Care of Souls, Care of Polis

“This is a landmark volume for pastoral theology. LaMothe explores issues long neglected in this field, such as U.S. imperialism, neoliberal capitalism, and class struggle . . . The result is a thorough revisioning of pastoral theology and care. This is an indispensable resource for leaders of religious congregations, theological educators, and all those engaged in caring for our shared life in such troubling times.”


—Bruce Rogers-Vaughn, author of Caring for Souls in a Neoliberal Age





“Care is a dynamic reality and a political act. LaMothe’s bold pastoral wisdom weaves a political theology around the intersections of privilege, power, gender, identity, labor, race, and class. Care of Souls, Care of Polis invites the reader to think politically about care and pastorally about politics.”


— Jaco J. Hamman, author of A Play-full Life





“Care of Souls, Care of Polis issues a clarion call for pastoral theologians, ministers, and churches to attend to unrelenting devastation unleashed by forces of neoliberal capitalism—a worldview measuring the worth of persons solely in economic terms—on the souls and psyches of individuals, families, and communities in the United States and around the globe. Ryan LaMothe is a rare and perfect guide for this perilous journey, fully expert both in the literature and practices of pastoral care and in nuances of economic and political theory. What emerges is a ‘redemptive discourse’ that subverts uncivil political speech and offers hope for renewed flourishing in human relationships.”


—Robert C. Dykstra, editor of Images of Pastoral Care: Classic Readings





“Ryan LaMothe is one of the most creative pastoral theologians of our time. For the past couple of decades . . . he has been engaging psychoanalysis, politics, theology, and economics to inquire critically into the polices and the practices of the United States, especially as related to the demonic effects of imperialism and capitalism.”


—Nathan Carlin, co-author of 100 Years of Happiness