Spiritual Progress: Becoming the Christian You Want to Be [Hardcover]

Thomas D. Williams (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 13, 2007

From the NBC consultant on Vatican Affairs comes an inspiring book that challenges readers to follow Jesus and discover the rich adventure of the Christian faith. Thomas D. Williams draws on the vast knowledge he's gained from his own spiritual journey to inspire others in the pursuit of progress. Through his writing, readers will begin to:

• Understand holiness as the true meaning of life
• See prayer not as a duty, but as an opportunity for conversation with God
• Take courage from God's strength
• Acknowledge their roles in a story larger than themselves
• Learn never to say no to God
• Develop the spiritual disciplines that will ignite an adventurous and exciting relationship with God.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Written by a Catholic priest who is the Vatican analyst for NBC News, this primer on the spiritual life is geared to "beginners in the broadest sense"—those just embarking on a religious path as well as readers in need of a refresher. Williams emphasizes the practical aspects of maintaining and growing in a relationship with God, covering such areas as discerning God's will, prayer and impediments to spiritual work. He illustrates his points with brief excerpts from writers like Jean-Pierre de Caussade and John Henry Newman, but his primary source is scripture, giving the book a broad appeal. Thomas touches on specific Catholic practices, such as the sacraments and the role of Mary and the saints in the spiritual life, but he does so by offering sound, simple definitions that explain rather than defend. Readers who are more advanced in the spiritual life may find his opening chapters elementary, but they are written for those who lack the spiritual formation presupposed by the authors of traditional spiritual manuals. Most helpful to anyone with more experience in the spiritual life will be the chapters on spiritual direction ("Your Own Personal Trainer") and the spiritual program, a structured, written plan outlining ideals, goals, obstacles and means of achieving objectives. (Feb. 13)
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Review

"This astonishing book will be eagerly read by people who want to be serious Christians. The author's invitation to life abundant is winsome, lucid, informed, wise, and utterly persuasive." --Richard John Neuhaus

"What a wonderful book for Christians of all denominations! The warmth and depth Thomas Williams brings to his broadcast ministry come alive on every page. This book will change lives." --Keith Hernandez, former New York Mets all-star

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 288 pages
• Publisher: FaithWords (February 13, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0446580546
• ISBN-13: 978-0446580540
• Product Dimensions: 6.4 x 0.9 x 9.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (26 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #335,248 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Father Thomas D. Williams, LC, ThD, is an American Moral Theologian living in Rome. He teaches Ethics and Catholic Social Doctrine at the Regina Apostolorum Pontifical Athenaeum, and has served as Vatican Analyst for NBC News, CBS News, and Sky News in the UK.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

34 of 40 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great!, March 4, 2007

By 

Cheryl Craig (Fort Worth, Texas United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Spiritual Progress: Becoming the Christian You Want to Be (Hardcover)

I have over 300 spiritual books in my library. This is the book I have been searching for! It has basic, down to earth, easy to understand principles. The first chapter is about what Holiness Is and IS NOT. It revealed many spiritual insights to me in that first chapter. I'm not through reading it yet, but I have alreay marked up the pages as I go! It is a must read!

9 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Williams's guidebook of the Christian life is sprinkled with biblical stories and quotes, June 6, 2007

By 

FaithfulReader.com (New York, New York) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Spiritual Progress: Becoming the Christian You Want to Be (Hardcover)

Thomas D. Williams may be a familiar face to readers, as a consultant on Vatican affairs for NBC News and MSNBC. The book jacket shows an attractive face as well, a fact highlighted in his book's press release, where he's called a "handsome young priest" --- bringing to mind "Father What-a-Waste" from the 1980s humorous bestseller GROWING UP CATHOLIC. Actually in the course of his new book, Williams reveals that he's solidly middle aged, but you might not know this from viewing the book cover or seeing his media spots. Professionally, Williams is dean of theology at the Regina Apostolorum Pontifical University in Rome --- a school one hopes is as impressive as its long name.

Williams says that SPIRITUAL PROGRESS is "for beginners...in the broadest sense": those newly interested in spiritual growth; those "for whom starting over and over again has become something of a profession"; those who want to return after wandering for years. "In short, it is for anyone willing to take seriously Jesus' words: 'Unless you change and become like little children, you shall never enter the kingdom of heaven.'" By "spiritual progress" or growth, Williams clearly means "Christian growth"; his theological reflection and world view is grounded in biblical exposition.

In the introduction, Williams delineates differences among categories of Christian books: self-help books, books of "devotional reading" and spiritual manuals, explaining that his current book is a spiritual "guidebook" that "helps chart a course" that the reader personally walks. This isn't about sitting in church; it's about loving God and neighbor and becoming Christlike.

As a guidebook, SPIRITUAL PROGRESS is very well organized and easy to follow. Internal chapter outlines lay out, for example, five "characteristics of Christ love"; five "fruits of prayer"; four categories of prayer (in terms of content, not posture); three false notions of humility; three "enemies of holiness"; and two dimensions of God's will. And there seems to be intentionality in the straightforward writing style. This is an author schooled in sound-bite communication. "Remember that the goal of the spiritual life is not personal perfection but love of God and neighbor."

Williams's guidebook of the Christian life is sprinkled with biblical stories and quotes but rarely with anecdotes that give any insight into his personal life in Rome. (He includes a few childhood anecdotes.) He's teaching the reader and leading you through Christianity 101 --- more than entertaining you.

The book's publisher clearly hopes that this Christian primer will be read and used by Protestant readers. And on most counts, the content --- orthodox in tone --- will suit, though many may disagree on his interpretation of the role and meaning of the Sacraments (he discusses three: Baptism, Reconciliation and the Eucharist). He also has included a chapter ("Honor Thy Mother: What Mary Has to Do with the Christian Life") on the role of Mary as role model, as intercessor and as mother of the church. "Isn't Jesus enough?" Williams asks. "Of course he is enough. But this isn't the question." Again, though Protestants may not agree with his biblical interpretation, Williams has done a great job of explaining Marian issues in a way that would address and answer Protestant perplexities (What's this Mary stuff?) and open dialogue across traditions.

The final chapters of the book give a cogent presentation of spiritual direction, including "three main qualities of a good spiritual director" and "ten qualities of a good spiritual program."

If you want 260 pages of basic principles of Christian living, try this book, which you'll recognize by its cover --- the photo of that "handsome young priest."

--- Reviewed by Evelyn Bence

15 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Terry Polakovic, March 7, 2007

By 

Therese Polakovic - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Spiritual Progress: Becoming the Christian You Want to Be (Hardcover)

Father Williams has written a beautiful book for all of his fellow pilgrims on the spiritual journey. Whether you have just begun or are a veteran traveler, this book has remarkable insights which should be read and referenced time and again. I enjoyed every word of it!