Sharon Thornton gives pastoral theology new ears that hear the true depth and breadth of suffering. She dares to look beyond the accepted perspectives of pastoral theology to discern a new vision of hope made possible by the cross. Thornton brings pastoral theology into conversation with public theology, reading them from the perspective of the cross. When interpreted from its political standpoint, the cross offers new and challenging pastoral perspectives on the complex experiences of modern life. The cross of Christ names suffering for what it is, giving us a means of radically critiquing all attempts to camouflage, minimize, or distort the truth of pain. Sharing her experiences of ministering to those anguished by poverty and oppression, Thornton brings to light the external forces that contribute both directly and indirectly to human brokenness. And, through these same stories and the work of a faith community modeling alternative practices in pastoral care, she shows us that there is hope for healing.