A Christian Guide to Spirituality: Foundations for Disciples

by Stephen W. Hiemstra, Reid Satterfield (Editor), Neal D. Presa (Foreword)

Spirituality is lived belief. When we pray, worship, or reach out to our neighbors, we live out our beliefs. Our beliefs structure our spirituality like skin stretched over the bones of our bodies. These beliefs start with faith in God the Father through Jesus Christ as revealed through the Holy Spirit in scripture, in the church, and in daily life. Our Trinitarian theology orders our beliefs. Without a coherent theology, we lose our identity in space and time having no map or compass to guide us on our way. In the end, we focus on ourselves, not God. Christian spirituality starts with God, not with us. A Christian Guide to Spirituality takes the form of 50 daily devotions. Each topic is treated with a scriptural reference, reflection, prayer, and questions for discussion. Occasionally, references are provided for further study. The first four chapters (Introduction, Apostle’s Creed, Lord’s Prayer, and Ten Commandments) cover 40 days making them suitable as a Lenten study. Ten additional days focus on the spiritual disciplines and a short conclusion. Fifty days of study allow an Easter study running through Pentecost. Reading A Christian Guide to Spirituality will help readers understand Christian spirituality better and nurture their faith. There is no such thing as quality time with the Lord; there is only time. The living God speaks to us in many ways, but especially through scripture. These three sources cited (Apostle’s Creed, Lord’s Prayer, and Ten Commandments) are commonly called the “rule of faith” (regula fidei) and were utilized for nearly two millennia as a means to apprentice the faith. These sources are the heart of the confessions of most Christian faith communities and denominations. Hear the words; walk the steps; experience the joy! Author Stephen W. Hiemstra (MDiv, PhD) is a slave of Christ, husband, father, tentmaker, economist, and writer. He lives with Maryam, his wife of thirty years, in Centreville, VA and they have three grown children. Foreword written by Neal D. Presa, past Moderator of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) This book might be classified appropriately in spirituality, Christian living, devotion, faith, religion, and theology. What people are saying... You have my blessing. It's book that needed to be written. It will do a lot of good.
- Peter John Kreeft, Boston College Stephen provides a helpful, accessible guide using the classic catechetical structure of the Apostles' Creed, the Lord's Prayer, and the Ten Commandments.
- David A. Currie, Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary This is a book for those who want to understand how best to have a living faith and an ever deepening devotional and experiential knowledge of God.
- Stephen Macchia, Pierce Center for Disciple-Building

Genres: Spirituality, Religion

236 pages, Paperback

First published July 26, 2014

About the author

Author Stephen W. Hiemstra (MDiv, PhD) is a slave of Christ, husband, father, tentmaker, economist, and writer. He lives with Maryam, his wife of thirty years, in Centreville, VA and they have three grown children.

Stephen has been an active writer throughout his career; both as an economist, and as a pastor. As an economist of 27 years in 5 federal agencies, he published numerous government studies, magazine articles, and book reviews. A Christian Guide to Spirituality is, however, his first published book. The Spanish edition, Una Guía Cristiana a la Espiritualidad, was published in September 2015 and is now available on Amazon.com.

One of Stephen's recent books, Life in Tension: Reflections on the Beatitudes, was published on August 27, 2016 in paperback and Kindle.

Stephen is currently a second career tentmaker dividing his time equally between Hispanic ministry and blogging with an online pastor theme—this online ministry normally takes the form of offering bible studies, writing commentaries on helpful books, and reflecting on spiritual topics. As a hospital chaplain intern, he worked in the emergency department, a psychiatric unit, and an Alzheimer’s unit. He is an elder in Centreville Presbyterian Church.

He has a master’s of divinity (MDiv, 2013) from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary in Charlotte, NC. His doctorate (PhD, 1985) is in agricultural economics from Michigan State University in East Lansing, MI. Although a U.S. citizen, Stephen lived and studied both in Puerto Rico and Germany, and is conversational in both Spanish and German.

Reviews

[Pam · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this to be an excellent book to read during lent. The book breaks down and studies in short chapters the parts of the Apostle's Creed, The Lord's Prayer and The Ten Commandments. While there were a few points I did not agree with (for example, the version of the Apostle's Creed I know does not include the phrase "he descended to hell") I found a some new information and insights to some of the foundations to our beliefs. The division into daily chapters really makes this a great daily read. I liked the questions posed in each section but I would have preferred a few more thought invoking questions rather than ones easily answered from what had just been read.

I received a free copy from Goodreads, but my opinions are my own.

[Brent Soderstrum · Rating 3 out of 5]

I won this book through GoodReads First Read program.

This is a 50 day devotional that takes you through the Apostles Creed, the Lord's Prayer and the 10 Commandments. A few additional lessons are thrown in. The point is to guide you in your spiritual walk with Christ through the use of these well known parts of the Bible. Each day includes the teaching, a prayer and questions to help you reflect on the teaching.

It was a tad dry. I would have liked to have seen it written for application in the everyday person's life. Still it gets you to start your day with God as your focus and that is a good thing.

[Gwen · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Christian Guide to Spirituality is exactly what the title promises. It is a book with 50 days of Bible studies designed to draw the reader closer to God spiritually. There are questions at the end of each day's reading for further thought and a short prayer to re-emphasize the reading.

I would recommend this book to anyone who wants to get closer to God and/or to have a thought provoking devotional for the next 50 days.

I received this book free from Goodreads First Reads.

[Nadine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Upon receiving a copy from Goodreads in return for a review, I realized I could not wait 50 days before responding. Why 50 days? The book is structured of 50 short daily lessons comprising of a question with scripture and commentary to read and questions to answer. I've read a few and they lead to meaningful reflections. Additionally there is an excellent reference section and scriptural index. Do not read in one sitting: digest each devotional.

[Angela Reese · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received this as a Goodreads Book Giveaway and thank them for the opportunity to read it.

I found this book to be a good reminder of our Christian foundation. It has very short texts on different subjects to start your thinking. Follows that with a short prayer for guidance and finishes with questions to help you ruminate on the section throughout the day.
A good reminder and refresher on Christian thinking.

[Jeff · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Christian Guide to Spirituality

This book is a sound introduction to living the faith that will especially appeal to those with a reformed background.