Devotional Classics: Selected Readings for Individuals and Groups

by Richard J. Foster

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. Devotional Classics features readings Augustine of Hippo, Bernard of Clairvaux, Frances of Assisi, Julian of Norwich, Catherine of Siena, Thomas á Kempis Catherine of Genoa, Martin Luther, Ignatius of loyola, John Calvin, Teresa Avila, Blaise Pascal, Madame Jeanne Guyon, Soren Kierkegaard, Evelyn Underhill, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Thomas Merton, Dallas Willard, and many more.

Genres: Devotional, Spirituality, Christian, Christianity, Theology, Religion, Nonfiction

400 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1992

About the author

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 expressions, and the editor of The Renovaré Spiritual Formation Bible.

Reviews

[Carla · Rating 5 out of 5]

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 book I've ever found.

[Ed Belding · Rating 5 out of 5]

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 antiquity such as Augustine, Francis of Assisi; then reformation era writers such as John of the Cross, Calvin, and Luther; Then names such as John Bunyan, John Wesley, and Charles Spurgeon; and near contemporaries such as C.S. Lewis, Watchman Nee, and Dietrich Bonheoffer. The list goes on and on.

The book is organized very well with five major sections as follows: Preparing for the Spiritual Life, The Prayer-Filled Life, The Virtuous Life, The Spirit-Empowered Life, The Compassionate Life, and The Word Centered Life. Each devotional begins with short biography of the person from whom the devotional is gleaned. Then a notable piece of their work is presented followed by reflective questions and suggested exercises based on the devotional. The book can be read from beginning to end or you can bounce around to different authors based on your mood or interested that day. Regardless you are sure to be blessed by writers from many different Christian traditions and you may find, in the process, that the things that separate us pale in comparison to what brings us together as fellow members of the Body of Christ - but that is just a side benefit. :)

[Delonna · Rating 4 out of 5]

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), I found the reflections and study to be very congruous with my faith, while challenging me to deeper devotion and dedication. That isn't too much of a surprise since Foster attended George Fox U and has many Friends in his life.

Great as a small group or individual study (depending on the person).

[Brennen Schmitt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Slowly and sporadically over the last 6 years I’ve worked through this devotional. It has blessed my soul time and time again. Some readings were difficult to understand and others were too abstract for me, but a majority of them spoke directly into my life. These authors and their work have withstood the test of time and I’m incredibly grateful for their faithfulness.

[Flint Spencer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read through this a few times this year. It continues to be, in my opinion, the only good devotional book.
The selected readings are rich enough to serve on their own, but also serve as a great introduction to a whole catalog of good Christian thinkers.
The book has almost no misses- with every day of reading and reflection it offers a new and different invitation to the great story and ministers to the soul of the reader.

[Joshua · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a wonderful read.
A solid selection of writing from diverse 'friends of the past'. I was convicted, deeply encouraged, and walked away with many more friends from history than I began with.

Highly recommended if you don't know where to begin with Christian classics, or are wanting an extremely pleasurable survey of Church history.

[Miggy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every Christian should read through this whole book at least once in their lives. Easily makes my top 5 books of all time. I expect to still be reading this over and over again for years to come

[Russell Hayes · Rating 5 out of 5]

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 put in practice the week's reading.

Overall, the selections are deep, compelling, and masterful. While it is some hit and miss, and Quakers and mystics are slightly overrepresented, most of the readings are fully worthy of in-depth reading (lectio divina, as the introduction points out). The first three portions, comprised of an introduction to the devout life, prayer, and virtuous living, really shine.

The author's writing is also very moving. He expounds upon each selection by providing background information and personal reflections on the texts. The reflections often rival the texts themselves in profundity.

Each selection also has information on some of the authors' other works and biographies about the authors. This makes the book a great starting point for someone who is eager to start along an intellectual, meaningful Christian journey, yet it is also useful for someone further along who wants to be introduced to the classics and to the full spectrum of Christian thinkers.

[Ray Schneider · Rating 5 out of 5]

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 (we've only been doing one section a month) I'm on the next to the last section and can definitely recommend the book especially in a mixed group of denominational group it has the virtue of bringing out the devotional differences among the various Christian groups ranging from Calvinists, Catholics, Quakers and a range of others. All the major denominations are represented with readings, correlated scripture readings, and meditations. So it can be used in quite a wide variety of settings from prayer groups to scripture groups.

The update to complete the review is that I enjoyed the book a lot on almost every level. The mix of religious backgrounds made it particularly interesting since it confirmed C.S. Lewis's point that Christians share much more than they disagree about.

[Leslie · Rating 4 out of 5]

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 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).

This devotional book is full; it's a complete overview of all sides of devotional life. A great companion to the Scriptures as it has biblical references and study questions as part of each reading. Devotional Classics is designed to take the reader through all readings in one year. Great book!

[Alumine Andrew · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book explores many Christian writers, spanning history to contemporary. Each chapter gives us an excerpt and some thought provoking comments by Foster as well as exercises we can do between studies. It has made us think and rethink, discuss and disagree and overall grown in our spiritual journey.

I enjoy reading this book every few years to regain perspective and be challenged in what can sometimes be an apathetic attitude to my faith. There is a good bibliography following each person so if one takes your fancy you can then read in full all they have written.

The book is divided into sections which have a practical theme. Within each selection there are extracts from authors on those themes. The fist section is 'Preparing for the Spiritual Journey' and in it we hear from some like CS Lewis, Dallas Willard, Jonathan Edwards, Bernard of Clairvaux. The second section is 'The Prayer-filled Life' and in it Thomas Merton, Julian of Norwich, Henri Nouwen, Evelyn Underhill....then 'The Virtuous Life', 'The Spirit Filled Life', 'The Compassionate Life', 'The World-Centered Life'....There are many inspiring authors and a great book to read when exploring our faith.

[Andrew · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well, it only took me 14 years since I first purchased this book to read it - this year I cracked into it - working my way through the 52 readings over the course of a few months.

I encountered some old friends: C.S. Lewis, St Augustine, Brother Lawrence, Henri Nouwen, Kierkegaard, Pascal, Thomas a Kempis, Mdm Guyon etc. But I've also marked a few others I was taken by: Lancelot Andrews (1555-1626), George A Buttrick (1892-1980), John Baillie (1886-1960), Thomas Kelly (1893-1941), Hannah Whitall Smith (1832-1911)...

The book's greatest value for me was for dipping into the wealth of accumulated Christian thought and wisdom that stretches back over the millennia, and participating in that. I also enjoyed Richard Foster's thoughts at the end of each section.

[Brad Dell · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’d not had deeper devotional times before cracking open this hefty book. Each selection penetrated my calloused heart in some way or another, pressing me deeper into a more convicted lifestyle. I really feel the Lord spoke to me through this book. I’m so grateful.

Each section contains discussion questions, reflections, an author bio, and recommended readings.

Next for me is the Spiritual Classics book!

[James Miller · Rating 4 out of 5]

It got better as it went along. Some discernment required (if it's necessary to say that about a book?). But also a number of good inspirations in here. I like the variety of authors over a period of time and the perspective that brings to this anthology.

[Jan Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I need to reread this every few years (and I will because I'm teaching a class with it). The varied viewpoint of these deep-thinking, deep-loving brothers and sisters in Christ really speaks to me.

[Heidi · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent resource for a year-long read. Gives good exposure to many great Christian heroes.

[Bonnie Fakhri · Rating 3 out of 5]

I struggled with how to rate this book. For starters, I don't think I'm smart enough to fully appreciate the depth of some of these devotions. Also, the book is meant to be read in a group setting, and the group I was initially reading with quickly lost interest, so I read all but the first section on my own. As with any type of Bible Study or devotional material, I believe you get out what you put in. I fully acknowledge that I did not get the full benefit of the book by reading on my own, at my own pace, without group discussion and without doing applications for devotions that didn't seem to speak to me. That being said, there were some devotions that I really loved and will be incorporating into my life moving forward. I particularly liked the section on prayer. I did find a repetative nature to many of the devotions. I found the theology of some to be questionable. I also struggled with the vernacular and writing style of some, especially those written many centuries past and origionally written in other languages. I believe this study would appeal much more to those of liturgical faith backgrounds. If you are considering this book, be aware it is not an easy read and will require time, commitment, and discernment. Still, for someone seeking to learn from some of the great minds of the Christian faith, this is a worthy read.

[Bethany B · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed and was challenged by this book. It gave me a glimpse of many authors I haven't read before and the resources to find more of their work. Each excerpt was fresh and to the point. It was a great devotional to read in the morning to stir my mind and soul. Lots to process and some great questions and exercises to help process the spiritual truths presented.

[Corey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Essential is an apt descriptor for this book, in this sense: If you want to see through different perspectives and experiences of souls through the ages seeking to know God, this book offers targeted, rich content with helpful insights and suggested exercises throughout. I highly recommend this book. I will be going back to it again and again.

[Polly Tjihenuna · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Writings that aim at the transformation of the human personality. They seek to touch the heart, to address the will, to mold the mind. They call for radical character transformation. They instill holy habits” and by golly they did 😭🙌🏾 what a year and a half of pilgrimage with these writings and saints of old.

[Lily · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this a very helpful resource for discovering men and women who have written excellent and faithful meditations and books of Christian thought. I will be using the bibliographies included at the end of every chapter to explore additional devotional books to read!

[Becky Schommer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved the lay out of this book, the variety of traditions represented among the many devotional authors, and the other great resources it pointed me to. I chose to read it daily, but will go through it more slowly next time. Highly recommend!

[Summer Cromartie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can't recommend this book enough. It's full of beautiful writers that span almost two thousand years. I'll warn you though: it might get expensive because you'll want to read the full works that each of these chapters come from. What a lovely book.

[Marie Powell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read this over a year - using at as a devotion - really appreciated the different voices.

[DaShannon · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a treasure trove of excerpts from devotional classics. Too many recognizable names to even note. Each selection has introductions to the authors, exercises, and reflection questions.

[Spencer Nix · Rating 5 out of 5]

Constantly returning and reading over the last 25 years.

[Kathi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great diverse writers coming from several different religious traditions.

[April Herbert · Rating 4 out of 5]

We did these devotions with our small group. Very good discussions came from this book!

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

A significant--and perhaps "the"--strength of this anthology is its structure. Each new reading (in my 1993 edition) includes a mini-bio of the devotional writer, the devotional text itself, a relevant passage of Scripture, reflection questions, suggested spiritual exercises, a reflection on the text from Richard Foster, and an annotated list of related writings for people who want to further explore the devotional writer's life and thoughts.

What sets this text apart from similar devotional anthologies I've read is the care put into the elements surrounding the devotional materials. These kinds of sections are often "mailed-in," so to speak, by the editors of similar collections and I usually skip over them after seeing that they are afterthoughts written hastily for a new edition of a text ("See our new reflection questions for group discussion!"). In this case, however, I never skipped these supplemental materials and was often provoked to deeper reflection through engagement with them. The questions and suggested exercises would bring out implications that I hadn't considered on my initial reading, and the Scripture selections were usually a welcome complement to the devotional text. While I often didn't have the same reaction as Foster to a given text, he seemed so earnest and charitable in his responses that I respected it nonetheless.

Regarding the content of the devotional texts themselves, these were decidedly hit-and-miss (as is predictable in an anthology), and there were far more misses than hits in my case. However, when they hit, it was often profound, and I discovered a few new-to-me voices that I've since pursued after encountering them here. Overall, I'm quite glad I undertook the reading of this text and would urge people not to skip the supplemental materials.

[Susanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has been perhaps the most influential book, aside from the Scriptures, that I have ever read. The selections opened my eyes to so many of the great thinkers and mystic believers of the Christian faith--most of whom I had never heard of before.

I read this book as my Lenten devotion first in 2003 when I was first exploring the idea of the catholic (small "c" catholic, as in universal) church, and again for Lent 2007.

In this large paperback, now completely dog-eared and with copious underlinings throughout the text (in two different colors from my two different readings) and even occasional notes in the margins, I met John of the Cross, Bernard of Clairvaux, Brother Lawrence, Saint Benedict, John Chrysostom, Thomas a' Kempis, Julian of Norwich, Thomas Merton, Teresa of Avila, Watchman Nee, and so many others. And I also became reacquainted with C.S. Lewis, John Bunyan, Saint Augustine, Kierkegaard, Martin Luther, John Wesley, and many more people of faith whose works I had read at Point Loma Nazarene University or since in my evangelical faith.

Each short reading (generally two to five pages) is followed by reflection questions and suggested exercises, taking these works of the Christian faith beyond the theological into the practical.

I cannot recommend this book highly enough for every Christian, whether Catholic, Eastern Orthodox (even though it rests almost exclusively in Western Christianity), or Protestant, and especially to evangelicals who may not be aware of the depth and breadth of Christian thought through the two millennia of the Church.

A brilliant book. If I could give it ten stars, I would. :)