Christian Spirituality: An Introduction

by Alister E. McGrath

This text fills the need for a clear, informative, helpful and well-written introduction to Christian spirituality.

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

216 pages, Hardcover

First published January 16, 1991

About the author

Alister Edgar McGrath is a Northern Irish theologian, priest, intellectual historian, scientist, and Christian apologist. He currently holds the Andreas Idreos Professorship in Science and Religion in the Faculty of Theology and Religion at the University of Oxford, and is Professor of Divinity at Gresham College. He was previously Professor of Theology, Ministry, and Education at King's College London and Head of the Centre for Theology, Religion and Culture, Professor of Historical Theology at the University of Oxford, and was principal of Wycliffe Hall, Oxford, until 2005. He is an Anglican priest and is ordained within the Church of England.

Aside from being a faculty member at Oxford, McGrath has also taught at Cambridge University and is a Teaching Fellow at Regent College. McGrath holds three doctorates from the University of Oxford, a DPhil in Molecular Biophysics, a Doctor of Divinity in Theology and a Doctor of Letters in Intellectual History.

McGrath is noted for his work in historical theology, systematic theology, and the relationship between science and religion, as well as his writings on apologetics. He is also known for his opposition to New Atheism and antireligionism and his advocacy of theological critical realism. Among his best-known books are The Twilight of Atheism, The Dawkins Delusion?: Atheist Fundamentalism and the Denial of the Divine, Dawkins' God: Genes, Memes, and the Meaning of Life, and A Scientific Theology. He is also the author of a number of popular textbooks on theology.

Reviews

[Bob Price · Rating 4 out of 5]

You may not be a spiritual master, but reading this book could start you on the way.

Christian Spiritualityis a great introductory textbook on the history and nature of this subject. So much so, that there really is nothing more to add or to review.

McGrath does an excellent job in presenting the material and treating as a new subject for the beginner. He gives a history of the major 'movers and shakers' in Christian Spirituality and defines terms and concepts as he goes along.
the chapters are divided in ways that make sense, including a chapter on the nature of spirituality, practices and the Biblical imagery involved.

The best part of the book comes at the end, when he gives the reader practice in reading spiritual literature. He selects Christian writers from throughout the centuries from different countries to provide a broad range of readings.

The writings is really clear and accessible to all. The list of resources at the end make this book a valuable addition to any Christian bookshelf.

Highly recommended for Christians who are interested in the subject.

Grade: A

[Gregory Strong · Rating 4 out of 5]

McGrath provides an excellent introduction to and overview of Christian spirituality from both a topical and an historical perspective: types of Christian spirituality; theological foundations for spirituality; biblical images and Christian spirituality; visualization and spatialization in Christian spirituality; and case studies for engaging the tradition. McGrath condenses much information and profound concepts into clear constructs and explanations. Well worth reading.

[Jeff Strickland · Rating 3 out of 5]

A solid introduction to the topic. McGrath's expertise is historical theology and it shows in this work, as each chapter seeks to thoroughly engage all of the major Christian traditions. The reader of this work will certainly come away with a basic understanding of Christian spirituality and a survey knowledge of the major players in this area throughout history of the church.

[Ian Grantham · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good basic introduction to spirituality, more concerned with 'mapping the territory' than a guide on how to develop spiritually. For that I'd recommend either Spiritual Theology or The Three Ages Of The Interior Life: Prelude of Eternal Life.

Wide ranging in its survey, this book looks at types of Christian spirituality, theological foundations, biblical images and spirituality, and visualisation and spatialisation in spirituality, before concluding with some practical exercises in textual interpretation.

If you are looking at Christian spirituality for the first time, I would highly recommend this book, with the disclaimer that it is very intellectual and structured in its approach and lacks the more practical and emotional aspects of spiritual development. In other words, it's all head stuff - no more than you'd expect from an Oxford academic!

But even for those well versed in Christian spirituality, the book has a new perspective to offer and helps to provide a framework within which spirituality can be better explored.

[Amelia Wright · Rating 3 out of 5]

Eh. This book was good but for a class. If I was not in class reading this book, maybe I would've enjoyed it more?

The language was at times difficult to follow. I feel as if I did not read with the appropriate attitude too.

[Summer Green · Rating 5 out of 5]

All of Christian thought/theology/doctrine is layed out in simplified form. It's an introduction for sure, but a really good dive into the concepts of what Christians believe with much Catholic and Orthodox thought included. Well worth the crawl through it.

[Mandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

McGrath writes a very interactive book to educate readers on Christian Spirituality. It is very well balanced and easy to read. I can honestly say I have learned an incredible amount from reading this book!

[Creto · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a good introduction to Christian spirituality.

[Nicholas Abraham · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’ve read this multiple different times. It is a broad introduction to the subject. McGrath is not intent on being evangelical in the book, but does show the relationship of theology to spirituality.

[John · Rating 5 out of 5]

McGrath packs a lot of valuable information in less then 200 pages about how Spirituality is practiced in the various traditions of the Christian faith. I learned a lot and highly recommend it.