Meditations on the Heart of God (Christian Classics) [Paperback]

Francois Fenelon (Author), Robert J. Edmonson (Translator)

Book Description

Series: Christian Classics | Publication Date: April 1, 1997

For three centuries men and women have found consolation in the wisdom and counsel of Francois Fenelon. This modern English translation of his meditations on how to seek God in the midst of the affairs of everyday life, will comfort and encourage all who desire to know His heart.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Written in the 17th century for friends in the court of Louis XIV, Fenelo n's letters of spiritual counsel captivated Thomas Merton and thousands of seekers in every centur y since. Fenelon is a collection of fragments of Fenelon's original letters that were passed am ong the faithful of his time. Never before available in English for the non-specialist general reader, the Paraclete Press edition has arranged this material in the form of scriptural meditations for anyo ne who is seeking to grow closer to God. Fenelon offers sage advice on how to find the keys to true devotion and peace. His inspirational meditations encourage the reader to seek God's kingdom, red eem lost time, be merciful to others, and look for answers to the tough questions of faith. Fenelon is a timeless Christian classic. -- Midwest Book Review

Language Notes

Text: English (translation)
Original Language: French

Product Details

• Paperback: 170 pages
• Publisher: Paraclete Press (April 1, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1557251819
• ISBN-13: 978-1557251817
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 5.4 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #864,945 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

23 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Book To Keep and Use For A Lifetime, July 4, 2000

By 

Karen Lowe (Lafayette, CA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Meditations on the Heart of God (Christian Classics) (Paperback)

This book will be very helpful to anyone with a desire to strengthen their relationship with God and to know His heart in every situation. The meditations are scripturally based and well balanced. They offer comfort, encouragment and challenge for daily living. I especially appreciated the introduction which gave a synopsis of Fenelon's life and the political and social climate in which he lived. For me, it gave an additional depth to his work. It is easy to see why his writings are as relevant today as they were almost 300 years ago. I highly recommend this book for anyone who would like to grow in their familiarity with the heart of God and to see His hand in all aspects of their daily lives.

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Theologian with Insights Ahead of His Time, January 29, 2002

By 

JON STRICKLAND "Jon Strickland" (Smithfield, NC United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Meditations on the Heart of God (Christian Classics) (Paperback)

I have found Fenelon's spiritual insights to be quite
exceptional. Though most of his works are at least two and a half centuries old, they seem so relevant to current Christians who seek spiritual guidance. It is often interesting to compare and contrast his views with those of contemporary ministries. For instance, Fenelon has conducted expositions on taking up one's cross that I think stifle the logic expressed by many of today's clergymen.

Just as C.S. Lewis espoused how forgiveness should not start with the Gestapo but with more basic contentions, Fenelon upheld that to take up one's cross does not begin with threats to physical safety or health as many twentieth-century theologians have asserted. He wrote that taking up one's cross meant the following: to live in humility and not be proud, to deny the world's wisdom and to accept God's counsel, and to never seek worldly advancement, for only by obeying God can we obtain the highest places. In essence, Fenelon has established that only by following God's advice at the expense of denying ourselves the world's delights that are not compatible with Scripture can we take up our crosses.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Book To Keep and Use For A Lifetime, July 4, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Meditations on the Heart of God (Christian Classics) (Paperback)

This book will be very helpful to anyone with a desire to strengthen their relationship with God and know His heart in every situation. The meditations are scripturally based and well balanced. They offer comfort, encouragment and challenge for daily living. I especially appreciated the introduction which gave a synopsis of Fenelon's life and the political and social climate in which he lived. For me, it gave an additional depth to his work. It is easy to see why his writings are as relevant today as they were almost 300 years ago. I highly recommend this book to anyone who would like to know God's heart and see God's hand in all aspects of their daily lives.