A Little Guide to Christian Spirituality: Three Dimensions of Life with God

by Glen G. Scorgie

Book Overview

Navigating the contemporary spiritual maze is a challenge. This book will help readers: - Think clearly about Christian spirituality - Understand its basic dynamics, and - Utilize classic and... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0310274591
• Release Date: October 2007
• Publisher: Zondervan
• Length: 192 Pages
• Weight: 2.75 lbs.
• Dimensions: 8.6" x 0.7" x 5.5"

Customer Reviews

A good Introduction

Spirituality is really popular today, especially in an ever increasing spiritually eclectic America. The problem is, what exactly is spirituality? The lack of clear definitions, or explanations have lead to all kinds of dangerous choices for people. Bruce Waltke once said in a lecture on Proverbs, The problem in America is that we are open to everything but committed to nothing. Wisdom, he said, would save us from destruction. Reading Dr. Scorgie's Introduction to Christian Spirituality will set you on the path to rightly understanding what spirituality is, and more specifically, what Christian Spirituality is. There is such a thing as a distinctive Christian spirituality. It is one that Scorgie lays out as involving three essential dynamics: the relational dynamic, the transformational dynamic, and the vocational dynamic. As I noted, there is a great deal of interest in spirituality today. It is important that Christians have even a basic understanding of the issues so they are able to engage such issues competently so as to help others and to grow spiritually in their own lives. If we ask the question, what is spirituality? One answer could be, as Scorgie's daughter said, "it's about encountering the transcendent and being changed by it" (25). Christian Spirituality then, would be to encounter God and be changed by him. So leading into Christian Spirituality then, Scorgie writes: Authentic Christianity has always celebrated the possibility of experiencing God in [a] direct and interactive sense. At the same time it has insisted that there is more to being a Christian than this. And this brings us to the holistic definition of spirituality. Such spirituality is about living all of life before God. In its full sense [Christian] spirituality is synonymous with the Christian life lived with God. It involves more than experiences, although it has an important place for those. It also encompasses things like repentance, moral renewal, soul-crafting, community building, witness, service, and faithfulness to one's calling (26). So Christian Spirituality then, is about living all of life before God in the transforming and empowering presence of the Holy Spirit. Scorgie lays out three essential dynamics of how this can happen. The first is the relational dynamic, or Christ with us. The relational dynamic involves knowing that we are not alone - that, in the words of Francis Schaeffer, "there is a God, and he is not silent." Through the work of Christ on the cross and through the empowering presence of the Holy Spirit, God brings us into a dynamic relationship with him - that relationship then flows into our relationships with others and with the creation - in following the sacrificial love of Christ for us, we are to imitate that in seek to love others sacrificially through displays of grace and mercy to those who need it. The second is the transformational dynamic, or Christ in us. The ultimate goal of the Christian life

A Plain English Layman's Guide

Dr. Scorgie's style of writing is refreshing. Many theologians have difficulty writing for non-theologians. The terms of art used in their world usually require so much interpretation that the reader loses interest long before the end of the book. And he doesn't talk down to lay people, which often happens. Because of his excellent writing style, the book is a page-turner which catches the reader by surprise. His self-deprecating humor rounds out the stories he tells in a way that brings Christian spirituality (typically a snoozer) to life. Read and enjoy it.