ABSTRACT
Stories from the Street is a theological exploration of interviews with men and women who had experienced homelessness at some stage in their lives. Framed within a theology of story and a theology of liberation, Nixon suggests that story is not only a vehicle for creating human transformation but it is one of God's chosen means of effecting change. Short biographies of twelve characters are examined under themes including: crises in health and relationships, self-harm and suicide, anger and pain, God and the Bible. Expanding the existing literature of contextual theology, this book provides an alternative focus to a church-shaped mission by advocating with, and for, a very marginal group; suggesting that their experiences have much to teach the church. Churches are perceived as being active in terms of pastoral work, but reluctant to ask more profound questions about why homelessness exists at all. A theology of homelessness suggests not just a God of the homeless, but a homeless God, who shares stories and provides hope. Engaging with contemporary political and cultural debates about poverty, housing and public spending, Nixon presents a unique theological exploration of homeless people, suffering, hope and the human condition.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
chapter |2 pages
Prologue Encounter
part I|43 pages
Methods and Mapping
chapter Chapter 1|13 pages
New Clothes for an Old Story? (1)
chapter Chapter 2|14 pages
New Clothes for an Old Story? (2)
chapter Chapter 3|13 pages
Collecting Stories
part II|89 pages
Results
chapter Chapter 4|17 pages
Homeless Narratives in Context
chapter Chapter 5|13 pages
Life Histories of Homeless People
chapter Chapter 6|14 pages
Themes from Homeless Lives: Biography
chapter Chapter 7|16 pages
Themes from Homeless Lives: Emotions
chapter Chapter 8|12 pages
Themes from Homeless Lives: Spirituality
chapter Chapter 9|13 pages
Themes from Homeless Lives: Reading the Bible Together
part III|46 pages
Conclusions