What if our actual lives aren't 'written' like a simple story? Nor like a book that flows neatly and sequentially from 'chapter-to-chapter' via a rigidly linear plot. But written, instead, through a series of creative interludes or moments. Further still, what if our lives shouldn't simply happen to us? But, rather, be lived through our affirmative acts of seeking 'life.' As part of an ongoing, active quest. A human quest for deeply spiritual lives of continuously 'becoming.'
In Unbinding the Perpetual Soul, Jeffrey C. Tucker writes via a series of essays. These diverse, accessible, engaging, creative, and provocative essays are organized around our human quests for 'being.' For to 'be' entails continuous and challenging, but highly rewarding, quests for things such as identity, wellbeing, belonging, truths, things sacred, healing, transcendence, and meaning. Questing is not an easy journey, to be sure. But it's life changing. It's exhilarating. It's exciting and rewarding. And while far from certain in its destination, one thing is for sure: you'll be a better, healthier, and far more actualized person in the process. You'll be more spiritually 'whole' and grounded. So join in this quest, if you will. An inclusive, soulful, unbinding, and life-giving one at that.
In his first book, The End of the Island, Jeffrey C. Tucker wrote an engaging, accessible theology of suffering. In his second book in this series, Out of the Canyon, Tucker focuses on the behavioral and pastoral care sides. We follow the canyon journey of one who suffers, written in the first person as a journal. Throughout the difficult and sometimes treacherous trek, the narrator reflects on the many challenges of human suffering encountered along the way. In the process, the traveler comes to understand more fully the biblical and human voices of suffering; the problems with those voices; our sometimes mal-adaptive coping mechanisms; our sometimes unhelpful views of God's power; the unique suffering of violence and trauma; the short and longer-term needs of suffering; human spirituality; the path of healing; coming to terms when we don't heal; and what we most need to give and receive as pastoral care providers and recipients. This book offers insightful, practical, and creative approaches to our own respective journeys of healing and transformation–all through the eyes of our narrator. And, as the story nears the final edge of the canyon, the trekker discovers the most valuable and unexpected lesson of all.
What if you were to look at human suffering, pain, and loss with another lens? Not as something that you merely make it through but as something that you move around within. In this fresh, creative, and provocative new book, Jeffrey Tucker explores suffering in new ways, challenging our existing beliefs and theologies while offering a healthier and more helpful approach to viewing ourselves, our faith, and others in the face of suffering. Tucker addresses specific and practical questions that we often ask ourselves when we suffer–attempting to locate our suffering, our identity, the persons of the Divine, our support, and our hope in the process. He also engages us along the way by wrapping wisdom within the framework of a story of an old man on an island who is seeking answers to his pain and loss. The journey takes unexpected turns as the old man learns new ways to walk and to live in the midst of his pain. As we join the old man in his walk, we learn new ways as well. This highly readable and accessible book offers thought-provoking and transforming ideas for persons of every walk of life and faith.