Spiritual Theology: The Theology of Yesterday for Spiritual Help Today

by Diogenes Allen

Often spirituality today is isolated from church teaching and doctrine, as in Joseph Campbell's treatment of myth and the many forms of New Age theologies, but doctrine apart from the life of prayer is abstract and sterile. In Spiritual Theology Allen turns to the great teachers of the past―the church fathers, Augustine, Maximus the Confessor, Bonaventure, Hugh of St. Victor, Calvin and Luther, George Herbert―to recover a spirituality that is rich with the doctrines and disciplines of theology.

Allen covers the great questions of the spiritual life: what is the Christian goal? what leads us toward that goal, and what hinders us? what is conversion? how can we discern our progress in the spiritual life? what are the fruits of the Spirit?

A second purpose of the book is to introduce readers to the disciplines and texts of the threefold way, found in the eastern church from the fourth century on. Allen writes simply and clearly of the active life and the development of virtue, and the contemplative life, which includes coming to know God through the Book of Nature and the Book of Scripture as well as directly, face to face, which is the domain of mystical theology.

This book is a basic and accessible introduction to the classic writings and doctrines of the spiritual life.

Genres: Theology, Spirituality, Christianity

182 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1997

Reviews

[Caleb · Rating 3 out of 5]

There's some helpful material here. Maybe more like a 3.5/5. Pretty dry, but also short. Worth a read, not likely worth a re-read. Draw closer to God before you try to understand all His mysteries. Allen highlights several ways to do that which you may find helpful.

[Corey · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is filled with wisdom for the Christian life. It's a bit different from any other book I've read in that it is more contemplative. Two things that stood out to me from this book are:

1. Meditation - I've always strictly considered Christian meditation to be on Scripture alone. While the author doesnt discourage this, He also emphasizes meditating on doctrine or attributes of God. In the past, I've seen these kind of things as pointless. How does thinking deep thoughts translate practically, and if it doesn't why focus on it? The author walks through how meditation on these things change us, help us feel the presence of God, and leads to heart change and the love of our neighbor.

2. Emotion - I like to think I am a logical person, but one can become so caught up in logical systems that they see any appeal to the emotions as emotional manipulations. I've felt that way through seasons of my life while attending some church services. 12 hours of "Oceans" by Hillsong every chapel at school leads one to these kind of conclusions. But I think this book was very helpful in my desire to engage my emotions in my sanctification.

[Gregory Strong · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a learned and wise book on key ideas and practices of Christian spiritual theology, with particular attention to the catholic tradition in the church east and west. Using the resources of that tradition, Allen carefully builds a framework for our engagement with spiritual theology, that we may grow in love for God and our neighbor.

[Melbert · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very good read

Worth rereading to get more familiarized with the history and basic practices of the spiritual life. I especially appreciate the author’s personal knowledge of the rich history of spiritual theology.

[Chris McFadden · Rating 4 out of 5]

The central textbook for our doctoral cohort studies in Spiritual Formation. A solid book that is both complex but presents a simplistic argument for spiritual theology that doesn't overly lean into mystery (although some mystery in Christian faith is required).

[Jack · Rating 4 out of 5]

In the previous decade, not a few books have been written among evangelical Christians on spiritual formation. Though spiritual formation might seem a new discovery among evangelicals, the attention to the 'cure of the soul' is more recovery than discovery. Before leading evangelical authors introduced their readership to spiritual formation, Diogenes Allen published a brief, yet thorough, summary on spiritual theology and its tradition throughout church history. Spiritual formation authors in the evangelical tradition have not yet presented a fully integrated view of spiritual theology, neglecting to engage philosophical and dogmatic issues that affect the care of the soul. Allen, a longtime philosophical theologian at Princeton Theological Seminary, incorporates historical theology, dogmatics, devotional classics, and philosophical thought into a theological synthesis that explores the soul's journey to God. Allen's holistic presentation of spiritual theology preserves a balance that is missing in much of the spiritual formation literature being published in the past several years. Soul care takes on gnostic patterns and habits when disconnected from theology grounded in the Scriptures and the apostles' teaching. But Allen avoids this dualism, drawing from spiritual writings both ancient and contemporary. Evagrius of Pontus, Gregory of Nyssa, and the Desert Fathers are frequent references, yet Allen gives equal attention to recent spiritual treasures found in Leo Tolstoy, T.S. Eliot, and Simone Weil, in whom he seems to be an expert.

More than the soundness and organization of his argument, Allen expresses the longings and desires of his own soul as he engages with ancient writings on the soul's journey. He never speaks as a detached academic; rather, he calls his own academic community to accountability for the abstracting biblical and theological studies from its rich spiritual dimensions. But without question his audience is ordinary Christians who are longing for greater depth in their spiritual journey. Allen's style is accessible and easy to follow, a wonderful synthesis between theory and practice. Introducing dozens of spiritual masters in an accessible manner is no easy task, but this is Allen's tremendous contribution. In both form and content, he leads his readers to the ultimate goal of the spiritual journey: union with the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

[Jon Nitta · Rating 4 out of 5]

There aren't many books on spiritual theology so I was very pleased to read Allen's book. There's really only one other book that I consider to offer the larger picture of spiritual theology and that's Chan's book. What I loved about Allen's book is that it not only pictures spiritual theology as doctrinal but it connects ordinary life with God and growth in virtue.

The second to last chapter is worth the price of the book. In one section of the book he makes a great distinction between questions that are extrinsic to theology and questions that are intrinsic to theology. Allen's assertion is that many of the questions we are asking today are extrinsic meaning, "What does the Bible say about 'fill in the blank'". While this does have some merit, it's the questions that are intrinsic that are more important. These might be questions that have to do with connecting doctrine to the state of one's heart or one's spiritual formation. The use here of Anselm's Prosologion was outstanding!

[Steven · Rating 4 out of 5]

The title perhaps sounds a bit heavy and not especially invitational, but Allen's style makes up for that. The book is written in a very approachable manner, and offers an excellent summary into some of the spiritual practices of the Christian past, as well as reflections on how those practices can be used as part of a modern spiritual life.

[Anna · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great, clear introduction to the topic. Not overly academic in tone. Very accessible.

[Ruth · Rating 4 out of 5]

goede inleiding op geestelijke groei volgens orthodoxe principes