Life of The Beloved: Spiritual Living in a Secular World [Hardcover]

Henri J Nouwen (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 25, 1992

This personal witness to a God who calls us the Beloved is the fruit of a long friendship between journalist-writer Fred Bratman and Heri Nouwen. Here is a ringing affirmation that everyone is loved by God and can enjoy the life of the beloved.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"A beautiful and sensitive book that reaches out to the believer." -- Church and Synagogue Library Association

"Anyone who is searching for the Spirit of God in the world today will benefit from reading it." -- Horizons

"For those unfamiliar with his work, this volume is a wonderful place to begin. Another significant achievement." -- Circuit Rider

"Gentle and searching. This Crossroad book is a spiritual primer for anyone seeking God." -- The Other Side

From the Publisher

"Life of the Beloved" has become Nouwen's most cherished book. He wrote it at the invitation of a friend, who asked him to write something about the depths of spirituality in language that people unfamiliar with theology and scripture could understand. His friends loved the book, and so have readers ever since. The book has sold over 200,000 copies and is a favorite for gift-giving, private inspirational reading, and group reflection. In 2002, The Crossroad Publishing Company is releasing a special new edition of the book, with new cover, to commemorate the book's success.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 120 pages
• Publisher: Crossroad Publishing Company (September 25, 1992)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0824511840
• ISBN-13: 978-0824511845
• Product Dimensions: 7.6 x 5.2 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (69 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #66,029 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #21 in Books > Christian Books & Bibles > Catholicism > Inspirational

More About the Author

Henri Nouwen was born in Holland in 1932 and ordained a Catholic priest in 1957. He obtained his doctorandus in psychology from Nijmegen University in the Netherlands and taught at Notre Dame, Yale, and Harvard. He experienced the monastic life with Trappist monks at the Abbey of the Genesee, lived among the poor in Latin America with the Maryknoll missioners, and was interested and active in numerous causes related to social justice. After a lifetime of seeking, Henri Nouwen finally found his home in Canada, as pastor of L'Arche Daybreak - where people with intellectual disabilities and their caregivers live together in community.

Henri Nouwen wrote over 40 books on spirituality and the spiritual life that have sold millions of copies and been translated into dozens of languages. His vision of spirituality was broad and inclusive, and his compassion embraced all of humankind.

He died in 1996. His work and his spirit live on.

Henri Nouwen pronounced his name "Henry Now-en." For more information on his life and work, please visit www.henrinouwen.org .

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

153 of 158 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Can be Mind Altering, December 30, 2001

By 

Bethany McKinney (Los Angeles, CA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Life of The Beloved: Spiritual Living in a Secular World (Hardcover)

Life of the Beloved is among the final books published by Nouwen, and in that way is kind of a culmination of much of his life and thought and is thought by many to be his "flagship" work. Truly, it doesn't get much better than this. Reading this book as a Christian can be a mind and, hence, life altering experience. It was written to some of Henri's non-Christian friends about how much God loves them (which is certainly true!). And from the way Henri's life consistently pointed towards Jesus and the Gospel, I am sure that his friendship, love, and words to them in conversation were used by God for the good of the hearers. On that note, I would caution using this book alone as something to give to your non-Christian friends; because as Henri used it, it is best backed up by your life, love for your friends, and pointing them towards Jesus in your day to day life, and not as a gift without a relationship.

The book is clear, and ultra-concise (you could probably read it in a day or two); yet, the message, of how to live as the Beloved of God amidst a world where there are lies about your identity at every turn, could not be more fundamental to how a Christian lives their life. I wholeheartedly recommend and in fact strongly encourage all Christians to read this book.

75 of 76 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Word of Joy, January 5, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Life of The Beloved: Spiritual Living in a Secular World (Hardcover)

There is so much in our every day lives that tries to make us believe that we are no good; we do not count; we don't measure up. Many of us have begun to learn those messages as a small child. Henri Nouwen has a way of letting you know that you do matter and are precious in God's sight. In spite of the fact that I have studied theology, I found that when stressed, a feeling of emptiness often overcame me that I could not explain. I knew that God loved me. I knew that God loves everyone. However, that knowledge was in my head. At a continuing education event, a new friend gave me a copy of this book, urging me to "read it soon". The knowledge that I was loved beyond my wildest imagination sank from my head into the rest of me. I felt joy and love like I had never known before. A silly feeling that I wasn't entitled to all that love was quickly dispelled by the knowledge that God has more love for each of us than we can imagine - even when we become overwhelmed and feel "like bottomless pits of human need". What a liberating word of joy that continues to fill my very being. Read it! You'll be glad you did!

56 of 56 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An easy-to-read, yet profound explanation of God's Love, May 31, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Life of The Beloved: Spiritual Living in a Secular World (Hardcover)

Henri Nouwen's Life of the Beloved provides the reader with a look at how we are all blessed, broken, and given in the Name of the Lord. He originally wrote the book for a friend who asked him about God and spirituality. Nouwen provides the reader with an insight into how God's choosing each one of us as His beloved does not necessarily mean anyone is excluded, a paradox which our society fails to understand and thus rejects. A very insightful book, that is very imporant to me in my journey of faith. Nouwen was a Catholic priest, and I recommend his works to all, especially Catholics.