Vulnerability and Community: Meditations on the Spiritual Life

These brief meditations offer invigorating perspectives on the spiritual life in today’s world. They are united by two central emphases: They reflect an understanding of God as vulnerable to the choices of creatures and of divine activity in the world as persuasive rather than coercive. And they stress the importance of seeing flourishing religious communities as vulnerable, and thus as inclusive.

Vulnerability and Community examines the nature of religious belief and life, considers the implications of faith for what we do and who we are, explores the nature of community, reflects on the historical presence and activity of the God who is vulnerable, and emphasizes the worth of passionate, and thus vulnerable, delight in God’s good creation. It expresses the working-out of a possible vision, not the report of proofs or confident certainties or infallible disclosures: the very focus on vulnerability and contingency that is expressed in the individual meditations underlies the entire book.

This book is designed to present an attractive and realistic understanding of the spiritual life, as a life lived in the face of ambiguity but marked with the potential for enjoyment, growth, and responsible action. Written in a conversational style, it seeks to encourage readers to bring their own stories to bear on the task of living flourishing lives together in God’s world.

Gary Chartier is Associate Dean of the Zapara School of Business and Professor of Law and Business Ethics at La Sierra University. Visit him on-line at garychartier.net.