By the time I had finished his chapters on 'The Book of Scripture' and 'The Book of Nature,' I was feeling positively inspired. His piece on the dark night of the soul is wonderful.
Allen's account of the difference between lust and sexual instinct is just one of those in this chapter which I thought a masterpiece. …Perhaps it is because I am a Catholic that I settled down most comfortably when I was past conversion and on to the eight deadly thoughts (or seven deadly sins, as they were called when I first learnt about them). All the motives he mentions for God-seeking are well explained, with the help of extracts from his customary wealth of sources. Allen examines the most common reasons why people seek God, starting with distress in the face of troubles such as natural disasters. In a way, Diogenes Allen's opening is an easy one, clearly and kindly written, citing examples from all ages and branches of Christian history. Above all his work bears the very real enthusiasm of a 'convert' who you sense is discovering something for the first time and is exceptionally eager to pass it on., I was glad to see the first chapter of this book entitled 'What is Spiritual Theology?' as that was the first question that came to my mind when I wondered whether or not to read it, given that I do not like theology and have never heard of the spiritual variety. begins with an autobiographical exploration as to his discovery of 'spiritual theology' after years of being 'a teacher of philosophy and theology to students preparing to be ministers.'"This introduction is helpful and sets the scene for Allen's endeavour, which is to open up the depths and vistas of the Great Tradition as a practice of holy living-a bodily practice of learning 'to live every moment of one's life with an awareness of God.' Allen writes fluently, and in eleven shortish chapters covers the classical pattern of the spiritual journey as it has been repeatedly performed in the tradition. This book is a basic and accessible introduction to the classic writings and doctrines of the spiritual life.ĭiogenes Allen's new book. Allen writes simply and clearly of the active life and the development of virtue, and the contemplative life, which includes coming to know God through the Book of Nature and the Book of Scripture as well as directly, face to face, which is the domain of mystical theology. Allen covers the great questions of the spiritual life: what is the Christian goal? what leads us toward that goal, and what hinders us? what is conversion? how can we discern our progress in the spiritual life? what are the fruits of the Spirit? A second purpose of the book is to introduce readers to the disciplines and texts of the threefold way, found in the eastern church from the fourth century on. Victor, Calvin and Luther, George Herbert-to recover a spirituality that is rich with the doctrines and disciplines of theology. In Spiritual Theology Allen turns to the great teachers of the past-the church fathers, Augustine, Maximus the Confessor, Bonaventure, Hugh of St. Often spirituality today is isolated from church teaching and doctrine, as in Joseph Campbell's treatment of myth and the many forms of New Age theologies, but doctrine apart from the life of prayer is abstract and sterile.
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