If health is your field of practice this book will increase you awareness on the importance of holistic approach to health care. If you are researching in the area of religion and spirituality, then this is a must read for your literature review.

This is the most comprehensive collection of studies in the field of religion, spirituality and healthcare. Extremely easy to read and nicely organized for easy use. As a researcher myself in the field of spirituality and healthcare, I have found this book to be a "must have" resource for our own work. I would strongly recommend this book wihtout reservation!

As a scientist with great faith---and a survivor of three separate cancers---I came to this book with a lot of faith and treatment experience. This is an amazing summary of the literature relating religion and health. There are many, many associations between religious commitment and practice and health, with major implications for crafting healthful lifestyles and treatment of illness. This book is scientifically credible, inspirational from a religious perspective, and interesting throughout. 5 stars only because that is the top star value!!

This book explores the healing aspects of faith in terms of scientific evidence. As the director of Duke University's Center for the Study of Religion/Spirituality and Health, the author, Dr. Harold Koenig, has become an expert in this discipline and shares everything he has learned in this very fascinating and informative book. Through his medical background and through fifteen years of dedicated research and after over 50 research studies Koenig provides a strong argument for the healing power of faith. From the very start, it is made clear that this is not a book claiming the miracles of God but rather is a book "concerned with concrete data" to "investigate the therapeutic or healing power of people's religious faith." Some of the findings from this data are that people who have a strong faith have healthier lifestyles possibly due to religions encouragement of proper and healthy conduct. Religious people also cope well with stress, are less likely to be depressed and hospitalized than their non-religious counterparts, have a stronger immune system, and live longer. Other important research, conducted by people other than Koenig's team, are included in this book as well. This book is quite comprehensive in its review of all the literature out there on the healing power of faith.

The book is filled with poignant personal stories that help illustrate the scientific findings. The stories are of depression, alcoholism, cancer, cardiovascular disease, and other medical conditions. One such story is of Morty, a man who had been walking around with an blood alcohol level of 3.5. Morty was delivered to a detoxication unit where he stopped drinking on the first day of arrival and had an almost painless physical withdrawal from alcohol because he believed in the grace of God. Each story is as heartwarming and as inspiring as the one before. I loved how these stories were so smoothly used in adjunct with the scientific findings. It is definitely an effective blend of real life to which we all can relate and science from which we all can learn.

Another great thing about this book is that at the very end it offers suggestions to how one can benefit from the Power of faith. It is separated into three different parts: 1) if you are already religious, 2) if you are not religious, and 3) if you simply are not yet ready to consider religion. This is very nice because it offers suggestions for everyone not only those who are religious and are already benefiting.

A definite plus to this book is that is it easy reading. Although it deals with real scientific research the entire book is very readable. One does not get bored with scientific jargon. In fact the book is very engaging and I finished it in one night. I definitely recommend this book for anyone who is interested in this subject. We all can learn from it, religious people and atheists alike.

Heart warming book that beautifully combines scientific data with personal stories. Koenig writes well, keeps your interest, and brings medical research to an understandable level. His point is clear--faith is good for your health.

A fascinating book that kept my attention throughout. Nice blend of personal stories that illustrate some remarkable research. Recommend highly.

Struggling with my own aging, I found the book helpful in integrating my personal faith into the changes that are occuring while I grow older. I particularly enjoyed the many scripture references which he uses to back up his statements.

A HANDBOOK FOR CLERGY COUNSELING FAMILIES
Counseling Families Across the Lifespan: A Handbook for Pastors and Other Religious Professionals is designed to be a text for those in training for pastoral ministry, as well as a practical resource for women and men engaged in ministry with families. The volume addresses family transition issues (e.g., becoming a parent, divorce, sudden job loss, chronic illness, retirement, untimely death) and related mental health problems that may be experienced over the lifespan. In this time of widespread concern about the demise of the family,it is especially important that pastors and others in ministry understand how to help guide persons through life passages. Part 1 offers information about the important role that clergy and the faith community serve in the mental health care of families. This section spells out the need for special expertise by pastors and other religious professionals about how to recognize and address important transitional lifespan issues and related family problems. The scientific evidence that non-punitive, nurturing religious beliefs and practices serve both preventive and healing functions is summarized. Finally, there is a review of the factors that cultivate strong and resilient families in spite of adversity. The heart of the book is found in Part 2, which is presented in a format that uses real life situations while highlighting practical implications for pastoral care. They reflect recent research on relevant issues and recognize that the demands on a family change over time in the lifecycle. The case studies are multidisciplinary in approach, integrating clinical knowledge in pastoral care, psychology, family medicine, psychiatry, nursing, gerontology, sociology, social work, and marriage and family therapy, along with current scientific findings on the role of religion in mental health care. The volume recognizes that the difficulties that families face do not stand in isolation from one another but are interrelated. For example, the chapters involving chronic illness also address caregiver stress and depression. The book is designed so that a reader can easily locate information on specific issues and related mental health problems for which families seek pastoral counsel. It is a practical, easy-to-use guide on how to assess problems and how to respond to them. The table of contents provides the subject of 20 situations that illustrate common issues experienced by families. Each case provides an example of a family member with a specific problem who is in need of help. Included in each chapter is information about how a pastor or colleague in ministry would assess the problem, what aspects of the case are most important, how to identify the major issues, specific directions about what the pastor and congregation can do, when to refer for professional assistance, and information about resources that can provide help. National organizations (often with toll-free numbers and internet addresses) that supply information and support for families facing these issues are identified for each concern addressed. Cross-cultural aspects are noted and discussed, as well. Technical terms are defined in the glossary at the end of the book. The text is written for people of all faiths, with an appreciation for the richness of the intergenerational and multicultural diversity found in religious communities. The authors are people of faith with specialties in mental health. Dr. Weaver is a clinical psychologist, licensed marriage and family therapist, and ordained United Methodist minister who has served rural and urban parishes. He has written over 80 scientific articles and book chapters and has co-authored 7 books. Dr. Revilla is a United Methodist laywoman and developmental psychologist who specializes in working with ethnic families. She also teaches at the University of Hawaii in the Ethnic Studies Department. Dr. Koenig is associate professor of psychiatry and internal medicine, as well as director of the Center for the Study Religion/Spirituality and Health at Duke University Medical Center. He has written over 170 scientific articles and book chapters and has authored or co-authored 10 books.

Very practical book with useful references at the end of each chapter. I especially enjoyed the case histories which were similar to many of the members that have come to me for counseling in my church.

I enjoyed this book, and have used it in small groups with others in church. Great feedback from others about usefulness in helping persons our age (50's) spiritually grow and find new meaning and purpose in life as we age.

This book is a must have resource for anyone interested in the plethera of studies published in the field of religion and healthcare. This book is the most comprehensive collection of all the related studies ever done to date. Koenig, McCullough, and Larson have brought an enormous resource to the hands of those who need them. Personally, I have found this book to be extrememly helpful in resourcing the various studies related to my own work. The medical field is becoming increasingly aware of the relationship between religion and spirituality with health. Perhaps this powerful collection will help spurn others to contribute to this growing field!

Chapter 1: What Health Changes Can Be Expected with Normal Aging?-- Chapter 2: What Can Older Adults Do to Maintain Their Physical Health?-- Chapter 3: What Can Older Adults Do to Maintain Their Mental Health?-- Chapter 4: How Can Spiritual Growth Be Facilitated in Later Life?-- Chapter 5: What is Alzheimer's Disease and What Can Be Done?-- Chapter 6: How Can Caregivers and Families Be Helped to Cope with Their Responsibilities?-- Chapter 7: How Can Community Resources for Older Persons Be Located?-- Chapter 8: What Information Is Necessary about Nursing Homes?-- Chapter 9: How Do Older Persons Cope with Disability and Dependency?-- Chapter 10: What Can Older Persons Do to Feel Useful and Needed?-- Chapter 11: How Can Older Persons Who Feel Lonely and Isolated Be Helped?-- Chapter 12: How Can Faith Help older Persons Cope with Chronic Illness?-- Chapter 13: How Can Older Persons Who Are Depressed, Grieving, or Suicidal Be Helped?-- Chapter 14: How Can Older Persons Who Are Anxious and Fearful Be Helped?-- Chapter 15: What Can Be Done to Help Older Persons with Cancer or Terminal Illness?--

This book is like a Sunday afternoon visit to an art-exhibit. In it you will find 12 landscapes of the purpose and meaning-of-life 12 men and women have composed. Each story is different showing the unique perspective and style of the artist. One writer focuses on the mystery of discovering each new passage in life; another recalls the inner pride of his aging Hawaiian aunt living in her cavernous house; a third remembers the joy of a blind, elderly monk because he had two people visit him at one time. But each story reveals a rich, beautiful portrait drawn from a life-time of experience with humanity and the creation around us.

This is a dated, but historical review of the area of religion, health, and aging. I enjoyed reading it, and use it as a reference book. It provides information about some of the early studies, and is one of the first books to comprehensively review this area.