The Spirituality Of The New Testament And The Fathers

"In the first part of this volume, the author pays special attention to the Jewish foundations of Christianity before examining in detail the teaching and influence of Jesus, the Primitive Church and St. Paul, the Synoptic Gospels, the Johnannine writings, the Epistle to the Hebrews and the epistles linked with the names of Peter, James and Jude. Part Two describes and discusses the spirituality of the first Christian generations, the martyrs, the problem of Gnosis in its different manifestations, the different schools of monasticism and mysticism in Eastern and Western Christianity and the writings and teachings of the Fathes, concluding with St. Benedict. This history will be, in the final analysis, the search for, and the bringing to light of, the integral witness of tradition and of Christian experience to the whole concrete reality of 'life in Christ Jesus'." [Book jacket].

In this compact book Prosper Grech provides an overview of the various elements of spirituality present in the New Testament. Grech, an Augustinian Father, defines spirituality not in a New Age sense but rather as the full response in the life of a believer to God s offer of salvation in Christ. He outlines key spiritual themes of early Christian belief drawn from Genesis, the Psalms, the Synoptic Gospels, Paul s epistles, the letter to the Hebrews, and the Johannine Gospel, letters, and apocalypse all crucial documents in the life of the New Testament churches. Drawing these various theological strands together, Grech crafts a complex portrait of a dynamic yet contemplative Christian spirituality a spirituality that not only saturated the New Testament church but continues to animate Christian life today.

Introduction: how to talk about the Apostolic Fathers? -- Finding a time and place for the texts -- The authority of texts and traditions -- Codes of conduct and Christian thinking -- Imagery of the New testament faith -- The question of Christians as Jews -- The question of Christians as citizens -- How persons and places influence history -- Conclusion: the significance of the Apostolic Fathers for New Testament study

A readable overview of the contemporary spiritual scene that defines, outlines and advocates several models or methods for studying Christian spirituality. Aimed at college undergraduates and useful for those in spiritual counseling and direction.

The Christian faith has had a phenomenal impact on the development of the western world. This beautifully illustrated introduction to Christian spirituality through the centuries covers all the major traditions--East and West, Catholic, Orthodox, and Protestant, with special articles on key spiritual concepts, practices, and movements that continue to influence the way people all over the world live their lives in response to God. It also includes information on people and movements from outside the Church that have influenced Christian life and thought throughout 2,000 years. Also included are extracts from more than 100 of the greatest Christian spiritual writings--from the Gospels through the early Church Fathers, the saints and mystics, the reformers, and modern spiritual writers such as Scott Peck and C. S. Lewis.