of Oslo. She taught ethics at the Institute of Nursing from 1980 to 1985. From 1989 to 1993 she was principal of the School of Pastoral Practices in Oslo. She was ordained as a Lutheran pastor in 1969 and elected to become a bishop in 1993. Books in Norwegian by Rosemarie Kohn include Hebrew Grammar (1971),The Role of the Parish Pastor (1989), Tree of Hope (2002), and she is a contributor in Rainbowbridge (1986). SUSANNE SONDERBO is a specialist in spiritual care at the Hamar Hospital, Norway. She was born in Copenhagen 1953 and graduated in psychology from the University of Copenhagen in 1982. For five years she was the director of the Center for Immigrant Women in Copenhagen...

Sommaire:
ROSEMARIE KOHN is bishop of the Diocese of Hamar in Norway. She was the first woman to become a bishop in Scandinavia. Born in 1939 in Rathenow near Berlin, Germany, she graduated in theology from Oslo University in 1966. She went on to teach Old Testament theology, Hebrew, and Biblical exegesis as a member of the Faculty of Theology and the Faculty of History & Philosophy at the University of Oslo. She taught ethics at the Institute of Nursing from 1980 to 1985. From 1989 to 1993 she was principal of the School of Pastoral Practices in Oslo. She was ordained as a Lutheran pastor in 1969 and elected to become a bishop in 1993. Books in Norwegian by Rosemarie Kohn include Hebrew Grammar (1971),The Role of the Parish Pastor (1989), Tree of Hope (2002), and she is a contributor in Rainbowbridge (1986). SUSANNE SONDERBO is a specialist in spiritual care at the Hamar Hospital, Norway. She was born in Copenhagen 1953 and graduated in psychology from the University of Copenhagen in 1982. For five years she was the director of the Center for Immigrant Women in Copenhagen...