The Christian Path in a Pluralistic World and the Study of Spirituality by
Based on exploration of boundaries between spirituality and religion, this book argues that theological study of spirituality is important for interpretation of the Christian path in a pluralistic world. As a text for graduate study in spirituality and ministry, it explores relevant sociological studies, post modern culture, contemporary study of Christian spirituality, and a brief history of the relationship between theology and spirituality. The book argues that the revelation and tradition of Christianity understood and interpreted in the light of contemporary culture make a difference to postmodern persons' quests for spirituality. What one believes and how one understands that belief influences the manner in which the Christian path is lived in a pluralistic, global world. The book discusses the role of religion in culture and the relevance of this for the identity of religious spirituality and the study of Christian spirituality.
Dictionnaire de spiritualite : ascetique et mystique, doctrine et historie / 17 vols. by
Library holds up to v.12 , 1986. The most comprehensive resource but is printed in French. Consists of lengthy signed articles covering the religious history of countries, schools of spirituality and spiritual theology.
Exploring the Spirituality of the World Religions by
This book is an insightful guide to the diverse ways that religious faith is practiced and spirituality is understood. Discussing contemporary issues such as post-modernism and the emergence of a "new paradigm," the new realities of geopolitics, globalization and global warming, this book explores the importance of religion in people's lives to provide direction in the society today. This book demonstrates the common quest among the world religions for a deeper and more profound spirituality. Describing the spiritual pathways of the various world religions, it assesses the ways that the beliefs, values and practices of these traditions can be life-giving, leading to personal and social responsibility and transformation, but also sometimes harmful and divisive, even used for dangerous purposes. Promoting constructive engagements between the world's religions, this book will connect social justice and ethical engagements with core religious practices and spiritualities. This is an ideal introductory text for students of world religions, spirituality and interfaith relations, broadening their understanding of these lived faiths.
The New Dictionary of Catholic Spirituality by
Spirituality treated from the perspective of the post-Vatican II era of renewal. It includes a very useful index which colocates narrower subjects under a broad subject. Individual biographical data is embedded in articles and is accessed by an index of names. It also includes extensive bibliographies at the end of articles.
The new SCM dictionary of Christian spirituality by
This dictionary attempts to give direct access to the development of Christian Spirituality. It is a series of pieces written by experts to provide instant, accurate and thought-provoking information of high scholarship.
The New Westminster Dictionary of Christian Spirituality by
Spirituality has radically changed since the first Dictionary of Christian spirituality was published in (1983). Significantly it has grown as an academic discipline with its own methodology so this is a completely new dictionary grounded in the historical cultural context of Christianity but tries to do justice in the ways in which Christian spirituality engages with other world faiths. The new outlook no longer dichotomises the spiritual and material levels of human existence but embraces the whole of human life in a relationship with God. Lengthy articles on themes, movements and periods mainly in the English speaking world.
A Practical Guide to Spiritual Reading by
This book fills a deeply-felt need in serious Christians who, striving after the renewal of their inner lives, are convinced that they need to engage in regular meditative reading.
To find resources on philosophy, select the Subject search on the Advanced Search of the catalogue. For this particular subject, some of the search terms that will net you the largest number of relevant results are:
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Christian Spirituality by
This text fills the need for a clear, informative, helpful and well-written introduction to Christian spirituality. Includes a detailed guide to resources in spirituality available on the Internet Written by a leading theological educationalist in a clear and accessible manner Encourages active engagement with primary sources through worked case studies
Christian Spirituality by
Christian Spirituality: The Classics is a unique and comprehensive guide to thirty key Christian spirituality texts. Ranging from Origen and Augustine to Jonathan Edwards, Thérèse of Lisieux and Thomas Merton, it offers a view of the texts which is founded in scholarship, but which also presents them as living documents that invite- even compel -contemplative reflection and existential response. Each chapter briefly describes the classic text's author and audience, gives a synopsis of its contents, suggests some of its influence in history, and then explores aspects of the text's meaning for readers today. Key themes include: What is the meaning of life? How can human beings find truth? How can they discover who they really are? How can they live together in peace? How can they live more fully in God's presence in this world and be united with God in the world to come? The scholars who have written these chapters are all experts on their respective topics, but they wear their learning lightly. Anyone wishing to discover the riches of Christian spirituality will find this the ideal introduction and should be able to progress to a deeper understanding of the texts themselves.
God Seekers by
Foreword by Phyllis Tickle A fresh, readable introduction to Christian spirituality, God Seekers brings to life thirty-three spiritual masters from throughout Christian history. Through capsule biographies, selected quotations, and questions for reflection, Richard Schmidt presents and explores diverse ways of relating to God. Each chapter personalizes a major stream or movement of Christian spirituality by focusing on a particular key figure. "While God Seekers may be read with delight or for information . . . it is impossible to engage it for long without being seized as well by the grandeur of the panorama it lays out before us. Here, in living people, in living saints, is the history of the church, the body of Christ as we and our kind have shaped it and are shaping it." -- Phyllis Tickle (from the foreword)
Invitation to Christian Spirituality by
Bringing together a wide range of classical and contemporary texts, Invitation to Christian Spirituality: An Ecumenical Anthology addresses the theory and practice of Christian spirituality in the broadest sense. Arranged chronologically, the selections are drawn from all major Christiantraditions, from Ignatius of Antioch (d. 117) to Desmond Mphilo Tutu, representing distillations from the formative works of seventy-six great spiritual masters. Issues examined include the church in the world (Diognetus, Las Casas), purity of intention (Kierkegaard, Phoebe Palmer), prayer (Origenof Alexandria, Hannah More), religious affectations (Jonathan Edwards, Martin Luther King), Christian freedom (Augustine, Martin Luther), Christian feminism (Dame Julian, Rosemary Ruether), and the means of grace (Maximus the Confessor, John Wesley). This timely, eclectic collection considers notonly the mystical and theoretical aspects of Christian spirituality but also its practice; for example, it includes readings about how to pray as well as notable prayers. Most selections include autobiographical materials from the authors that set the context for their writings. Opening with atheological survey of themes in Christian spirituality, this volume also includes a historical and theological orientation to each major period and a theological/biographical introduction to each spiritual master. Indexed by person, key word, and Bible references, Invitation to ChristianSpirituality serves as an ideal text for courses in Christian spirituality, history of Christianity, and introduction to Christianity.
Light from Light by
In this revised edition of a longtime best selling anthology of Christian mysticism, editors Louis Dupré and James Wiseman bring together selections from the writings of twenty-three of the most important Christian mystics, from Origen of Alexandria in the third century to Thomas Merton in the twentieth.This edition retains most of the authors included in the first addition, but has replaced some authors from that edition with ones that will be of greater interest to readers today, e.g., Francis and Clare of Assisi, Francis de Sales and Jane de Chantal, and Evelyn Underhill. A general introduction discusses the place of mysticism within the Christian life as a whole, while individual chapter introductions place the mystical writers in their historical context and relate their works to others in the anthology. In addition, the editors have completely updated the bibliographies at the end of each chapter.Students and teachers of spirituality, as well as persons interested in their own spiritual growth, will welcome this popular revised resource, because it makes readily available in one volume major works by important Christian mystical writers. Like its predecessor, it is sure to be welcomed in the academic world and spiritual and devotional circles.+
The Origins of the Christian Mystical Tradition by
Scholars of the patristic era have paid more attention to the dogmatic tradition in their period than to the development of Christian mystical theology. Andrew Louth aims to redress the balance. Recognizing that the intellectual form of this tradition was decisively influenced by Platonicideas of the soul's relationship to God, Louth begins with an examination of Plato and Platonism. The discussion of the Fathers which follows shows how the mystical tradition is at the heart of their thought and how the dogmatic tradition both moulds and is the reflection of mystical insights andconcerns. This new edition of a classic study of the diverse influences upon Christian spirituality includes a new Epilogue which brings the text completely up to date.
Spiritual Direction in Australia by
Collection of works on Spiritual Direction in Australia.
Part 1: Essays. Essay 1: The art of listening during pandemics : from a poet's gaze / by Rev. Dr. Xiaoli Yang -- Essay 2: Universal nuts and bolts of spirituality : an experiential perspective / by Lucy Tierney -- Essay 3: Women on the edge of the church : spiritual companions across historical borders / by Catherine Lambert -- Essay 4: God in the clouds / by Mel Palmer -- Essay 5: Cultivating inner hospitality : the Internal Family Systems (IFS) model and the supervision of spiritual directors / by Noel Segismundo Cabigting --
Part 2: Interviewing Ph.D. graduates about their research journey. Dr. Tim McCowan -- Dr. Kristen Hobby -- Dr. Bernadette Miles -- Anne Pate -- Dr. Christopher Morris --
Part 3: Methodologies and theoretical frameworks for the research journey. Methodology 1 : sociocultural theory / by Dr. Kristen Hobby -- Methodology 2 : Perezhivanie - a sociocultural approach / by Dr. Kristen Hobby -- Methodology 3 : Voice-Centred Relational Method (VCRM) / by Dr. Kristen Hobby -- Methodology 4 : data analysis design / by Dr. Kristen Hobby -- Ethical considerations in postgraduate research in Australia / by Dr. Kristen Hobby.
A Spirituality for the Twenty-First Century by
Discover eight facets of spirituality to add new luster to your prayer life and personal relationships. Internationally known theologian Dominican Father Aidan Nichols presents eight twentieth-century "master" teachers, each with a profound yet practical approach for today's struggling "apprentice." Here are, as he explains, "women and men, monks and worldlings, writers and painters, stay-at-homes and travelers to exotic parts," including "two [who] lived and died outside the visible unity of the Church." Eight lives. Eight lessons. Eight spiritual guides and mentors offering encouragement and inspiration as they lead the reader into a deeper reflection on the Light Himself, the one Master of all. Book jacket.
The Story of Christian Spirituality by
The Christian faith has had a phenomenal impact on the development of the western world. This beautifully illustrated introduction to Christian spirituality through the centuries covers all the major traditions--East and West, Catholic, Orthodox, and Protestant, with special articles on key spiritual concepts, practices, and movements that continue to influence the way people all over the world live their lives in response to God. It also includes information on people and movements from outside the Church that have influenced Christian life and thought throughout 2,000 years. Also included are extracts from more than 100 of the greatest Christian spiritual writings--from the Gospels through the early Church Fathers, the saints and mystics, the reformers, and modern spiritual writers such as Scott Peck and C. S. Lewis.
Writings on Spiritual Direction by Great Christian Masters by
The need for spiritual direction -- Images and models of the spiritual director -- Seeking and choosing a spiritual director -- Secrets of the heart -- Directors' advice to their colleagues -- Discernment -- Personal teachings -- Obedience -- Epilogue.
The Blackwell Companion to Christian Spirituality by
The Blackwell Companion to Christian Spirituality is a comprehensive single-volume introduction to Christian spirituality, and represents the most significant recent developments in the field. Offers a thoroughly interdisciplinary, broadly ecumenical, and representative overview of the most significant recent developments in the field Comprises essays combining rigorous academic scholarship with accessible and elegant writing Reflects an understanding of the field as the study of the lived experience of Christian faith and discipleship Provides material on biblical, historical, and theological foundations, along with treatment of contemporary issues
The Bloomsbury Guide to Christian Spirituality by
What is Christian Spirituality? How does it relate to non-Christian traditions? Where does it arise from and where is it going? These are some of the key questions addressed in this innovative new guide from Bloomsbury. The Bloomsbury Guide to Christian Spirituality is written by foremost academics in their fields who distill their knowledge for a wide intelligent audience. They do this with huge skill and attention to the needs of modern readers. Appealing equally to those studying the tradition for religious formation or those wishing to acquaint themselves with this fascinating subject, this guide is destined to become an essential text in the field.
Christian Spirituality by
This text fills the need for a clear, informative, helpful and well-written introduction to Christian spirituality. Includes a detailed guide to resources in spirituality available on the Internet Written by a leading theological educationalist in a clear and accessible manner Encourages active engagement with primary sources through worked case studies
Christian Spirituality by
Christian Spirituality: The Classics is a unique and comprehensive guide to thirty key Christian spirituality texts. Ranging from Origen and Augustine to Jonathan Edwards, Thérèse of Lisieux and Thomas Merton, it offers a view of the texts which is founded in scholarship, but which also presents them as living documents that invite- even compel -contemplative reflection and existential response. Each chapter briefly describes the classic text's author and audience, gives a synopsis of its contents, suggests some of its influence in history, and then explores aspects of the text's meaning for readers today. Key themes include: What is the meaning of life? How can human beings find truth? How can they discover who they really are? How can they live together in peace? How can they live more fully in God's presence in this world and be united with God in the world to come? The scholars who have written these chapters are all experts on their respective topics, but they wear their learning lightly. Anyone wishing to discover the riches of Christian spirituality will find this the ideal introduction and should be able to progress to a deeper understanding of the texts themselves.
Christian Spirituality by
A concise and accessible thematic overview of the various ways Christians have approached God in prayer and practice. +
Contemplative Literature by
An anthology of primary texts on meditation and contemplative prayer from a wide range of religious traditions.
Light from Light by
In this revised edition of a longtime best selling anthology of Christian mysticism, editors Louis Dupré and James Wiseman bring together selections from the writings of twenty-three of the most important Christian mystics, from Origen of Alexandria in the third century to Thomas Merton in the twentieth.This edition retains most of the authors included in the first addition, but has replaced some authors from that edition with ones that will be of greater interest to readers today, e.g., Francis and Clare of Assisi, Francis de Sales and Jane de Chantal, and Evelyn Underhill. A general introduction discusses the place of mysticism within the Christian life as a whole, while individual chapter introductions place the mystical writers in their historical context and relate their works to others in the anthology. In addition, the editors have completely updated the bibliographies at the end of each chapter.Students and teachers of spirituality, as well as persons interested in their own spiritual growth, will welcome this popular revised resource, because it makes readily available in one volume major works by important Christian mystical writers. Like its predecessor, it is sure to be welcomed in the academic world and spiritual and devotional circles.+
Spirituality by
Engagingly written by one of the world's leading scholars in this field, this comprehensively revised edition tells the story of Christian spirituality from its origins in the New Testament right up to the present day. Charts the main figures, ideas, images and historical periods, showing how and why spirituality has changed and developed over the centuries Includes new chapters on the nature and meaning of spirituality, and on spirituality in the 21st century; and an account of the development and main features of devotional spirituality Provides new coverage of Christian spirituality's relationship to other faiths throughout history, and their influence and impact on Christian beliefs and practices Features expanded sections on mysticism, its relationship to spirituality, the key mystical figures, and the development of ideas of 'the mystical' Explores the interplay between culture, geography, and spirituality, taking a global perspective by tracing spiritual developments across continents
Spirituality: a Very Short Introduction by
It has been suggested that "spirituality" has become a word that "can define an era". Why? Because paradoxically, alongside a decline in traditional religious affiliations, the growing interest in spirituality and the use of the word in a variety of contexts is a striking aspect ofcontemporary western cultures. Indeed, spirituality is sometimes contrasted attractively with religion, although this is problematic and implies that religion is essentially dogma, moralism, institutions, buildings, and hierarchies.The notion of spirituality expresses the fact that many people are driven by goals that concern more than material satisfaction. Broadly, it refers to the deepest values and sense of meaning by which people seek to live. Sometimes these values are conventionally religious. Sometimes they areassociated with what is understood as "the sacred" in a broader sense - that is, of ultimate rather than merely instrumental importance. This Very Short Introduction, written by one of the most eminent scholars and writers on spirituality, explores the historical foundations of the thought andconsiders how it came to have the significance it is developing today.
The Study of Spirituality by
Written by contributors representing the Anglican, Roman Catholic, Free Church, and Orthodox traditions, this collection examines the nature and form of individual Christian devotion throughout the centuries.
The Study of Spirituality by
Written by contributors representing the Anglican, Roman Catholic, Free Church, and Orthodox traditions, this collection examines the nature and form of individual Christian devotion throughout the centuries.
Sustainability and Spirituality by
This groundbreaking book explores the inherent interconnectedness of sustainability and spirituality, acknowledging the dependency of one upon the other. John E. Carroll contends that true ecological sustainability, in contrast to the cosmetic attempts at sustainability we see around us, questions our society's fundamental values and is so countercultural that it is resisted by anyone without a spiritual belief in something deeper than efficiency, technology, or economics. Carroll draws on the work of cultural historian and "geologian" Thomas Berry, whose eco-spiritual thought underlies many of the sustainability efforts of communities described in this book, including particular branches of Catholic religious orders and the loosely organized Sisters of the Earth. The writings of Native Americans on spirituality and ecology are also highlighted. These models for sustainability not only represent the tangible link between ecology and spirituality, but also, more importantly, a vision of what could be.
The wound of knowledge by
In this classic treatise on Christian spirituality, Rowan Williams takes us with a new eye along a road marked out by Paul, John, Ignatius, Irenaeus, Clement of Alexandria, Origen, Athanasius, Basil, Gregory of Nyssa, Augustine, and finally to Luther and St. John of the Cross. The Wound of Knowledge is a penetrating psychological and intellectual analysis of Christian spirituality.
OWAN WILLIAMS, the 104th Archbishop of Canterbury, was formerly Primate of the Church in Wales. He taught at both Oxford and Cambridge until 1991 when he was made Bishop of Monmouth. He is the author of Lost Icons, Writing in the Dust, Ponder These Things, A Ray of Darkness, Resurrection, The Truce of God, and Arius.
Clicking on one of the following links will take you to the University of Divinity's catalogue showing you a list of titles from a that particular series.
The Anglican spiritual tradition by
What distinguishes the spiritual trading of Anglicanism from the traditions of spirituality in Roman Catholicism and other Protestant faiths? The author starts with the first Book of Common Prayer and traces the development of the Anglican spiritual ethos through to modern times.
A Feast of Anglican Spirituality by
From the Celtic and Saxon saints whose vision was to shape he English church, to the prophetic voices of our own day, this splendid collection draws on over a thousand years of spiritual writing and provides an engaging portrait of the rich diversity of Anglican worship, doctrine and life. The classical Anglican synthesis of scripture, reason and tradition finds various expression in the writings of over two hundred figures including Augustine, Hilda, Bede, Anselm, Wycliffe, Cranmer, the seventeenth-century divines, Wesley, Newman, Evelyn Underhill, Austin Farrer, C S Lewis, Desmond Tutu and many more. Beginning with the roots of Anglican spirituality and the shaping of Anglican identity, this anthology explores the Anglican understanding of worship, the sacraments, prayer, mission, the Bible, the Church and living as a Christian in the world. A Feast of Anglican Spirituality celebrates the heritage of Anglicanism in all its breadth and variety, its triumphs and its failures, its ability to recognize other points of view and, above all, its indebtedness to the wider Christian tradition of which it is a part.
Glorious Companions by
This wonderful compendium of religious biographies offers a look inside the hearts and minds of significant shapers of Anglican spirituality over the past five centuries -- Thomas Cranmer, John Donne, George Herbert, John Wesley, Dorothy Sayers, C. S. Lewis, Madeleine L'Engle, and many more. Covering twenty-nine of the most influential Anglican figures from the sixteenth century to the present, Richard H. Schmidt deftly chronicles their lives and work while capturing at the same time the deep personal faith that they have managed to communicate so powerfully to the rest of the world. These icons of the Christian faith include not only bishops and scholars but also housewives, poets, novelists, and teachers. Each chapter contains a brief biographical sketch of its subject, a selection of short, representative quotations from his or her writings, and several questions for reflection and discussion. Written in a personable style that brings readers into direct contact with some of the church's most admired witnesses, Glorious Companions will be valued both as a collection of insightful biographical information and as a lasting source of inspiration.
Spiritual Counsel in the Anglican Tradition by
As the world grows increasingly complex, human beings need more, not less, good counsel for Christian living. This book reaches into the treasury of Anglican spirituality and draws out pearls of wisdom for today's needs. The Anglican tradition has shown an abiding concern for a holy living that leads to a holy dying. Spiritual Counsel in the Anglican Tradition offers earnest, practical devotion to inspire and to instruct the Christian pilgrim in the path of discipleship. Here readers will find not a general collection of spiritual writings but direct words of spiritual counsel on such crucial subjects as discipleship, vocation, scripture, sacraments, vice and virtue, money, patience, forgiveness, perseverance, marriage and family, friendship, and the natural world. Readers will also encounter many passages selected for both authoritative content and surpassing beauty. Represented in these pages are fifty Anglican authors, including John Donne, Austin Farrer, C.S. Lewis, Samuel Johnson, William Law, Hannah More, J.B. Phillips, Michael Ramsey, Frederick W. Robertson, Dorothy L. Sayers, Geoffrey A. Studdert Kennedy, William Temple, Evelyn Underhill, and Olive Wyon. This is a book that takes seriously the Anglican emphasis on a form of religion that quickensthe mind, forms the conscience, guides the will, and lifts the spirit.
Aboriginal Art and Spirituality by
Collection of lavishly photographed Aboriginal art with a commentary on the culture, myths and stories such paintings depict. The collection was drawn from throughout Australia and adjacent islands. The authors are curators and collectors of Aboriginal art.
The Desert is alive : dimensions of Australian spirituality by
Seven prominent Christians (including Veronica Brady, James Cowan and Archbishop Stylianos) from various traditions write about their experiences of the desert and how it has shaped their search for an authentic Australian spirituality.
Rainbow Spirit Theology by
Rainbow Spirit Theology represents a landmark in Australian theology. This text has been prepared by a group of Aboriginal Christian leaders with the aim of integrating the traditions of Aboriginal culture with the traditions of Christianity. Authors include George Rosendale (the spiritual elder of the group), Nola Archie, Dennis Corowa, William Coolbura, Eddie Law, James Leftwich, and Jasmine Corowa (artist), representing six Aboriginal peoples and ministry in four Christian traditions. Assisting the project were Robert Bos, Norman Habel and Shirley Wurst.
Re-enchantment : the new Australian spirituality by
The rise of spirituality - What is spirituality? - What is soul? - Sacred ground - Aboriginal reconciliation - Ecospirituality - Youth spirituality - Religion and the paradigm.
Sacred Threads by
Three sections explore the complex lives of ordinary people who continually made choices about the way they expressed their faith. Part one begins with a brief survey of the context of lay Catholics in Adelaide and Perth between 1922 and 1962, considering the place of Catholics in wider society and
The spirit of Generation Y : young people's spirituality in a changing Australia by
"The Spirit of Generation Y extends current understanding of young people's inner lives in a rapidly changing world. Targeting a group more often associated with cyberspace than the church pew, it offers an important and innovative reading of the impact of dramatic socio-cultural changes on young people's spiritual lives in late modernity. Drawing on data from a national survey and over one hundred in-depth interviews, The Spirit of Generation Y explores the worldviews and values of those born after 1980, now in their teens and early twenties. It describes in detail the three major types of spirituality found among them: Traditional, New Age and Secular. Despite the prominence in the mass media of alternative spiritualities, this book argues that for the most part, young people are not active spiritual seekers, but instead have a highly individualistic and relativistic approach to life and spirituality, and are hardly familiar with religious traditions. The authors show that spirituality is strongly associated with many other aspects of young people's lives: their sense of meaning, their search for happiness, and particularly their social concern and civic engagement. The study's findings and conclusions are compared with other relevant research and theory, and implications are suggested for understanding and communicating with Generation Y, and for pastoral care and youth ministry, especially in schools."--BOOK JACKET.
Aboriginal spirituality, aboriginal philosophy, the basis of Aboriginal social and emotional wellbeing. by
"Although this discussion paper has been developed for people working within health practice, as it explains, the
wholistic1
philosophical basis of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture that encompasses wellbeing has
applications in every area of engagement with Indigenous Australian people. It addresses both the Cooperative
Research Centre for Aboriginal Health’s (CRCAH) research outcome to ‘explore how spirituality/beliefs/systems
of value contribute to Indigenous social and emotional wellbeing’, and the CRCAH’s stated goal of health
outcomes through:
Providing evidence that can be used by services and individual practitioners that address the social, emotional
and cultural needs of Aboriginal communities, and which promote the resilience of children, youth and families
(CRCAH n.d.:8)." Taken from introduction
The Benedict Option by
A NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER Already the most discussed and most important religious book of the decade- David Brooks In this controversial bestseller, Rod Dreher calls on American Christians to prepare for the coming Dark Age by embracing an ancient Christian way of life. From the inside, American churches have been hollowed out by the departure of young people and by an insipid pseudo-Christianity. From the outside, they are beset by challenges to religious liberty in a rapidly secularizing culture. Keeping Hillary Clinton out of the White House may have bought a brief reprieve from the state's assault, but it will not stop the West's slide into decadence and dissolution. Rod Dreher argues that the way forward is actuèally the way back-all the way to St. Benedict of Nurèsia. This sixth-century monk, horrified by the moral chaos following Rome's fall, retreated to the forest and created a new way of life for Christians. He built enduring communities based on principles of order,
The Cistercian Evolution by
According to the received history, the Cistercian order was founded in Cîteaux, France, in 1098 by a group of Benedictine monks who wished for a stricter community. They sought a monastic life that called for extreme asceticism, rejection of feudal revenues, and manual labor for monks. Their third leader, Stephen Harding, issued a constitution, the Carta Caritatis, that called for the uniformity of custom in all Cistercian monasteries and the establishment of an annual general chapter meeting at Cîteaux. The Cistercian order grew phenomenally in the mid-twelfth century, reaching beyond France to Portugal in the west, Sweden in the north, and the eastern Mediterranean, ostensibly through a process of apostolic gestation, whereby members of a motherhouse would go forth to establish a new house. The abbey at Clairvaux, founded by Bernard in 1115, was alone responsible for founding 68 of the 338 Cistercian abbeys in existence by 1153. But this well-established view of a centrally organized order whose founders envisioned the shape and form of a religious order at its prime is not borne out in the historical record. Through an investigation of early Cistercian documents, Constance Hoffman Berman proves that no reliable reference to Stephen's Carta Caritatis appears before the mid-twelfth century, and that the document is more likely to date from 1165 than from 1119. The implications of this fact are profound. Instead of being a charter by which more than 300 Cistercian houses were set up by a central authority, the document becomes a means of bringing under centralized administrative control a large number of loosely affiliated and already existing monastic houses of monks as well as nuns who shared Cistercian customs. The likely reason for this administrative structuring was to check the influence of the overdominant house of Clairvaux, which threatened the authority of Cîteaux through Bernard's highly successful creation of new monastic communities. For centuries the growth of the Cistercian order has been presented as a spontaneous spirituality that swept western Europe through the power of the first house at Cîteaux. Berman suggests instead that the creation of the religious order was a collaborative activity, less driven by centralized institutions; its formation was intended to solve practical problems about monastic administration. With the publication of The Cistercian Evolution, for the first time the mechanisms are revealed by which the monks of Cîteaux reshaped fact to build and administer one of the most powerful and influential religious orders of the Middle Ages.
The Holy Rule of St. Benedict by
Benedict of Nursia (c. 480-543), born into a wealthy family, renounced his life of privilege to live an eremitic life of extreme asceticism. He founded and was the first abbot of the monastic community of Monte Cassino, where he wrote the Rule, acknowledged as a masterpiece. Modestly referring to the work that would chart the course of Western monasticism as "a little rule for beginners," in a prologue and seventy-three brief, intensely focused, and sympathetically written chapters, Benedict prescribed for his monks a monastic life in community that is essentially the Christian life of the gospel based upon mutual support, obedience, hospitality, tolerance, and moderation. Book jacket.
Living with contradiction : an introduction to Benedictine spirituality by
The world, the Church and our personal lives are full of conflict - opposing demands pull us in all directions. This book presents the wisdom of Benedict, which shows how ambiguity and uncertainty can be transformative and healing
Prayer and Community by
Published ecological information on Latin American coasts is scarce, despite the growing need for a comprehensive examination of coastal processes on a global scale. This book brings together details on benthic marine algae, seagrasses, salt marsh, mangrove, and dune plant communities throughout Latin America, including: * Distribution and community ecology * Modern research approaches * Coastal management possibilities Researchers and graduate students in plant ecology, marine biology, and environmental management will benefit from the valuable information in this book.
Reaching for God by
"Reaching for God" is a compendium of Benedictine life and prayer for oblates. It brings together in one volume the essence of Benedictine spirituality-its history, its relevance through the ages and in the present, and a summary of the most fundamental gifts and values it offers for living a meaningful life. Here, the meaning and purpose of the oblate way of life is explained in a clear and encouraging way. Werner offers guidance and examples of prayer to enrich any spiritual life. "Sister Roberta Werner, OSB, having worked as a teacher, caregiver, and educational administrator, is now the assistant oblate director at St. Benedict's Monastery in St. Joseph, Minnesota. In this role, she guides an oblate discussion group, contributes to oblate newsletter publications, has set up an oblate library, and makes the spiritual journey with the many oblates who connect with her and with the monastery in their search for God."
The Rule of Benedict for Beginners by
Benedictine spirituality is simple and down to earth. Not only does the Benedictine lifestyle fit well within the walls of the monastery, its interpretation of life is also suitable to other forms of society. In The Rule of Benedict for Beginners, Wil Derkse reveals how elements from Benedictine spirituality and the Benedictine lifestyle may be fruitful outside the monastery to strengthen the quality of societal living and working. The Rule of Benedict for Beginnersis a useful source of life orientation and lifestyle for those interested in living by the Rule. It applies the monastic vows to life within organizations and examines the valuable elements of Benedictine leadership and Benedictine time management. Chapter one sketches Derkse's own acquaintance with the Benedictine lifestyle. Chapter two examines the basic patterns of Benedictine spirituality in order to translate these patterns into nonmonastic contexts. Inspired leadership, listening decision-making, fruitfully prospering human resources, and sensible time management are themes in the remaining chapters. Chapters in Part I: A First Acquaintance with Benedictine Spiritualityare a lesson from the Imagery of Hildegard's Abbey in Eibingen," "What I Learned Through My Own Acquaintance with Benedictine Life," and "Growing Toward the Oblature." Chapters in Part II: Basic Patterns of Benedictine Spirituality and First Translation to Nonmonastic Contextsare "The Benedictine Way of Life: Listening Attentively to Gain Results," "The Benedictine Vows: Directed Toward Growth and Liberation," and "Additional Aspects of the Benedictine Art of Listening." Chapters in Part III: Benedictine Leadership: Stimulating People Toward Growthare "Leadership Demands a Special Talent for Listening," "The Person of the Abbot," and "The Person of the Cellarer: 'A Man For All Seasons.'" Chapters in Part IV: Benedictine Time Management: A Full Agenda, But Never Busy are "Living a Wholesome Rhythm," and "'Bearing Fruit in Season.'"
Angels Keep Their Ancient Places by
A profound exploration of the Celtic spiritual tradition, and particularly of the Celtic visionary imagination.Connecting this with both the Platonic and Islamic traditions, this book suggests a "lost category" of existence which would account for the possibility of resurrection from the dead and communication with Angels. Noel O'Donoghue opens up new and exciting horizons for Christian exploration.
Celtic Spirituality by
Sure to be of exceptional interest among scholars as well as recreational readers is this volume in the esteemed Classics of Western Spirituality(tm) series. Celtic Spirituality offers translations of numerous texts from the Celtic tradition from the 6th through the 13th centuries, in a cross-section of genres and forms, including saints' lives, monastic texts, poetry, devotional texts, liturgical texts, apocrypha, exegetical texts, and theological treatises.Davies has written a helpful introduction, which covers the origins and characteristics of Celtic Christianity and the different genres included in body of the work. He provides readers with insight into the style, form, and character of the texts, including explanation of the Celtic emphasis on orality, the importance of place, emphasis on the environment and animals, and the role of the imagination. With its wide diversity of texts and emphasis on a current of spirituality that is both popular, historical, and inspirational, this volume will be important for scholars of spirituality and Celtic history as well as persons of Celtic descent.+
The Spirituality of the Celtic Saints by
A fascinating exploration of Celtic saints & the relevance of their spiritual message today.
Thomas Merton and the Celts by
Thomas Merton and the Celts offers a new lens through which to view Merton's life and spirituality. By examining unpublished letters, notebooks, and taped conferences for the Trappist novices--previously unavailable to the general reader--the author breaks new ground in Merton studies, revealing Merton's growing fascination with his Welsh ancestry, Celtic monasticism, and early Irish hermit poetry. Merton, having immersed himself in reading about Celtic Christianity--not just about liturgy, but about household rituals, illuminated manuscripts, high crosses, and hermit poetry as well--recognized in these ancient hermits who lived on "water and herbs," experienced kinship with creatures, and wrote poems about the birds a mirror of his own desires. Indeed, in a profound way and at a deep level, Merton discovered himself in Celtic Christianity.
Dominican Penitent Women by
Dominican Penitent Women presents a fascinating overview of the spirituality, religious practices, and ways of life of medieval Italian women who belonged to the Dominican Order as lay members or penitents. Through selected texts, readers gain a fresh perspective on the institutional and spiritual foundations of Dominican lay life, but also an understanding of how these women refashioned Dominican ideals into practices that best responded to their individual and social means. Their way of life created an important alternative for women who sought religious perfection in the world.The first section consists of two penitent rules: the Ordinationes of Munio from the late 13th century and the formal penitent rule of the early 15th century, which show how penitents were to organize and live their lives.The second section is dedicated to hagiographic sources.The third section is made up of penitent women's religious writing. The texts translated here present an overview of Dominican women's literary production that complements the writings of Catherine of Siena, already available in English.While Dominican penitent women held an important position in medieval piety, aside from Catherine of Siena, their spirituality has not attracted much scholarly attention. As the first comprehensive introduction to medieval Dominican laywomen and Dominican penitent spirituality in English, this book makes a significant scholarly and spiritual contribution.+
Mysticism and Prophecy by
Heritage of Dominican spirituality is here portrayed in the lives and teaching of three ... representatives--the positive way of Thomas Aquinas, the negative way of Meister Eckhart and the mystical-prophetic way of Catherine of Siena.
Thomas Aquinas and contemplation by
SummaryAccording to Thomas Aquinas, contemplation is the central goal of our life. This study considers the philosophical foundations of the contemplative act; the nature of the active and contemplative lives in light of Aquinas's Dominican calling; the role of faith in contemplation; and contemplation and the beatific vision.
Francis and Clare by
"...clearly a must for all libraries...and for all readers interested in spirituality." Religious Studies ReviewFrancis and Clare: The Complete Workstranslation and introduction by Regis J. Armstrong, O.F.M.Cap. and Ignatius C. Brady O.F.M.preface by John Vaughn, O.F.M."Praised be You, my Lord, withall Your creatures, especiallySir Brother Sun, Who is the day through whomYou give us light."Francis of Assisi (c. 1182-1226)Francis (c. 1182-1226), "The Little Poor Man" of Assisi, and Clare (c.1193-1254), "The Clear One," the woman who lived out his vision with heroic simplicity, together shaped the spirituality of early thirteenth-century Europe. Each gathered communities of like-minded persons to live out a radical commitment to the Gospel message of poverty and in the process left a legacy that has captured the imagination of both believer and nonbeliever throughout the ages.Here for the first time in English the complete writings of both Francis and Clare have been brought together in one volume. The book represents the first English translation based on the critical texts of the writings of Francis assembled by Kajetan Esser in his 1976 Opuscula des Heiligen Franziskus von Assisi, and the critical texts of Clare's writings done by Ignatio Omaechevarria.Writing in the preface to this volume, John Vaughn, Minister General of the Friars minor, sums up the relevance of Francis's and Clare's vision for today: "[It]Calls us to revitalizes our lives and those of others, and indeed to renew the very life of the Church in these times of crisis." +
Franciscans at Prayer by
Surveying the broad panorama of medieval Franciscans at prayer, this book offers a nuanced perspective on Franciscan beliefs and spiritual practices that underscores the depth and breath of their mutual passion for the divine and the world they shared.
The Soul in Ascent by
First published by Franciscan press in 2000, Dr. Timothy J Johnson s The Soul in Ascent: Bonaventure on Poverty, Prayer and Union with God has offered a thorough textual study of the importance of prayer in Bonaventure s theology and life. This new edition is updated to include Johnson s most recent work on Bonaventure s Sunday Sermons sourced from his work, The Sunday Sermons of St. Bonaventure Bonaventure Texts in Translation Series. This new edition is a must-read book for anyone interested in Franciscan spirituality and theology.
The Spiritual Franciscans by
"Burr''s forte lies in the analysis of doctrinal statements. He skillfully exposes the evolution of the often subtle debates between the Spirituals and the majority of Franciscans who opposed them, taking particular note of the deeper implications of points which might have otherwise seemed academic. . . . In place of blood and thunder, he offers measured reflectiveness, a wry style and disarming wit. He has a gift for startlingly original similes, and he seems incapable of writing a trite phrase. There has long been a need for a good book on the Spiritual Franciscans; now we have one that is authoritative and beautifully written." --Robert E. Lerner, Times Literary Supplement "This is a rich and thought provoking study, the product of great learning and of many years'' reflection. It deserves to be widely read." --Nicholas Vincent, Journal of the Historical Association "Burr has produced a book that illuminates not only the spiritual Franciscans, but papal administration, lay piety, apocalyptic thought, and Occitan heterodoxy." --Robert Finlay, Religious Studies Review "David Burr''s The Spiritual Franciscans is an illuminating study of conflict within the Franciscan order during the later Middle Ages. . . . Burr has taken great care with every aspect of this study, including the definition of his topic." --Roisin Cossar, Canadian Journal of History "What a pleasure to announce that with the publication of this latest book, Burr''s sparkling, luminescent prose is now poised to reach a broader public. The Spiritual Franciscans is a masterly book by a masterly writer and a consummate scholar. Peter Olivi and the Spirituals could not have wished for a more eloquent and faithful biographer." --Louisa A. Burnham, Speculum: A Journal of Medieval Studies "Burr is one of America''s finest medievalists and is here at the pinnacle of his accomplishments." --Robert E. Lerner, Northwestern University "David Burr presents an important addition to the study of the Franciscans in a pivotal century." --Gabrielle Gonzales, Journal of Church and State "Burr''s narrative is a complex one involving theology, church institutions and politics, lay spirituality, and volatile apocalyptic expectations. . . . Burr is able to tie all these disparate threads together in a gripping and compelling narrative." --Duane J. Osheim, History: Reviews of New Books "This admirable study forms a bridge between the events following the deposition of Elias of Cortona at the general chapter of Rome and the emergence of separate communities approximately a century later, which contained the seeds of the Observant reform." --Michael Roson, Journal of Ecclesiastical History "He has succeeded, nonetheless, superbly in pulling together what has come before and equally in adding to it new and individual insights. He has constructed, with seamless artisanship, a work that offers the comprehension of a survey and the penetration of an analytical study. In the process he has performed a service for all those who will come after." --Alan Friedlander, Catholic Historical Review "No other scholar has carried off so masterful an analysis of such disparate figures and movements; no other could. The fruit of a lifetime of careful study of its subject, this examination of the Spirituals will not soon be surpassed. In fact, it is done so well there may well be no need, or possibility, of surpassing it." --Kevin Madigan, American Historical Review "Because David Burr opens new questions about this period of history, his lifetime study will open new doors for future scholars. His careful examination of primary sources and all-embracing survey of contemporary studies is liberating. It frees the reader from the oversimplification that has long determined the historiography of the early Franciscan movement." --J. A. Wayne Hellman, Journal of Religion "The present work has much to recommend it. However, readers might give greater attention to the appendix material, had it been published separately. The detailed endnotes are exquisite and provide commentary on other reputable scholars'' work. The bibliography is impressive, demonstrating the use of the a treasury of sources." --Brigid O''Shea Merriman, O.S.F., Theological Studies "The need for a new history of the Spiritual Franciscans has been pressing for a long time. With its impeccable scholarship and breathtaking erudition, David Burr''s book is not only a major contribution to the field but also the capstone of decades of scholarship." --Augustine Thompson, University of Virginia "Within 100 years of St. Francis''s death in the early 13th century, his ideal of apostolic poverty was condemned as heresy, and Spiritual Franciscans were all too frequently burned at the stake. Criticisms of laxity in the order spurred accusations that the popes were forerunners of the Antichrist, while papal authorities found Franciscan extremists to be heretical and disobedient to ecclesiastical authority. Burr (emeritus, Virginia Polytechnic Inst. & State Univ.) brings to this project a long acquaintance with both primary materials and secondary sources. Broader in scope than Alan Friedlander''s The Hammer of the Inquisitors (Brill Academic, 2000), Burr''s book recounts a century of events leading up to the persecution and suppression of the Spirituals. The passion behind the events and characters often takes a backseat to a careful analysis of what historians can (and cannot) know from extant sources, but Burr''s case histories of Inquisitorial defendants are gripping. Burr writes for an informed reader well aware of the medieval context but nevertheless offers a reliable overview of the development and outcomes of the controversy. A required addition to all academic libraries." --Steve Young, Library Journal "The central virtues of this book are its clarity, its comprehensiveness, its closeness to the sources, and its measured judgments. Scholars familiar with the material will find new insights and neglected sources such as a questio of Henry of Ghent on Joachim''s third age, or a petition from the city government of Narbonne of 1309 in behalf of Olivi. Students coming to the material for the first time will find a treasury of instruction. Burr is one of America''s finest medievalists and is here at the pinnacle of his accomplishments." --Robert E. Lerner, The Medieval Review (TMR) "It is also a very useful contribution to our understanding of the remarkable vitality of Christian idealism among the faithful in the face of the obstacles and condemnations by the hierarchy." --Erika Gottlieb, Utopian Studies
The Flowering of Mysticism by
The year 1200 marked a dynamic turning point in the history of Christian mysticism. New forms of religious life provided the impetus for a new mysticism whose influence continues today. This book documents the spirited dialogue between men and women that made possible the richness of mysticism in the 13th and 14th centuries.
The Story of Christian Spirituality by
Beautifully illustrated throughout, The Story of Christian Spirituality is a readable and vivid guide to the spiritual riches of one of the world's most influential religions.
The Roots of the Modern Christian Tradition by
Introduction: Roots of modernity / Jean Leclercq -- Apocalyptic traditions and spiritual identity in thirteenth-century religious life / Bernard McGinn -- Devotio moderna atque antiqua: the modern devotion and Carthusian spirituality / Otto Gründler -- Cloud of Unknowing and Mystica Theologia / Kent Emery, Jr. -- Continental women mystics of the Middle Ages: an assessment / Valerie M. Lagorio -- St. Teresa and the spirituality of sixteenth-century Spain / Kieran Kavanaugh -- Pierre de Bérulle: the search for unity / Anne H. Minton -- François de Sales: gentleness and civility / Wendy Wright -- Abbé de Rancé and monastic revival / Chrysogonus Waddell -- Witness to the Benedictine spirituality of the seventeenth-century / Jean Leclercq -- Joseph Hall, The Arte of Divine Meditation, and Anglican spirituality / John Booty -- Puritan spirituality: the tension of Bible and experience / Brian G. Armstrong -- Pietist spirituality: some aspects of present research / Peter C. Erb -- Medieval sources of Pietism: a case study / Peter C. Erb.
How Big Is Your God? by
Do you have a real relationship with God, or do you just have a religion? Do you know God, or do you just know about God? In How Big Is Your God? Paul Coutinho, SJ, challenges us to grow stronger and deeper in our faith and in our relationship with God--a God whose love knows no bounds. To help us on our way, Coutinho introduces us to people innbsp;various world religions--from Hindu friends to Buddhist teachers to St. Ignatius of Loyola--who have shaped his spiritual life and made possible his deep, personal relationship with God.
Contemplative Prayer by
In this classic text, Thomas Merton offers valuable guidance for prayer. He brings together a wealth of meditative and mystical influences–from John of the Cross to Eastern desert monasticism–to create a spiritual path for today. Most important, he shows how the peace contacted through meditation should not be sought in order to evade the problems of contemporary life, but can instead be directed back out into the world to affect positive change. Contemplative Prayer is one of the most well-known works of spirituality of the last one hundred years, and it is a must-read for all seeking to live a life of purpose in today’s world. In a moving and profound introduction, Thich Nhat Hanh offers his personal recollections of Merton and compares the contemplative traditions of East and West.
How to Pray with the Bible by
Praying with the Bible is an active dialogue with God through which we may be taught, healed, and transformed. It is God and the praying person communicating and offering themselves to each other. Learn an ancient prayer technique known as lectio divina, -- a simple rhythm of reading and reflection that can be used for individual prayer, Bible study, or small faith groups. Lectio or ?holy reading? is well-known to monks and nuns. But it doesn't belong exclusively to those who have given their lives to God. Acclaimed author Karl Schultz, author of six related books, will teach you an intuitive way to use this technique for the Rosary, Stations of the Cross, the Mass, modern papal encyclicals, spiritual classics, journaling, and stress management. This book is not only about how to pray with the Bible, but how to bring it to life using your own experience, which contributes significantly to a meaningful encounter with God's holy Word. NOTE: Pronounce lectio divina LEX?-e-oh DUH?-veen-ah (pronunciation not to go on cover)
The Imitation of Christ by
Only the Bible has been more influential as a source of Christian devotional reading than The Imitation of Christ. This meditation on the spiritual life has inspired readers from Thomas More and St. Ignatius Loyola to Thomas Merton and Pope John Paul I. Written by the Augustinian monk Thomas à Kempis between 1420 and 1427, it contains clear instructions for renouncing wordly vanities and locating eternal truths. No book has more explicitly and movingly described the Christian ideal: "My son, to the degree that you can leave yourself behind, to that degree will you be able to enter into Me." With a new Preface by Sally Cunneen, author of In Search of Mary: The Woman and the Symbol. "God is our home but many of us have strayed from our native land. The venerable authors of these Spiritual Classics are expert guides--may we follow their directions home." --Archbishop Desmond Tutu
Introduction to the devout life by
One of the great religious masterpieces of all time--a spiritual guide for everyone seeking to live a truly Christian life.
Lectio Divina by
Lectio divina is "letting our Divine Friend speak to us through his inspired and inspiring Word," according to M. Basil Pennington, the late priest, retreat master, and prominent lecturer in the Centering Prayer movement. This ancient Christian practice requires faith, humility, openness, and fidelity. Father Pennington sets the process of praying the Scriptures in the context of meditation, contemplation, compassion, and action. He calls it "a way of friendship" wherein we pay attention to "the love letters from the Lord." Lectio, as a satisfying mental and emotional experience, can be enhanced by reading different translations of the Bible, using commentaries, participating in Bible study groups, and using the resources of Scripture-oriented websites.
Lectio Divina As Contemplative Pedagogy by
Offering an original application of the ancient monastic practice of lectio divina to the humanities, this book demonstrates the need for further emphasis on deep reading, reflection, and contemplation in contemporary university classrooms. Each chapter provides readers with an historical overview of the four movements of this monastic method: lectio (reading), meditatio (interpreting), oratio (responding), and contemplatio (experiencing wisdom), and suggests ways to incorporate these practices in humanites courses. Keator demonstrates that the lectio divina method is a viable pedagogical tool to guide students slowly and methodically through literary texts and into a subjective experience of wisdom and meaning.
Opening to God by
Most Christians want to experience spiritual transformation. But many are frustrated by the limited progress of our spiritual self-improvement efforts. We find our praying burdened by a sense of obligation and failure. But prayer is not merely something we do; prayer is what God does in us. Prayer is not just communication with God; it is communion with God. As we open ourselves to him, God does the spiritual work of transformation in us.Spiritual director David Benner invites us to discover openness to God as the essence of prayer, spirituality and the Christian life. Prayer is far more than saying words to God; all of life can be prayer when offered to God in faith and with openness. Using the four movements of lectio divina, Benner explores prayer as attending, pondering, responding and being. Along the way he opens us to a world of possibilities for communion with God: praying with our senses, with imagination, with music and creativity, in contemplation, in service and much more.Learn how prayer can be a way of living your life. Move beyond words to become not merely someone who prays, but someone whose entire life is prayer in union with God.
Reading the Gospel by
Using the method of spiritual reading, lectio divina or 'divine reading' as it is called in monasteries, John S. Dunne sets out his interpretation of the evangelists, especially John, in Reading the Gospel. Reading the Gospels, according to Dunne, means passing over into the relation of Jesus with his God, the God he calls Abba in prayer, and then coming back from that with a changed vision of life and death. If I pass over into the relation of Jesus with God, then Jesus disappears from in front of me and I find myself in relation to what Jesus calls 'my God and your God.' When I come back to myself, I see my life in terms of his life and my death in terms of his death and resurrection, and I am able to say with Paul, 'I live now, not I, but Christ lives in me.'
Sacred Reading by
Examines the Western tradition of lectio divina (a spiritual and prayerful approach to reading the sacred texts) in order to help readers expand their spiritual approach to living. Paperback
Medieval Writings on Female Spirituality by
Biographies, poetic compositions, works that are mystical, prophetic, visionary, or meditative- the selections here reflect the developments in medieval piety, particularly in the link between female spirituality and the body. Included are the dramatic visionary writings of Hildegard of Bingen; letters and poems by Hadewijch expressing passionate love for God; and Marguerite Porete's allegorical poem "The Mirror of Simple Souls," a dialogue between Love and Soul that was condemned as heretical. Also included are biographies written by male ecclesiastics of women such as Christine the Astonishing, whose extraordinary behavior included being resurrected at her own funeral; revelations received by Bridget of Sweden, the first woman to found a religious order; and excerpts from The Book of Margery Kempe, in which Margery imagines herself as a servant caring for the Virgin Mary in her childhood. This volume, edited by Elizabeth Spearing,who also prepared some of the translations, features a rich introduction to the lives and religious experiences of its subjects, as well as full explanatory notes. For more than seventy years, Penguin has been the leading publisher of classic literature in the English-speaking world. With more than 1,700titles, Penguin Classics represents a global bookshelf of the best works throughout history and across genres and disciplines. Readers trust theseries to provide authoritative texts enhanced by introductions and notes by distinguished scholars and contemporary authors, as well as up-to-datetranslations by award-winning translators.
Monasticism in Late Medieval England, C. 1300-1535 by
Monasticism in late medieval England, c.1300-1535 provides the first collection of translated sources on this subject. The volume covers both male and female houses of all orders and sizes, and offers a range of new perspectives on the character and reputation of English monasteries in the later middle ages. The first section surveys the internal affairs of English monasteries, including recruitment, the monastic economy, standards of observance and learning. The second part looks at the relations between monasteries and the world, exploring the monastic contribution to late medieval religion and society and lay attitudes towards monks and nuns in the years leading up to the Dissolution. This book is an ideal introduction to this topic for students and scholars. Supported by an extended and accessible introduction this collection of documents gives an unrivalled insight into the last phase of monastic life in medieval England.
The Secret Within by
Filled with fresh insights, The Secret Within will be welcomed especially by teachers and students of medieval literature as well as by those engaged in historical, theological, philosophical, cultural, even anthropological and comparative studies of mysticism.
Visions in Late Medieval England by
Visions were highly popular in the late Middle Ages, whether preached as vivid stories from the pulpit, illuminated in saint-filled manuscripts, or experienced during the breathless anticipation of a Mass or eerie darkness of a Yorkshire graveyard. This volume is the first to map out the wide range of vision types in late medieval English lay piety. Analyzing 1000 visionary accounts gathered from sermon and exempla collections, religious devotional works, saints' legends, and lay stories, it explores five central dynamics of spirituality that visions shaped and sustained: Transactions of Satisfaction (visits to and from purgatory and hell), Reciprocated Devotion (visitations of the saints), Spiritual Warfare (attacks by demons), Supra-Sacramental Sight (Mass and Passion sightings), and Mediated Revelation (prophetic visions).
Finding a Voice by
Men are making a variety of responses to feminism within the churches. Some react angrily and uncritically to the challenges which feminism poses to Christian belief and practice. Others are paralysed by guilt, fear and shame. Some men welcome the full and equal participation of women in the life of the Christian community and in society generally, but these changes involve a massive shift in masculine roles and identity - a transition which men have yet to negotiate with any hope or confidence. This book arises from a rich store of conversation and pastoral work with both women and men. It takes the challenges of feminism as an opportunity for men to reshape their own self-understanding. It encourages men to learn from women, to explore the anxieties which lurk behind the power structures and processes of patriarchy, and to accept that abusive gender regimes are harmful for men as well as women. The literature and ideas of the men's movement are critically examined, and the limitations and creative possibilities of masculine theology are exposed, as the book works towards a new ecumenical vision in which difference in gender and sexuality is celebrated and the church's ancient fears of sexual and erotic ambiguity are laid aside. A final chapter of poems, stories and meditations forms a spiritual playground in which men and women alike may trace connections between religious belief, sexual desire and gender identity.
From Wild Man to Wise Man by
From Wild Man to Wise Man: Reflections on Male Spirituality is a revised and updated edition of Richard Rohr's earlier best-seller, The Wild Man's Journey: Reflections on Male Spirituality. For this new work, Rohr added three chapters that discuss John the Baptist, Saint Paul and grief. An appendix provides a structure for a men's group, based on Rohr's work with M.A.L.Es (Men As Learners and Elders), a program of the Center for Action and Contemplation, which Richard Rohr founded and now directs in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
The Intimate Connection by
In recent decades, men have begun to question seriously their traditionally held roles and values. The women's movement, popular books, and male images on television and in films have all contributed to men's uncertainty about themselves. There is a major shift taking place in the perception of sexuality. James Nelson asserts that men and women seek something the sexual revolution did not provide: an understanding of the true meaning of love. This, he claims, is the unfinished business of that revolution.
Toward a Male Spirituality by
Reflects on the meaning of loving God, self and neighbor as a man in today's culture and focuses on recent trends in spirituality for men. Spiritual topics such as prayer, work, and love are dealt with and analyzed in terms of an enriching Christian approach.
What Are They Saying about Masculine Spirituality? by
This summary of the major writings on male spirituality from the last ten years helps men experience integration and revitalize the way they experience God, themselves and others.
Wild at Heart by
John Eldredge revises and updates his best-selling, renowned Christian classic, Wild at Heart, and in it invites men to: Recover their masculine heart. See themselves in the image of a passionate god. Delight in the strength and wildness men were created to offer. In this provocative book, Eldredge provides a look inside the true heart of a man and gives men permission to be what God designed them to be--dangerous, passionate, alive, and free.
Arise My Love... by
Rediscovers the long-ignored tradition of mysticism in Christianity and shows how this wisdom can renew our lives, and champion peace and reconciliation around the world.
The Book of Divine Works by
Completed in 1173, The Book of Divine Works (Liber Divinorum Operum) is the culmination of the Visionary's Doctor's theological project, offered here for the first time in a complete and scholarly English translation. The first part explores the intricate physical and spiritual relationships between the cosmos and the human person, with the famous image of the universal Man standing astride the cosmic spheres. The second part examines the rewards for virtue and the punishments for vice, mapped onto a geography of purgatory, hellmouth, and the road to the heavenly city. At the end of each Hildegard writes extensive commentaries on the Prologue to John's Gospel (Part 1) and the first chapter of Genesis (Part 2)--the only premodern woman to have done so. Finally, the third part tells the history of salvation, imagined as the City of God standing next to the mountain of God's foreknowledge, with Divine Love reigning over all.
Catherine of Siena by
"The books are beautifully, almost lavishly presented and scholars of the highest caliber have taken part in the work of editing.... This is a comprehensive attempt to make the spiritual tradition of large areas of mankind more generally accessible to the ordinary interested reader."A. M. Allchinin Church TimesCatherine of Siena-The Dialoguetranslation and introduction by Suzanne Noffke, O.P., preface by Giuliana Cavallini"If you have received my love sincerely without self-interest, you will drink your neighbor's love sincerely. It is just like a vessel that you fill at the fountain. If you take it out of the fountain to drink, the vessel is soon empty. But if you hold your vessel in the fountain while you drink, it will not get empty: indeed, it will always be full." Catherine of Siena, 1347-1380This is the crowning spiritual work of the only woman other than Teresa of Avila to be granted the title of Doctor of the Roman Catholic Church. This volume was simply called "my book" by the fourteenth-century Italian saint. The aim of her book (one of the first books to see print in Spain, Germany, Italy, and England), says Dr. Noffke in her Foreword, was "the instruction and encouragement of all those whose spiritual welfare was her concern."Catherine was "a mystic whose plunge into God plunged her deep into the affairs of society, Church and the souls who came under her influence." Professor Noffke goes on to call The Dialogue "a great tapestry to which Catherine adds stitch upon stitch until she is satisfied that she has communicated all she can of what she has learned of the way of God."In this, the sixth centenary of the great Dominican's death, we live in a time so badly in need of her sense of institutional reform as flowing from Divine truth, love and charity.Dr. Noffke says: "In the opening pages of The Dialogue Catherine presents a series of questions or petitions to God the Father each of which receives a response and amplification. There is the magnificent symbolic portrayal of Christ as the bridge. There are specific discussions of discernment, tears (true and false spiritual emotion), truth, the sacramental heart ('mystic body') of the Church, divine providence, obedience.... It is not so much a treatise to be read as it is a conversation to be entered into with earnest leisure and leisurely earnest."
The Divine Ideas Tradition in Christian Mystical Theology by
By the time of early modernity, a widely deployed tenet of Christian thought had begun to vanish. The divine ideas tradition, the teaching that all beings have an eternal existence as aspects of God's mind, had functioned across a wide range of central Christian doctrines, providing Christianthinkers and mystical teachers with a powerful theological capacity: to illuminate the Trinitarian ground of all creatures, and to renew the divine truth of all creatures through human contemplation.Already by the time of the Middle Platonists, Plato's forms had been reinterpreted as ideas in the mind of God. Yet that was only the beginning of the transformation of the divine ideas, for Christian belief in God as Trinity and in the incarnation of the Word imbued the divine ideas tradition witha remarkable conceptual agility. The divine ideas teaching allowed mystical theologians to conceive the hidden presence of God in all creatures, and the power of every creature's truth in God to consummate the full dynamic of every creature's calling.The Divine Ideas Tradition in Christian Mystical Theology brings to life the striking role of the divine ideas tradition in the teaching of its central exponents, and also suggests how the divine ideas might constructively inform Christian theology and spirituality today. Especially in an age ofglobal crises, when the truth of the natural environment, of racial injustice, and of public health is denied and disputed for political ends, the divine ideas tradition affords contemporary thinkers a creative and contemplative vision that reveres the deep truth of all beings and seeks theirmending and fulfilment.
The Great Cistercian Mystics by
An in-depth analysis of the mystical theology of the major Cistercian mystics of the 12th century, Bernard of Clairvaux, William of Saint-Thierry, Guerric of Igny, Isaac of Stella, and Aelred of Rievaulx, as well as the continuators of Bernard's sermons on the Song of Songs. It also contains a survey of the Cistercian women mystics of the 13th century.
Julian of Norwich by
A noted scholar examines the work of the English mystic Julian of Norwich Julian of Norwich is the late fourteenth-century and early fifteenth-century English woman theologian. With her mystical writings, she has become one of the most popular and influential spiritual figures of our times. In Julian of Norwich: In God's Sight, the eminent scholar Philip Sheldrake offers a study of the theology that Julian expresses in her writings. The author examines what is known about Julian's mystical experience or mystical consciousness, discusses what can be surmised about Julian's likely identity and places her writings in historical, cultural and spiritual contexts. Julian of Norwich: In God's Sight is based on a faithful reading of Julian's texts, especially the Long Text, as well as on her own declared theological-spiritual purpose. This compelling book: Presents a contextually-grounded and text-related study of the key elements of Julian's theology Offers a scholarly work by a well-known expert in the field Unlocks an ever-richer understanding of Julian's writings Includes an examination of the key texts attributed to Julian Written for students of theology and those interested in learning more about this popular mystic, Julian of Norwich: In God's Sight offers ascholarly review of Julian's most important writings.
Mechthild of Magdeburg and Her Book by
Sometime around 1230, a young woman left her family and traveled to the German city of Magdeburg to devote herself to worship and religious contemplation. Rather than living in a community of holy women, she chose isolation, claiming that this life would bring her closer to God. Even in her lifetime, Mechthild of Magdeburg gained some renown for her extraordinary book of mystical revelations, The Flowing Light of the Godhead, the first such work in the German vernacular. Yet her writings dropped into obscurity after her death, many assume because of her gender. In Mechthild of Magdeburg and Her Book, Sara S. Poor seeks to explain this fate by considering Mechthild's own view of female authorship, the significance of her choice to write in the vernacular, and the continued, if submerged, presence of her writings in a variety of contexts from the thirteenth through the nineteenth century. Rather than explaining Mechthild's absence from literary canons, Poor's close examination of medieval and early modern religious literature and of contemporary scholarly writing reveals her subject's shifting importance in a number of differently defined traditions, high and low, Latin and vernacular, male- and female-centered. While gender is often a significant factor in this history, Poor demonstrates that it is rarely the only one. Her book thus corrects late twentieth-century arguments about women writers and canon reform that often rest on inadequate notions of exclusion. Mechthild of Magdeburg and Her Book offers new insights into medieval vernacular mysticism, late medieval women's roles in the production of culture, and the construction of modern literary traditions.
Mysticism and the New Age by
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The Oxford Handbook of Mystical Theology by
The Oxford Handbook of Mystical Theology provides a guide to the mystical element of Christianity as a theological phenomenon. It differs not only from psychological and anthropological studies of mysticism, but from other theological studies, such as more practical or pastorally-oriented works that examine the patterns of spiritual progress and offer counsel for deeper understanding and spiritual development. It also differs from more explicitly historical studies tracing the theological and philosophical contexts and ideas of various key figures and schools, as well as from literary studies of the linguistic tropes and expressive forms in mystical texts. None of these perspectives is absent, but the method here is more deliberately theological, working from within the fundamental interests of Christian mystical writers to the articulation of those interests in distinctively theological forms, in order, finally, to permit a critical theological engagement with them for today. Divided into four parts, the first section introduces the approach to mystical theology and offers a historical overview. Part two attends to the concrete context of sources and practices of mystical theology. Part three moves to the fundamental conceptualities of mystical thought. The final section ends with the central contributions of mystical teaching to theology and metaphysics. Students and scholars with a variety of interests will find different pathways through the Handbook.
Practical Mysticism by
A poet, novelist, pacifist and mystic, Evelyn Underhill (1875-1941) spent her life deeply immersed in the things she wrote about. At first an agnostic, Underhill became drawn to Catholicism, though her husband, a Protestant, tried to dissuade her. Instead of taking the traditional Christocentric view held by most Anglo-Catholics, Underhill gravitated toward a more intellectual side of religion. With her work Practical Mysticism, Underhill expounds on her views of spirituality from a secular standpoint, arguing that spiritual life is innate in all humans, a part of human nature, and that all of life is sacred. A product of the Edwardian era, Underhill's works are romantic and unashamedly sensuous. A prominent figure in her field of interest while she was writing, Underhill remains a respected writer on religion and spiritual practice.
The Roots of Christian Mysticism by
y linking together a series of brilliantly chosen texts from the early centuries of the Church, the author lays bare the roots of the deeply mystical spirituality that has flourished among Christians throughout the ages. This is a book that will appeal to anyone who is interested in the field of spirituality; it is a masterly contribution to Christian scholarship. Book jacket
Ruling the Spirit by
Histories of the German Dominican order have long presented a grand narrative of its origin, fall, and renewal: a Golden Age at the order's founding in the thirteenth century, a decline of Dominican learning and spirituality in the fourteenth, and a vibrant renewal of monastic devotion by Dominican "Observants" in the fifteenth. Dominican nuns are presumed to have moved through a parallel arc, losing their high level of literacy in Latin over the course of the fourteenth century. However, unlike the male Dominican friars, the nuns are thought never to have regained their Latinity, instead channeling their spiritual renewal into mystical experiences and vernacular devotional literature. In Ruling the Spirit, Claire Taylor Jones revises this conventional narrative by arguing for a continuous history of the nuns' liturgical piety. Dominican women did not lose their piety and literacy in the fifteenth century, as is commonly believed, but instead were urged to reframe their devotion around the observance of the Divine Office. Jones grounds her research in the fifteenth-century liturgical library of St. Katherine's in Nuremberg, which was reformed to Observance in 1428 and grew to be one of the most significant convents in Germany, not least for its library. Many of the manuscripts owned by the convent are didactic texts, written by friars for Dominican sisters from the fourteenth through the fifteenth century. With remarkable continuity across genres and centuries, this literature urges the Dominican nuns to resume enclosure in their convents and the strict observance of the Divine Office, and posits ecstatic experience as an incentive for such devotion. Jones thus rereads the "sisterbooks," vernacular narratives of Dominican women, long interpreted as evidence of mystical hysteria, as encouragement for nuns to maintain obedience to liturgical practice. She concludes that Observant friars viewed the Divine Office as the means by which Observant women would define their communities, reform the terms of Observant devotion, and carry the order into the future.
The Spiritual Formation of Evelyn Underhill by
'The most extensive and inviting introduction . . . a brilliantly written book.' Eugene Peterson 'It made my heart sing.' Dana Greene, President of the EvelynUnderhill Association The publication of Evelyn Underhill's Prayer Book in 2018 sparked renewed interest in one of the most significant Christian writers of the twentieth century. What lay behind Evelyn Underhill's spiritual formation? Robyn Wrigley-Carr's fascinating original research reveals the great influence of Baron Friedrich von Hügel, to whom, Evelyn wrote, 'I owe . . . my whole spiritual life'. Understanding the nurture she received from this man (who had no less an influence on Eugene Peterson) prepares the way for an exploration of Evelyn's 'motherhood of souls'. We learn about her advice to others involved in this ministry, her pioneering work in the conducting of retreats and of the soul care she tirelessly bestowed on her retreatants.
The Tenderness of God by
At moments in history, individuals have embodied the gospel message with creativity and passion. One such moment began when a returned veteran named Francis Bernardone found a whole new world in a desolate space just outside Assisi: a leper colony. Drawn to discover the incarnate God, and joined by a collaborator as able and determined as he, Francis, and Clare of Assisi's desire to live authentically in gospel simplicity ushered in a revolutionary sensitivity to the presence of God within the human community. Today, eight hundred years later, the first pope to take the name Francis invites us to engage the "revolution of tenderness" to which we are "summoned by the God who became flesh." The example of Pope Francis gives us a new and vivid sense of just how compelling radical sincerity and reverent encounter with others can be. Capitalizing on the legacy of Francis and Clare and the energy of a visionary pope who raises critical questions about how to be faithful to the gospel, The Tenderness of God invites readers into a rich conversation across time and space about how to recapture our humanity and nurture our God-given capacity to live meaningfully and joyfully in communion with others.
The Way of the Mystics by
In The Way of the Mystics we are invited to take a journey to the heart of our faith by examining the stories of thirteen of Christian history's most revered mystics. These spiritual pioneers devoted their lives to exploring a deeper communion with God and through their examples show us how we can apply spiritual wisdom to our own lives. The mystics featured in this book are from different centuries, countries, and Christian traditions but all have been divinely blessed to transcend the limitations of worldly concerns and fully enter the spiritual realm¾a place that so often seems closed off to us. The Way of the Mystics offers insights into the lives of such familiar figures as St. Francis of Assisi, Hildegard of Bingen, Thomas Merton, and others. The authors explore these spiritual giants' experiences, the movements they founded or influenced, and the controversies they generated, offering nuggets of truth distilled from their voluminous and often enigmatic writings. In addition, the book offers practical suggestions for applying the mystics' wisdom to our lives, enabling us to better pursue a deeper relationship with God.
What is mysticism? by
Contents:
What is mysticism? -- The life of grace -- Mysticism and contemplation -- The mystical way and spiritual growth -- Are there two ways to the perfect Christian life? -- Visions and ecstasies -- Meditation and contemplation -- The dark night -- Mysticism and dogma -- Prayer -- Contemplation and neoplatonism -- Quietism -- Can the full mystical experience be found outside the Christian church? -- Nature mysticism -- Conclusion.
Women and Mystical Experience in the Middle Ages by
"This book is a study of three medieval women, Hildegard of Bingen, Mechthild of Magdeburg, and Julian of Norwich, all of whom were mystics. Although they differed radically in temperament, they largely transcended the antifeminism of their times - perhaps as a result of the confidence arising from their extraordinary spiritual experiences - and articulated their special revelations, even when they diverged from orthodox doctrine, in their writings." "Each of the women is here more fully revealed to a 20th-century audience by Frances Beer's close textual analysis of her work, supported by such biographical detail as remains. Their social milieu and historical context, carefully considered, also help us to understand them as individuals: however liberated, they are to some extent products of their environments. Hildegard's perception of her Creator is informed by the heroic ideal, while Mechthild's erotic experience seems to reveal the influence of the minnesingers. The solitary Julian's experience of tender intimacy with her Lord, to be shared with any who would be Christ's lovers, reveals an egalitarian confidence in the ability of the individual soul to progress towards oneness with the divine." "Each of the writers displays her 'womanliness' in a variety of ways - Hildegard by the inclusion of grand female figures such as Ecclesia and Synagogue, Mechthild by the elevation of the Virgin to divine status, equal to her son, and Julian by her understanding of the motherhood of God. Their individual natures are also further revealed through the author's examination of their resolution of a number of theological problems. By contrast, the works of two medieval men writing for women are also explored, for an indication of the degree to which their approach might be informed by antifeminism, and to compare their approach to the experience of union with that of Hildegard, Mechthild or Julian."--BOOK JACKET.Title Summary field provided by Blackwell North America, Inc. All Rights Reserved
The Dark Night of the Soul by
Now in paperback: a distinguished psychiatrist, spiritual counsellor and bestselling author shows how the dark sides of the spiritual life are a vital ingredient in deep, authentic, healthy spirituality. Gerald G. May, MD, one of the great spiritual teachers and writers of our time, argues that the dark 'shadow' side of the true spiritual life has been trivialised and neglected to our serious detriment. Superficial and naively upbeat spirituality does not heal and enrich the soul. Nor does the other tendency to relegate deep spiritual growth to only mystics and saints. Only the honest, sometimes difficult encounters with what Christian spirituality has called and described in helpful detail as 'the dark night of the soul' can lead to true spiritual wholeness. May emphasises that the dark night is not necessarily a time of suffering and near despair, but a time of deep transition, a search for new orientation when things are clouded and full of mystery. The dark gives depth, dimension and fullness to the spiritual life.
Searching for the soul : psychoanalytical and theological reflections on spiritual growth by
No description available.
The only necessary thing : living a prayerful life by
Throughout the forty-some books that Henri Nouwen wrote and the hundreds of talks that he gave, the subject of Prayer runs through them all and unites them. For him a life of faith is a life of prayer. Drawn from many decades of his life, the compilation of Henri's thoughts, feelings, and the struggle with prayer, reveal the core of the man and his belief that prayer is the only necessary thing
The Happiness Hypothesis by
"The most brilliant and lucid analysis of virtue and well-being in the entire literature of positive psychology. For the reader who seeks to understand happiness, my advice is: Begin with Haidt." --Martin E.P. Seligman, University of Pennsylvania and author of Authentic Happiness The Happiness Hypothesis is a book about ten Great Ideas. Each chapter is an attempt to savor one idea that has been discovered by several of the world's civilizations--to question it in light of what we now know from scientific research, and to extract from it the lessons that still apply to our modern lives and illuminate the causes of human flourishing. Award-winning psychologist Jonathan Haidt shows how a deeper understanding of the world's philosophical wisdom and its enduring maxims--like "do unto others as you would have others do unto you," or "what doesn't kill you makes you stronger"--can enrich and transform our lives.
The Way of Discernment by
We all make decisions constantly--some with careful reflection, some without much thought. But what if we understood these decisions, minor as well as major, as matters of faithful Christian living? In this helpful and encouraging book, Elizabeth Liebert introduces the practice of discernment and guides readers through the process of faithful decision making. Following the way of discernment means becoming increasingly able to notice where God is at work in the world and in one's own life--and becoming increasingly generous with one's own life in response. After briefly exploring the Christian tradition of discernment, Liebert then turns to practical steps and exercises that will help readers as they seek God's call in the midst of their decisions, allowing readers to internalize some of these practices and incorporate them into their daily lives.
Christian Conversion by
Walter Conn has provided us with something we have needed for a long time -- a scholarly study of Christian conversion that draws synthetically from present day psychology, philosophy, and theology and uses these insights to analyze actual Christian religious experience. And in doing that, Conn has produced what is probably the best treatment to date of foundational moral theology. To follow Conn through the pages of this volume is to become acquainted with most of today's important reflection on human moral and personal development. But one emerges with much more than relevant information about what is being said; Conn's own view of conversion goes beyond the thinkers from whom he draws and provides a basic challenge to and enrichment of our understanding of faith and morality. -- Bernard Cooke, Holy Cross College Walter E. Conn is Professor of Theology and Religious Studies at Villanova University. He is also the editor of Horizons, journal of the College Theology Society.
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Catherine of Siena by
"The books are beautifully, almost lavishly presented and scholars of the highest caliber have taken part in the work of editing.... This is a comprehensive attempt to make the spiritual tradition of large areas of mankind more generally accessible to the ordinary interested reader."A. M. Allchinin Church TimesCatherine of Siena-The Dialoguetranslation and introduction by Suzanne Noffke, O.P., preface by Giuliana Cavallini"If you have received my love sincerely without self-interest, you will drink your neighbor's love sincerely. It is just like a vessel that you fill at the fountain. If you take it out of the fountain to drink, the vessel is soon empty. But if you hold your vessel in the fountain while you drink, it will not get empty: indeed, it will always be full." Catherine of Siena, 1347-1380This is the crowning spiritual work of the only woman other than Teresa of Avila to be granted the title of Doctor of the Roman Catholic Church. This volume was simply called "my book" by the fourteenth-century Italian saint. The aim of her book (one of the first books to see print in Spain, Germany, Italy, and England), says Dr. Noffke in her Foreword, was "the instruction and encouragement of all those whose spiritual welfare was her concern."Catherine was "a mystic whose plunge into God plunged her deep into the affairs of society, Church and the souls who came under her influence." Professor Noffke goes on to call The Dialogue "a great tapestry to which Catherine adds stitch upon stitch until she is satisfied that she has communicated all she can of what she has learned of the way of God."In this, the sixth centenary of the great Dominican's death, we live in a time so badly in need of her sense of institutional reform as flowing from Divine truth, love and charity.Dr. Noffke says: "In the opening pages of The Dialogue Catherine presents a series of questions or petitions to God the Father each of which receives a response and amplification. There is the magnificent symbolic portrayal of Christ as the bridge. There are specific discussions of discernment, tears (true and false spiritual emotion), truth, the sacramental heart ('mystic body') of the Church, divine providence, obedience.... It is not so much a treatise to be read as it is a conversation to be entered into with earnest leisure and leisurely earnest."+
Changing Your Mind by
This book takes you on a journey that unpacks and demystifies what spiritual growth is and how it unfolds. The aim is to set you on your own path toward genuine, personal spiritual transformation. The book provides all the tools you need--biblical, scientific, and practical--so that you can develop your own pathway for spiritual growth. What is unique about Victor Copan's approach to spiritual growth is that he explores recent findings of brain research as well as scientific research on habit formation and brings them into conversation with the process of spiritual formation. Research on the brain and on habit formation has uncovered significant insights about the process and dynamics of human transformation that can be fruitfully incorporated into our own pursuit of spiritual transformation. Tapping into this research allows us to work in concert with how God designed humans to function--body, soul, and spirit.
Deep Mentoring by
"God is in the business of raising up leaders." --J. Robert (Bobby) ClintonWhen good leaders are needed, when the work is urgent, our immediate reaction is to enlist new leaders. Instead we are called to invest in new leaders.Good leaders are developed in and through slow, deep mentoring. To think otherwise is to embrace the myth of the quick fix. We proceed, instead, by paying careful attention to and joining in the work God is already doing in people's lives.This book is designed to help you know better how to come alongside others as a guide and a friend, to invest in their spiritual formation and leadership. If you want long-term impact on the lives of future leaders, how you guide must be as important as the content you impart. Only then will youl see lifelong change and empowerment in those you mentor.Randy Reese and Robert Loane show you how to make the most of this crucial ministry. They offer a biblically grounded approach that also draws on the research and teaching of Bobby Clinton as well as their own experience in resourcing churches and Christian organizations.Jesus Christ still calls people to become leaders in a lifelong journey of conforming to his image. Join him as you guide others through deep mentoring.
Grace Can Do More by
Spiritual accompaniment-patient listening and honest openness has become widespread among Christians of many traditions in recent years. Is this modern application of an ancient 'discernment of spirits' the best way for individual persons and groups of Christians to be formed as the People of God? Can anyone today accompany another person's spiritual experience without a sound knowledge of psychology? Do spiritual accompaniment and psychological therapy overlap? Can one replace the other? Should an accompanist also be a therapist, as some have suggested? Writing from his years of experience in a cistercian monastery, in which spiritual accompaniment is a living tradition, the author reflects on some first steps towards answering these questions.
Handbook for Spiritual Directors by
Details the problems that spiritual directors face, then explores them. Problems are arranged alphabetically
Holy Listening by
Guenther uses the images of the spiritual director as host, teacher, and midwife to describe the ministry of spiritual direction today. She pays particular attention to spiritual direction for women, and addresses such down-to-earth questions as setting, time, and privacy. The stories of real people bring the practice of spiritual direction alive. "In the pages that follow, I will attempt to describe the shape that spiritual direction might take for people of our time, aware that the subject is an elusive one. I am speaking to the beginner, those persons lay or ordained, with or without formal theological training, who find themselves drawn to this ministry. Perhaps they feel the stirring of their own unacknowledged gifts. Or perhaps they wonder about receiving direction, whether it is a ministry available to 'ordinary people' or reserved for the especially holy. I hope some dark corners will be illuminated and some questions answered."
Introduction to the devout life by
One of the great religious masterpieces of all time--a spiritual guide for everyone seeking to live a truly Christian life.
Jeanne Guyon by
Jeanne Guyon was a seventeenth-century French mystic and Quietist, and a fascinating figure in the court of Louis XIV. Marginalized and ignored by French historians for two centuries after her death, her spiritual writings have nonetheless remained consistently popular among English-speaking audiences. Guyon had a strong influence among Quakers and Methodists in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, and her message of self-abnegation and the complete abandonment of individual desires in conformity to God's will continues to inspire many Christians today. This volume offers new, contemporary translations of her most important spiritual writings, including her Short and Easy Method of Prayer and her Commentary on the Song of Songs, never-before-translated letters of spiritual direction, and selections from her autobiography. The most comprehensive introduction to Guyon's life, theology, and historical context available in English, this book focuses on the religious and political conflicts responsible for her persecution and eventual imprisonment in the dreaded Bastille and examining her spiritual influences and theological contributions. +
Learned, Experienced, and Discerning by
The Christian life is a grand journey. And like any pilgrimage along unfamiliar roads, we can benefit from having experienced guides and trustworthy companions along the way. Through their classic spiritual texts, Teresa of Avila and John of the Cross offer valuable maps of tried paths along the way. At the same time, they were both experienced and sought-after spiritual companions for many others. Their timeless insights into the qualities that should mark a good spiritual director--earned, experienced, and discerning--are the fruit of their own prayer, reflection, and rich personal experience as guides and as people guided by others.
Letters of Ascent by
Bernard of Clairvaux is best known by many today for his mystical approach to spirituality and his eloquent sermons on the Song of Songs. In his letters, however, a different Bernard emerges - one who had fled the world for the cloister yet possessed a soaring vision for the Church on earth. By examining select letters and placing them in the larger context of the people and the world around him, we discover a man who loved the Church - but who realized that the Church is compromised of individuals who did not share his ideals and agendas. In Letters of Ascent, we travel to medieval Europe and view society through the eyes of one of history's most passionate ecclesiastical reformers.
Mystical Theology and Contemporary Spiritual Practice by
In Mystical Theology and Contemporary Spiritual Practice several leading scholars explore key themes within the Christian mystical tradition, contemporary and historical. The overall aim of the book is to demonstrate the relevance of mystical theology to contemporary spiritual practice. Attention is given to the works of Baron von Hugel, Vladimir Lossky, Margery Kempe, Ludwig Wittgenstein, Thomas Merton, and Francisco de Osuna, as well as to a wide range of spiritual practices, including pilgrimage, spiritual direction, contemplative prayer and the quotidian spirituality of the New Monasticism. Christian mystical theology is shown to be a living tradition, which has vibrant and creative new expressions in contemporary spiritual practice. It is argued that mystical theology affirms something both ordinary and extraordinary which is fundamental to the Christian experience of prayer.
A Practical Christology for Pastoral Supervision by
This book sets out a Christological framework for developing and delivering pastoral supervision. Pastoral supervision is a key consideration for any denomination, congregation, or faith-based organisation, so this is a vital resource for well-being for clergy, chaplains, and a wide array of pastoral workers. Three central Christological themes, the revealing, re-membering, and restoring Jesus, provide the theological framework for good supervision practice. The book draws insights from three gospel passages--Luke 24:13-34, Luke 22:39-53 and John 21:1-14--for its Christological themes. The practical Christology for pastoral supervision is deepened and extended through three theologians: Martin Luther (reformed), Emil Brunner (neo-orthodox), and James McClendon (small B baptist). Professional supervision (coaching, mentoring, and spiritual direction) is increasingly sought--even required--by many people in church and faith-based organisations. This book will, therefore, be an excellent resource to theologians interested in supervision, practical theology, and Christology.
Sacred Companions by
ECPA 2003 Gold Medallion FinalistWe need companions on our spiritual journey.The modern world has taught us to value autonomy and individualism. Our churches often see spirituality as personal and private. But we cannot go long in our Christian pilgrimage before realizing that isolation leads to spiritual barrenness. We soon discover that our souls long for accompaniment, intimacy and spiritual friendship. As a result, many Christians today are rediscovering the ancient practice of spiritual direction.In this inviting guide, David G. Benner introduces readers to the riches of spiritual friendship and direction, explaining what they are and how they are practiced. Spiritual direction moves beyond mere moral lifestyle accountability and goes deeper than popular notions of mentoring or discipling. Through prayerful, guided attunement to God's activity, sacred companions provide care for the soul.If we are to experience significant spiritual formation and growth, our souls must be nurtured through spiritual companions. Benner, well-accustomed to God's work through relationships, models the kind of traveling companion who can move us toward deeper intimacy with God.
A Science of the Saints by
Throughout the church's long history, Christians have sought out wise mentors to guide them on the journey toward God. A Science of the Saintsexplores the dynamics of spiritual direction as revealed in the lives and writings of a wide array of exemplary disciples, from the Desert Fathers and Mothers to Thomas Merton, and from St. Teresa of Avila to St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross (Edith Stein). This groundbreaking work sheds new light on an essential dimension of the Christian experience, yielding timeless wisdom to inform the practice of spiritual direction in our own day.
Set me free : spiritual direction & discernment of spirits by
Set me Free: Spiritual Direction and Discernment of Spirits offers a remarkably clear and rigorous account of the practice of spiritual direction. Thorough, well researched and well written, it will be welcomed by spiritual directors, pastoral ministers and all people interested in the life of the Spirit.
Soul Mentoring by
Soul Mentoring draws upon the wisdom of Gregory the Great from his Pastoral Care, one of the most widely read books on mentoring from the ancient world. Those who walk in Gregory's steps will discover practical guidance for the journey into mentoring, including the formation of a mentor's soul, and wisdom in learning to care for others. Gregory describes mentoring as the art of arts, the highest creative endeavour we share together. Gregory has ancient wisdom applicable to mentoring in our time, both for mentors and mentees, friends and family, coaches and teachers, clergy and spiritual directors, among other people looking for guidance in the ancient art of caring for souls.
Spiritual Direction by
We are not alone.God is present with us. And God gives us companions on the journey. A spiritual director is one such companion, offering spiritual guidance to helpmake sense of the faith journeyinterpret the significant markers on the roadencourage us, particularly through the more difficult transitions and valleys of our pilgrimageand, most of all, to notice the ministry of the Spirit in our livesGordon Smith writes:Even if we have been Christians and maturing in our faith for many years, we still need the encouragement and guidance that might come through spiritual direction. . . . Genuine humility is evident in our realization that we need a companion, a fellow pilgrim and Christian, who can help us discern and foster an attentiveness to God's presence in our lives. This is the gift of spiritual direction.Whether you are a director, a directee or simply someone who wants to learn more about this ancient ministry, you will find this book to be a helpful guide.
The Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius by
A reissue of a classic Christian text from the founder of the Jesuit Order. The Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyla is the core work of religious formation for members of the Society of Jesus, the single largest religious order within the Roman Catholic Church. For four and a half centuries in many thousands of editions in all languages, The Exercises have embodied fundamental spiritual principles essential to authentic Christian living. The mystical insight informing Ignatius's own relationship with God--which he distilled in The Exercises--is that the divine love of God is providentially present in all the details of our existence. Here Ignatius shows how the faithful can be joined to God in all things, according to the Jesuit motto, Ad majorem Dei gloriam, "For the greater glory of God."
Uncovering Spiritual Narratives by
All cultures use story as a way to make sense of life. Yet for many, only a single story line is seen as the "real truth." Using narrative therapy as a caregiving approach can help individuals uncover multilayered narratives that are far more complex and liberating. Drawing on theological approaches and real life experiences, Coyle creates a contextual pastoral theology that helps caregivers find the power of God in people's stories.
Witness by
Beginning with the apostles themselves, Christians have practiced the art of telling their stories to bring others to faith. Leonard J. DeLorenzo, theology professor and director of Notre Dame Vision--a program designed to help youth and young adults find their true vocation--presents seven guiding principles to help you share your faith in a genuine way and teach others to do so as well. Unlike many evangelical Christians, Catholics often find it difficult to tell their faith stories. Leonard DeLorenzo has taught thousands of teens and young adults to relate their moments of grace in a way that is compelling, convincing, and free of clichés and vague generalizations. The seven guiding principles he includes in Witness are: Tell it as a story Begin with what happened Express it in style Modify it for your audience Ensure there is sufficient closure Embrace natural emotions and Pray and practice DeLorenzo includes literary examples of writers such as C. S. Lewis and Flannery O'Connor, the conversion stories of St. Paul and St. Augustine, and real-life accounts of grace told by young adults he's worked with. Their stories are born out of battling an anxiety disorder, struggling with a loved one's Alzheimer's disease, dealing with the effects of alcoholism, learning from people with mental disabilities, and overcoming an eating disorder. DeLorenzo teaches us that by paying close attention to particular aspects of these stories, we can attune ourselves to the surprising and specific ways that grace moved through their experiences--as it does in our own. DeLorenzo provides a model for the kind of attentiveness we should foster when crafting our own stories of grace, and lead others to do so by providing an example of God's presence in our everyday life. Witness is a unique resource for faith-formation ministers and adults of all ages to appreciate the ways that grace is at work in your life, to inspire hope, and to build community by telling your own faith story.
The Personal Vocation by
This little work is born of a profound personal spiritual experience had in 1965. Shared literally around the world notably through the ministry of spiritual direction within and outside the experience of the Ignatian Spiritual Exercises, it is here communicated for the first time in writing. It has to do with the discernment and living out of that deepest core of being that is a person's truest self and unrepeatable uniqueness - the secret of unity and integration at the heart of a person's life, his/her unique God-given meaning in life, centred in Christ Jesus. No wonder it results in all-round transformation in depth, opening out most effectively onto social responsibility and commitment in Christian life and mission.
Set me free: spiritual direction & discernment of spirits by
Set me Free: Spiritual Direction and Discernment of Spirits offers a remarkably clear and rigorous account of the practice of spiritual direction. Thorough, well researched and well written, it will be welcomed by spiritual directors, pastoral ministers and all people interested in the life of the Spirit.
The author bases his study of discernment on a sound theology of the Holy Spirit, a psychology of human freedom, and practical examples from his and others' experience of the spirits. Built on a life-time of ministry as a spiritual director, supervisor and teacher in spirituality, he believes that discernment of spirits is integral to the ministry of spiritual direction and all forms of pastoral ministry; and that people become more discerning only through growth in inner freedom.
Spiritual directors discover rules for discernment in their own experience of the ways of the spirits in their lives. This has definite parallels for other pastoral ministers and clear implications for the formation programs that prepare them for ministry.
The Eyes of God : Living Discernment by
God’s Spirit permeates all life from the first moment of creation. Response to that Spirit is often compromised by counter spirits, spirits not-of-God, drawing us away from God. This is a book about these different attractions in our lives, their sources, their power to affect our decision making for good or ill. It is a book about human freedom and human limitation, about the need to acknowledge the unconscious places of unfreedom in our lives, and about the quest for inner freedom and wholeness for the sake of discerning choices that are life-giving.
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Rites in the Spirit by
Rites in the Spirit is a book about spirituality, ritual, and Pentecostal experience. The volume presents a careful and innovative study of Pentecostal practices and experiences. Focusing on the very important, but often intriguing worship rites that express the spirituality of Pentecostals, Albrecht discovers that these Pentecostal/charismatic rites and their attending sensibilities also function to shape, nurture, authenticate and even transform the spiritual lives of these Christians. Rites in the Spirit seeks to guide Pentecostals, and the charismatically-inclined, toward self-interpretation and a more nuanced conception of, and a deeper appreciation for, their Pentecostal experience. The volume also aims to make a sometimes exotic spirituality more accessible and understandable to those who have had limited contact with Pentecostal/charismatic forms and expressions.
Practical Theology by
This book is unique in integrating charismatic and empirical perspectives in practical theology, exemplifying both qualitative and quantitative methods of research.
The Holy Spirit As Person and Power by
In just over one hundred years, the Pentecostal-charismatic movement has transformed world Christianity. Noted for their rediscovery of spiritual gifts and commitment to world evangelization, 700 million Pentecostals and charismatics now account for more than 27 percent of the global Christian movement. The Pentecostal-charismatic movement has been more noted for its activism than for theological reflection. But this may be changing. The Holy Spirit as Person and Power challenges traditional theology to take account of what has been disclosed in the dynamism and variety of charismatic experience.The author is a theologically trained practitioner, impacted in midlife by a transforming experience of the Holy Spirit. He has been a hands-on leader in the renewal movement. Now, in his later years, he reflects on the meaning of the grace imparted to the church by the renewing activity of God's Spirit.This is not the work of an enthusiast claiming a new revelation. Rather, the author draws attention to many nuances in the Bible's description of the Spirit that have been overlooked in traditional pneumatology. By relating these insights to Orthodox, Catholic, Protestant, and evangelical theology, he has produced a book with ecumenical implications for all branches of world Christianity.
Pentecostalism, Catholicism, and the Spirit in the World by
This volume's essays are an ecumenical ensemble of the best scholars and leading practitioners in the Pentecostal and Charismatic movements from all four corners of the world. The contributors bring together various denominational perspectives and dialogue for understanding the present momentum of these Spirit movements in the world church. Their diverse methodologies transverse the traditional and new approaches to studying these movements. Pointing the way forward, the authors highlight some of the lessons learned in their scholarly engagement with Spirit movements. These lessons offer significant insight and viewpoints for the academy in the historical analysis of these movements. They also serve as a good guide for pastoral discernment and accompaniment for God's people in their daily lives, as well as for social ministries in the world church. This volume addresses questions of salvation and eschatology, health and healing, prosperity and poverty, suffering and death, fear and faith, despair and hope. Other topics include the conflict between charism and institution and the tension between cultic clericalism and the affirmation and use of the gifts and talents of lay members of Christ's faithful in the church.
St. Sergius and Russian Spirituality by
By bringing the Orthodox spiritual tradition to the forests of the north, this remarkable fourteenth-century saint made Russia's period of political recovery also a period of spiritual renewal. Few have left such a powerful impression on a nation's history. 90 photos.
The way of a pilgrim by
This enduring work of Russian spirituality has charmed countless people with its tale of a nineteenth-century peasant's quest for the secret of prayer. Readers follow this anonymous pilgrim as he treks over the Steppes in search of the answer to the one compelling question: How does one pray constantly' Through his journeys, and under the tutelage of a spiritual father, he becomes gradually more open to the promptings of God, and sees joy and plenty wherever he goes. Ultimately, he discovers the different meanings and methods of prayer as he travels to his ultimate destination, Jerusalem. The Way of a Pilgrim is a humble story ripe for renewed appreciation today.
The Darkness of God by
For the medieval mystical tradition, the Christian soul meets God in a 'cloud of unknowing', a divine darkness of ignorance. This meeting with God is beyond all knowing and beyond all experiencing. Mysticisms of the modern period, on the contrary, place 'mystical experience' at the centre, and contemporary readers are inclined to misunderstand the medieval tradition in 'experientialist' terms. Denys Turner argues that the distinctiveness and contemporary relevance of medieval mysticism lies precisely in its rejection of 'mystical experience', and locates the mystical firmly within the grasp of the ordinary and the everyday. The argument covers some central authorities in the period from Augustine to John of the Cross.
The Holy Longing by
Channeling the deep, mysterious desires of our hearts, Ronald Rolheiser leads readers from restlessness to peace, showing a contemporary path to authentic and healthy spiritual life--now featuring a new reader's guide! In The Holy Longing, Ronald Rolheiser probes the question "What is spirituality?", cutting through the misunderstanding and confusion that can often surround this subject with his trademark clarity. Using examples and stories relevant for today, and with great sensitivity to modern challenges to religious faith, he explains the essentials of spiritual life, including the importance of community worship, the imperatives surrounding social action, and the centrality of the Incarnation, to outline a Christian spirituality that reflects the yearning and search for meaning at the core of the human experience. Essential reading for anyone seeking to understand what Christian spirituality means and how to apply it to their own lives, The Holy Longing translates the universal struggle for love and integration of spirit into a language accessible to all, explaining God and the Church for a world that more often than not doubts the credibility of both.
Mysticism by
Classic study by noted authority provides accessible introduction to mysticism and its relation to metaphysics, psychology, theology, magic, and symbolism. Also, detailed study of mystical consciousness: awakening of the self, purification of the self, voices and visions, ecstasy and rapture, dark night of the soul, much more.
Paths in Spirituality by
his splendid book from an Anglican professor of divinity reveals the fruitful tension between "horizontal' outgoing Christianity and the perennial human need for a spirituality drawing on the rich resources of the Christian tradition, firmly based on the eucharist. It should help all of us to see and preserve the richness of our heritage ... Dr Macquarrie reassesses traditional Christian prayer and worship and takes as his thesis that a "fully human, fully personal being is one in whom the religious dimension has been developed" ' (Catholic Herald). The basic theme throughout is the contention that Christian spirituality is composed of three elements - doctrine, worship and deed: theology, prayer and action; and that the lack of any or the over-emphasis of any at the expense of the rest, inevitably involves a distorted spirituality and in the end a false religion ... Very highly recommended' (Church Times). This second edition has been revised and updated where necessary, and three new chapters have been added, on 'Eucharistic Sacrifice', 'Confession and Absolution', and 'Rest and Restlessness in Christian Spirituality'.
Spiritual Theology by
Often spirituality today is isolated from church teaching and doctrine, as in Joseph Campbell's treatment of myth and the many forms of New Age theologies, but doctrine apart from the life of prayer is abstract and sterile. In Spiritual Theology Allen turns to the great teachers of the past--the church fathers, Augustine, Maximus the Confessor, Bonaventure, Hugh of St. Victor, Calvin and Luther, George Herbert--to recover a spirituality that is rich with the doctrines and disciplines of theology. Allen covers the great questions of the spiritual life: what is the Christian goal? what leads us toward that goal, and what hinders us? what is conversion? how can we discern our progress in the spiritual life? what are the fruits of the Spirit? A second purpose of the book is to introduce readers to the disciplines and texts of the threefold way, found in the eastern church from the fourth century on. Allen writes simply and clearly of the active life and the development of virtue, and the contemplative life, which includes coming to know God through the Book of Nature and the Book of Scripture as well as directly, face to face, which is the domain of mystical theology. This book is a basic and accessible introduction to the classic writings and doctrines of the spiritual life.
The Experience of God by
The Experience of God: An Invitation To Do Theology is an exciting synthesis of topical issues such as experience and God, revelation and history, faith and unbelief. Theology emerges as an exciting adventure available to all.In this revised edition, the author contributes a new preface and uses inclusive language. In addition, at the end he has included questions for discussion and up-to-date suggestions for recommended reading."The chief merit of this book lies in the skillful way in which the author has synthesized the central issues of fundamental theology and has thereby made a valuable contribution to the ongoing debate on the relationship between God, person and experience...[This] should be on the required reading list for introductory courses in theology and religious education."--The Living Light"...an excellent synthesis of various strands of theological thinking today. I recommend it to anyone who is interested in this new experiential approach to theology...."--Irish Theological Quarterly"...it provides a very satisfactory overview of the theology of experience-revelation-faith...."--The Furrow"...a handy text for an introductory theology course."--The Heythrop Journal+
Dance of the Spirit by
Each woman has a special spiritual destiny, as unique and inalienable as the rhythms that govern her life. Maria Harris teaches women how to dance to the music of their own souls and discover the spiritual steps that can transform their lives.
Walking the Path of Christosophia by
A hidden tradition of Christian spirituality has always existed alongside the institution of the Christian church. In the past only a few hardy pilgrims explored the mysteries of the hidden tradition on the "spiritual bypaths," whereas the majority of Christians traveled upon the familiar "highway" represented by the church. However, the challenges of our modern world demand that we explore the riches of Christianity's hidden tradition, and recent discoveries have opened the spiritual bypaths to all dedicated seekers. Walking the Path of ChristoSopia invites you to join in the quest along the nature, feminine, and mystical bypaths of Christian spirituality as it integrates scholarly investigations of the hidden tradition with practical applications to help the contemporary seeker explore these bypaths.
Women's Spirituality by
'Women's Spirituality' is an enlarged and revised edition of the widely used anthology that looks at the spiritual and psychological dimensions of women's lives. Using classical and contemporary texts, the present volume illuminates the way feminist issues find grounding in great spiritual teachers such as Teresa of Avila, John of the Cross, Ignatius Loyola, and Jane de Chantal. Four sections develop the central theme. The first considers contemporary issues: women in ministry, different forms of feminist spirituality, and sexism in the church. The second provides contemporary resources for psychological development. The third gives examples of spiritual development in the biblical, Ignatian, Carmelite, and Salesian traditions. The final section considers new visions of women's spirituality in the present day.
Women in Christian traditions by
Women in Christian Traditions offers a concise and accessible examination of the roles women have played in the construction and practice of Christian traditions, revealing the enormous debt that this major world religion owes to its female followers. It recovers forgotten and obscured moments in church history to help us to realize a richer and fuller understanding of Christianity. This text provides an overview of the complete sweep of Christian history through the lens of feminist scholarship. Yet it also departs from some of the assumptions of that scholarship, raising questions that challenge our thinking about how women have shaped beliefs and practices during two thousand years of church history. Did the emphasis on virginity in the early church empower Christian women? Did the emphasis on marriage during the Reformations of the sixteenth century improve their status? These questions and others have important implications for women in Christianity in particular, and for women in religion in general, since they go to the heart of the human condition. This work examines themes, movements, and events in their historical contexts and locates churchwomen within the broader developments that have been pivotal in the evolution of Christianity. From the earliest disciples to the latest theologians, from the missionaries to the martyrs, women have been instrumental in keeping the faith alive. Women in Christian Traditions shows how they did so.
