Exploring Christian Spirituality: An Ecumenical Reader

Exploring Spirituality: An Ecumenical Reader, edited by Kenneth J. Collins, is a collection of twenty-four essays in which Roman Catholic, Orthodox, Lutheran, Reformed, Anglican, and Methodist writers describe the unique forms of spirituality that have emerged from their traditions.

The book begins with a thoughtful historical treatment of the development of the idea of spirituality.

The introductory chapters explore the etymology of the term spirituality, providing delimitations to a term that more often is misused than understood.

Philip Sheldrake focuses on three periods in his exploration of historical uses of the term: the New Testament era’s seminal understanding of spirituality (primarily through Pauline writings); the twelfth century during which spirituality was dichotomized from liturgy and theology; epistemologically (the affective from the rational), the personal from the communal, and moved to a focus on the interior life; and contemporary views of spirituality that evidence a move toward integration.

Walter Principe’s chapter surveys the changing definitions of spirituality in the history of the church.

His valuable contribution to this volume, however, is in offering a contemporary definition of spirituality that arguably should serve as normative in modern explorations of spirituality.