Christian Spirituality: An Introduction (Paperback)

~ (Author) "There has been a remarkable growth in interest in the general area of spirituality in recent years..." (more)
Key Phrases: theological foundations for spirituality, theology dealing, Jesus Christ, New Testament, Old Testament (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review

"This book ably and accurately provides information that will help those unfamiliar with the Christian tradition to engage with classical texts on spirituality." Amy M. Hollywood, Professor of Religion, Dartmouth College, New Hampshire<!--end-->

"This study really is an 'introduction' and is well suited to the needs of undergraduate students in universities, theological colleges, and seminaries. The book will also be useful for adult education courses, and will appeal in addition to a more general readership. There is a need for a reliable, basic, introductory textbook like this that doesn't make too many assumptions about its readers." Philip Sheldrake, Vice-Principal, Sarum College, Salisbury

"I am sure that this book will have a wide readership, particularly among theologians and students of theology. It should also have a wider readership among Christians more generally. Existing works of spirituality often have limited scope and make assumptions about their readers' knowledge. The author's concern to fill gaps and provide adequate explanations and contexts is admirable." Robert Swanson, Reader in Medieval History, University of Birmingham

"[The book's] considerable advantage in accessibility and in the structured ordering of ideas makes it ideal as an undergraduate textbook or a committed interest-reader's introduction. It includes frequent invitations and injunctions to read and explore more deeply. The book is written with superb clarity and very considerable breadth of reference...As a working textbook, this has everything one could wish for: interaction with the reader in the form of suggested tasks and internal cross-references; good management of the interrelationship with theology and clarification of terms; window-box texts; a glossary; a list of websites. For university courses and libraries this is a must. For enquirers it is a scholarly and accessible guide." International Journal of Children's Spirituality

"This book is highly recommended as a college or seminary textbook on the spiritual life or sanctification. In addition, anyone interested in delving into the tradition of Christian spirituality will find this a useful guide." Bibliotheca Sacra

Product Description

This text fills the need for a clear, informative, helpful and well-written introduction to Christian spirituality.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell (September 24, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0631212817
• ISBN-13: 978-0631212812
• Product Dimensions: 9.6 x 6.7 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #399,526 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing!, February 28, 2000

By	Rev. Cory L. Seibel (Chesapeake, Virginia) - See all my reviews

How does he do it! Certainly, this is the question that those of us familiar with the Michael Jordan of theology keep asking ourselves. How does he manage to be so prolific a researcher and writer? How does he consistently communicate truths that would otherwise baffle us in such clear and understandable terms? How does he achieve his inspiring balance between outstanding theological scholarship and fresh, evangelical piety? Certainly, the present text is no exception to the pattern of excellence that characterizes the rest of McGrath's works. This book is precisely what it claims to be: an introduction. However, as with every other "Introduction" McGrath has produced, it serves its purpose with penetrating depth and illuminating breadth. Theological, historical, and practical in its orientation, this text will benefit every reader who desires to ponder the foundations and practice of Christian spirituality. However, I would especially wish to emphasize the usefulness of this text for anyone seeking to explore the relationship between theology and spirituality. Much reflection and inspiration awaits you between the covers of this 204 page treasure from one of our foremost contemporary masters. Don't miss out!

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Solid Introduction, October 13, 2002

By	Steve Jackson "stevejackson100atyahoocom" (New England) - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)

Prof. Alister McGrath is a moderately conservative theologian and an ordained minister of the Church of England. He has written a large number of works, some of which are quite technical and others of a more introductory nature.

This work is - as its name indicates - an introductory study of Christian spirituality (a topic that is often left out of standard texts on theology, for some reason.). I enjoyed the book a lot. In particular, it is well organized. The book starts with a discussion of certain themes and proceeds to develop the. The second portion of this book surveys spirituality from a historical perspective. Prof. McGrath provides brief selections from various writers and then asks questions, encouraging the reader to reflect on the excerpt. Prof. McGrath discusses prayer, Christian living, the church year, and other matters that form the basis of spirituality.

The one problem that I have with the book is that it tries to be a little too ecumenical. For example, when discussing asceticism, he doesn't mention the extremes that many Catholics have taken to deprive themselves of worldly things. Likewise, when discussing Mary and the saints, he simply points out that Protestants reject Roman Catholic practices in this respect. This doesn't exactly clue the reader in on the extent of the controversy.

In spite of a few flaws, this is an excellent introduction.

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Introduction to Christian Spirituality, March 19, 2001

By	Der Iroschotte - See all my reviews

This is the kind of book, I would have liked to read during my academical training. Then I struggled with books full of technical terms, betraying more about the author's wish to be honoured as leading scholar than his will to teach those who were likely to read the book. Even when they were called "Introductions" they always presupposed a certain knowledge of things, that actually they still had to provide. But this book is quite different. It's fantastic as it's predecessor and counterpart "Christian Theology". McGrath offers a clearly written and extremely understandable outline without ever oversimplifying the matter. It's really an Introduction in the strict sense of the word, for it provides information for the beginner. But the well- ordered and clear style even make it a resource for those already familiar with different kinds of Christian Spirituality. What I appreciated most with this book is the wide perspective of the author. Probably such a book could only have been written by an Anglican like McGrath for its ecumenical scope. Where do you ever find John the Damascene, C.S. Lewis, Martin Luther, Augustine, James Packer etc. listed together friendly side by side. Even the delicate question of using images for personal or communal contemplation find a surprising affirmative answer by McGrath who tends to a more reformed- evangelical position himself. It's the positive evaluation of religious, especially Christian religious, enterprise as a signpost to the God of the Bible that permeats the book, which makes the reader feel so comfortable. McGrath needs not renouncing any position but gains a lot of insights from very different standpoints. Were I at university or seminary again, I would be glad to have some reliable but understandable guide in the sometimes so difficult field of theology like this. Not in this setting any longer, I'm still surprised how easy things may be, if great scholars are not too proud to let even the "poor in spirit" see what is there. I recommend this book very much.