As If the Heart Mattered

by Gregory S. Clapper

Book Overview

As If the Heart Mattered expounds on John Wesley's image of religion as a house by exploring three main parts: the porch of repentance, the door of faith, and holiness (the house itself). Useful study helps include references to John Wesley sermons and Charles Wesley hymns. But this approach to spiritual life transcends Methodism and provides essential biblical truth applicable to all Christians. Questions for reflection or discussion are provided...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1625646429
• ISBN13: 9781625646422
• Release Date: February 2014
• Publisher: Wipf & Stock Publishers
• Length: 112 Pages
• Weight: 0.35 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.3" x 5.5" x 8.4"

Customer Reviews

Very clear and readable

I met Professor Clapper when he was on duty for the National Guard, and we swapped titles--one of my books for his. I have to say I'm impressed, and I speak as someone who hasn't been a practicing Christian for two decades. This book is clear, concise, lucid, interesting to read, and summarizes its points in an easily understandable way that's neither supercilious nor shallow. It expresses such important points as self doubt being a usurpation of God's judgment by the individual, and helps define the role of each in Christian theology. It provides scriptural references as bullets at the end of each chapter, and is well-supported with other references. Neither my wife nor I are Christian, but we found it morally and spiritually useful. I think that's the best praise I can offer. I'd give it five stars if it were longer. This is the first theological text I've read where I wanted more.

commonsense spirituality

Gregory Clapper uses fundamental and basic images, ones understandable at all reading levels, to impart a basic message of Christian spirituality. While the description may be basic, Clapper does not shortchange or simplify essential practices of faith. He writes of spiritual practices and invites readers to enter what he describes as the "house of faith," a very personal view of spirituality that is not in conflict with Orthodox understandings of corporate spirituality. His work will make sense to those in any Christian faith tradition.

Hospitality : a Heart Spirituality

Clapper offers an approach to Wesleyan spirituality that moves beyond more parochial understandings of John Wesley and shows Wesley as one firmly grounded in the larger Christian traditions.The image of "house" of religion is an important one to Clapper and offers a good sense of the true hospitality inherent in Christian spirituality. One does not think (normally) of a house as forbidding; rather, a house is a place that extends love and caring. So Clapper offers the Wesleyan image of the house of religion as a place where love and caring are inherent. Such hospitality comes from the heart of spiritual practice. A good small-group study.