Spiritual Combat Revisited

by Jonathan Robinson

Fr. Robinson has done a great service in revitalizing Lorenzo Scupoli's classic, Spiritual Combat , so that contemporary Catholics can rediscover this rich work that has served many generations of Catholics. This book is about the life of prayer and personal reform and renewal. It fits squarely into the tradition of the "great masters" of the spiritual life, and to the line of great modern writers on spirituality. It is a work of particular relevance that confronts modern culture with the tough-minded, deeply authentic challenge of spiritual combat. Robinson has retained Scupoli's appeal to the Catholic reader through a conversational style, short chapters, familiar examples from everyday life, and the pastoral bent which has marked his own outstanding career. Covering the basic difficulties of daily prayer and of obstacles to living the virtues, Scupoli and Robinson test the mettle of real Catholics by calling us to live an interior life for and with God.

Genres: Spirituality, Christianity, Religion

305 pages, Paperback

First published February 1, 2003

Reviews

[Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is, in my opinion one of the 5 most important books for a Catholic to read. It is my most highlighted book. St. Francis de sales used to carry and read the spiritual combat daily. Father Robinson has done a great update of this work. Study it deeply. The teachings and strategies in this book are needed more now than ever with the collapse of morality in America and the confusion coming from the Vatican. Take to heart all that it says and read it for the rest of your life and you will gain heaven.

[Joshua · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful, wonderful book. Terrificly unpacks Scupoli's already terrific The Spiritual Combat by going into the sources that informed and inspired it (especially John Cassian, but also Augustine and Aquinas) and also the writings of great saints who were influenced by it (St. Francis de Sales and Blessed John Henry Newman). However, the author does not do this in a dry academic way, but in a way that is practical and applicable to the pursuit of holiness. Read Scupoli's Spiritual Combat (preferrably the TAN press edition), then read this book.

[Bo Majors · Rating 5 out of 5]

what an awesome read

This book is very important to help us repel the feeling good Christianity which thinks of John 3:16 as a ticket to something whereas the Lord tells us to pick up our cross. This book answers why this is necessary.

[Ted Leon · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was really an exceptional book. If you are interested in a very detailed, but user-friendly and understandable, method for replacing vices with virtuous living then this is the book for you! The 16th century author is keen to point out that growth and spiritual life isn't just between quote me and God" rather, that relationship has to include my loving interactions with others.

This book is chock-full of gems. I highlighted and folded over many pages and intend to return to this book again and again to refresh myself on those nuggets of wisdom.

[Joyce · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful. Fr. Robinson writes in a conversational and accessible way, communicating some very important points about the interior life and the ascetical struggle in a clear and almost methodical manner. The section on prayer is particularly good, although the book is best read whole (not in parts).

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyed this as much as the original. Excellent.

[Linden · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very good look at the spirituality of Lorenzo Scupoli. I would consider reading this work several times in order to grasp the full meaning.

[Greg · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good revised version of an older book on spiritual struggles.