Companion Christian Spirituality

Christian spirituality has recently emerged as a distinct (and growing) 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. Like all volumes in the Blackwell Companions to Religion series, The Blackwell Companion to Christian Spirituality represents the most significant recent scholarship and knowledge in the field.
Without attempting to impose a single definition of Christian spirituality upon its contributors, 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.

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 book contains thirty essays covering 550 pages, all specially commissioned. It amounts to the single most thorough treatment of the field to date ... lending the book considerable interest and depth [and] shows that the study of Christian spirituality has started to display the characteristics of a mature academic field: teaching, research, and an identifiable community of scholars and scholarship ... Be reassured that things are looking up: scholars are less often approaching spirituality reductively, and good work is being done." The Way "For those who want to respond to the 'spiritual search of our times' and wonder what Christianity can contribute at this moment in our history, I strongly recommend the book - it will not disappoint." Journal of Contemporary Religion "This is a rich and comprehensive resource not only for theologians but also for ordinands, parish priests and teachers." New Directions "An interesting idea." LOGOS "It is an excellent resource for scholars and graduate students." Brigid O'Shea Merriman, O.S.F., Lourdes College "A state-of-the-art treatment of the very wide field of christian spirituality...A rich feast." Network Review Network