Beyond This Darkness
A Faith-Based Pathway to Recovering from Addictive Behaviors
by Ben Pugh, Jason Glover and Daniel Thompson
Imprint: Resource Publications
Ben Pugh first trained as an artist with the University for the Creative Arts in Farnham, UK, and still has a love for creative endeavors, especially in written form. After becoming a Christian at the age of nineteen, his love of writing combined with a newfound love for the Bible and a growing interest in Christian doctrine, especially the life-changing truth that we are justified in Christ. In time, this interest in theology led to an MA from Manchester University and a PhD from Bangor. His first full-time academic role was as Director of Postgraduate Studies at Mattersey Hall College which, at the time, could boast of having the largest graduate school of its kind in Europe. However, Ben longed for more time in the classroom engaging with students, and, of course, more time to write theology. Along came the offer of the position of Lecturer in Theology at Cliff College, Derbyshire, where he has been happily employed since 2012. Ben is blessed to work at a desk in what was once Victorian country house from which he can look out across the second most visited national park in the world--Peak District.
Jason Glover has over ten years' experience of working with addicts covering many aspects of their needs from mentoring to homelessness prevention.
Daniel Thompson is an experienced sponsor with Cocaine Anonymous and has travelled widely in support of addiction groups. He is studying theology at Cliff College.
"Beyond this Darkness gets to the heart of why people become and remain addicted. Drawing on people's experiences, previous therapeutic methods, culture, and the Pauline discourse, it stresses the significance of Christian community and identity in the struggle towards freedom. It's a hopeful, practical, and spiritual companion for anybody wanting to break free from life-controlling problems, or for anybody who wants to journey with addicts in their struggle against the forces that ensnare them."
--Darren Howie, reformed heroin addict and Pioneer Minister at St. Peter's in the City, Derby, UK
"There is a marvelous light in this book. It has been written by people with a heart for recovery who see a way through the darkness based on experience and scholarship. It shows how new choices can be made with fresh insights from God's knowledge, grace, and the fruits of loving relationships. Practical examples provide encouragement and there is a hope that change may happen for you or ones that you care for."
--Richard Lynch, Sheffield Hallam University, UK