Christian Spirituality: Themes from the TraditionChristian Spirituality is a concise and accessible overview of the ways Christians over the centuries have approached God in prayer and practice. In ten chapters, Lawrence Cunningham and Keith Egan explain the dynamics of spiritual life, each chapter exploring a single theme such as scripture, journeying, meditation & contemplation, asceticism, mysticism, solitude & community, friendship, eucharist. The themes are not mutually exclusive since believers frequently embrace several or all of these "ways" at once. But in different times and places people have tended to focus on one or another, so that they have become discernible paths to the Holy. The authors explore each theme in depth, tracing its evolution over the centuries. Within this historical framework, the book provides the reader with a "taste" of the different ways Christians have sought or lived in the presence of God. Each chapter concludes with a list of selected works for further reading and with exercises intended to provide a personal experience of the "way". |
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Christian Spirituality: Themes from the Tradition Lawrence Cunningham,Keith J. Egan No preview available - 1996 |
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acts Aelred ascetical practices asceticism Augustine authentic become Bernard of Clairvaux biblical bread called Catholic Spirituality celebration centering prayer chapter Christian mysticism Christian spirituality Christian tradition church Cistercian classic contemporary Cross Crossroad described desert discipleship divine encounter eucharist Exercises faith Father follow Francis friendship gift God’s gospel grace growth Guigo heart hermits Holy Spirit human Ignatius Ignatius of Loyola Jesus Christ John Cassian lectio lectio divina liturgy live Lord Lord's meals means medieval meditation and contemplation middle ages monastic monasticism monks mystery mystical experience mystical tradition neighbor one’s Paul person pray presence psalms reflection relationship religious sacramental Saint scriptures seek sense sexual solitude Song of Songs spiritual journey story T. S. Eliot teach Teresa of Avila Testament theologians theology Thomas Aquinas Thomas Merton tion trans twelfth century understand Vatican Vatican II wilderness wisdom word worship writings York