Devotional Classics: Revised Edition: Selected Readings for Individuals and Groups

By Richard J. Foster

Book Overview

A New, Expanded Edition of Renovar 's Classic Companion to the Devotional Life Updated to incorporate all six traditions, or "streams," that comprise a healthy and holistic life of faith, these fifty-two selections have been organized to introduce the reader to the great devotional writers over the course of one year. Edited by James Bryan Smith, each reading is accompanied by an introduction and meditation by Richard J. Foster. In addition, each entry includes a related biblical passage, discussion questions, and individual and group exercises. With devotional readings in 1. The Prayer-Filled Life 2. The Virtuous Life 3. The Spirit-Empowered Life 4. The Compassionate Life 5. The Word-Centered Life 6. The Sacramental Life Foster and Smith sift through works from the great spiritual writers of the past as well as readings from contemporary spiritual leaders to create a guide that is indispensable for those looking for a deeper and more balanced spiritual life.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0060777508
• ISBN13: 9780060777500
• Release Date: June 2005
• Publisher: HarperOne
• Length: 400 Pages
• Weight: 1.25 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.1" x 7.3" x 9.1"

Customer Reviews

Review of actual book

I would recommend buying "Like New" if ink in a book bothers you as it does me. First one I ordered was Like New and it was excellent. I ordered in Very Good Condition. Both had lots of ink underlining and comments I don't need or want. I tore one up and put in my trash. The other the person didn't read very far in book so only in a few chapters but I certainly won't give it away. It will not be making a trip to Uganda. It is sad there is no way of knowing.

Like NO other devotional.

This devotional will stir you heart, open your mind and inspire you to serve our SAVIOR JESUS with all of you heart, strength and mind.

Weekly challenge

In our men's bible study, we have been going through several of the selections. It is definitely a thought provoking as we see how God uses other people's greatest contribution to Christendom to give inspiration and challenge to our modern day world. This is not cursory reading by any means. If you are looking for something that goes beyond the easy Sunday school answer, this is a great book for you. Many of our participants are avid readers and consider this book a great addition to their theological collection as well.

explore the wisdom of the ages

This is a compilation of spiritual food from some of the devotional masters of the past 2000 years. These are men and women who walked with God, whose meditations probed with awe the depths of God. Foster has collected some of the best of these meditations and organized them. This is a book that can be read and reread. It will be a treasure for years.

An excellent resource

This is an excellent book for several reasons. First, it is a wonderful collection of 52 different devotional Christian writers from the second century to today. Second, for anyone interested in developing spiritual disciplines the exercises at the end of each chapter are excellent launching pads. Additionally, the book gives succinct biogaphical information about each writer, lending some insight into the readings themselves. And finally, each chapter ends with a brief review of and information on the availability of that writer's works.

Connecting Us to the Full 2,000 Years of Our Heritage

I have been giving this book as a gift to as many people as I can. It is a welcome respite from the devotional books found in most Christian bookstores, whose owners seem to think that nothing of worth was written between the Bible and C.S. Lewis' conversion. As someone raised thoroughly Protestant, I have enjoyed not only an introduction to the more devotion-oriented writings of the great Protestant heavies (Luther, Calvin, Wesley, Edwards, Kierkegaard, Lewis, Bonhoeffer, et al.), and of the best-known pre-Reformation writers (Augustine, Gregory of Nyssa, John Chrysostom, Benedict, St. Bernard, St. Francis, Julian, a Kempis), but also an introduction to the great post-Reformation Catholic writers, either unknown or ignored in most evangelical literature. Writers such as Catherine of Genoa, Brother Lawrence, de Sales, de Caussade, Grou, Fenelon, Pascal, John of the Cross, Merton, and Nouwen have won a special place in my heart, having introduced me to the merits and v! arieties of Catholic traditions. I assume and hope that Catholic readers will have the same experience reading such Protestants as Bunyon, Taylor, Fox, Woolman, Spurgeon, Laubach, and Kelly, to name just a few. The benefits of learning devotion from both traditions have been marvelous -- I feel that my connection to the Church is now based on the full 2,000 years of tradition and testimony. Now when I peruse Christian bookstores, I no longer feel pressured to keep up with the latest additions to the authorial market -- I have plenty of time-tested teachers to read, and re-read, and re-read yet again....