Books & Articles
Evolving
Faith, Sexuality, and Aging
What happens when faith and sexuality
refuse to stay in their assigned boxes?
C. Susanne Bennett’s memoir explores the evolving intersection of faith and sexuality over nearly eight decades of life. Written against the backdrop of ongoing cultural debates about gender, race, and religion, this book weaves together personal stories and reflections around the transformation of faith and the unexpected fluidity of sexuality.
Through deeply personal storytelling, Bennett examines how questions, doubts, and societal shifts have shaped her understanding of self. This memoir serves not only as a chronicle of personal growth but also as an invitation for readers to reflect on their own journeys. With a mix of humor, vulnerability, and insight, Bennett embraces the discomfort of discussing faith, sex, and aging, hoping to spark curiosity and foster meaningful dialogue. A reflection section at the end encourages readers to engage in their own explorations of identity, belief, and change.
Available now.
Praise for Evolving
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In the world of science, accumulating data leads to the adjustment of theories. In law, accumulating evidence leads to the overturning of convictions. In religion, it often takes a hard, long struggle to adjust or overturn long-held beliefs. But when it happens, the change usually comes through accumulating stories. I am grateful that Susanne Bennett has shown the courage and care to tell hers, late in her seventies. It is beautifully written and rings with authenticity.
—Brian D. McLaren, PhD, Author of Faith After Doubt
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Dr. C. Susanne Bennett has written a powerful, inspiring, and engaging memoir. Through carefully curated personal events at various stages of her life, she describes the unfolding of the intersecting and fluid nature of her faith and sexuality in the context of social and political turmoil over the course of seven decades. Her curiosity, openness, and self-reflection reveal a journey to self-understanding as a person who is wholly beloved by God. This memoir is dotted with insights from child development theories and spiritual wisdom that ground her personal experiences in long-studied disciplines. The book also includes a set of thoughtful reflection questions that can be used in book clubs or classrooms. This memoir is an important book for this time and one that generously offers a rare insight into an expansive process of aging, faith, and sexuality.
—Linda Plitt Donaldson, MSW, PhD, Associate Dean of the College of Health & Behavioral Sciences, James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA
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Evolving is such a well-written, thoughtful memoir—and so, so needed. The two threads of faith and sexuality intertwine beautifully, and are anchored by Dr. Bennett’s expertise and grounded voice. She’s truly harvested her experiences to show how she’s evolved in her beliefs. This book is a wonderful teaching tool for individuals and for groups. What an absolute gift to offer the world!
—Caitlin Elizabeth, Editor and Author
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At this time of much seeking and confusion in both faith and sexuality, Susanne Bennett's heartfelt memoir arrives to guide us through a lifetime of inquisitive and intentional transitions. Susanne brings her pressing personal questions into her studies and academic career, offering fresh insight to both spiritual growth and sexual dynamics. Through tumultuous times of social change including our own, Susanne's deep trust in her authentic self invites and inspires us each to find our own true path.
—Sherry Cassedy, JD, Author of Marriage Unveiled
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Dr. Bennett has offered us an autobiography that provides unique insight into the complexity and mystery of sexuality. This illuminating story is interwoven with her faith struggles and development growing up Southern Baptist with a father who was a seminary professor and dean (my dean at one time) at a prominent seminary, along with her own expertise as a researcher, professor, and therapist. She structures her story around Brian McLaren’s stages of faith development from simplicity to complexity to perplexity to harmony. The dynamism of her personal story is complemented by insights from her professional background and her faith journey. Along the way, she offers confusion, pain, affirmation, wisdom, love, and also humor. In addition to its readability, the questions and meditations for each chapter are helpful, making the book very easily used by a reading group. As the subtitle indicates, Bennett’s life story offers a captivating account of faith, sexuality, and aging that contributes to the much-needed understanding of the full range of human experience.
—Dan R. Stiver, MDiv, PhD, President and Professor of Theology, Jesse C. Fletcher Seminary, San Antonio, TX
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Rarely are the two words sexuality and spirituality found together, but Dr. Bennett has wisely found a way to integrate them and demonstrate how they live and grow together in her own life. So much of Western religious thought has sought to separate these energies. It is time for them to be seen as integral and natural aspects of healthy spirituality. I especially found the Appendix questions helpful as I looked at my own life and growth.
—The Rev. Carlyle Gill, Episcopal Priest and Spiritual Director
Adult Attachment
in Clinical
Social Work
Practice, Research, and Policy
Adult Attachment in Clinical Social Work is a wide-ranging look at attachment theory and research, its application to adults, and its natural fit with the social work profession. This edited volume covers the applicability of adult attachment theory to the clinical social work profession’s various domains that include human behavior, practice, policy, research, and social work education. It addresses the broad spectrum of clinical social work, including practice in a variety of public and private settings and with a number of diverse populations, including racial-ethnic groups, gays and lesbians, trauma survivors, and child welfare parents. The book highlights the underemphasized contribution of the social work profession to the development of attachment theory and research.
