{"product_id":"who-is-present-in-absence-a-pentecostal-praxis-of-suffering","title":"Who Is Present in Absence? A Pentecostal Praxis of Suffering","description":"\u003cp\u003eIn this review of Who Is Present in Absence? A Pentecostal Theological PRAXIS of Suffering and Healing, the reviewer finds a focused, qualitative theological study best suited to readers seeking pastoral insight rather than quick answers. Pamela F Engelbert and Martin William Mittelstadt present eight extended personal stories to explore how Classical Pentecostals experience God, community and Scripture when prayer for intervention appears unanswered. The book's greatest asset is its careful attention to testimony and its integration of a Pentecostal hermeneutic with the Gospel of John, making it a valuable resource for those wanting a reflective, practice-oriented theology of suffering.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eKey Features\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eQualitative case studies:\u003c\/strong\u003e Eight detailed personal narratives provide concrete examples of how Classical Pentecostals recount encounters with God during prolonged suffering.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePentecostal hermeneutic:\u003c\/strong\u003e The work combines lived experience with Scripture, especially the Gospel of John, offering a method for reading testimony alongside biblical text.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePraxis-oriented theology:\u003c\/strong\u003e The book emphasizes theology as action, presenting a practical framework for ministry responses to suffering rather than abstract doctrine alone.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFocus on presence in absence:\u003c\/strong\u003e Readers gain a nuanced exploration of what it means to perceive God's presence when conventional healing or intervention does not occur.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePastoral implications:\u003c\/strong\u003e Ministries and pastors will find conversation-starters and case material useful for counseling and community care in prolonged suffering contexts.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWho It's For\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis work is most useful for pastors, theological students, and lay leaders within Pentecostal and Charismatic contexts who want a theologically informed, practice-focused approach to long-term suffering and pastoral care. Those who appreciate deep listening to testimony and constructive engagement with Scripture will find the book particularly rewarding.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eReaders seeking a medical guide to healing, a systematic theology textbook, or quick devotional answers may prefer other titles; this book assumes interest in qualitative research, pastoral praxis and reflective theological conversation rather than prescriptive formulas.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003ePros \u0026amp; Cons\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePros\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHighlights lived testimony, giving voice to real experiences within Classical Pentecostal practice.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eIntegrates a Pentecostal hermeneutic with the Gospel of John for theological reflection grounded in Scripture.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eOffers practical pastoral insights useful for counseling and church care ministries.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCons\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe focus on qualitative stories means it is not a comprehensive systematic theology or a clinical guide to healing.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTitle\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWho Is Present in Absence? A Pentecostal Theological PRAXIS of Suffering and Healing\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAuthors\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePamela F Engelbert, Martin William Mittelstadt\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eApproach\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eQualitative practical theology with a Pentecostal hermeneutic\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePrimary Scripture Lens\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGospel of John\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCore Material\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eEight Classical Pentecostal life stories\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eIntended Use\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePastoral care, theological reflection, ministry praxis\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eOur Verdict\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWho Is Present in Absence? is a thoughtful, practice-driven contribution to Pentecostal theology of suffering that will repay close reading by pastors and practitioners. Its strength lies in honoring testimony and linking experience with the Gospel of John, making it a good value for those seeking pastoral resources and reflective theological tools rather than doctrinal breadth or clinical instruction.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDoes this book present clinical guidance for healing?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eNo. The book is a theological and pastoral study focused on testimony and praxis, not a medical or clinical manual.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow is Scripture used in the book?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe authors read testimonies through a Pentecostal hermeneutic with particular attention to the Gospel of John to shape reflection on presence and absence.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWho are the voices featured?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe book centers eight Classical Pentecostal storytellers whose long-term suffering and spiritual responses provide the case material for the study.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Pamela F Engelbert, Martin William Mittelstadt","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48253004087515,"sku":"1532633556","price":44.44,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0724\/1043\/1707\/files\/612bMRlhmbL._SL1500.jpg?v=1776363939","url":"https:\/\/gearmusthave.com\/products\/who-is-present-in-absence-a-pentecostal-praxis-of-suffering","provider":"GearMustHave","version":"1.0","type":"link"}