Reinterpreting the Bible through Family Systems Theory, this fascinating exploration shows how the theology of creation, restoration, and salvation can be meaningfully and uniquely understood through the lens of the biblical family.

The most often mentioned and most profoundly alone being in the Bible is God. The second is Jesus. In fact, the single person turns out to be of central importance in the Bible, despite the overwhelming emphasis on extended biological families. Since the only consistent definition of "family" in the Bible is "covenant," the orphan, the single person, the gay person, and others who are often on the fringes of the Church are just as much part of the family of God as the husband-wife-child unit.

It is not possible to recreate a "biblical" family in the modern world. Thus, we must think of the principles of faithful family life demonstrated in the Bible and express them in a new way. That is the idea underlying Families of the Bible: A New Perspective. Examining themes related to family health, connection, spirituality, and psychology, the author relates stories from the Bible to modern-day experience in an effort to help readers strengthen and heal their own families, whatever their structure.

While the book addresses the family of the patriarchs and other major traditional families in the Bible, it also specifically examines Jesus's new definition of family, showing how his psycho-spiritual family has a different—and more inclusive—shape than the "natural family." The author, who is an Episcopal priest, insists that the Bible shows God as faithful in providing for his people. The many disadvantaged in our society, as well as those who are alone and those who have found that wealth does not provide satisfaction, will benefit from this thoughtful reinterpretation.

Features
• Uses family systems theory in a way that will be accessible for the layperson, as well as scholars and clergy
• Includes genograms and other family diagrams
• Offers original interpretations of family stories throughout
• Cites specific biblical examples
• Includes an appendix demonstrating the use of Family Systems Theory as hermeneutic

Highlights
• Explores the many types of families in the Bible and various situations in which they find themselves, reinterpreting them in new and surprising ways
• Juxtaposes Old and New Testament stories to provide new insights into their meaning
• Considers how representative biblical families can help today's families understand and deal with modern problems
• Explains Jesus's redefinition of family, which restores the intent of creation by excluding no one

Kamila Blessing, PhD, has been an Episcopal priest for 26 years. She holds two doctorates, one in information ("people") systems from the University of Pittsburgh, and one in New Testament studies with a minor in Family Systems Theory from Duke University.. She specializes in assessing and enhancing the systemic communication of families, churches, and other organizations and in the application of Family Systems Theory, in a consistent and methodologically sound way, as a hermeneutic for interpreting the Bible.

Endorsements
"Has Kamila Blessing used familiography as a vehicle for writing biblical theology? It’s a question well worth asking of her provocative and stimulating book."—D. Moody Smith, Jr., George Washington Ivey Professor Emeritus of New Testament, The Divinity School at Duke University

"Today we recognize that families come in interesting shapes and sizes--each with their own dynamics. This is certainly true of the many families in the Bible. With keen psychological insight and spiritual reflection Kamila Blessing offers readers new perspectives on families then and what this can mean for how families are viewed now."—Frederick H. Borsch, retired
Episcopal Bishop of Los Angeles
Chair of Anglican Studies at the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia