Reading the Christian Spiritual Classics

A Guide for Evangelicals

Edited by Jamin Goggin and Kyle C. Strobel

Ebook

Length: 333 pages
Published: May 01, 2013
Imprint: IVP Academic
ISBN: 9780830895496

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2014 Best Book of Spirituality—Academic, from Byron Borger, Hearts and Minds Bookstore

Ever since Richard Foster wrote Celebration of Discipline in 1978, evangelicals have hungered for a deeper and morehistoric spirituality. Many have come to discover the wealth of spiritual insight available in the Desert Fathers, the medieval mystics, German Pietism and other traditions. While these classics have been a source of life-changing renewal for many, still others are wary of these texts and the foreign theological traditions from which they come.The essays in this volume provide a guide for evangelicals to read the Christian spiritual classics. The contributions fall into four sections. The firstthree answer the big questions: why should we read the spiritual classics, what are these classics and how should we read them? The last section brings these questions together into a brief reading guide for each of the major traditions. Each essay not only explores the historical and theological context, but also expounds the appropriate hermeneutical framework and the significance for the church today. Together these essays provide a comprehensive and charitable introduction to the spiritual classics, suitable for both those who already embrace them and those who remain concerned and cautious. Whether you are a newcomer to historic spirituality or a seasoned reader looking to go deeper, you will find this volumeto be a reliable resource for years to come.

REVIEWS

"Collections of essays around a common theme can be a grab bag and too often uneven in quality--both in terms of content and writing style. Happily, the writings found in Reading the Christian Spiritual Classics are uniformly excellent: informative, thorough, well written. This will be a valued collection for evangelicals just encountering the spiritual classics for the first time and a helpful and insightful resource for those already familiar with these rich treasures of the church."

Christopher Hall, Eastern University, associate editor of the Ancient Christian Commentary on Scripture

"Here you have an absolutely unrivaled mapping by experts of the whole church's rich, smorgasbord heritage of Christ-centered, sanctification-focused devotional writing, most of which will be unknown to most of us. What to do with it? Take it as your tour guide and start reading its recommended texts. You will be glad you did, I promise you. Wealth awaits."

J. I. Packer, professor of theology, Regent College

"This collection of essays is in every sense of the word an introduction to the Christian classics for evangelicals. It gives all the right reasons for reading the classics, pointers on how to do it and a handy map to navigate through various genres and traditions. The beginner will not be disappointed while the more advanced may still pick up some useful tips from these seasoned guides."

Simon Chan, Trinity Theological College, Singapore

"Savvy travelers rely upon guidebooks to prepare for trips to unknown destinations. The wisdom that is found among those who have 'been there, done that' is invaluable. Goggin and Strobel have assembled a team of well-traveled experts to help us make sense of the unfamiliar world of Christian spiritual classics. Of course, among Catholic and Orthodox Christians--as well as those familiar with Reformed, Wesleyan and Pietist traditions--reading spiritual classics must feel like home. But the rest of us need reliable guides to give good advice as we visit these strange worlds we've heard so much about. Sensible, balanced, hospitable and inspiring, this collection of essays not only provides the 'how-tos' of reading the classics for spiritual formation, it places the writers of this great tradition in historical context to help us appreciate the diversity of our shared faith. A must-read for those who are ready to branch out beyond the familiar environs of their favorite Christian authors."

Rodney Reeves, Southwest Baptist University

"This volume is a very worthwhile contribution to the growing body of literature being produced by evangelical scholars who are attempting to make known to a wider audience the rich resources of the history of Christian spirituality. The contributors are largely successful in avoiding the dangers, on the one hand, of theologically uncritical and eclectic readings of Roman Catholic and Orthodox texts, or on the other hand, of dismissing such texts and not allowing them to speak in their own voices. This book should prove to be a valuable resource and point of reference for pastors, seminarians, campus workers and those engaged in ministries of spiritual formation and direction."

John Jefferson Davis, Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary

"The vistas of the Christian tradition open up wide in this volume on the Christian classics, with rich rewards for those searching for insight, reading for wisdom and aiming at the glory of God. This introduction to the writings of Christian spirituality is a gem, as it combines solid evangelical grounding with genuine generosity of spirit."

Hans Boersma, Regent College, Vancouver

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Acknowledgments
Introduction by Jamin Goggin and Kyle Strobel

Part I: Approaching Spiritual Classics
Steve L. Porter, Why Should We Read Spiritual Classics?
John H. Coe, Temptations in Reading Spiritual Classics
Betsy Barber, The Value of Spiritual Classics in Soulcare

Part II: The Spiritual Classics Tradition
Evan B. Howard, The Schools of Christian Spirituality
Greg Peters, Spiritual Theology: An Historical Overview
James M. Houston, Engaging Classic Literature: Genre, Use, Value

Part III: Reading Evangelically
Bruce Demarest, Reading Catholic Spirituality
James R. Payton Jr., Reading Orthodox Spirituality
Fred Sanders, Reading Spiritual Classics as Evangelical Protestants

Part IV: How to Read the Spiritual Classics
Michael Glerup,The Church Fathers and Mothers
Gerald L. Sittser, The Desert Fathers
Greg Peters, The Medieval Traditions
Timothy George, The Reformation Traditions
Tom Schwanda, The Puritan and PietisticTraditions

Suggested Reading
List of Contributors
Subject and Author Index

Pursuing an Earthy Spirituality

Psychology and Spiritual Formation in Dialogue

Invitation to Retreat

God-Soaked Life

When Changing Nothing Changes Everything

Spirituality for the Sent

Broken and Whole

Facing "The Talk"

Journaling as a Spiritual Practice

Embracing the Body

ABOUT Jamin Goggin

Jamin Goggin (M.A., Talbot School of Theology) is the director and cofounder of Metamorpha Ministries. He also serves as youth pastor at Aliso Viejo Church of the Cross in California.

ABOUT Kyle C. Strobel

Kyle C. Strobel (PhD, University of Aberdeen) is associate professor of spiritual theology and formation at the Talbot School of Theology at Biola University, where he teaches in the Institute for Spiritual Formation. He is the author of several books, including Jonathan Edwards: An Introduction to His Thought, Jonathan Edwards's Theology: A Reinterpretation, and Formed for the Glory of God: Learning from the Spiritual Practices of Jonathan Edwards.

Reading the Christian Spiritual Classics

A Guide for Evangelicals