by: Kenneth J. Collins

• Format

  Paperback

  ISBN

  9780801022333

  Dimensions

  5.875 x 8.875

  Pub. Date

  Oct 2000

  SRP

  $36.00

  Carton Quantity

  15

  Number of pages

  400

  Buy

About

"A valuable resource for graduate students in Christian spirituality, initiating them into the current discussion in the field and acquainting them with some of the major contributors to that discussion."--Sandra M. Schneiders, Jesuit School of Theology

A renewed interest in spirituality is sweeping the world, but the term "spirituality" can encompass everything from Protestant evangelistic fervor to New Age mysticism. Exploring Christian Spirituality seeks to identify what is distinctive about Christian spirituality.

In this collection of twenty-four essays, Roman Catholic, Orthodox, Lutheran, Reformed, Anglican, and Methodist writers describe the unique forms of spirituality that have emerged from their traditions. Other essays show how theology can inform spirituality and how the doctrine of the Trinity gives Christian spirituality its unique character. Additional topics explored are the role of Scripture in shaping Christian spirituality and the feminist perspective on spirituality.

Endorsements

"Spiritual formation is claiming the mind of multitudes. Unfortunately little definition and content have been available to give direction to this interest. Christian teachers and pastors must take responsibility for directing earnest seekers. A generic spirituality is not adequate. Here, in one volume, is an expansive introduction and description unlike anything I have seen. It is a source book any serious student will treasure."--Dr. Maxie D. Dunnam, president, Asbury Theological Seminary

"In an era of exploding spirituality, one of the critical needs is perspective. Exploring Christian Spirituality: An Ecumenical Reader edited by Kenneth J. Collins provides a quality resource. It offers balance, breadth, perspective, and numerous helpful insights."--Ben C. Johnson, professor of Christian spirituality, Columbia Theological Seminary

"When I first saw the title of Exploring Christian Spirituality: An Ecumenical Reader, I thought, 'Oh, no! Not another symposium on an overworked subject!' After reading the collection from beginning to end, however, I've had to change my mind. Ken Collins has put at our disposal some of the best contributions to the current debate about spirituality in both church and academy. It's a book you will want to have if you are exploring how to define spirituality, what it looks like in different traditions, and how it relates to theology, scripture, and feminism. Excellent for advance classroom use."--E. Glenn Hinson, retired professor of spirituality and John Loftis Professor of Church History, Southern Baptist Theological Seminary

"Exploring Christian Spirituality will be a valuable resource for graduate students in Christian Spirituality, initiating them into the current discussion in the field and acquainting them with some of the major contributors to that discussion."--Sandra M. Schneiders Jesuit School of Theology

"Exploring Christian Spirituality: An Ecumenical Reader is a fine piece of work that fills a needed gap in the contemporary exploration of spirituality. Collins has collected together a series of key essays which explore crucial issues in enlightening ways. This collection is a superb starting point for a thoughtful reflection on the nature of spiritual experience. Such an analysis is vital in this day and age when so many people are fascinated by spirituality yet unconnected to any spiritual tradition. These articles connect heart to head, experience to thought. I am most impressed by the wide range of authors, the ecumenical character of the reflection, the nuanced analysis, and the wide range of subjects considered. I suspect this book will be widely used."--Richard V. Peace, Robert Boyd Munger Professor of Evangelism and Spiritual Formation, Fuller Theological Seminary

"In the contemporary confusion about the meaning and purpose of 'spirituality' today, this is a very welcome reader. It sets out with clarity, comprehension, and scholarly editorial guidance a wide range of well-selected historical, theological, and cultural selections to appreciate the complexity and importance of 'Christian Spirituality.' It will provide a much needed textbook for those teaching the subject in seminary and college courses. It provides to all thoughtful Christians a personal challenge of the multidimensional nature of the Christian faith, whose integration is needed more than ever. Implicitly, it challenges us all to face the rich historical heritage, as well as the contemporary complexity of expressing our Christian faith. Thus it is a book that will have lasting value and be an important work to consult constantly and thus to possess personally. The editor is to be congratulated for this excellent reference work."--James M. Houston, Board of Governors' Professor of Spiritual Theology, Regent College

Reviews

"Collins has provided a rich resource in the study of spirituality. The grounding of the exploration of spirituality in history, etymology, and the ecclesiastical tradition and in the biblical text serves to reclaim it from subjective contemporary notions that color much of today's writing on the subject."--Israel Galindo, Review and Expository

"Readers looking for the latest trend in an overly-trendy field should look elsewhere; but if one is seeking a solid presentation of the broad spectrum of Christian spirituality during the past decade, this is a very good place to find it. Highly useful for all college and seminary libraries."--Religious Studies Review

"Anyone who would like to understand more fully the most popular branches of Christian spirituality will welcome the reader which Kenneth Collins has edited. . . . Writers who are both scholarly in their presentation but also, for the most part, living out of the spirituality they describe, have been invited to outline particular approaches. This gives something of that richness of understanding from the inside to which I have already referred. Another significant feature is that the selection is truly ecumenical, presenting orthodox, reformed, Methodist and Anglican spiritualities as well as the perhaps more familiar Catholic ones. . . . Many of the contributions here are also exhaustively annotated, so that readers can follow up particular points of interest."--The Way

"In his 'Introduction,' Collins states that 'the discipline of spirituality is bringing together Christians of various traditions who might not otherwise talk to each other'. That single statement reflects the book's approach and its correlating strengths. The book is a collection of twenty-three essays written by men and women of various backgrounds. Thus, a good balance on the topic of spirituality is maintained throughout. Because the book is written from various points of view, the reader feels at ease when digesting the material. Furthermore, with writers from such a rich Christian history, I found myself being exposed to a few names with which I was unfamiliar. Due to its ecumenical style, this text is an excellent resource that the reader will surely refer to later."--Stone Campbell Journal

"As spirituality once again takes its place in the Christian world, problems of definition and overall approach loom large. Hopefully, solid volumes such as this one will make a substantial contribution to the ongoing dialogue that will enrich the church. Thanks also go to Baker Books for the attractive design and layout of this important volume."--Journal of Psychology and Christianity

"The editor states that he brought together the contributions in Exploring Christian Spirituality in order to 'bring greater clarity and depth to our understanding of spirituality', and he has succeeded. This volume will prove helpful especially to clergy, teachers, and students, but should be generally accessible to anyone."--Tim Vivian, Anglican Theological Review