Development on Purpose: Faith and Human Behavior in the Social Environment (2019)
Author(s):
Lisa Hosack, MSW, PhD
Available Formats:
Book
Digital
PDF
Buy or Rent Digital from RedShelf:
$28.00
Member Price:
$22.25
Development on Purpose: Faith and Human Behavior in the Social Environment ((ISBN: 978-0-9897581-5-4)provides both students and seasoned professionals with a coherent framework for considering HBSE from a Christian perspective. It was developed to be a companion text for HBSE and related courses at both undergraduate and graduate levels.
Courses in human behavior and the social environment raise important questions about the nature of persons and our multi-layered social world. The Christian faith offers compelling answers to these deep questions about human nature and our relationships with one another and the world by providing a defining purpose for human development.
Steeped within the Reformed tradition, Development on Purpose describes how this grand purpose informs our understanding of the trajectory of our lived experience and sustains our work on behalf of those at risk in the world. Check out the introductory chapter and/or a video video introducing you to this important new book for Christians in social work!
The first half of Development on Purpose outlines a purpose for human development, examining biological, psychological, and social theories through the lens of faith. This includes chapters on:
- Biblical Themes to Ground Us
- A Theological Model for Understanding Human Behavior in the Social Environment (HBSE)
- The Perspectives of Social Work from the Lens of Faith
- The Biological Dimension
- The Psychological Dimension
- The Social Dimension
The second half of Development on Purpose then uses detailed case examples to illuminate the way that faith can relate to work with persons across the lifespan. This includes chapters on:
- Infancy: Early Growth toward God and Others
- Childhood: Playing and Learning (ages 3-12)
- Adolescence: Leaning into Identity (ages 13-18)
- Emerging Adulthood: Feeling In-Between
- Middle Adulthood: At the Intersection of Growth and Decline
- Older Adulthood: Finishing Well
In showing how a Christian understanding of humans can inform the study and practice of social work, the book’s chapters can be used interchangeably, making this an excellent companion text for Human Behavior in the Social Environment and related courses in faith-based social work programs. To support the use of this book in the classroom, NACSW has begun to develop a collection of online teaching resources and/ for your use. These free resources include summaries of key concepts and terms found in Development on Purpose, discussion questions, an annotated bibliography, and eventually suggested class activities and assignments.
Development On Purpose contains 12 chapters and more than 225 pages (ISBN 9780989758154).
Recommendations:
Gaynor Yancey, Professor & Baylor Master Teacher at the Diana R. Garland School of Social Work & George W. Truett Theological Seminary, says that: “In Development on Purpose, Lisa Hosack does a great job of not only encouraging readers to be knowledgeable in the theories and practices of human development, but she also includes the added dimension of faith as a vital and necessary element for social workers to consider in our work with people in various stages of the life course. The author’s purpose is not to replace one focus of practice (social work theories and skills) with theology. Rather, she is encouraging all Christians in the social work profession not to neglect the theological context of how we are made, in God’s image, when we address various behaviors across the life course. This book will serve as wonderful addition to the preparation of social work professionals. This work truly celebrates the link of social work with our Christian faith tradition! What a gift it is to all of us!”
Marleen Milner, Ph.D., MSSW, BSW, Professor of Social Work and BSW Program Director at Southeastern University, writes that: "In "Development on Purpose," Lisa Hosack provides a long overdue faith-based perspective on critical social work theories on human development and the environment, highlighting the significance of spirituality in human flourishing. The author offers a systematic biblical critique of micro, mezzo, and macro social work theories, drawing on both social work and theological literature. Part 1 provides an excellent and coherent overview of commonly used social work theories with commentary on the agreement and tensions with a biblical worldview. Part 2 covers developmental theories across the life span. A significant strength of the text is the detailed case studies which will facilitate the application of the theoretical and biblical perspectives to assessments in the various life stages. This book will be a beneficial addition to an HBSE course at the undergraduate or graduate level, or a course on the integration of spirituality and social work practice.
Regina Chow Trammel, Ph.D., LCSW, Assistant Professor of Social Work at Azusa Pacific University, says that "Lisa Hosack's Development on Purpose: Faith and Human Behavior in the Social Environment is an important contribution to the field of social work. She provides a comprehensive, clear, and sound integration of Christian theology with social work theory and practice concepts. This book is a needed resource for any social worker and easily used as a primary or supplemental text in any HBSE classroom. Lisa engages readers and primes them for deeper learning through the use of case studies, and discussion questions to apply the learning material in each chapter. This is a deep and rich text that I am looking forward to using in my classroom.
Kristen Alford, Ph.D., MSW, MPH, Associate Professor of Social Work at Calvin University offers that "Dr. Lisa Hosack’s Development on Purpose: Faith and Human Behavior in the Social Environment provides a comprehensive understanding of the role of faith in human development and social work practice. The book allows students to fully investigate the interplay of faith and spirituality with biological, social, and psychological functioning. It also provides students with tools to critically evaluate social work and related theories and practices using a lens of Christian faith. Development on Purpose is a useful companion to other HBSE resources as it provides a foundation for understanding the role of faith, an oft-overlooked yet essential area of human flourishing."
Helen Wilson Harris, Ed.D, LCSW, Associate Professor of Social Work at the Diana R. Garland School of Social Work at Baylor University, writes that: "Dr. Lisa Hosack has written a highly integrative companion textbook for Christians interested in a theological/faith perspective of human behavior and the social environment. Development on Purpose addresses in two parts both major theories and Old and New Testament scripture and themes specific to human behavior and social work practice. The author provides both a broad overview of human development theory from the various disciplines and application of theological and scriptural content to that theory and to case studies across developmental levels. The social worker seeking to apply relational theology to social work practice will find resonance the author’s stated goal of social work to assist clients in human development and relationships including those with God, with themselves, and with all aspects of creation including other persons and the world."
David Sherwood, Ph.D., LICSW, ACSW, Past Editor in Chief of Social Work & Christianity for 34 years, says: "Lisa Hosack’s Development on Purpose: Faith and Human Behavior in the Social Environment provides Christian social work students, faculty, and practitioners with a helpful resource for thinking about the complexities of understanding and evaluating theoretical frameworks and their application in social work practice. Dr. Hosack acknowledges both the limitations and the importance of our models as we try to understand and help others. Using her Reformed Christian perspective, Dr. Hosack applies Biblical themes of relationality, fallenness and the need for redemption, embodiment, and agency to gain insight into human behavior in the social environment. This is an important complement to the literature in the field."
Scott Sanders, MSW, PhD, Professor of Social Work and Program Director at Cornerstone University, writes that "Development on Purpose is divided in two sections. The first introduces the reader to a biblical and theological understanding of human behavior in the social environment and then uses that lens to provide an overview of theoretical frameworks commonly used in HBSE study. The second walks the reader though the developmental lifespan, using case examples to highlight an integration of the theoretical foundations discussed in the previous section. A useful companion text, and I think, the first of its kind, for aspiring social workers studying human behavior in the social environment who also care deeply about the integration of that knowledge with a Christian worldview. "
Carla J. MacDonald, Ed.D., MSW, ACSW, LSW, MBA, Director of BSW Social Work Education at Huntington University, writes that “Lisa Hosack’s Development on Purpose: Faith and Human Behavior in the Social Environment (2019) is an inspiring foundation for teaching the integration of the fundamentals of human development and Christian faith. Providing a strong overview of lifespan developmental theory, Development on Purpose addresses Biblical themes, models for development, and risk and resiliency frameworks. It takes the reader through the biological, psychological, and social dimensions of HBSE, and covers the human lifespan from infancy to older adulthood. It also provides direction for “Christians in social work who may wonder about situations in which clients are not persons of faith.” (p. 16) and overall provides a valuable knowledge base for Christians in social work."
Carla J. MacDonald, Ed.D., MSW, ACSW, LSW, MBA, Director of BSW Social Work Education at Huntington University, writes that “Lisa Hosack’s Development on Purpose: Faith and Human Behavior in the Social Environment (2019) is an inspiring foundation for teaching the integration of the fundamentals of human development and Christian faith. Providing a strong overview of lifespan developmental theory, Development on Purpose addresses Biblical themes, models for development, and risk and resiliency frameworks. It takes the reader through the biological, psychological, and social dimensions of HBSE, and covers the human lifespan from infancy to older adulthood. It also provides direction for “Christians in social work who may wonder about situations in which clients are not persons of faith.” (p. 16) and overall provides a valuable knowledge base for Christians in social work."
Author Bio:
Lisa Hosack (MSW, University of Illinois-Chicago; PhD, Michigan State University) is an associate professor at Grove City College where she founded and directs the social work program. Prior to her teaching career, Dr. Hosack was a practitioner for over twenty years, working in child welfare and clinical social work in Chicago and Grand Rapids, MI. Additionally, she ran a college counseling center at small Christian college for six years. The sum of these experiences is a passion for reclaiming social work’s roots in Christianity. Her research and writing focuses on the intersection of theology, human development, and social work. She is married and the proud mother of three grown daughters.