The Dictionary of Christian Spirituality

01/09/2012

When is a Dictionary Not Boring?

When it is a goldmine of wisdom for those interested
in understanding the spiritual life . . .

This compendium is a labor of love and scholarship.

It is a treasure trove of wisdom and insight about the spiritual life.

There are 34 substantial articles on Christian spirituality on biblical, theological, historical and practical subjects.

There are about 700 shorter, alphabetized offerings ranging from Abandonment, Aelred of Rievaulx and Angels through Ware (Kallistos), Willard (Dallas), Yoga and Count Zinzendorf . . . and everything inbetween.

850 pages... $40.00... hardback... a companion for many years.

I am reading a few pages a day in 2012 until I work my way through it.

Most Christians are mainly interested in the practices of the spiritual life (prayer, fasting, solitude, silence, sacred reading of Scripture) for the sake of experiencing God. By the way, all those topics are covered in this book.

Those of us who are called to teach, train, mentor, direct, and equip the body of Christ with the resources of spiritual formation need to go beyond the basics and move deeper into a wise understanding of the spiritual life.

This well written, overview is highly recommended to give you an exposure to the breadth and width of Christian spirituality . . . and to be a stepping stone for moving in to new depths which you would not normally consider.

Brian K. Rice
Evangelicals on the Ignatian Way
Leadership ConneXtions International
www.lci.typepad.com

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Jesuit Bibliography and Some Others

Jean Leclercq: Memoirs: From Grace to Grace
Leclercq is one of the great authors of the mystical tradition of monastic spirituality. This was his memoirs. Not what I had expected. I was hoping for more of an intimate look into his spiritual life. It wasn't here.
Roger Helland: Missional Spirituality: Embodying God's Love from the Inside Out
One of the reasons why I am so attracted to Jesuit spirituality is because, it is, at heart - a missional spirituality. There are a number of people who engage with Ignatius and his exercises, but do so as a mainly privatistic spiritual experience. True Ignatian spirituality is intensely missional. Here is a wonderful volume on this Ignatian Way (and one would say Pauline Way and also "Jesus Way) by a Mennonite and a Baptist. I have just started it.
Mark E. Thibodeaux SJ: God's Voice Within: The Ignatian Way to Discover God's Will
The work of spiritual discernment is central to Ignatian spirituality and in one sense, the Spiritual Exercises are a long reflection that enables one to discern the Presence, Work and Word of Jesus that is coming to one, and then on how to respond. The Ignatian language of consolation and desolation is core to the work of discernment. This is a very substantial discussion of Ignatian discernment.
Rodney Reeves: Spirituality According to Paul: Imitating the Apostle of Christ
The theme of the "imitation of Christ" is a core idea in my theology, spirituality, missional engagements and leadership. This book is "theological spirituality" and "spiritual theology." There are 12 chapters organized around the three themes of (1) crucified with Christ, (2) buried with Christ and (3) raised with Christ. This is not a Jesuit book at all, but rather an evangelical providing depth biblical reflection on the spirituality of Paul.
Carl McColman: The Big Book of Christian Mysticism: The Essential Guide to Contemplative Spirituality
A friend who recently met Carl McColman, recommended this to me. I have not yet read it, but it looks rich and deep, biblical and accessible.
Charles J. Healey: The Ignatian Way: Key Aspects of Jesuit Spirituality
This is now my favorite "short" introduction to Ignatius and the Jesuits. A 140 page introduction that gives the essence of Ignatius, the Jesuits, the Spiritual Exercises, prayer, discernment, the Constitutions (and Jesuit leadership) as well as short biographical notes on important Jesuits. I love it.
Susan Howatch: Glamorous Powers
Volume 2 in the Starbridge series and this one about a skilled spiritual director who is dealing with his own brokeness.
Susan Howatch: Glittering Images
A novel of spiritual formation, pride, power, sexuality... and how deceptive the heart is. First in the Starbridge series. I found myself reflecting deeply.
Brennan Manning: All Is Grace: A Ragamuffin Memoir
Brand new by one of my very favorite authors whose early work helped me get in touch with Abba. I am taking this with me on an upcoming trip.
Frederica Mathewes-Green: The Jesus Prayer: The Ancient Desert Prayer that Tunes the Heart to God
This is one of my supplemental pathways... I use this prayer from time to time and always find it helps me center and draw near to Christ. I am looking forward to this little explanation.
Friedrich Von Hugel: Letters to a Niece
I am a little embarrassed to admit that I have never read this classic work on spiritual direction. I recently read another book that had so many good thoughts from it, that I determined - now is the time.
Harvey D. Egan: Karl Rahner: Mystic of Everyday Life (The Crossroad Spiritual Legacy Series)
This is a very substantial work about Karl Rahner (see booknote below this one). I really like it. Not easy reading by any means, but for those who want a more substantial engagement with wise theology, this is worth getting.
Karl Rahner: Spiritual Writings (Modern Spiritual Masters)
I am reading a number of books by Karl Rahner and several about him. Rahner is, perhaps, the most important Jesuit theologian of the 20th century. He wrote over 4000 published works!!! He was a theologian, mystic, spiritual director, pastor, teacher... This is a short introduction to Rahner with many samples of his writing and reflections.
Paul Coutinho SJ: An Ignatian Pathway: Experiencing the Mystical Dimension of the Spiritual Exercises
I am not exactly sure how to explain this book. It is presented as a "different doorway to the Exercises" and it is. Okay, I'd say this is a collection of single page reflections (116 of them) about/on the Spiritual Exercises. Reflections on the pathways and perspectives of Ignatian spirituality, on some of the uniquely Ignatian Exercises, and on the core gospel stories. There is no processing guidance. Just the short reflections to which you would bring your processing. I think it is useful to read through in a few sittings to get a general sense of Ignatian themes and ways.
Jim Manney: A Simple, Life-Changing Prayer: Discovering the Power of St. Ignatius Loyola's Examen
This is the single best resource on learning to pray the Examen. I have read several books on the Examen, appreciated them all, thought most of them were too long and cumbersome for most readers... This one is delightful, rich, simple, clear, useful. It is really, the only resource you will need to learn the Examen.
Gilles Cusson: Biblical Theology and the Spiritual Exercises: A Method Toward a Personal Experience of God As Accomplishing Within Us His Plan of Salvation (Modern Scholarly Studies Jesuits English Translations, 7)
This is a very nice, spiritually rich discussion of the biblical theology of the Ignatian Exercises.
John L McCarthy: The Constitutions of the Society of Jesus and Their Complementary Norms: A Complete English Translation of the Official Latin Texts (Series III--Original Studies, Composed in English)
This is the definitive edition, approved by the 34th General Congregation, for the Constitutions and the Complementary Notes. This book and the one below are available through the Institute of Jesuit Sources. Just google it and you'll find it.
Alldama: Introductory Commentary on the Constitution
A very nice commentary that explains the constitutions that guide the spiritual and organizational life of the Jesuits.
Richard Swenson: A Minute of Margin: Restoring Balance to Busy Lives180 Daily Reflections
This is another favorite previous devotional. As I was editing some of the Exercises I am writing, I was in a section where I used a number of reflections from Swenson. I pulled this off the shelf and "rummaged" through it and appreciated the depth and guidance Swenson offers. This is devotional work with the purpose of helping you restore margins to your full and busy life.
Charles Ringma: Seek the Silences with Thomas Merton
This is one of my favorite devotional resources I have ever used. I recently pulled it off the shelf for revisiting a few of Ringma's thoughts about Merton.
Saint Ignatius: The Testament of Ignatius Loyola: Being "sundry Acts of Our Father Ignatius, Under God, the First Founder of the Society of Jesus Taken Down from the Saint's Own Lips by Luis Gonzales."
One of the core original documents that was "taken down" by his secretary, Luis Gonzales.
Wesley Alfred Wishart: A Short History of Monks and Monasteries
Under 200 pages and it is a nice primer for those who are interested in the bigger picture of this topic.
James Martin SJ: Lourdes Diary: Seven Days at the Grotto of Massabieille
A very short book of his pilgrimage. As an evangelical, I depart from some of his specific Roman Catholic perspectives, but I find the heart and spirit of this author to be remarkable. I have read several other books by him. The two major ones: My Life With the Saints and of course, the now required reading: The Jesuit Guide to Almost Everything.
James Martin: This Our Exile: A Spiritual Journey with the Refugees of East Africa
I truly love James Martin as a writer. One of my favorite Jesuit authors. This is his travel narrative and spiritual reflections on his time of working with refugees in the slums of Nairobi, Kenya. Also see, Lourdes Diary.
J. Michael Sparough SJ: What's Your Decision?: How to Make Choices with Confidence and Clarity: An Ignatian Approach to Decision Making
Spiritual discernment and decision making are core Jesuit practices. I am reading two books on this subject right now. Also see, God's Voice Within.
Mark E. Thibodeaux SJ: God's Voice Within: The Ignatian Way to Discover God's Will
Discernment and decision making are core Jesuit spiritual perspectives and practices. This is the second book I am reading on this. Also see, What's Your Decision?
Wallace Alston Jr. and Cynthia Jarvis, editors: The Power to Comprehend with All the Saints: The Formation and Practice of a Pastor-Theologian
Oh my - what a book. Here is a short blurb from the back cover that explains it: "How does a theologically substantive ministry come into being? And how does a theological orientation to the vocation make a difference in pastoral practice?" 24 essays seek to provide guidance in blending academic theology and pastoral practice.
Henri Frédéric Amiel: Amiel's Journal: The Journal Intime of Henri-Frédéric Amiel
An incredible journal, but probably not for most people. I am being deeply moved by his introspection on life, faith, intellectual pursuits, nature... and his own personal engagement with everything.
St. Augustine: The Confessions, Revised (The Works of Saint Augustine: A Translation for the 21st Century, Vol. 1)
Re-reading this incredible classic.
Craig S., Ph.D. Galbraith: The Benedictine Rule of Leadership: Classic Management Secrets You Can Use Today
Unfortunately, this book is out of print. It is a secular book that looks at the leadership and management principles of Benedict's Rule.