Biblical Foundations of Spirituality is a timely and important book that invites readers to 'touch a finger to the flame' of the sacred text of the Bible by offering guidance on what to read, how to read, and why to read the Bible as a source of spiritual nourishment. It begins by exploring the nature and meaning of that all-too-difficult word spirituality and then leads readers through the entire Bible--from Genesis to Revelation--to develop a biblical spirituality that can serve as a guiding light in this age of spiritual seeking. Informed by the latest scholarship, this book makes the Bible more intelligible and 'user friendly' for contemporary audiences by stressing the spiritual dimension of the search for God evident in our biblical ancestors and showing how the Bible can be a friend and companion in our search for God today. It illustrates the continuity of the Old and New Testaments and the progression of faith and insight about God--the turns and dead-ends, the mistakes and successes, the struggles and challenges--that reflect in some way our own contemporary experience and search for God. By showing readers that the biblical authors were real people who struggled with life's puzzles and challenges in the same way that we do, Biblical Foundations of Spirituality reveals the rich treasure of spiritual wisdom that the Bible contains and connects the wisdom and witness of Scripture with everyday life and spirituality. Complete with a historical chronology, reflection questions, a glossary, and extensive notes and bibliography, this book is ideal for classroom and parish use as well as for individual readers.
FREE Two-Day Shipping for students on millions of items. Learn more |
| |||||||||||||||
 Sell Back Your Copy for $15.86
Whether you buy it used on Amazon for $19.22 or somewhere else, you can sell it back through our Book Trade-In Program at the current price of $15.86.
Used Price$19.22
Trade-in Price$15.86
Price after
Trade-in$3.36 |
Book Description
Special Offers and Product Promotions
- Buy $50 in qualifying physical textbooks, get $5 in Amazon MP3 Credit. Here's how (restrictions apply)
Frequently Bought Together
Editorial Reviews
Review
In The Biblical Foundations of Spirituality, Barbara Bowe reinterprets the historical-critical study of scripture as an act of love rather than a dry methodology and reminds us that reading and study can open us to the sharp, transforming edge of the word of God. Under her wise and passionate direction, we learn to read our way into greater attentiveness to God and our own humanity. (Stephanie Paulsell )
A marvelous blend of sound biblical scholarship and theological sensitivity in the service of developing a mature spirituality for the 21st century. Barbara Bowe invites us all to read the Bible in new and fresh ways, and draws us into the dynamics of biblical spirituality by her well conceived questions for reflection. She provides 'solid food' for individuals and groups on the journey of faith. (Daniel J. Harrington, S.J. )
Bowe promises us access to a hungry flame, to living water, to a wonderful banquet, to a valued touchstone--all available within the Scriptural tradition. And in this book, she presses into our hands a wonderful sheaf of tickets--memorable characters, visual images, clear advice, pregnant metaphors, relevant experience, wise commentary--that will help us visit these places not just once but many times over. We are in the company of an expert guide. (Barbara Green, OP )
With her remarkable study of biblical spirituality, Barbara Bowe has not only 'touched our fingers to the flame,’ but has exposed us to the smoldering potential of the biblical tradition. Unlike books of this genre which concentrate on one biblical testament, her work encompasses salient themes from both of them. This is not merely a summary of the material, it is a serious yet eminently readable study of it. It captures the essence of the various authors’ thinking, and uncovers its contemporary relevance. The reader will come away from the book with the desire once again to ‘touch a finger to the flame.’ (Bergant, Dianne, CSA )
Integrating sound biblical scholarship with a lively sense that the sacred text can transform, if we would but let it, Barbara Bowe invites us to 'eat the bread of the Word.' Written with both head and heart fully engaged, Biblical Foundations of Spirituality both honors the historical integrity of the Scripture and yet opens up the richness of its narrative so that we might live today into the astonishing reality promised there. (Wendy Wright )
Bowe leads her readers through the Bible like a scribe of the kingdom, bringing from her storeroom insights both new and old--some of them deepen our view of familiar terrain, while others entice us to ask new questions, to imagine surprising perspectives for our spiritual lives. I found her attention to the believer's social location especially helpful. Her journey through the Bible witnesses to God's presence in the ordinariness, heights and depths of our daily lives and challenges. (John C. Endres, S.J. )
[Bowe] has done quite a remarkable job of extracting major insights from the immensely variegated corpus of Hebrew and Christian scriptures and showing how they speak to our present condition. (Christian Century )
The quest for a truly authentic spiritual life is a consuming question for many thoughful people today. This superb book responds to that need. (The Bible Today )
In a style eminently readable, [Bowe] surfaces the meaning of the biblical texts and reveals their breauty and their relevance to persons of all ages. (Catholic Press Association )
Bowe's unique combination of sound biblical scholarship, creativity in identifying components of a sound contemporary spirituality, and clear writing style result in a work that many will find refreshing. (Theological Studies )
A marvelous blend of sound biblical scholarship and theological sensitivity in the service of developing a mature spirituality for the 21st century. Barbara Bowe invites us all to read the Bible in new and fresh ways, and draws us into the dynamics of biblical spirituality by her well conceived questions for reflection. She provides 'solid food' for individuals and groups on the journey of faith. (Daniel J. Harrington, S.J. )
Bowe promises us access to a hungry flame, to living water, to a wonderful banquet, to a valued touchstone--all available within the Scriptural tradition. And in this book, she presses into our hands a wonderful sheaf of tickets--memorable characters, visual images, clear advice, pregnant metaphors, relevant experience, wise commentary--that will help us visit these places not just once but many times over. We are in the company of an expert guide. (Barbara Green, OP )
With her remarkable study of biblical spirituality, Barbara Bowe has not only 'touched our fingers to the flame,’ but has exposed us to the smoldering potential of the biblical tradition. Unlike books of this genre which concentrate on one biblical testament, her work encompasses salient themes from both of them. This is not merely a summary of the material, it is a serious yet eminently readable study of it. It captures the essence of the various authors’ thinking, and uncovers its contemporary relevance. The reader will come away from the book with the desire once again to ‘touch a finger to the flame.’ (Bergant, Dianne, CSA )
Integrating sound biblical scholarship with a lively sense that the sacred text can transform, if we would but let it, Barbara Bowe invites us to 'eat the bread of the Word.' Written with both head and heart fully engaged, Biblical Foundations of Spirituality both honors the historical integrity of the Scripture and yet opens up the richness of its narrative so that we might live today into the astonishing reality promised there. (Wendy Wright )
Bowe leads her readers through the Bible like a scribe of the kingdom, bringing from her storeroom insights both new and old--some of them deepen our view of familiar terrain, while others entice us to ask new questions, to imagine surprising perspectives for our spiritual lives. I found her attention to the believer's social location especially helpful. Her journey through the Bible witnesses to God's presence in the ordinariness, heights and depths of our daily lives and challenges. (John C. Endres, S.J. )
[Bowe] has done quite a remarkable job of extracting major insights from the immensely variegated corpus of Hebrew and Christian scriptures and showing how they speak to our present condition. (Christian Century )
The quest for a truly authentic spiritual life is a consuming question for many thoughful people today. This superb book responds to that need. (The Bible Today )
In a style eminently readable, [Bowe] surfaces the meaning of the biblical texts and reveals their breauty and their relevance to persons of all ages. (Catholic Press Association )
Bowe's unique combination of sound biblical scholarship, creativity in identifying components of a sound contemporary spirituality, and clear writing style result in a work that many will find refreshing. (Theological Studies )
About the Author
Barbara E. Bowe, a Sister of the Sacred Heart, is currently professor of biblical studies at the Catholic Theological Union in Chicago where she teaches courses in New Testament and early Christianity and is Director of the Biblical Spirituality Program. Sr. Bowe earned her B.A. from Manhattanville College in Purchase, NY, and both her Masters and Doctorate degrees New Testament and Christian Origins from Harvard University. She also holds a Masters degree in Religious Education from Boston College. A popular lecturer, Sr. Bowe belongs to several professional associations and is a member of the editorial boards of The Catholic Biblical Quarterly and The Bible Today. Her most recent contribution was to a book Prayer from Alexander to Constantine. A Critical Anthology (Routledge).
Product Details
Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
|
More About the Author
Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.
Customer Reviews
|
Share your thoughts with other customers:
|
||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Beyond Words on a Page,
By Betty Mulloy (Waukesha, WI USA) - See all my reviews
Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)
This review is from: Biblical Foundations of Spirituality; Touching a Finger to the Flame (Paperback)
Early in her book Bowe writes "I learned that the Bible has extraordinary power to shape people's lives--both for good and for ill. Depending on how we read this text, either the biblical word can liberate and console those straining for human dignity or it can be, as Marx once wrote, the 'opium of the people,' lulling people into complacent disregard for this world and its strivings in favor of an undisclosed future world, unrelated to this world and wholly beyond our control."
The the pages that follow, Bowe discusses biblical Christian spirituality and leads us on a journey from Genesis through Revelation, tracing God's covenant relationship with humanity. The relationship is dynamic, mysterious, intimate and revelatory. The words on the page are the reference point for our unique saving and blessing journey with God. We discover how the whole of Scriptures reveal Jesus, the Christ. Chapter Two: God beyond All Names - encourages us to multiply our metaphors as we describe and understand who God is and Chapter Seven: Prophetic Spirituality creates a helpful context in which to read the prophetic books of the Bible. Chapter Nine: That Man Jesus encourages us to look at Jesus as the face of God for us and to live a life marked by forgiveness, healing, compassion, service, justice and agape love, knowing that Jesus is always present with us. This book offers helpful insights into meaningful Christian living in this world with an eye toward eternity. Traces of Catholic theology may stretch the traditional Protestant reformed mindset, but perhaps that brings us to a more critical understanding our own traditions. It is a clear, helpful and worthwhile read.
10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great Level of Detail,
Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)
This review is from: Biblical Foundations of Spirituality; Touching a Finger to the Flame (Paperback)
The book is spiritually satisfying. The author is thorough without being tedious. The level of detail facilitates in-depth understanding of the spirituality found in scripture and is invaluable for anyone who needs to articulate the substance of the material in a teaching situation.
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
enlightening,
By Theresa "Terry" (Pomona CA) - See all my reviews
Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)
This review is from: Biblical Foundations of Spirituality; Touching a Finger to the Flame (Paperback)
This is a very delightful book, easy to read and understand and down to earth. Barbara Bowe makes the words of the Bible come alive. Her reflection questions at the end of the chapters gives one plenty of food for thought. This book was purchased as a textbook for a course in adult spirituality, but I would recommend it to anyone who desires a deeper understanding of the Bible, of one's own spirituality and one's relationship with one's God.
Share your thoughts with other customers: Create your own review
|
|
Tags Customers Associate with This Product(What's this?)Click on a tag to find related items, discussions, and people.
|
Sell a Digital Version of This Book in the Kindle Store
If you are a publisher or author and hold the digital rights to a book, you can sell a digital version of it in our Kindle Store.
Learn more
Customer Discussions
|
This product's forum
Active discussions in related forums
Search Customer Discussions
|
Related forums
|
Listmania!
|
|
