Black Fatherhood, Adoption, and Theology: A Contextual Analysis and Response

Black Fatherhood, Adoption, and Theology: A Contextual Analysis and Response is a qualitative exploration into the complex intersection of Black fatherhood, adoption, and theology. It is primarily based on the narratives of three Black adoptive fathers who formally adopted non-kinship children. The book takes a closer look at these experiences through the three dominant phases of an adoption experience and gives specific attention to the sociological, psychological, and theological dynamics at play. Ultimately, the book provides a constructive pastoral theology of adoption that sets forth guidelines of care for this population of adoptive fathers as well as others with an experience of adoption.

Michael Lee Cook received his Th.D. in Pastoral Counseling from Columbia Theological Seminary and his M. Div. from Duke University Divinity School. In addition, he has completed extensive clinical training in pastoral care and psychotherapy at the Care and Counseling Center of Georgia and the Atlanta VA Medical Center. Cook is a licensed marriage and family therapist/pastoral counselor in private practice in the greater Atlanta area. He is also an adjunct professor at Emory University Candler School of Theology and Columbia Theological Seminary teaching in the area of pastoral theology, care, and counseling.