Spiritual Formation: A Concise Introduction and Guide

ISBN-13: 9783030974466 / Angielski / Twarda / 2022

Corneliu C. Simuț

Opis

This book is a multichapter introduction to spiritual formation within the Christian tradition. Corneliu C. Simuț discusses spiritual formation from the views of several Christian thinkers, with a chapter devoted to each thinker. The concluding chapter notes common themes shared by each thinker. The author presents some key Patristic, Medieval, Early Modern, Modern, and Contemporary theologians in a way that is characterized by brevity, concision, and clarity. Thus, this small book is a useful introduction to spiritual formation from a Christian perspective. It would be helpful for a college student or young adult who seeks to be educated on the subject. The conciseness of the book is a benefit. Yet the book raises interesting questions for further pursuit.  A very succinct – but comprehensive – historical presentation of sanctification through the lens of spiritual formation, a concept which has been revived in the past two decades, especially in Evangelical circles, this text is useful for a college course in spiritual formation or religion.

Spis treści

1. Introduction: A Concise Survey of Spiritual Formation

2. ‘Renewal in Its Various Stages of Progress’: Spiritual Formation as Divine Journey in Origen Adamantius

3. ‘Our Struggle Is for the Contemplation of the Holy Trinity’: Spiritual Formation as Divine Contemplation in Evagrius Ponticus

4. ‘God, Soul, and Flesh’: Spiritual Formation as Divine Embodiment in Aurelius Augustine

5. ‘Endure Hard Labor for Christ’: Spiritual Formation as Christological Imitation in Thomas à Kempis

6. ‘The Word That Brings the Voice’: Spiritual Formation as Christological Speaking in Martin Luther

7. ‘Christ Had to Become Ours’: Spiritual Formation as Christological Living in John Calvin

8. ‘Universal Obedience Is Essential’: Spiritual Formation as Constant Mortification in John Owen

9. ‘Let Me Never Be Separated from Him’: Spiritual Formation as Total Submission in Blaise Pascal

10. ‘All the Talents He Has’: Spiritual Formation as Christian Perfection in John Wesley

11. ‘They Will Reign in Love’: Spiritual Formation as Sanctified Affections in Jonathan Edwards

12. ‘The Book Has Warmed My Heart’: Spiritual Formation as Bible Reading in Charles Spurgeon

13. ‘We Catechize Because We Must’: Spiritual Formation as Evangelistic Catechesis in James Packer

14. Conclusion: Spiritual Formation as Transformative Reality

O autorze

Corneliu C. Simuț is Professor of Theology at Aurel Vlaicu University, Romania.