- 220 pages
- English
- ePUB (mobile friendly)
- Available on iOS & Android
About this book
In a culture intrigued by various forms of "spirituality," this study invites readers to explore the deep, historically rooted resources of the Christian spiritual classics. It is an invitation to seek the transformative presence of God - the kingdom of God within our hearts - through the spiritual classics. These classics, formed in the matrix of meditation on Scripture, are like road maps that provide invaluable wisdom and guidance for the spiritual journey.Illustrating the importance of theologically grounded spirituality, A Luminous Life draws from Catholic, Orthodox, and Protestant classics that stem from rich trinitarian and christological reflection. This book explores key themes in the spiritual classics, including biblical images and historical models of spiritual development, prayer, fasting, solitude and community, the cross and suffering, the desert, spiritual direction, and contemplation and action. This study seeks to bridge the academic and ecclesial, demonstrating that the life of the mind and life in the Spirit are unified, that theological reflection and spiritual formation go together. Considering exemplary writings from diverse traditions, such as the Desert Fathers, Maximus the Confessor, Teresa of Avila, and John Calvin, A Luminous Life draws readers into worshipful reflection on God and formation in Christ. The book concludes with the encouragement to ongoing, prayerful study of the spiritual classics: as fuel for the luminous life.
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Information
Table of contents
- Title Page
- Chapter 1: Invitation to a Luminous Life
- Chapter 2: Biblical Images of the Spiritual Life
- Chapter 3: Historical Models of Spiritual Development
- Chapter 4: Theologically Grounded Spirituality
- Chapter 5: Prayer: The Mother of Spiritual Virtues
- Chapter 6: Fasting: Self-Denial for a Greater Good
- Chapter 7: Solitude and Community: Retreat to Re-Engage
- Chapter 8: Cataphatic and Apophatic Spirituality: The Positive and Negative Ways
- Chapter 9: The Cross: Suffering and the Crucified Life
- Chapter 10: The Desert: Seasons of Dryness, Death, and New Life
- Chapter 11: Spiritual Mothers and Fathers: Spiritual Guides, Spiritual Direction
- Chapter 12: Service: Contemplatives in Action
- Bibliography
- Acknowledgements