Evangelicals on the Ignatian Way

Spirituality According to Paul (Book Note)

 

Recently, I have been reading a number of books about Paul and his spirituality and theology. The one book that has been most helpful for illuminating the mind and heart of Paul, and how he shapes our spiritual formation, is:

Spirituality According to Paul: Imitating the Apostle of Christ by Rodney Reeves.

I cannot recommend this book highly enough. For these reasons.

ONE:
There is an unfortunate "over-reaction" to the misuse of Paul and the neglect of the Gospels that was evident in the evangelical movement in the late 20th century. The over-reaction has led to a dismissal of and even a disdain for Paul. Paul is seen by many to be a "mis-interpreter" of Jesus who leads us astray.

TWO:
There is a certain reaction against a theological use of Paul by those who are in the Calvinist tradition. They are seen as misappropriating Paul to legitimize what is viewed as a hard, harsh, primitive theology that is at odds with the way of Christ.

TWO-b:
As a side note, Paul is used most often in theological discussions about justification by grace through faith. In some cases, he has been so"co-opted" by this, that we can hardly think about Paul outside this theological theme.

THREE:
Paul seems to be excessively rational and propositional when today, the core approahc is narrative or story. Again, the Gospels lend themselves easily to this, whereas Paul fares rather poorly. (By the way, see Jesus Have I Loved, but Paul? A Narrative Approach to the Problem of Pauline Christianity by Daniel Kirk.) 

FOUR:
Finally, Paul seems woefully behind the times on issues that are central for many today. Slavery, sexuality, the role of women, the issue of homosexuality, civil rights, etc. - Paul seems captive to a worldview that is no longer useful for robust Christian faith.

For these reasons and others, Paul is neglected. 

And that is a great loss indeed.

Our spiritual formation is impoverished.

This book will help you begin to reclaim the great spiritual themes and realities that ignited the heart of the Apostle.

Reeves organizes his thoughts around the framework of crucified with Christ, buried with Christ and raised with Chirst.

Reeves is a wonderful exegets and a good biblical theologian, as well as quite pastoral in his heart and very culturally saavy. The book was enjoyable... a pleasure to read.

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

Two New Books

Hey, check out the two new books I mention in the side column. For those who don't like to read "much" and would like an introduction to Jesuit/Ignatian themes, check out Charged With Grandeur. This is a nice labor of love from Jim Manney.

And for those who want to check out the actual Ignatian Exercises, I think O'Brien's book is the place to start.

Brian

Volume Four: What's Gone Wrong? --- is Now Available

 

eCommerce Link for What's Gone Wrong?

Hey Everyone:

We are making progress on getting the Exercises published and available for a larger audience.

This is our version of Week One of the Ignatian process of spiritual formation.

This is a long, deep look at what sin has done to us, both within and around. It is designed to help us move to a greater awareness of what is wrong, how great our need is and how magnificent is Christ our Savior and Lord.

As we have field tested this material with global leaders, the great majority of them tell us they have never been in a process that helps them explore the depths of their brokenness as these Exercises do.

If you have not recently read Psalm 51, I encourage you to do a long, soaking, meditation on that passage of Scripture. That will communicate the heart of what this volume of Exercises is about.

Grace and mercy to each of you.

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

 

 

Major Announcement - Volume Two: Invitations is Published

 

Even though it is 
Volume Two: Invitations
It is the FIRST volume now available for purchase!

Click the link below to go to the eCommerce Site to purchase a copy. 

The Exercises: Secure eCommerce Site

Many of you know that I have been writing (and field testing) a Five Volume spiritual formation for leaders curriculum. Many of you have used draft copies and given great feedback on the material and your experiences. It is now available for purchase and can be shipped anywhere in the U.S.A.

For that matter, if you want a hard copy anywhere in the world, it can be shipped overseas, it is just that the price of shipping internationally will be high.

We are working on the eBook format that will be available for Kindle and anyone using a Kindle app. That is a financial investment and it takes some time. So for those who are overseas and want this, you'll have to wait a little longer. These will be available at Amazon.com. 

We are using a professional publisher/printer who manages all printing and sales and they have a secure website. The link takes you to their website.

Once you fill out the required information (takes a minute or so) then the information is saved and will be there when you want to return to purchase future volumes. You can help us by spreading the word to others who may be interested in their own spiritual formation. We are so grateful for the stories of people going through them as they tell us of the life transformation that is taking place. 

The Sections of the Book Are:
First Principle and Foundation
Invitation to Relationship

Invitation to a New Identity

Invitation to Missional Service

Invitatin to Leadership


 

The Exercises seek to create a learning experience that:

1.  Engages the great biblical and spiritual themes that matter the most.
 

2.  Uses a process of formation that uses the best insights and tools of spirituality and learning.
 

3.  Moves toward the desired outcome of loving God more deeply, knowing  God more intimately, following God more nearly, and serving His missional purposes in the world He loves with greater faithfulness and fruitfulness.
 

4.  And, if you can do this journey with a few friends, you add to all this, the relational, community component where spiritual formation is meant to take place.

And please be aware that it is a challenging process that leads you into a deep engagement with Jesus and a full embracing of spiritual formation. This developmental tool is designed for mature followers of Christ who want to go a lot deeper and further on the journey.

This is my own shaping of the Ignatian experience of spiritual formation, casting it in a form that is much more accessible for people and designed for those who are generally in the evangelical tradition. 

 





And An Update About the Other Volumes


Volume Four:  What's Gone Wrong  will be available on this same eCommerce site within a few weeks. It will not be available as a Kindle book until we are able to recover costs from the Volume Two eBook.  (It has been an education learning about the publishing of eBooks.)


Volume Three:   The Focused Life  should be available early May. 


Volume One:  Conversations  has been a looonnnggg time in writing. I am making good progress on it. My desire is that it will be available mid-summer.  This volume will have so many of the insights on spirituality, the spiritual disciplines, the growth processes and biblical/theological themes that shape how we seek after God. I know many of you have been waiting patiently for this volume. (I am just helping you learn to persevere...)


And finally . . .

We are making good progress on our new website which will have so much more to offer you than what I am able to provide through this blog. When it is ready, I'll let you know.


Brian K. Rice  
Leadership ConneXtions International  
www.lci.typepad.com


 

 

The Practice of the Presence of God

 

I am always working through the classics of spirituality. I decided to re-read The Practice of the Presence of God by Brother Lawrence.

This time I read the edition that has a forward by Henri Nouwen.

It also has a very nice preface by the translator, John Delaney that explains who Brother Lawrence was, describes his influence and talks about how the content of this book was established.

This book was published after his death. It was a recollection of letters and oral sayings from those who remembered what Brother Lawrence said to them. It was published in the late 1700s.

I've read it a half dozen times now, and every time I do, I enjoy the simplicity of Brother Lawrence. For example . . .

"All things are possible to him who believes
more so to him who hopes,
still more to him who loves.
and most of all to him who perseveres
in the practice of these three virtues." 
 

"My God here I am, all Yours, 
make me according to your heart."

"God has infinite treasures to give us
and still we are satisfied with
a brief passing moment of piety."

"It is necessary, however, to put our complete trust in God, putting aside all other cares, even certain devotions which, though very good in themselves, are often engaged in for the wrong reasons. These devotions are only means to attain the end."

This next one reminds me of Ignatius' encouragement to live with a wide open generosity toward God.

"God knows what we can do.
Let us begin -- perhaps He is only waiting
for a generous resolution from us.  

Here is a comment from Brother Lawrence about a woman who was dissatisfied with her rate of spiritual growth.

"She appears to be full of good will
but she wants to go faster than grace.
One does not become holy all at once."

 
And one more:

We must know before we can love; to know God we must often think of Him; and whenwe come to love Him we shall also think of Him very often, for our heart is where our treasure is! Let us ponder this often and deeply.

I am moved every time I read this little book. The simplicity of devotion and love for Jesus, from this simple man is striking and necessary. 

Where Brother Lawrence talks of practicing the presence of God, Ignatius uses the language of "finding God in all things."  

Brother Lawrence spent his life in the monastery and mainly wrote to those who were contemplatives in the monasteries. Ignatius wrote for those who would find the world to be their home and who would need to learn how to find God in all the missional activity of the world. 

Ignatius is the one who helped me learn how to Practice the Presence of God in the World.

May you and I both, this week, have this experience many times.

In Christ.
 

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

One More Plea for Good Reading of Great Books

 

Wise Sayings on the
Reading of Good Books

A collection of some of my favorite quotes on books and reading. 

It is my assumption that the majority of readers of this blog are thoughtful readers. If you are, then you will nod your head throughout this post. If you aren't much of a reader, I hope you will be inspired to become more of a reader . . . as well as a discriminating reader who reads the truly great books.

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe said, “The decline of literature indicates the decline of a nation.”

If that is so, then I am both relieved and alarmed. I am relieved and encouraged because of the availability of really good books, both ancient and modern to help us on our journey. Are there new “classics” or “great literature” being written today? Yes, I think so, but like any age, only a few are written in any age and we don’t usually recognize them as classics until some more time goes by. The good news is there are just a lot of good and really good resources to use.

I am concerned and alarmed about the decline of reading in our culture at large, among Christian as well and especially sad when I encounter another leader who doesn’t read (or read much, or read much good literature). Illiteracy is not being able to read. A-literacy is being able to read but choosing not to. 

Mark Twain said, “The man who does not read good books has no advantage over the man who can’t read them.”  Christian leaders who choose not to read will have no more access to the world of powerful (good, beautiful and true) ideas available through great literature then the illiterate person.  Here are some quotes about books and reading, which have inspired me through the years.

Some books are to be tasted, others to be swallowed, and some few to be chewed and digested. Francis Bacon
 

Books represent the accumulated knowledge and wisdom of the ages, available for pennies on the dollar. Books preserve the greatest thoughts, the greatest ideas, and the greatest insights of human experience.  Chris Brady
 

If you read a book a week, in a year you’ll have read 52 books. In ten years 520 books. You’ll be in the top 1% of your field. You’ll be more motivated, better educated; you’ll become the leader in your field.   Jim Rohm
 

Many times the reading of a book has made the future of a man.  Ralph Waldo Emerson
 

Noted 18^th century scholar Dr. Samuel Johnson once sat in discussion with the King of England. “I suppose, Dr. Johnson, that you read a great deal” said the King. “Yes Sire” replied Johnson, “but I think a great deal more.” 
 

People who hope to successfully influence what goes on around them will develop the habit of reading great books.  William J. O’Neil (founder of Investor’s Business Daily)
 

The best book is the one that sets us off on a train of thought that carries us far away from and far beyond the book itself.  (author unknown to me)
 

The reading of all good books is like a conversation with the finest men of past centuries.  Rene Descartes
 

It’s a good plan to have a book with you in all places and at all times. If you are presently without, hurry without delay to the nearest shop and buy one of mine.  Oliver Wendell Holmes
 

Along the way you will find a few books that become your constant companions. When you reread a classic you do not see more in the book then you did before; you see more n you than you did before.”  Clifton Fadiman
 

And here is a final thought on books from New York City pastor/preacher, Henry Ward Beecher who lived and ministered in the 1800’s.
 

Let us congratulate the poor that, in our day, books are so cheap that a man may every year add a hundred volumes to his library for the price of what his tobacco and beer would cost him. Among the earliest ambitions to be excited in clerks, workmen, journeymen and, indeed among all that are struggling up from nothing to something, is that of owning, and constantly adding to a library of good books. A little library growing larger every year, is an honorable part of a young (person’s) history. It is a man’s (and woman’s) duty to have books. A library is not a luxury, but one of the necessities of life.

Check out this site for images of home libraries, including the image provided here.
 

Make yourself a nice reading nook in your house. Get a bookshelf, a good chair, a table, a lamp. How about this cozy set up.

So here is to good books, good reading (maybe even a few re-readings) and growing libraries as we move on in the journey of life long learning and transformation.

If you have a favorite quote on books and reading - drop me a note in the comments.

If you have a favorite "great book" you'd recommend - make a note in the comments.

If there is a spiritual classic that has been a great benefit for you - the same.

If you found this helpful, forward it to a friend, or put it on your Facebook page as a link.

If you want to subscribe to a weekly email that is one of the very best reviews of books, visit the Hearts and Minds website BookNotes link and sign up to receive Byron Borger's reviews. They are simply outstanding.

I also loved this design of library shelves using a staircase. Check it out here.

NEXT WEEK:

Who are the true mystics?
 

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

 

The Spiritual Classics (and a Plea for Good Reading)

 

 

Reading the Spiritual Classics

Solid food for junk-food junkies.
But it takes time to develop a hearty appetite. 

 

A classic is something everybody wants to have read and nobody wants to read... a book people praise and don’t read. Mark Twain

 

I understand why so many evangelicals are frustrated with church, with faith, with their own jourey as a follower of Jesus.

The fact is that our culture  (North American especially, but not uniquely) is characterized by narcissism and pragmatism. We are a quick-fix-it culture. We prefer simplistic over substantial. We prefer entertainment over learning. We like the popular and appealing, more than the thoughtful and meaningful. We are "suckers" for the latest fad. 
 

What Happened:
In his wonderful book, Monk Habits for Everyday People, Dennis Okholm says, "We are consumers of religion rather than cultivators of a spirutal life. We have spawned an entire industry... full of spiritual junk food that leaves us sated and flabby."

The Result:
Theologian J. I. Packer (pictured to the left) has said it best: "North American Christianity is 3000 miles wide and 1/2 inch deep" (The Quest for Godliness).
 

The Need:
Richard Foster, surveying our contemporary scene believes, "The desperate need today is not for a greater number of intelligent people or gifted people, but for deep people."

We are frustrated for good reason. But we must also be honest. We have made our way and then our way made us. We chose narcissism, pragmatism, the simplistic, entertainment, popular, appealing, faddish - and we reaped what we sowed (Galatians 6:7).

Richard Foster suggests the way forward (and the way do deepness) is through a re-engaging with the spiritual wisdom of the past. Through a reading of the great classics of Christian spirituality.

Foster introduced me to many of the classics of Christian spirituality through his two primers, Spiritual Classics organized around the thirteen spiritual disciplines described in Celebration of Discipline, and Devotional Classics organized around the six streams of Christian spirituality laid out in Streams of Living Water.

While I had sampled a few of the spiritual classics, Foster was an introduction and a guide that opened a wide world of spiritual treasures that I have been working with ever since. Plus, he modeled a way of reflective engagement with these classics of spirituality.

Mark Twain said, “A classic is something everybody wants to have read and nobody wants to read.” He also said a classic is, “a book people praise and don’t read.” These words described me when it came to the spiritual classics. Before I read Foster, I only dipped my toes into the spiritual classics, feeling vaguely guilty about ignoring these treasures of the faith.

What is it that makes a spiritual classic – a classic? Classics are books that have stood the test of time and demonstrated they have an enduring value of wisdom for many generations and cultures. “A classic is a book that has never finished saying what it has to say” (Italo Calvino).

I have found the words of William Styron to be true of these books: “A great book should leave you with many experiences, and slightly exhausted at the end. You live several lives while reading it!”

I have been exhausted and exhilarated from these readings. I have been moved to sorrow and stirred with joy through the pages of these classics.

“What is so wonderful about great literature is that it transforms the man who reads it toward the condition of the man who wrote it” (E.M. Forster).

This great literature, in part, is great because of the autobiographical imprint it leaves on the reader. An imitation begins to occur as the heart and wisdom of the author is imparted to the reader. 

Ezra Pound said, “Men do not understand BOOKS until they have had a certain amount of life.”

We evangelicals have now had a certain amount of life. It has left a bitter taste in our mouth. We are ready for a cleansing of the palette and a nourishing of the soul. 

"When the student is ready,the master will appear" (Zorro, sorry about the pop culture refrence, it isn't always a total loss).

If you are a ready student, having had a certain amount of life, then I encourage you to dip your toes in the streams of living water by sampling them through the classics. The easiest way to do that is to read:

Spiritual Classics and Devotional Classics by Richard Foster.

Start there. Get the sweeping introduction and sampling of the great traditions.

Later you can selectively explore those authors and writings that were of most appeal.

Wishing you great joy on the journey . . .
 

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

 

 

The Dictionary of Christian Spirituality

 

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

 

The Ignatian Way by Charles Healey, S.J.

For those who want a very nice, short, easy to read, but yet full of substance introduction to the Jesuits, I highly recommend this little book by Charles Healey, S.J.

The Ignatian Way: Key Aspects of Jesuit Spirituality.

I have read a number of introductions to Ignatius and the Jesuits. The BEST one is quite long and is The Jesuit Guide to Almost Everything, but that will take a longer time to work through, even though it too is very readable.

In The Ignatian Way, Healey gives a nice biographic introduction to Ignatius. He covers the Spiritual Exercises, giving the big picture of what the Exercises are about. He talks about the themes of prayer and discernment - for ultimately, the Exercises are all about prayer and discerning the ways of Christ for one's life.

He also gives a nice explanation of the Constitutions, which are other vital documents that define the Jesuit life and mission. Very few people read these and yet, they are a fleshing out of the life intended in the Exercises. He calls attention to the requirements for those who would be the Superior General and final authority for the Jesuit society. The set of qualifications needed for leading the Jesuits is simply - beautiful.

There is a very nice summary of the core essence of Jesuit spirituality, as well as some of the contemporary issues the Jesuits are facing.

And the final pages are brief bios of about 20 significant Jesuits. Just short snapshots of who they were and what they did.

If you want an introduction to Ignatius and the Jesuits . . .

Or if you want a reminder of their essence . . .

I highly recommend The Ignatian Way.

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

Glittering Images

Glittering Images is the first novel in the Starbridge series by Susan Howatch. It is a story of spirituality, of sin, brokenness, corruption, deception, love, forgiveness and redemption. It is a story of Anglican clergy and thier "glittering images."

A glittering image is sometimes known in spiritual formation circles as the "false self." The glittering image / false self is the persona we wear and project to others. It is the fabricated image of ourselves which we have constructed for our own purposes. We want to believe this about our "self", and we want others to believe this about our "self."

It is a construct that takes enormous energy to build and maintain. It is a ruse that keeps us stuck at a primitive place on the spiritual journey. It is an idol that gives us security and identity.

While all people have a glittering image, it may surprise you to know that Christians have some of the most complex and subtle glittering images. Followers of Christ have a need to present themselves in a certain way, to be seen as mature, strong, deep and fruitful. Among the worse are those of us in professional ministry. 

The pressure on pastors and those in other of the varied positions of vocational ministry is constant and strong. This pressure come from outside (the expectations of others) and from within (our own need to look good, to be good, to be needed, to be valued, to be successful, etc.). So the "full time ministry profesisonals" often create quite elaborate glittering fronts that our "followers" see and admire. Unfortunately, it is not the real, authentic, legitimate "you" and this lack of integrity will not be maintained. In the end, it will come crashing down.

It comes crashing down in pride, money, sex, and power (the big four). 

It requires gifted spiritual direction to name and reject the glittering image and allow Christ to show us our true, redeemed, beloved "self" and then to live fully in to and out of that new creation in Christ.

This novel was about spiritual direction given to the central character of the story. As one who gives direction to others, I was both intrigued by the form or way of direction provided, as well as the grace received by the one to whom the direction was given.

This is a novel and it is well written. I think it would be mainly of interest to those who are directors and for some in Christian ministry. 

But for all of us - the idea of the "glittering image" is a useful way to understand what sin has done to us.

*******

If you were to sit with an important question or two . . .

1.  What is the "glittering image" you present to the world around you? 

2.  What is the "true self" that you are afraid to show to others?

3.  Do you want to search out the answers to those questions?

4.  And how will you even begin to answer these questions without substantial skills and guidance in the journey "below the waterline" to self-awareness?

p.s.  Glamorous Powers is next... And it is about the brokenness of those who give spiritual direction.

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