Invitation to Christian Spirituality An Ecumenical Anthology

Bringing together a wide range of classical and contemporary texts, Invitation to Christian Spirituality: An Ecumenical Anthology addresses the theory and practice of Christian spirituality in the broadest sense. Arranged chronologically, the selections are drawn from all major Christiantraditions, from Ignatius of Antioch (d. 117) to Desmond Mphilo Tutu, representing distillations from the formative works of seventy-six great spiritual masters. Issues examined include the church in the world (Diognetus, Las Casas), purity of intention (Kierkegaard, Phoebe Palmer), prayer (Origenof Alexandria, Hannah More), religious affectations (Jonathan Edwards, Martin Luther King), Christian freedom (Augustine, Martin Luther), Christian feminism (Dame Julian, Rosemary Ruether), and the means of grace (Maximus the Confessor, John Wesley). This timely, eclectic collection considers notonly the mystical and theoretical aspects of Christian spirituality but also its practice; for example, it includes readings about how to pray as well as notable prayers. Most selections include autobiographical materials from the authors that set the context for their writings. Opening with atheological survey of themes in Christian spirituality, this volume also includes a historical and theological orientation to each major period and a theological/biographical introduction to each spiritual master. Indexed by person, key word, and Bible references, Invitation to ChristianSpirituality serves as an ideal text for courses in Christian spirituality, history of Christianity, and introduction to Christianity.