Authenticity: A Biblical Theology of Discernment

by Thomas Dubay

Most people assume that the way to mend divisions and factions in our world - marriages, parishes, dioceses, religious orders - is to engage in civil discussions, attend local, regional or national meetings, draw up committee reports and recommendations. To a point this may help, but sad experience makes clear that these approaches alone never heal the polarization problems which plague our civil and ecclesial life.

The Biblical therapy is radically different - and it achieves results. This book explores the divine strategy in detail. Research discovers in Scripture 40 or 50 themes that bear on discovering truth and recognizing that it has been solidly found. We learn how we discern whether we are being led by the Holy Spirit or by our own unredeemed inclinations and desires, whether it is the spirit of God or the prince of darkness that is operating in our disagreements and programs. We find in these themes clear responses to key questions:

• Why are there divisions and factions in the Church?

• How are these polarizations to be healed?

• What are the sure signs that some people have truth, while others are in error?

• What are the conditions for finding and maintaining a shared vision in marriage,

parishes, dioceses, religious orders, the universal Church?

Genres: Catholic, Theology, Religion, Spirituality, Christian

279 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1977

About the author

Father Thomas Dubay, S.M., was a well-known retreat master and expert in the spiritual life.

A Marist Priest, Father took a Ph.D. from Catholic University of America and taught at major seminary level for about fifteen years. He spent the last three decades giving retreats and writing books (over twenty at last count) on various aspects of the spiritual life.

He is an expert on the teachings and writings of the two mystical doctors of the Church, John of the Cross and Teresa of Avila.

Reviews

[Darrick Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of the best works on the spiritual life I have ever read. If you are looking for a book that clearly defines what "discernment" means, lays out the ways in which you practice it, then this is the book for you. I am a convert to Catholicism from atheism, and one of the things I have really struggled with over the years is the whole idea of discerning God's will seemed for a long time to be an irreparably subjective process. How are you supposed to distinguish between what YOU want, and what GOD wants, if all you have to go on is the intensity of your desires? This book gives such wonderful and wise advice for helping you to discern this, that I only regret I had not read it sooner. It lays out a series of biblical themes that ground how one is supposed to evaluate ones desires, one decision making process, all in line with the mind of the Church, in a way that is accessible to readers.
I have a friend who once had the fortune to attend a retreat with Fr. Dubay, and I must say I envy him for it. I can't recommend this book highly enough.

[Terry Austrew · Rating 5 out of 5]

Even though I started reading this book with great enthusiam, it was over ten years before I could begin to understand it's contents. The slow development of it's thoughts and difficult concepts of Catholic reasoning were foriegn to me. It was one of the most challenging books I had read up to that time. His newer book Fire Within has led me to aspire to understand St. John of the Cross and Therea of Avila and other Mystics as well as readings from the Bible. When I was able to view Father Dubay live during a TV show on EWTN, I realised that he was boring to watch. How unlike the experience of reading his book which was life changing. Goes to show that ...whatever floats your boat!

[Brian · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not too many 'spiritual writers' presents an authentic, genuine and tangible vision of prayer and integrity like Fr. Thomas Dubay.

[Dcn. Erik · Rating 5 out of 5]

Can be a bit slow-paced at some points but the insights at other points are priceless:

"The human person is authentic to the extent that he lives the truth...but more is required...wholeness demands divinization..." (p 13)

"Many of us both assume and say that divisions among the great world religions and within christendom itself are largely due to lack of information and the faults of churchmen past and present...When biblical writers come to explain why some persons detect the mind of God and others do not, they do not offer the explanation that the former are more intelligent or have studied more deeply. They locate the difference in the presence or absence of moral goodness and in the presence or absence of a desire for the truth..." (p 143, 141)

"the New Testament is optimistic in holding that we can contact God and that we can know when that contact is authentic and when it is imaginary." (p 73)

"Many of us fail accurately to assess our growth (or lack of it) in prayer... one's degree of holiness is securely measured neither by the frequency nor the variety of inner experiences...sanctity is gauged primarily by deep humility, strong faith, obedient love even when these virtues are accompanied by no feeling." (p 62-63)

"...the proud live in the minds of others... The proud cannot detect the motions of the Spirit because their minds are impregnated with another value system...concern for human approval..." (p 96)

"God has a unique design on each person...not accomplished solely by our fulfillment of universal precepts. These universal precepts form us, but the individualized leading of the Spirit is also needed, for they are sons of God who are led by the Spirit of God... When [Paul] writes of knowing the perfect will of God (and not, therefore, of a mere minimal, is-it-a-sin? morality), he does not speak in terms of a code, but of a sheer goodness that can detect the mind of the Lord himself." (p 175-176)

"An inability to leave off questioning once sufficient evidence is present and come to a firm assent is an intellectual neurosis...amidst the pervasive insecurities and disillusionments of our age men and women are eager to hear the call of a clear and sure trumpet. Good people are looking for saints and prophets, not for mere weavers of words...to lead securely to the mind of Lord God and not merely to a welter of human opinions." (p 193, 196)

[Cris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another solid book by Fr. Dubay (RIP), with a slower pace and I think, more accessible language than Fire Within. The focus of the book is to take apart and put together the meaning, the process and purpose of discernment -- both within the individual and within the community. Part one of the book seems to be aimed at individual laypeople and how they should take the temperature of their own authenticity. (There's no practical advice for acting on revelations here, for that get thee to a priest) There is a helpful list of 9 characteristics to check for, which I think is the best part of the book and which applies to part 2 also. He talks about the 'intuition' of the person steeped in God that recognizes the author by the orientation and unity of the message. Part two, is aimed at theologians and scriptural scholars, as well as their students. It reminds them that no truth can be discovered without a deep contemplative basis, of prayer, frugality, etc. Referencing the turbulence of Vatican II, Dubay talks about healthy vrs. unhealthy pluralism backed up with readings from Mathew and Corinthians. As other writers have mentioned, truth is symphonic, collaborative in charisms. A good book that is best read in large sections, rather than small chunks to catch the crescendo.

[Clayton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Father Thomas Dubay spent a good portion of his life studying the themes in this book, preaching them in retreats (both to religious communities and later to married couples), and offering the insights in spiritual direction. I wish I had a written copy of the Shared Vision retreat I once attended that he gave. He was a great advocate for, and example of, Gospel authenticity. God reward his many years of service to the truth of the Gospel.

[Wanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dubay is another one of my favorite authors. In this book, Dubay writes about the gift of discernment of spirits. There is a lot of discussion of the Spanish mystics as well as Scripture. The book was a little too deep for me in places, I think. Some of the important things Dubay explained was the importance of obedience and unity of community. Also there was a good explanation of how our minds are very selective when it comes to discernment and how we can easily rationalize what we really want to do and believe the Holy Spirit is guiding us when really its our own will pushing us along. The paramount importance of steady prayer was also stressed. This is a book to be kept and read again once a year or so.

[Troy Crider]

One of the best books on the subject of discernment i have ever read. Great read. Dubay is not afraid to ask tough questions, and drawing on the discernment from the mystics allows him to make a great contribution on the subject.

[Cathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fr. Dubay is superb...succinct, 100% RC love everything he's written, and love hearing him speak at conferences!