The Study of Spirituality [Paperback]

Cheslyn Jones (Author), Geoffrey Wainwright (Author), Edward Yarnold (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 11, 1986 | ISBN-10: 0195041704 | ISBN-13: 978-0195041705

Written by contributors representing the Anglican, Roman Catholic, Free Church, and Orthodox traditions, this collection examines the nature and form of individual Christian devotion throughout the centuries.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Excellent!"--Amos Yong, Portland State University

"The only adequate, affordable, and succinct one-volume introduction to the history of Christian spirituality."--Critical Review

"This book is a major contribution to our understanding and appreciation of spirituality. Its great value is in bringing so much material together in one volume and thereby making it accessible not only to libraries but to individuals."-- Lutheran Quarterly

"For anyone coming fresh to the subject of spirituality, this book is a useful guide, and to those already familiar with the theme it offers valuable information on bibliographies. The Study of Spirituality is an asset for anyone interested in the fertile ground of this spiritual heritage."--The Journal of Religion

"Excellent summary and analysis of both movements in the history of spirituality and thoughts of individual writers. There is no other book which so aptly and adequately deals with the broad scope of the subject matter. Excellent guide for both teacher and students."--Rosemary Rader, St. Johns University

"A remarkable volume, unique in its combination of source material, commentary, research apparatus....Both comprehensive and readable."--George P. Alcser, Marygrove College

"A comprehensive and factual (as opposed to pious) overview of spirituality....Much needed as a basic reference text for graduate students....Fine choice of contributors--the peritii in their area."--Michael W. Cooper, SJ, STD, Loyola University of Chicago

"An extraordinarily comprehensive volume..."--Rev. James L. Heft, SM, University of Dayton

"In addition to the superbly edited selections, I find the critical apparatus and the selected bibliographies excellent guides to a fascinating study."--J. Rodney Fulcher, High Point College

"Clearly the best one-volume history of Christian spirituality on the market today. Its wide range of first-rate authorities, its rich bibliographies, and its direct, clear approach to outlining its subjects make it thoroughly reliable as a reference tool, and extremely useful as an introduction to the spiritual doctrines and practices of any given period. Its quality is even higher than the same editors' previous volume, The Study of Liturgy."--Brian E. Daley, SJ, Weston School of Theology

About the Author

Cheslyn Jones is at Pusey House, Oxford. Geoffrey Wainwright is at Duke University.

Product Details

• Paperback: 656 pages
• Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA (December 11, 1986)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0195041704
• ISBN-13: 978-0195041705
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.5 x 1.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #724,406 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Spirituality; people, themes, and traditions in space & time, December 17, 2004

By 

Didaskalex "Eusebius Alexandrinus" (Kellia on Calvary, Carolina, USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: The Study of Spirituality (Paperback)

"God is spirit,and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth," John 4:24

Spirituality:

Why read a Study of spirituality? For many obvious reasons, out of religious curiosity, or even 'esoteric speculation'. Spirituality is a word that means many things to many people, with whom we all share the need for the Divine touch that gives the mystical meaning for our lives, though 'Mystical' is more problematic to define!

Spirituality: These are some cyberspace responses; 'How connecting with Spirit improves lives and the world'; 'Advanced or just starting, there is something here for you to learn'; 'Supports your spiritual growth no matter what your path is.', and 'Make the deepest possible spiritual connection through Infinite Being.'

Herein after is what you really need to read, venture, enjoy, and share with an informed, enlightened, and diversified roaster of contributors, yet united in their Christian belief.

Book & Study Review:

A comprehensive concise study guide of Christian spirituality, in space and time, its theology, Biblical and philosophical roots and history, from the early fathers to our world of modern times. This outstanding study is an enormous editorial effort, to coordinate the privileged spiritual knowledge of some sixty experts from various traditions. The orderly and logical progress in three parts includes a fairly concise treatment of pastoral spirituality, with an epilogue by Geoffrey Wainwright culminating a radical orthodoxy of Christ contra Mondum, in Athanasian terminology and spiritual theology. The smoothly flowing compilation of essays by participating authors relates their scholarly as well as personal convictions with reference to milestones of spirituality: Origen, the Desert Fathers, Pseudo-Dionysius, and his Syriac contemporaries and European disciples, a good bibliography follows for each chapter. The writings are in clear plain English, yet quietly stimulating. Starting with a variety of devotional aspects of theology of spirituality reviews liturgical, mystical, and personal practices, amended with social milieu and media impacts.

This excellent treatise although invaluable reference for scholars, is creatively inspiring for the lay as well as students and seminarians. Relatively elaborating and concise on most major issues, it touches the lives of the readers through those who imitated their only master , the Christ. One Amazon.com reviewer has felt and wrote; "I thought that it was a bit dry and sometimes hard to read through. There were also some selections that I thought were unnecessary while I found myself wishing that others had been included"

Contributing Writers & Editors:

The great success in spite of the resultant editorial burden, follows the thoughtful selection of the study surveyed topics, lies with the selection of some of the most qualified 'peritos' of which I need to mention a few; Sebastian Brock, Andrew Louth, Alexander Schmemann, Benedicta Ward, Kalistos Ware, and the contributing editors themselves.

The editors who took over the hard task are well known to those who encountered them in their first project; "The Study of Liturgy." When I first read Wainwright's "Doxology," I was amazed how Catholically Orthodox are the expressions of devotion of this Methodist Pastor and teacher, likewise Jones and Yarnolds will amaze you again.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent, comprehensive, deep, but fascinating read., November 4, 1999

By 

Denise (Jade) Greene (Bisbee, AZ) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Study of Spirituality (Paperback)

If you need a comprehensive overview of spirituality throughout the world, especially with an in-depth treatise of the practice of spirituality in the Judaeo-Christian tradition, this book is a must! It is a compilation of essays by many authors with a detailed bibilography for each chapter. The writing is clear and deeply stimulating. It is, of course, theological in nature, but excellent for the lay person as well as clergy.

4 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars it's been done better elsewhere, May 26, 2001

By 

Ward Mesick (Bear, DE) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Study of Spirituality (Paperback)

this was a worthwhile book to have, it hits on most major points in the lives of the subjects and does a decent job but i thought that it was a bit dry and sometimes hard to read through. there were also some selections that i thought were unnecessary while i found myself wishing that others had been included. but overall it is a good book to have on the shelf and nothing is poorly done so it gets three stars from me. but i would recommend 'invitation to christian spirituallity' by john r tyson. i'm probably biased because he was one of my professors but i still just feel that it is better written.