Soul Provider: Spiritual Steps to Limitless Love [Hardcover]

Edward L. Beck (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 16, 2007

This contemporary look at the seventh-century classic The Ladder of Divine Ascent brilliantly illuminates the enduring relevance of centuries-old spiritual concepts.

In The Ladder of Divine Ascent, Saint John Climacus described the thirty steps all seekers must take on the path to spiritual fulfillment. In Soul Provider, Edward L. Beck brings a fresh, modern sensibility to this classic work of Christian literature and its ideas, explaining how they relate to our lives today.

Using real-life stories and experiences and incorporating all of the major religious traditions, Beck shows how the thirty steps lead to a deeper understanding of the ideas that guide our journeys, provide for our souls, and draw us closer to God. Beginning each chapter with an illustrative anecdote, Beck explains the significance of each of the steps, discussing its importance in Christian tradition and offering thoughtful, inspiring ways to incorporate it into present-day spiritual journeys.

Soul Provider explores the connections between “old” spiritual notions and spirituality as it is practiced and expressed in modern culture. As Beck deftly weaves the past and the present, he reveals the true path to the limitless love we all desire.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Starred Review. Sometimes in the quest for a deeper spirituality, we need to be reminded of the basics-the fundamental stepping stones toward spiritual progress throughout life. Beck, a Catholic priest, member of the Passionist religious order, and author of God Underneath, has an extraordinary gift for diving into the Christian spiritual tradition and emerging with profound perspectives and wisdom that speak directly to the heart. For this project, Beck looks to early seventh-century mystic St. John Climacus and his classic work The Ladder of Divine Ascent, and shows, step by step, how these ancient spiritual prescriptions for the good life are just as vital today. A gifted writer and storyteller, Beck delivers straightforward, honest and at times poignant prose, tying his own life experiences in when appropriate. All of the chapters integrate helpful quotations and end with reflection questions to aid readers with their own prayers. Writing about his inspiration for this book, the author states, I was encouraged to face my vices and demons, assured that they didn't have the power to overcome me, and then to move on. Beck conveys similar encouragement through this work, and many people will benefit. (Oct. 16)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Review

Advance Praise for Soul Provider"Father Edward L. Beck's Soul Provider explains the steps of a classic spiritual guidebook in a way that is apt for the modern world and attractive and useful to readers interested in making their lives meaningful. Anyone can apply these instructions about what to give up and what to adopt, whatever their own personal faith, or, indeed, even if they have none. Here is clear evidence of the role religion can play in promoting basic human good qualities such as love, compassion, tolerance, and forgiveness in the world today."  --His Holiness the Dalai LamaPraise for Unlikely Ways Home“Edward Beck’s book . . . is not about abstract theory but about the concrete lives of real people with real problems. It is hoped Father Beck tells more stories like these.” —Andrew Greeley, New York Times bestselling author“Father Beck has not only written eloquent stories about faith, but life. And the journeys that carry us on so many varied paths toward hope.” —Diane Sawyer, ABC News“Father Beck has assembled a beautiful collection of stories from real people with real problems and real faith.” —The Plain Dealer (Cleveland)



Praise for God Underneath
"A graceful and gracious work of self-revelation and spiritual wisdom." -Los Angeles Times"Edward Beck is one heck of a writer, and this gem of a book is not to be missed...you will not be able to put this book down." -Dallas Morning News

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 304 pages
• Publisher: Doubleday Religion (October 16, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0385515529
• ISBN-13: 978-0385515528
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.9 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,179,902 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Soul Provider really provides for the soul !, December 4, 2007

By 

Roseann Aliano (West New York) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Soul Provider: Spiritual Steps to Limitless Love (Hardcover)

If you've been searching for a way to deepen your connection with God, and are uncertain about how to begin. Read this book.
In Soul Provider Father Beck takes you step by step in your spiritual journey by exploring the virtues and vices that we can all relate to as human beings. He bases his book on a traditional 30 step work by St. John Climacus which he updates into modern terms that people of all faiths and backgrounds can appreciate.
By sharing his own personal experiences, and the real life stories of the people he's met, Father Beck helps us to see how our relationships with other people, and how we treat them is essentially the path to God's limitless love.
How refreshing in this "me first" society that we live in to read a book that puts God and neighbor first.
I found this book to be quite cathartic, and growth inspiring to find joy in paths that are good for the soul.
I highly recommend Soul Provider to anyone brave enough to challenge themselves to seek true happiness.

6 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Another great book by Father Beck, October 29, 2007

By 

Karen Duffy (Ormond Beach, FL) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Soul Provider: Spiritual Steps to Limitless Love (Hardcover)

I purchased "Soul Provider" solely (no pun intended) on the basis of reading Father Beck's two earlier books, God Underneath and Unlikely Ways Home, both which I heartily recommend.

The real life examples he uses to illustrate the 30 steps are sometimes poignant, sometimes downright hilarious, but are always relevant.

Thanks, Father Beck, for yet another wonderful, inspirational book.

5 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Soul Provider nourishes the spirit, December 17, 2007

By 

Eleanor M. Gibeau "ellie" (Sarasota, FL) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Soul Provider: Spiritual Steps to Limitless Love (Hardcover)

I had the pleasure of hearing Fr. Beck several times when he was a guest priest at St. Thomas More church in Sarasota, Fl. I have also read his earlier books. What I come away with is how genuine and real he is. His stories and his humor bring life to wonderful spiritual wisdom.

Soul Provider is practical and helpful in putting this wisdom to use. I will read this book often and I have given it as gifts because it "says it all".