How should a competent practitioner of pastoral thanatology offer the assurance of grace to members of his or her faith community?

Assignment Introduction and Context
In contrast to using the fear and uncertainty of death as a means of motivating evangelistic conversions, Ray Anderson wrote, “The therapeutic value of sound pastoral and Christian assurance of the grace of Christ when confronted by death is indisputable” (1986, 79). Some would hesitate to provide false assurance, which would open them to the accusation of failing to extend grace appropriately. Others would express concern that either approach can tend to be prescriptive, rather than eliciting from the patient a description of his or her own beliefs and an evaluation of his or her own standing according to those beliefs. Anderson’s perspective suggests that the balance between therapy and theology should be skewed toward proactively offering “Christian assurance” (Anderson 1986).

To support your work, use your course and text readings and also use the South University Online Library. As in all assignments, cite your sources in your work and provide references for the citations in Turabian format.

Participate in the discussion by asking a question, providing a statement of clarification, providing a point of view with a rationale, challenging an aspect of the discussion, or indicating a relationship between two or more lines of reasoning in the discussion. Cite sources in your responses to other classmates. Complete your participation for this assignment by the end of the week.

Tasks
In around 400–500 words, post to the Discussion Area your response to any one of the following question:

How should a competent practitioner of pastoral thanatology offer the assurance of grace to members of his or her faith community? Would there be a difference in how that grace is offered to community referrals outside the faith community? What additional barriers would arise when the contact comes through a public entity (e.g., hospice, hospital, or public schools)?
How much of one’s efforts toward offering an assurance of grace take the form of providing information on “Christian assurance,” as opposed to identifying and supporting whatever view(s) the patient or parishioner holds? In what ways does the practitioner’s ministry context (e.g., hospital chaplaincy versus parish pastorate) inform, influence, or dictate the boundaries and approaches to doing either or both?
By identifying “the therapeutic value,” is Anderson differentiating “what makes the patient or parishioner feel better” and a clear representation of objective truth(s)? If so, is this advisable? Why or why not? If not, how does one prepare for the inevitability that a clear representation of objective truth(s) may significantly upset or distress the patient or parishioner?
Give your opinion and support from the Bible as well as course readings (or another scholarly book) and/or a scholarly article. Scholarly text is defined as coming from a publishing house, peer-reviewed journal, commentary, etc. What is not wanted is for a citation to be supported by an online blog or a personal website. Each post must demonstrate critical thinking and provide support from the readings or outside material including workplace experience.

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