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Devotional Classics: Selected Readings for Individuals and Groups
These fifty-two selections have been organized to introduce readers through the course of one year to the great devotional writers. The readings have been edited by James Smith, and each is accompanied by an introduction and meditation by Richard Foster. In addition, each reading features a linked biblical passage, discussion questions, and individual and group excercises....more
Paperback, 353 pages
Published
June 11th 1993
by HarperOne
(first published 1993)
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If you are looking for a devotional guide and you are not afraid to stray a little outside the boundaries of your own Christian tradition to be blessed by other brothers and sisters in Christ, then this is well worth reading.
This is arraigned like a "greatest hits" collection from many of the great Christian writers, theologians, mystics, and preachers throughout the centuries. They include pre-Nicene writers such as Gregory of Nyssa and John Chrysostom; Perhaps more familiar names from antiqui...more
This is arraigned like a "greatest hits" collection from many of the great Christian writers, theologians, mystics, and preachers throughout the centuries. They include pre-Nicene writers such as Gregory of Nyssa and John Chrysostom; Perhaps more familiar names from antiqui...more
Aug 02, 2011
Leslie
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
christian-living,
theology
This is one of my all time favorite devotional books. It's all-star cast of "Greats" keeps me coming back year after year. This book is a wonderful introduction to renown Christian writers like C.S. Lewis, Jonathan Edwards, Martin Luther, John Calvin, Teresa of Avila, Francis de Sales, Thomas a Kempis, among others. It highlights selections from their greater works and moves through seven "streams" or traditions within Christianity: Preparing for the Spiritual Life, The Prayer-Filled Life (The C...more
Why I bought this book was to keep the names of all the authors, even though they are just excerpts from their original books, from the books I read from the Library over the years.
Such as C.S. Lewis as I have read several of his stories. I read a lot of St. Augustine, Thomas Merton on meditation, John Calvin, Thomas a Kempis, George Fox and many of their sermons, including Ignatius of Loyola, John Bunyan is embedded in the book, John Wesley, Francis of Assisi which I have modeled my life after...more
Such as C.S. Lewis as I have read several of his stories. I read a lot of St. Augustine, Thomas Merton on meditation, John Calvin, Thomas a Kempis, George Fox and many of their sermons, including Ignatius of Loyola, John Bunyan is embedded in the book, John Wesley, Francis of Assisi which I have modeled my life after...more
This is an exceptionally good compilation of short sections of many, many Christian authors from the last 2000 years with reflection questions at the end of each quotation. I HIGHLY recommend this book for everyone, especially pastors. I think this would make an excellent book for a small group. I think most Christians are ignorant of history and looking for more devotional material, but scared to spend the money on such unknown quantities. This will give you a taste of all the big names and all...more
Includes readings from ancient and modern writers such as C. S. Lewis, John of the Cross, Martin Luther, John Bunyan, Francis of Assisi and Madame Guyon. Here is a great quote from Dallas Willard: "Nondiscipleship costs abiding peace, a life penetrated throughout by love, faith that sees everything in the light of God's overriding governance for good, hopefulness that stands firm in the most discouraging of circumstances, power to do what is right and withstand the forces of evil. In short, it c...more
Devotional Classics contains 52 readings from a large variety, (temporally, theologically, etc.) of authors/pastors/thinkers organized within different traditions (I.e. Contemplative, Holiness, Evangelical, Charismatic, etc.)
Designed to be used with a discussion group, note that discussion questions are included, I read it much more quickly and independently. It works well as a devotional reading guide and you'll come away with an extensive "to read" list. I see how this material would work very...more
Designed to be used with a discussion group, note that discussion questions are included, I read it much more quickly and independently. It works well as a devotional reading guide and you'll come away with an extensive "to read" list. I see how this material would work very...more
At last I am finished with this book. This is an excellent compilation of portions of (mostly) classic Christian works throughout the ages, in devotional format. The authors range from Athanasius to Augustine to Bernard of Clairvaux to C.S. Lewis. The readings are not designed to be read hastily, but in a contemplative and thoughtful manner. The book is designed for one reading per week for a year, or 52 total. The selections include discussion questions and exercises for the week designed to pu...more
So far this is a very interesting book which I would recommend for any book club. It is designed for a personal devotional reading program with 52 readings, with related scriptures, reflection questions and author assessment/reflection after each reading. The readings are drawn from a great variety of Catholic and Protestant writers mostly well known to everyone. The book has an ecumenical intent and might be particularly well suited for mixed denominational reading groups.
Now some months later...more
Now some months later...more
A great overview of writings about the Christian faith from authors over the centuries (from early church fathers all the way up to current writers). I really loved the variety of viewpoints that you get from writers coming from all different denominations, vocations, and time periods. From St. Augustine, Teresa of Avila, John of the Cross, Martin Luther, Madame Guyon, C.S.Lewis...the list goes on.
The book is set up as 52 different readings, so that you can use it in a small group or individuall...more
The book is set up as 52 different readings, so that you can use it in a small group or individuall...more
Originally, I didn't want to read this book because I thought it was a bunch of dull writings by a bunch of dead white guys (I was in my mid 20's when I read it). While part of that is true (I think they're all dead), I enjoyed it until towards the end. The last few selections aren't quite as interesting to me for some reason.
Generally, this book is full of well selected spiritual writings. I encourage it to be read in a small group, but maybe that is because I like to talk!
As a Friend (Quaker),...more
Generally, this book is full of well selected spiritual writings. I encourage it to be read in a small group, but maybe that is because I like to talk!
As a Friend (Quaker),...more
Foster and Smith collect devotional classics and organize them around the topic of preparing for spiritual life and then six traditions from which we all can learn and grow: the prayer-filled life the contemplative tradition); the virtuous life (the holiness tradition); the spirit-empowered life (the charismatic tradition); the compassionate life (the social justice tradition); the word-centered life (the evangelical tradition); and the sacramental life (the incarnational tradition). I found mys...more
Jul 30, 2009
Larissa
is currently reading it
This book is great. It has insights from Christians across the centuries, and the subtitle of the book I have is:"A Renovare Resource for Spiritual Renewal" The readings come from all different sources, so it provides references for further reading too.
Jul 20, 2010
Amy
is currently reading it
I have been working on this book off and on for a few years. It is a good devotional style book, one that can be picked up and read for awhile and then can sit on the shelf without being detrimental to getting something out of it.
Great overview of 'spiritual giants'. Just enough of a sampling to help you understand if you would want to read more of that particular author. However, since selections are only 5-6 pages each, they don't go into much depth.
Really a fantastic book. I enjoyed reading others' thoughts on the faith--there were a few that were laborious--and their insights into what it means to follow Christ. This one will be on my "read again" list, I'm sure.
Great representation of the spectrum of Christian thinking through the centuries. I used it in a women's small group and spent a little more than a year on it. Definitely not a casual easy read.
Foster's selections are mostly good...but I wish he'd tie them together better. I give Foster an A for effort--it's really difficult to select devotional classics for a group!
My husband and I loved doing this devotional. We really felt like we were able to learn a lot, reflect even more, and feel like we were getting a taste of history.
outstanding collection of classic devotions from a wide variety of deeply spiritual people. excellent for private devotions or to use with a group
A very good compilation of diverse authors writing on Christian spirituality. Every once in a while I was disappointed by the editor's selection - sometimes an author's less popular work was chosen. But the book is diverse enough that everyone will find something they can relate to, and probably many things they can't. The fascinating part is that there are some points on which different authors contradict each other and have an entirely different viewpoint. Foster (the editor) did a great job s...more
Great book, however, as with all books, you have to be discerning as you read it. Separate the chaff from the wheat.
This is truly an amazing devotional book. It took me several years to finish, but I loved it. I will do it again.
Never read from such a large and diverse group of writers! Very interesting, something for every, truly!
Devotional Classics: Selected Readings for Individuals and Groups by Richard J. Foster (1993)
My new devotional compliments of my hubby's seminary book list. ;)
Great devotional materials for developing your inner self.
Ridiculously challenging... contains writings by a huge selection of spiritual giants, over centuries of Christian experience. It provides an amazing perspective of Christianity from a wide variety of walks of faith - monastic to scholarly, etc. It's an awesome book for self study or group study. It has very practical, non-cliche, non-cheezy ways to make each truth a focus and practice in ones own life, and you have a whole week to soak in the truths of each chapter. Definitely the best devo boo...more
It's awesome to be able to read great excerpts from many different classic writers. I use this book to help me figure out which authors I love and want to read more of. I highly recommend it!
This has been a very interesting devotional, introducing several authors I liked and want to read more of. Others I didn't see eye to eye with, as they seemed to imply that you must do some of these things or your faith is inadequate. That's a fine line - some practices can be helpful for spiritual discipline for me, but I should not impose them on someone else if they have other disciplines that are helpful for them.
Wonderful, wonderful, wonderful... such a great collection of excerpts from the writing of practically everyone you *ought* to have read but perhaps haven't gotten around to yet. Very well chosen tastes of each classic author, which is a great starting point for choosing entire books to read. The commentary on each selection is great and the questions are worthy of use in a group study.
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Richard J. Foster is the author of several bestselling books, including Celebration of Discipline, Streams of Living Water, and Prayer, which was Christianity Today's Book of the Year and the winner of the Gold Medallion Award from the Evangelical Christian Publishers Association. He is the founder of Renovaré, an intrachurch movement committed to the renewal of the Church in all her multifaceted...more
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“Conversion does not make us perfect, but it does catapult us into a total experience of discipleship that affects - and infects - every sphere of our living.”
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