A Luminous Life: A Journey Into Classic Christian Spirituality - Softcover

Bingaman, Brock

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1498279279 ISBN 13: 9781498279277

Publisher: Cascade Books, 2020

Synopsis

In a culture intrigued by various forms of “spirituality,” this study invites readers to explore the deep, historically rooted resources of the Christian spiritual classics.
It is an invitation to seek the transformative presence of God – the kingdom of God within our hearts – through the spiritual classics. These classics, formed in the matrix of meditation on Scripture, are like road maps that provide invaluable wisdom and guidance for the spiritual journey.
Illustrating the importance of theologically grounded spirituality, A Luminous Life draws from Catholic, Orthodox, and Protestant classics that stem from rich trinitarian and christological reflection. This book explores key themes in the spiritual classics, including biblical images and historical models of spiritual development, prayer, fasting, solitude and community, the cross and suffering, the desert, spiritual direction, and contemplation and action.

This study seeks to bridge the academic and ecclesial, demonstrating that the life of the mind and life in the Spirit are unified, that theological reflection and spiritual formation go together. Considering exemplary writings from diverse traditions, such as the Desert Fathers, Maximus the Confessor, Teresa of Avila, and John Calvin, A Luminous Life draws readers into worshipful reflection on God and formation in Christ. The book concludes with the encouragement to ongoing, prayerful study of the spiritual classics: as fuel for the luminous life.

About this title

About the Author

Brock Bingaman is Assistant Professor of Religious Studies and Religious Studies Program Director at Wesleyan College in Macon, Georgia. His publications include The Philokalia: A Classic Text of Orthodox Spirituality (2012), coedited with Bradley Nassif, and numerous book chapters and journal articles on Christian spirituality, ecology, comparative theology, and Christian-Muslim relations.

Edition details

• Publisher: Cascade Books
• Publication date: 2020
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1498279279
• ISBN 13: 9781498279277
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 246