Reflections, Impressions & Experiences

Dictionary of Christian Given the evangelical character of this book, some of the more intriguing chapters discuss Glen G. Scorgie, Simon Chan, Gordon T. Smith, “Spirituality in Relationship to Psychology and James D. Smith, Eds. (2011). Grand Rapids, MI: Theology”; “Spirituality in Relation to Creation”; Zondervan. “Contextual Spirituality” (i.e., an indigenisation of spiritual expression that is grounded in Kelvin Mutter Christ’s incarnation); and, “Christian Spirituality in Interfaith Encounter” (i.e., the role accorded Adjunct Professor in Ministerial Studies, to and played by spirituality when engaging McMaster College, Cambridge, ON, Canada individuals from traditions that are outside the Christian tradition). While these articles are generally well done, the reader is likely to find The Dictionary of Christian spirituality that some articles are lacking either in depth is an important resource for those who or breadth. For example, the article on Global are engaged in the spiritual formation of focuses on trends in spirituality children, youth and adults.1 While this is not within regions and peoples impacted by Catholic the only dictionary of Christian spirituality and Protestant missionary activity but makes on the market,2 the book is significant in that no mention of either the South Pacific Islands, the contributors are broadly representative Australia or New Zealand. Notwithstanding of the evangelical tradition. Indeed, it is possible limitations in scope, the value of these remarkable that a group of evangelicals essays is that they serve to ground the practice would write a book like this since up until of Christian spirituality within the broader latter part of the 20th century evangelical context of the Christian story. spirituality was largely confined to the The second section (600 pp.) contains practices of prayer, reading scripture, and almost seven hundred entries, each of which hymn singing; with the practice of fasting includes a brief list of resources for further restricted to a select few. reading. The scope of these entries extends far beyond the understandable list of historically In organising this book, the editors have significant theologians and spiritual practitioners chosen to divide it into two parts: “Integrative (i.e., Aquinas, Augustine, Barth, Basel, Perspectives” and “Dictionary Entries”. The Benedict, Bonhoeffer, Calvin, Chrysostom, first section consists of 34 essays that serve to Evagrius, Francis, Gregory, Gutiérrez, Hildegard introduce and contextualise spiritual practice of Bingen, Ignatius, Irenaeus, Jerome, within the Christian tradition. Included with Joachim of Fiore, Luther, Origen, the Wesleys each article is a brief reference list to guide and George Whitefield). Indeed, the editors those who wish to know more. Within this have included entries for culturally prominent section, the reader will find articles which individuals (i.e., Bach, Chesterton, Dante, Emily outline the OT and NT Foundations of Christian Dickinson, Donne, Hammarskjöld, Handel, spirituality; articles that address particular Herbert, William James, Martin Luther King, theological themes (i.e., “”; “The Holy Jr., C.S. Lewis; Milton, Flannery O’Connor, Spirit”; “Human Personhood”; “Eschatology Scott Peck, Pascal, Tolkien, and Desmond and Hope”; “Spirituality in Community”); a Tutu). Also included are significant recent series of articles reflecting on the global voices to the conversation about spirituality history of Christian spirituality (Orthodox, (i.e., Anthony Bloom, Dom Hélder Câmara, Catholic, Protestant, Global Christianity, Maxie Dunnam, Shusako Endo, Gutiérrez, Evangelicalism, etc.); articles on specific Francis MacNutt, Henri Nouwen, Mother Teresa, spiritual practices (“Liturgical Spirituality”; Howard Thurman, and Dallas Willard). Finally, “Prayer”; “”; and “Music and the Arts”). the biographical entries include a host of lesser-

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known figures (i.e., , Pastor genres: i.e., James; “Johannine Spirituality”; Hsi, , Raimon Panikkar, “Lukan Spirituality”; “Pauline Spirituality”; Pandita Ramabai, , Watchman Nee, “Psalms”; and, “Song of Songs”. Next, the and Ming Dao Wang). dictionary includes descriptive rather than In addition to featuring key individuals, evaluative entries on “Christian Science”; this dictionary highlights significant spiritual “Daoist Spirituality”; “Mohandas Gandhi”; “Hindu movements within the Christian tradition Spirituality”; “Jewish Spirituality”; “Muslim (i.e., “African-American Spirituality”; “Asian Spirituality”; “Mormon Spirituality”; “Native Christian Spirituality”; “Benedictine Spirituality”; American Spirituality”; “Neo-Pagan Spirituality”; “Catharism”; “Celtic Spirituality”; “Feminist “New Age Spirituality”; “Scientology”; “”; Spirituality”; “Franciscan Spirituality”; “Ignatian “Transcendental Meditation (TM)”; “Yoga”; Spirituality”; “Korean-Christian Spirituality”; and, “Zen”. Other surprises include entries on “Liberation Spirituality”; “Moravian Spirituality”; “Creation-Centered Spirituality”; “Ecological “Pentecostal Spirituality”; “Puritan Spirituality”; Spirituality”; “Exercise”; “Internet”; “Spiritual “Russian Spirituality”; and, “Syrian Spirituality”). Geography”; “Sports and Spirituality”; and, Curiously, however, one wonders how it is that “Technology and Spirituality”. “Baptist Spirituality” and “Quaker Spirituality” As with any book of this type there are are included within this dictionary but “Adventist always topics which one wishes were included. Spirituality” is not. Indeed, readers in the South Pacific and Of significance for those who work with ANZAC regions are likely to wish for topics families, children and youth is the place reflective of their current and historical setting given to describing spirituality within the (i.e., Aboriginal spirituality and Maori spirituality perspectives of human development and family as well as spiritual leaders who have played life (i.e., “Adolescent Spirituality”; “Children and a significant role within these regions). For Spirituality”; “Family Spirituality”; “Marriage”; this reason, it is important to remember that and, “Parenting”) as these entries speak to the the editors’ intent is to introduce the readers intersection between spirituality, family, and faith to the subject (as opposed to providing a development. comprehensive discussion) and point the way Given the practical character of Christian for further study and reflection. To this end the spirituality, the editors have included entries editors have provided an important reference on many significant practices and disciplines. work that roots our understanding of Christian Indeed, the list of practices moves far beyond spirituality within the broader Christian story and pietistic practices known to evangelicals and thus expands the intellectual and experiential is inclusive of all Christian traditions (i.e., horizons of students, teachers, and academics “Breath Prayer”; “Celibacy”; “Centering Prayer”; alike. TEACH “Chastity”; “Dance”; “Examen”; “Fasting”; “Glossolalia”; “Icons”; “Imagery”; “Inner Healing”; Notes “”; “Meditation”; “Penitence”; 1 It is available as an ebook. “Pilgrimage”; “Relics”; “Retreats”; “Rosary”; 2 Compare: Michael Downey (Ed.), (1993). The new dictionary of . Collegeville, MN: Liturgical “Sacrament”; “Sacred Heart”; “Silence”; Press / Michael Glazier, and Philip Sheldrake (Ed.), (2005). “Solitude”; “Spiritual Direction”; “Spiritual The new Westminster dictionary of Christian spirituality. Journaling”; “Spiritual Marriage”; “Sanctification Westminster: John Knox Press. of Time”). In contrast to what may be expected of a book reflecting the evangelical tradition this dictionary contains a number of surprises. To begin, relatively few entries highlight the spirituality of specific biblical writers and

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