Seasons of the Soul

Yet many of us live largely detached from this fact. Days go by, but it can be hard to feel a sense of movement or growth. Sometimes, in periods of doubt and depression, we might feel stuck in the same place for months.

Bruce Demarest is professor of Christian formation at Denver Seminary in Littleton. Colorado. He is author of Soul Guide. Satisfy Your Soul. The Cross Salvation, General Revelation and Who Is Jesus? and coauthor of The Human Person in Theology Psychology (with James Beck) and Integrative Theology (with Gordon Lewis)

Acknowledgments	p. 9
Preface	p. 11
Christian Life: A Journey	p. 11
Pattern of the Journey	p. 12
Analogies from the Developmental Sciences	p. 14
A Helpful Paradigm	p. 14
Biblical and Historical Sources	p. 15
The Book and Spiritual Formation	p. 16
Initial Orientation: Seeds of New Life	p. 17
New Life in Christ	p. 18
Delights of Salvation	p. 21
Struggle with the Fallen Nature	p. 23
Contemporary Examples	p. 24
Enticements and Pleasures	p. 26
Knowing and Doing	p. 28
Spiritual Infancy and Adolescence	p. 30
Additional Dangers and Threats	p. 34
Moving Forward	p. 37
Painful Disorientation: Seasons of Distress	p. 39
Peaches and Cream?	p. 40
Life's Inevitable Trials	p. 41
Destabilizing the Soul	p. 43
Experienced by Old-Covenant Souls	p. 44
Engaged by New-Covenant People	p. 46
Disorientation in Christian History	p. 48
Affliction Hits Home	p. 51
Redemptive Outcomes of Trials and Afflictions	p. 52
Extreme Ascetic Afflictions	p. 56
Comfort Amidst Trials	p. 57
Painful Disorientation:
Understanding Why We Suffer	p. 60
The Sinful Human Heart	p. 61
The Fallen World Order	p. 64
Satan and Demons	p. 65
Life's Distressing Misfortunes	p. 69
A Traumatic Life Transition	p. 70
The Spirit of God	p. 72
Redemptive Seasons	p. 76
Painful Disorientation: Dark Night of the Soul	p. 79
Well-Documented in Scripture	p. 80
Experienced by Prominent Christians	p. 84
Explained by John of the Cross	p. 87
Interpreted by Other Christian Authorities	p. 90
An Evangelical Assessment of the Dark Night	p. 93
The Dark Night and Clinical Depression	p. 98
Transformational Outcomes of the Dark Night	p. 99
Painful Disorientation: Redemptive Responses	p. 103
God and Disciples: Each Doing Our Part	p. 104
Turn from All Known Sin	p. 105
Be Assured of God's Lovingkindness	p. 108
Express Feelings of Distress to God	p. 109
Abandon All to God	p. 109
Recognize the Value of Suffering in the Divine Economy	p. 113
Journey to One's "Inner Sinai"	p. 114
Praise God for Past Mercies	p. 118
Walk with a Spiritual Companion	p. 120
Reach Out to Others	p. 122
Take Courage, Never Give Up!	p. 123
Joyful Reorientation: Savor of Resurrection	p. 126
Fresh Illumination	p. 128
Radiance of Resurrection	p. 129
Intimate Union	p. 131
New Healing	p. 134
Wisdom	p. 136
Becoming a Child Again	p. 138
Journey Outward	p. 140
Living in Love	p. 142
Contemplate Eternal Realities	p. 145
We Shall Be Like Him	p. 147
Conclusion	p. 150
Our Appointed Goal	p. 150
Jesus Our Course	p. 151
The Inevitable Pressure	p. 152
A Repetitive Pattern	p. 155
Steady Progress	p. 156
Joyful Arrival	p. 157
Appendix: Spiritual Journey Paradigms: Classical and Contemporary	p. 160
Notes	p. 170
Index of Names	p. 188
Scripture Index	p. 189
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