Spiritual Living Reviews, July 2011
Jul 15, 2011This summer finds a sober mood in many of the new spiritual living books, but some joy as well. Here are books that speak to Roman Catholics, new takes on the old traditions of Confucianism and Pure Land Buddhism, as well as the practice of Tai Chi, and authors who help us come to terms with the opportunities and temptations of contemporary technology. The prolific Max Lucado and Joel Osteen are here. Readers can also get a new chance to visit the Amish, cherish the legacy of St. Thérèse, or learn that renewing the faith and moving toward a genuinely multifaith world are challenging tasks, but ones that can offer us summer joy. This column has been reconfigured with new subcategories, which we hope you’ll find clear and helpful.
ENGAGING THE TRADITIONS
Chittister, Joan. The Monastery of the Heart: An Invitation to a Meaningful Life. Bluebridge, dist. by IPG. 2011. c.224p. ISBN 9781933346342. $19.95. REL
Chittister (executive director, Benetvision; The Gift of Years: Growing Older Gracefully), prioress of the Benedictine Sisters of Erie, PA, is one of the most cherished Catholic writers now living. Her latest work is an invitation to spiritual reflection drawn from her own long experience and emphasizes topics important to her—lectio divina, prayer, service, and sacred art, among others. Her ideas are arrayed in a kind of loose free verse, and while they are indifferent as poetry, the slightly unusual disposition of words on the page slows the reader down, prompting a deeper engagement with the material. This book also provides an introduction to a growing alliance of spiritual seekers (www.monasteriesoftheheart.org) united by an interest in Benedictine life and spirituality. VERDICT Chittister’s new work reflects the creation of a new kind of quasi-monastic spirituality suited for the age of liberalization—and technology; her writing should find readers among individual seekers, academics, and churches.
Confucius, the Analects: The Path of the Sage: Selections Annotated & Explained. SkyLight Paths. 2011. c.176p. annot. & rev. by Rodney L. Taylor. tr. by James Legge. bibliog. index. ISBN 9781594733062. pap. $16.99. REL
In the West, the works of Confucius are frequently referenced, sometimes in jest, but too rarely actually read. Taylor (religious studies, Univ. of Colorado, Boulder) presents here a brief digest of selections from the fifth-century Chinese sage. He adapts the 19th-century translation by Legge and adds his own notes and commentary. VERDICT The ethical precepts of Confucius, with all their ambiguities, are finding new audiences in China, so this new selection has added importance for religious and non-religious readers alike.
George, Francis. God in Action: How Faith in God Can Address the Challenges of the World. Doubleday. 2011. c.240p. ISBN 9780307590268. $22.99. REL
Francis Cardinal George is the Roman Catholic archbishop of Chicago and also serves in several high-level functions for the Church in Rome. His writings should be understood as part of the ongoing conversation between the Roman Curia and the Catholic faithful. George urges a deeper engagement of religion in public life (though he upholds the separation of church and state) and calls for a culture of life, forgiveness, wariness about the dangers of work and money, and social justice. Like Benedict XVI, he is rather carefully nonspecific about the application of principles to the knotty issues of contemporary life, including the Church’s own stance on the role of women. VERDICT George is a respected leader in the Church, and his book—the most substantial statement of his views to date—will be read with interest by the devout, as well as by parish leaders and in seminaries.
Gulley, Philip. The Evolution of Faith: How God Is Creating a Better Christianity. HarperCollins. 2011. c.224p. ISBN 9780060736606. $24.99. REL
The cover of Gulley’s new book is a witty spoof on the “Darwin” walking fish decals, as well as the “Jesus” decals sans feet: it shows a footed fish graced with an emoticon-style smile. Gulley speaks, in part, for a community too seldom heard from—Quakers. The author of Front Porch Tales and host of “Porch Talk” on Indiana public radio’s Across Indiana, Gulley, a former Catholic, champions the idea that Christianity itself is changing and must change yet more—by celebrating inclusion, modeling community, cherishing the emulation of God’s beauty and grace, and distancing itself from the distractions of over-focus on the afterlife. VERDICT The verve and clarity of Gulley’s writing underscore the welcome nature of his message to many thoughtful “unchurched” or alienated Christians; Gulley gives focus to the liberal movement of many denominations and believers, and his book should be of interest to individuals and church study groups.
Hoover, Brett C. Comfort: An Atlas for the Body and Soul. Riverhead: Penguin Group (USA). Nov. 2011. c.304p. ISBN 9781594485480. pap. $16. REL
Hoover (Inst. for Pastoral Studies, Loyola Univ.), a member of the order of Paulist Fathers and cofounder and editor of bustedhalo.com, a website for young adults, here engages an antique concept in Christian spirituality. “Comfort,” as a goal or experience in Christian life, is a rather 19th-century idea; in our day, we have tended to emphasize spiritual combat and triumph. With wit and warmth, Hoover asserts that physical and spiritual comfort are legitimate needs and are in fact sources of renewed strength. VERDICT Hoover’s distinctive and well-written book should appeal broadly to American Christians, Catholic and non-Catholic alike.
Krishnamurti, J. The Quotable Krishnamurti. Quest: Theosophical. 2011. c.149p. ed. by Robert Epstein. bibliog. ISBN 9780835608909. pap. $12.95. REL
It would be easy to suppose that interest in a figure like Jiddu Krishnamurti would have subsided since his death in 1986, especially since the Theosophists with whom he was associated in his early years have fallen into greater discredit, thanks in part to books like Madame Blavatsky’s Baboon, but Krishnamurti rapidly and decisively broke from Theosophy, and his subsequent message of self-discovery and his denunciation of gurus and spiritual leadership continue to resonate. This new selection of his thoughts, alphabetically arranged by theme (e.g., “Acceptance”), is a volume best for dipping into, making it particularly appealing for readers with busy schedules. VERDICT Many readers will find Krishnamurti’s message of radical freedom and idiosyncratic self-realization more timely than ever; excellent for individual seekers and libraries starting a collection of non-Western spirituality.
Rones, Ramel with David Silver. Sunset Tai Chi: Simplified Tai Chi for Relaxation and Longevity. YMAA. 2011. c.423p. illus. ISBN 9781594392122. pap. $20.95. REL
Rones has an impressive résumé—qigong instructor at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and consultant in mind/body therapies at Harvard and Tufts medical schools. Tai Chi, in the West, is generally only superficially understood and respected; Rones’s books (this one is a follow-up to Sunrise Tai Chi: Simplified Tai Chi for Health & Longevity; there is also a Sunset Tai Chi DVD), while not as thorough as a complete training in the martial arts might be, are nevertheless meticulously detailed and extensively illustrated with photographs and sketches of each stage of movement. This volume presents exercises meant to relax the mind and body and draw out tension and negative energy accumulated during the day. VERDICT Rones’s books are perhaps Western readers’ best opportunity, short of individual instruction, to learn this strengthening and relaxing Chinese discipline.
Takamori, Kentetsu. Unlocking Tannisho: Shinran’s Words on the Pure Land Path. Ichimannendo. 2011. c.130p. tr. from Japanese by Juliet Winters Carpenter. illus. ISBN 9780979047152. $30. REL
Shinran, a 13th-century Japanese Buddhist monk, is acknowledged as the founder of the Jodo Shinsu sect of Pure Land Buddhism; the Tannisho, also known as the Lamentations of Divergences, is a record of his thought. This new version was prepared for Japanese readers by Takamori, the chair of the Jodo Shinsu organization, in 2008. A hit in Japan, it abbreviates some portions of the Tannisho while expanding upon and explaining others. Both Takamori and translator Carpenter emphasize the misinterpretations to which Shinran’s ideas are prone, and, for the Buddhist reader, this lavishly illustrated book should go a long way toward expounding a direct and truly Japanese understanding of Shinran’s teaching. VERDICT Takamori’s version of the Tannisho should make an important addition to any library on Japanese Buddhism, academic or personal.
ADVICE & SELF-HELP
Callahan, Sidney Cornelia. Called to Happiness: Where Faith and Psychology Meet. Orbis. Sept. 2011. c.206p. ISBN 9781570759185. pap. $20. REL
Psychologist Callahan (With All Our Hearts and Minds) asserts the links among the benefits of Christian spirituality and the benefits of Alcoholics Anonymous and its implied spirituality, as well as the Positive Psychology approach to well-being. While making connections between psychology and religion is hardly new—vide Jung, or the discipline of spiritual formation—Callahan takes a new approach, bringing faith and psychology together around the desire for happiness. VERDICT Callahan brings the resources of social psychology and social science to bear on the fruits of Christian spirituality; her book will be of interest to academics, the helping professions, and individual Christians.
Caplan, Mariana. The Guru Question: The Perils & Rewards of Choosing a Spiritual Teacher. Sounds True. 2011. c.417p. bibliog. ISBN 9781604070736. pap. $16.95. REL
Caplan (Eyes Wide Open: Cultivating Discernment on the Spiritual Path), a psychotherapist and teacher of yogic practices, fills, with this new book—a kind of user’s manual to spiritual guides and gurus—a need we had not named yet. Her work mixes personal experience with an understanding of psychology, and includes counsel on how to discern the right teacher for each student, retain autonomy, and remain wary of predatory and false gurus. This is not a complete history of teacher-student relations in modern spirituality (a project, perhaps, for another writer) but includes several illuminating interviews with current spiritual teachers. VERDICT While not an exhaustive study of the field, this will prove immensely useful to individuals seeking advisers and guides; it will become an important go-to book for librarians as well.
Dyer, John. From the Garden to the City: The Redeeming and Corrupting Power of Technology. Kregel. Aug. 2011. c.192p. ISBN 9780825426681. pap. $13.99. REL
This book, like Tim Sinclair’s Branded (reviewed on p. 68) from the same publisher, is concerned with how Christianity can and must confront some of the ineluctable features of contemporary life. Dyer (director of web development, Dallas Theological Seminary) engages the challenges of technology by using, among other resources, Stanford engineer Stephen J. Kline’s “layers” of technology and then seeking out biblical precedents for our current relationship with technology. He acknowledges the distance between technology’s shallow allure and the deep personal relationships that faith ought to encourage. VERDICT Dyer tackles some of the thorny and at times unacknowledged questions of spiritual life. Many Christians and church study groups will find this an excellent discussion starter, despite its brevity.
Fisher, Suzanne Woods. Amish Values for Your Family: What We Can Learn from the Simple Life. Revell. Aug. 2011. c.192p. ISBN 9780800719968. pap. $12.99. REL
Fisher, author (Amish Peace) and host of the radio program Amish Wisdom, has rapidly established herself as a kind of conduit for outsiders interested in learning about Old Order and Amish traditions—a kind of inheritance from her “Plain” grandfather. Most Americans knew little about the Amish before seeing the Harrison Ford film Witness; many then promptly forgot about this small cluster of communities known for their adherence to an Anabaptist faith and their uneasy rejection of most features of modern life. Here, Fisher shares the anecdotes of Amish friends and emphasizes the lessons to be learned from them. VERDICT While we are all in danger of misunderstanding the Amish and celebrating a falsely folksy, twee quality, Fisher’s work attempts to establish firmer links between Amish values and our world without entirely embracing their choices or rejecting ours; readers of the increasingly popular stream of Amish fiction should enjoy this taste of Amish reality.
Lucado, Max. God’s Story, Your Story: When His Becomes Yours. Zondervan. Oct. 2011. c.192p. ISBN 9780310294030. $24.99. REL
Lucado, called “America’s Pastor” by Christianity Today, is almost more an industry than a mere writer—he has averaged more than three books a year since the late 1990s. In this, his only full-length new work for 2011, Lucado makes a pointed connection between the life journeys of his readers and the working out of God’s will. He re-emphasizes the links among Jesus’s humility and courageous acts, as suggested by the Bible, and our own stories. His book includes numerous briefly recounted life stories—his own, Nelson Mandela’s, his mother’s—to make the point that the human “story indwells God’s.” VERDICT While Lucado’s theology is not new—incarnation and redemption are age-old themes—his approach is fresh and engaging. Likely to draw the interest of individual Christians and many church reading groups.
Sinclair, Tim. Branded: Sharing Jesus with a Consumer Culture. Kregel. 2011. c.144p. ISBN 9780825438943. pap. $11.99.
Sinclair, a professional marketer and host of the Christian radio program Mornings with Tim and Pam, rather unconvincingly attempts to persuade Christians to “market” Jesus and their faith as enthusiastically and in much the same manner as they do their gadgets and products. Like John Dyer’s From the Garden to the City (reviewed on p. 67), this is a brief but interesting volume, raising issues that are not going to go away. VERDICT Although Sinclair’s work is unlikely to prove the last word on the subject, it will be useful to stir up discussion in church groups.
Thomas, Adam. Digital Disciple: Real Christianity in a Virtual World. Abingdon. 2011. c.132p. ISBN 9781426712203. pap. $15. REL
Thomas (wherethewind.com and devo180.com), ordained to the Episcopal priesthood, discusses the relationship of authentic spirituality to our increasingly online world. A self-professed former Internet addict, Thomas concedes the importance of the web for reaching other Christians but warns that Internet “connection” is no substitute for personal interaction. VERDICT Written in a personal and direct manner, this will speak to many Christians; whether it will reach other millennials or influence next-generation priests and parishioners remains to be seen.
MEMOIR & BIOGRAPHY
Carlson, David. Peace Be with You: Monastic Wisdom for a Terror-Filled World. Thomas Nelson. Aug. 2011. c.301p. ISBN 9780849947186. pap. $15.99. REL
Carlson (religious studies, Franklin Coll.), a scholar of monasticism, Orthodox-Catholic relations, and adult faith development, here offers an idiosyncratic mixture of spiritual autobiography and interfaith study. After 9/11, Carlson embarked on a long journey, interviewing more than 30 abbots, nuns, monks, and other religious leaders in an attempt to articulate new ways that Christianity and Islam, despite their apparent differences, might find a rapprochement. Carlson embraces, with some pain, the idea that Christ is found in the “woundedness” of the world, and that the only way forward is for all faiths to live more fully in their own faith, with compassion. VERDICT Carlson’s moving personal journey reaches far beyond his own identities as a male, Christian, and academic, to address the questions many have asked over the past ten years; both individuals and church groups should benefit.
King, Heather. Shirt of Flame: A Year with St. Thérèse of Lisieux. Paraclete. Nov. 2011. c.196p. ISBN 9781557258083. pap. $16.99. REL
The fascination of Thérèse of Lisieux, known as the “Little Flower,” is apparently inexhaustible. An obscure French Carmelite, dead at 24, she became celebrated and eventually canonized after the publication of her spiritual autobiography, The Story of a Soul, which spoke of the “Little Way,” her distinctive path to sanctity. She has attracted a spectacular array of devotees, including John Paul I, Vita Sackville-West, Edith Piaf, and Jack Kerouac. King’s (Redeemed: Stumbling Toward God; Parched) record of a year spent in the study of Thérèse is just the latest, then, in more than a century of mash notes for the tubercular saint. VERDICT This joins the stream of Paraclete’s successful encounters—both systematic and personal—with saints; King’s memoiristic approach should appeal to readers hungry for the autobiographical slant.
Osteen, John with Joel Osteen. Becoming a Man of Unwavering Faith. FaithWords. 2011. c.224p. ISBN 9780892968893. $18.99. REL
It’s fair to say that Joel Osteen, frequently reviewed in these pages, may be more beloved by his followers than by theologians. He exemplifies an American kind of gospel—no longer of prosperity, but of kindness. Son of John Osteen, founder of Lakewood Church in Houston, TX, Joel Osteen has created this book as a kind of Father’s Day tribute. It features brief sermons and reflections from John, followed by reflections from Joel. VERDICT Joel Osteen commands a strong and affectionate following; his message (“Don’t give up!”), as well as the strength of his father’s experience, will speak to many.
| Author Information |
| Graham Christian, formerly with Andover-Harvard Theological Library, teaches writing at the University of Hartford and is completing an MSLIS at Simmons College, MA |
