The Humility of God: A Franciscan Perspective [Paperback]

Ilia Delio (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 30, 2005

The humility of God is really about God s relationship to the world and God s fidelity to the world, even when everything in the world seems to fail. from the Introduction

Here, as in her previous work, Sister Ilia builds on her outstanding command of the scholarship about the work of Bonaventure which has developed so remarkably in the twentieth century. Together with this she brings her personal knowledge and experience of contemporary scientific understandings of the cosmos. In a style that is preeminently readable, she offers insights into issues and problems that are widespread in the present period of Christian history. Sister Ilia has taken on these monumental issues and has opened insights, which can be helpful to many who take their Christian faith seriously. From the Preface by Zachary Hayes, O.F.M.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

ILIA DELIO, O.S.F., is a Franciscan sister. She is associate professor of ecclesiastical history and director of spirituality studies at the Washington Theological Union in Washington, D.C. She is the author of Franciscan Prayer (St. Anthony Messenger Press), Crucified Love: Bonaventure s Mysticism of the Crucified Christ (Franciscan Press) and Simply Bonaventure: An Introduction to his Life: Thought and Writings (New City Press).

Product Details

• Paperback: 180 pages
• Publisher: St. Anthony Messenger Press (June 30, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0867166754
• ISBN-13: 978-0867166750
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.5 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #506,177 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

28 of 29 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars God Bends Over Us in Love, October 4, 2005

By 

Carol Blank (USA) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: The Humility of God: A Franciscan Perspective (Paperback)

Delio, a Franciscan sister and associate professor of ecclesiastical history at the Washington Theological Union, begins this rich, scholarly work by addressing the theology of the humility of God from the Franciscan perspective. She calls on the works of scholars from the 13th to the 21st centuries including Francis of Assisi and his follower Bonaventure of Bagnoregio, Duns Scotus, Thomas Merton, and Pierre Teilhard de Chardin.

In the opening chapter Delio explains that Bonaventure viewed Christ less as a remedy for sin and more as the goal and center of the universe, and that the Incarnation is not about sin but about the love of God. She writes, "The fullness of the mystery of Christ is completed in humanity; thus it depends on us human beings and our participation in the mystery of Christ... God bends over in love for us through the Word Incarnate."

Delio uses this image of God bending over us in love as she looks at three concerns: the place of God in an evolutionary universe, the role of God in a suffering world, and God's humility in a world of pluralism and difference. In discussing the importance of living in relation to Christ, Delio reminds us that for Francis, Christian life meant active engagement and attention to "the humility of God who hides in ordinary fragile human flesh, tiny creatures, and the natural elements of creation."

Reflection questions at the end of each chapter help groups and individual readers to digest the material and bring it to bear on their own lives. An index and extensive bibliography are also included.

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Comprehensive, Insightful Exploration of Humility, March 3, 2006

By 

Aimee Thor "Aimee Thor" (Xenia, Ohio) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Humility of God: A Franciscan Perspective (Paperback)

Humility is certainly never a popular topic because most mortals are not given to its practice. Delio leads us through the complex beauties that emerge when humility is present in even one human being-amazing things take place. God works in the humble, and rejects the proud. This book shows us why, and how His preference for humble folk accomplishes His will.

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Our Humble God, June 7, 2007

By 

Joe McKay (Australia) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Humility of God: A Franciscan Perspective (Paperback)

Ilia Delio's book provides a good insight into a Christian spirituality that places God as squarely on and by our side today. This is a good book for someone to relook or even reignite their Christian faith. Good scholarship but written for everyone.

While it comes from a Catholic and Franciscan perspective this book clearly looks through the franciscan tradition of focusing on the Christ of the Gospel making it useful for Christians of every domination.

A good book to give someone who is on a spiritual journey.