Soul Feast: An Invitation to the Christian Spiritual Life

by Marjorie J. Thompson

Book Overview

Soul Feast is a book for seekers who wish to explore the riches of Christian spirituality. Marjorie Thompson offers a framework for understanding and nurturing classic spiritual disciplines such as prayer, fasting, spiritual reading, self-examination, worship, and hospitality. This best-selling devotional book has been used by both individuals and groups to deepen and expand their inner spiritual lives.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0664255485
• ISBN13: 9780664255480
• Release Date: July 1995
• Publisher: Westminster John Knox Press
• Length: 173 Pages
• Weight: 0.86 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 7.4" x 9.3"

Customer Reviews

Excellent experiential guide to spiritual formation

As the author states in her Introduction, this book is primarily experiential and interactive. As such, it is highly usable in both form and function. The book is DESIGNED with wide margins containing quotations that illuminate the text, questions to contemplate, suggestions for written reflection, and space enough to scribble ones notes. The CONTENT treats eight disciplines: spiritual reading, praying, worshiping, fasting, examination of conscience, spiritual guidance, hospitality and developing a "rule of life". Thompson concentrates on one practice per chapter, and includes historical, theological, and biblical references, along with practical exercises to "learn" the discipline. Chapters vary in length (13-20 pages) and end with Footnotes. An Annotated Biliography and Group Study Guide complete the book; both are excellent. The author provides strong, gentle guidance in a voice that is clear and direct. Her approach is inclusive of all Christians, transcending liturgical and dogmatic differences. This ecumenical approach is evident in quotations and works cited. Another reviewer described Soul Feast as "a watered-down version" of Richard Foster's *Celebration of Discipline. I understand this reviewer's passion for Foster's book; it's excellent and well-written. I use both Celebration and Soul Feast to help guide my spiritual formation. They both cover many of the same disciplines, but treat them differently. And though there are differences, Soul Feast is not derivitive. (For the record, Soul Feast is not "full of footnotes to Foster"; of 92 footnotes, 6 note Foster) Foster includes chapters on simplicity, solitude, submission and service -- each treated separately -- while Thompson integrates them with other practices. Thompson includes a chapter on creating a "rule of life", Foster does not. Soul Feast tends to be more hands-on, something that's reinforced by its format. Foster tends to be more informational, Thompson formational. Thompson's style is strong, Foster imposing. Yin and yang; I like them both. I use them both. Many do.

SPIRITUAL PRACTICE

Countless books have been written on Christian spirituality from a theological, intellectual and historical perspective. All of them have strengths which deepens our appreciation of spirituality. Spirituality, however, is to be lived and practiced in the lives of believers. Thus these books fall short in emphasizing spiritual practice. Soul Feast corrects this by inviting the reader to enter the spiritual through the practice of the spiritual disciplines. It is through these disciplines that we can live out a spiritual life. This is a balanced text which thouroughly integrates theory and practice with a greater emphasis on the latter. Protestants, whose background doesn't include the spiritual discipline will be greatful in rediscovering them. Spiritual direction and hospitality are just a few of them discussed in this valuable work.

This book really is a feast!

This clearly written and beautifully designed book is an accessible and nourishing guide to spiritual growth. It is an excellent beginner's manual but also has much to offer the more experienced reader. Even its format and layout carry the message that the Christian spiritual life can be graceful, diverse, inviting, and edible in small bites or big chunks, at one's own pace.