Devotional Classics: Revised Edition: Selected Readings for Individuals and Groups [Paperback]

Richard J. Foster (Author)

Book Description

Release date: June 28, 2005

A New, Expanded Edition of Renovaré's Classic Companion to the Devotional Life

Updated to incorporate all six traditions, or "streams," that comprise a healthy and holistic life of faith, these fifty–two selections have been organized to introduce the reader to the great devotional writers over the course of one year. Edited by James Bryan Smith, each reading is accompanied by an introduction and meditation by Richard J. Foster. In addition, each entry includes a related biblical passage, discussion questions, and individual and group exercises.

With devotional readings in

1. The Prayer–Filled Life

2. The Virtuous Life

3. The Spirit–Empowered Life

4. The Compassionate Life

5. The Word–Centered Life

6. The Sacramental Life

Foster and Smith sift through works from the great spiritual writers of the past as well as readings from contemporary spiritual leaders to create a guide that is indispensable for those looking for a deeper and more balanced spiritual life.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

Updated to incorporate all six traditions or 'streams' that comprise a healthy and holistic life of faith, these fifty-two selections have been organized to introduce the reader to the great devotional writers through the course of one year. Edited by James Smith, each reading is accompanied by an introduction and meditation by Richard Foster. In addition, each entry also includes a related biblical passage, discussion questions, and individual and group exercises. With devotional readings in: 1) the Prayer-filled life 2) the Virtuous life 3) the Spirit-Empowered life 4) the Compassionate life 5) the Word-centered life 6) the Sacramental life, Foster and Smith sift through the great spiritual writers of the past as well as contemporary readings from some of our new spiritual leaders to form a guide that is indispensable to those looking for a deeper and more balanced spiritual life. Devotional Classics features readings from: Augustine of Hippo, Blaise Pascal, Francis of Assisi, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Julian of Norwich, Martin Luther, Soren Kierkegaard, Annie Dillard, Thomas Merton, Kathleen Norris, Dallas Willard, John Calvin, and many more.

About the Author

Richard J. Foster is the author of several bestselling books, including Celebration of Discipline, Streams of Living Water, Life with God, and Prayer, which was Christianity Today's Book of the Year and the winner of the Gold Medallion Award from the Evangelical Christian Publishers Association. He is the founder of Renovaré, an organization and a movement committed to the renewal of the church of Jesus Christ in all its multifaceted expressions, and the editor of The Life with God Bible.

Product Details

• Paperback: 400 pages
• Publisher: HarperOne; Revised edition (June 28, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0060777508
• ISBN-13: 978-0060777500
• Product Dimensions: 7.4 x 1 x 9.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (60 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #13,624 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #42 in Books > History > World > Religious > Christianity
  • #43 in Books > Christian Books & Bibles > Worship & Devotion > Meditations
  • #50 in Books > Christian Books & Bibles > Church History

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

84 of 85 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Connecting Us to the Full 2,000 Years of Our Heritage August 2, 1998

By J. Stephen Pearson

Format:Paperback

I have been giving this book as a gift to as many people as I can. It is a welcome respite from the devotional books found in most Christian bookstores, whose owners seem to think that nothing of worth was written between the Bible and C.S. Lewis' conversion. As someone raised thoroughly Protestant, I have enjoyed not only an introduction to the more devotion-oriented writings of the great Protestant heavies (Luther, Calvin, Wesley, Edwards, Kierkegaard, Lewis, Bonhoeffer, et al.), and of the best-known pre-Reformation writers (Augustine, Gregory of Nyssa, John Chrysostom, Benedict, St. Bernard, St. Francis, Julian, a Kempis), but also an introduction to the great post-Reformation Catholic writers, either unknown or ignored in most evangelical literature. Writers such as Catherine of Genoa, Brother Lawrence, de Sales, de Caussade, Grou, Fenelon, Pascal, John of the Cross, Merton, and Nouwen have won a special place in my heart, having introduced me to the merits and v! arieties of Catholic traditions. I assume and hope that Catholic readers will have the same experience reading such Protestants as Bunyon, Taylor, Fox, Woolman, Spurgeon, Laubach, and Kelly, to name just a few. The benefits of learning devotion from both traditions have been marvelous -- I feel that my connection to the Church is now based on the full 2,000 years of tradition and testimony. Now when I peruse Christian bookstores, I no longer feel pressured to keep up with the latest additions to the authorial market -- I have plenty of time-tested teachers to read, and re-read, and re-read yet again....

30 of 30 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars An excellent resource June 28, 2000

By K. Stump

Format:Paperback

This is an excellent book for several reasons. First, it is a wonderful collection of 52 different devotional Christian writers from the second century to today. Second, for anyone interested in developing spiritual disciplines the exercises at the end of each chapter are excellent launching pads. Additionally, the book gives succinct biogaphical information about each writer, lending some insight into the readings themselves. And finally, each chapter ends with a brief review of and information on the availability of that writer's works.

22 of 22 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful Guide for Prayer and Growth February 15, 2003

By A Customer

Format:Paperback

I have used this book over the past three years as a weekly devotional. I used it first as a weekly guide for reflection and prayer and now as a guide for a small group study on spiritual formation with each member using it during the week. The 52 brief excerpts from the various Christian writers are perfect for reflection and to broaden perspective. The Reflection Questions and suggested exercises are excellent tools both individually and for the small group. I am a Presbyterian Elder and find it very useful in our small group.

The various studies provide a breadth and depth that few other studies could provide. I have learned through this study the thoughts and guidance from saints throughout Church history. It helps one understand not only what it means to seek God's Will, but also what it means to be a part of the Church Universal.