Contemplating God, Changing the World - Softcover

Mario I. Aguilar

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0281058326 ISBN 13: 9780281058327

Publisher: SPCK Publishing, 2008

Synopsis

Contemplation and political action defined the lives and work of six of the most inspiring Christian leaders of the twentieth century: Thomas Merton, Ernesto Cardenal, Daniel Berrigan, Shelia Cassidy, Desmond Tutu, and Mother Teresa. Each one embraced a silent, purposeful life of prayer, contemplation, and conversation with God, which the author contends was the very foundation for their public activism.

Aguilar profiles these outstanding religious figures, illustrating how their contemplation of God gave them courage and understanding not just to grow in personal holiness, but to become one with God through responding to the needs of others. It was their spiritual life that gave them the energy, commitment, and strength to help feed the hungry, clothe the naked, and liberate the oppressed, even in the darkest, most difficult times. Yet, as Aguilar shows, it is not just a chosen few who are called to combine prayer with political action: through the regular contemplation of God, all Christians can be empowered to work toward social transformation and a just world.

About this title

About the Author

Mario L. Aguilar is director of the Centre for the Study of Religion and Politics at the University of St Andrews, Scotland. Other recent books include The History and Politics of Latin American Theology (SCM-Canterbury), a four-volume work.

Edition details

• Publisher: SPCK Publishing
• Publication date: 2008
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0281058326
• ISBN 13: 9780281058327
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 256