Customer Reviews

The Humility of God: A Franciscan Perspective

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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.

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.

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.

It is sad to read devisive reviews that lament change and new patterns of thought. Delio's work breaks new ground in discovering a God of humble love in our midst. This work sets a new direction for Christian life in the twenty-First century. Any Catholic Christian who seriously wants to follow Christ today must follow the path of God's humble love. As the author points out, there is no other way than through the path of the Crucified Christ.

As a Secular (Third Order) Franciscan I snatched this book up- a daring topic boasting a Bonaventure, "Christ Center" Christology broken into easy-to-read chapers. This was my companion for my Summer beach week.

Delio, a reputable scholar and author from a Franciscan order of sisters that is struggling to remain, begins with wonderful Bonaventure philosophy and opens with high expectations. Unfortunately, by the middle of the book, even the novice reader of Christian inspiration can see her extensive backround in scientific evolution and a less than dignified explanation as to why we should not see God as 'father', 'Him' or anything masculine.
Delio takes the opportunity to spout that we need not be Catholics from the Middle Ages, looking for Christ in the tabernacle and dismissing the notion of earth being our "valley of tears" as recited in the Hail Holy Queen. Delio makes it seem that traditional Catholics are stuck in a pre-Copernican world with no sense of Revelation theology.
She pushes the reader to embrace plurality and spirituality of diversified cultures and finding Christ in a "new way". What I read was the same old "whatever you believe is truth if you say it is" approach. It is suggested Catholics do not have a plan for those "billions of non-believers in a 15 billion year old world" as if Dominus Iesus was never written for the faithful and Catholics cannot embrace science as a gift from God through man.
I wanted a rereat companion with Francsican Christology but found antagonistic overtones throughout. Buyers are better served with a "Franciscan perspective" from writers like FR.Murray Bodo,OFM & Susan St Sing. Delio's "why does God let bad things to happen" can be answered succintly and warmly with Groeschel's "Why Do We Believe" or "Healing the Original Wound".
If you are a student of Francis and in step with the magisterium, save your time here. If not- know it is well written, well cited and boasts strong academic credentials.