The Blackwell Companion to Christian Spirituality

Christian spirituality has emerged as a distinct academic field in universities, colleges, and theological schools. The Blackwell Companion to Christian Spirituality is a comprehensive, single–volume introduction to the subject which takes a thoroughly interdisciplinary, broadly ecumenical approach.

Without attempting to impose a single definition of Christian spirituality, the Companion reflects an understanding of the field as the study of the lived experience of Christian faith and discipleship. The six parts of the volume deal with approaches to the study of Christian spirituality, biblical foundations, historical developments, theological perspectives, interdisciplinary dialogue partners, and selected special topics in contemporary Christian spirituality.

This volume will be of interest to scholars in the field and in other related disciplines, to undergraduate and graduate students in theology and religious studies, and to Christians of all denominations who desire to learn more about the practice of faith.

Notes on Contributors.

Acknowledgments.

Introduction (Arthur Holder, Graduate Theological Union).

Part I: What is Christian Spirituality?

1. Approaches to the Study of Christian Spirituality (Sandra M. Schneiders, Graduate Theological Union).

Part II: Scripture and Christian Spirituality.

2. The Old Testament in Christian Spirituality (Barbara Green, Graduate Theological Union).

3. The New Testament in Christian Spirituality (Bonnie Thurston, ordained minister).

Part III: Christian Spirituality in History.

4. Christian Spirituality during the Roman Empire (100 600) (Columba Stewart, Saint John s School of Theology).

5. Christian Spirituality in Byzantium and the East (600 1700) (John A. McGuckin, Union Theological Seminary and Columbia University).

6. Christian Spirituality in the Medieval West (600 1450) (Ulrike Wiethaus, Wake Forest University).

7. European Reformations of Christian Spirituality (1450 1700) (Jill Raitt, Univeristy of Missouri–Columbia).

8. Christian Spirituality in Europe and North America since 1700 (Diana Butler Bass , Virginia Theological Seminary) and Joseph Stewart–Sicking, Virginia Theological Seminary).

9. Christian Spirituality in Africa, Asia, Latin America, and Oceania (Richard Fox Young, Princeton Theological Seminary).

Part IV: Theology and Christian Spirituality.

10. Trinitarian Perspectives on Christian Spirituality (Mark A. McIntosh, Loyola University of Chicago).

11. Christology in Christian Spirituality (William Thompson–Uberuaga, Duquesne University).

12. The Holy Spirit in Christian Spirituality (Robert Davis Hughes III, University of the South, Sewanee).

13. Christian Spirituality and the Theology of the Human Person (Philip Endean, University of Oxford).

14. The Church as Context for Christian Spirituality (David Lonsdale, University of London).

15. Sacramentality and Christian Spirituality (Ann Loades, University of Durham).

16. Christian Spirituality and Theological Ethics (William C. Spohn, University of Santa Clara).

Part V: Interdisciplinary Dialogue Partners for the Study of Christian Spirituality.

17. Social Sciences (John A. Coleman, Loyola Marymount University, Los Angeles).

18. Personality Sciences (Janet K. Ruffing, Fordham University).

19. Natural Sciences (Robert John Russell, Graduate Theological Union).

20. Aesthetics (Alejandro García–Rivera, Graduate Theological Union).

21. Feminist Studies (Amy Hollywood, University of Chicago Divinity School).

22. Ritual Studies (Susan J. White, Texas Christian University).

23. Theology of Religions  (Michael Barnes, University of London).

Part VI: Special Topics in Contemporary Christian Spirituality.

24. Experience (David Hay, University of Aberdeen).

25. Mysticism (David B. Perrin, Saint Paul University).

26. Interpretation (Philip F. Sheldrake, University of Durham).

27. Nature (Douglas Burton–Christie, Loyola Marymount University, Los Angeles).

28. Practice (Elizabeth Liebert, San Francisco Theological Seminary).

29. Liberation (Michael Battle, Duke University).

30. Interfaith Encounter (Kwok Pui–lan, Episcopal Divinity School).

Index.

Arthur Holder is Dean and Vice President for Academic Affairs and Professor of Christian Spirituality at Graduate Theological Union. A priest of the Episcopal Church, he is the co–translator of Bede: A Biblical Miscellany (1999) and the translator of Bede: On the Tabernacle (1994). He is currently Co–chair of the Christian Spirituality Group of the American Academy of Religion, and serves on the Governing Board of the Society for the Study of Christian Spirituality and the Editorial Board of the Society s journal Spiritus.

Represents a full survey of the latest research in the field and will form an essential component of academic libraries with theological collections and make a valuable contribution to public libraries with specialist collections in the humanities. ( Reference Reviews)

"This is a rich and comprehensive resource not only for theologians but also for ordinands, parish priests and teachers." (New Directions)

It amounts to the single most thorough treatment of the field to date lending the book considerable interest and depth (The Way)