For my new friends at the Urbana Spiritual Formation Seminar:
Spiritual Formation: Annotated Bibliography
Arnold,
Eberhard. Inner
Land
Beilby, James K., and Eddy, Paul Rhodes. Understanding Spiritual Warfare:
Four Views. Arguably, this is the book to read on the current state of
spiritual warfare studies.
Blackaby,
Henry T., and King, Claude V. Experiencing God. An excellent, clearly
written text that is especially good for church study.
Boyd,
Greg. Satan and the Problem of Evil: Constructing a Trinitarian Warfare Theodicy
(IVP:
2001). An excellent study on the kingdom
of God , esp. on spiritual battle and
the kingdom of Satan
Boyd.
Present Perfect: Finding God In the Now.
(Zondervan: 2010) This is an excellent, clearly written little book that
contains some deep spiritual insights that are not found in other spirituality
texts. Greg’s meditation on “death” is worth the price of the book.
Brother
Lawrence of the Resurrection. The Practice of the Presence of God
(Garden City: Image, 1977). A spiritual classic by a 17th-century
monk that is still relevant today, and is especially good at knowing God in the
everyday, mundane tasks of life.
Buechner,
Frederick. Godric (New York: Harper and Row, 1980). A beautiful novel,
spiritually deep and uplifting. The character of Godric reminds me of Thomas
Merton.
Campolo,
Tony, and Darling, Mary Albert. The God
of Intimnacy and Action: Reconnecting Ancient Spiritual Practices, Evangelism,
and Justice. Nicely puts together the spiritual disciplines and social
activism.
Collins,
Kenneth J. Exploring Christian
Spirituality: An Ecumenical Reader
(Baker Book House: 2000). An excellent one-volume text.
Cone,
James. The Cross and the Lynching Tree.
Costen,
Melva Wilson. African American Christian
Worship.
Dawn,
Marva. Unfettered Hope: A Call to Faithful Living In An Affluent Society
(Presbyterian Publishing Corporation: 2003). This is a deep, profound study
allowing us to see our materialistic world and our spiritual place in it
through God’s eyes.
Deere,
Jack. Surprised By the Voice of God: How God Speaks Today Through
Prophecies, Dreams, and Visions (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1996). A very
good, clearly written biblical and historical presentation of how one hears God
speaking to them.
Dillard,
Annie. Pilgrim At Tinker Creek (Harper and Row). This makes my personal
top ten ever-read list. A beautiful meditation of the creation, especially its
microscopic aspects.
Fee,
Gordon. God’s Empowering Presence (Peabody, Mass.: Hendrickson, 1994).
This massive text is, arguably, the definitive statement of the apostle Paul’s
spirituality. A detailed study of every Pauline reference to the Holy Spirit.
Fee.
The First Epistle to the Corinthians (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1987).
Superb, meditative, scholarly commentary on what it means to be pneumatikos
(“spiritual”).
Felder,
Cain Hope. Stony the Road We Trod:
African American Biblical Interpretation. (Augsburg
Foster,
Richard. A Celebration of Discipline (San
Francisco
Foster. Prayer: Finding the Heart’s True Home (Harper and Row:
1992). Examines several different types of prayer that are both biblically and
historically Christian.
Foster.
Life With God: Reading the Bible for
Spiritual Transformation. (HarperOne: 2010)
Foster.
Longing for God: Seven Paths of Spiritual
Devotion. (Intervarsity Press: 2009)
Foster,
and Griffin Readings
Foster.
Streams of Living Water: Celebrating the
Great Traditions of Christian Faith
(Harper and Row: 1998). On the following traditions: contemplative, holiness,
charismatic, social justice, evangelical, and incarnational.
Grenz, Stanley. Prayer:
The Cry for the Kingdom. One of our great theologians positions praying
within the context of the kingdom of God.
Gutierrez, Gustavo. We Drink From Our Own Wells:
The Spiritual Journey of a People (Maryknoll: Orbis, 1988). Excellent,
especially in its emphasis on corporate spirituality.
Hernandez, Will. Henri Nouwen and Spiritual
Polarities: A Life of Tension.
Holmes, Urban T. Spirituality
for Ministry. Still one of the best books on this subject.
Jones, Cheslyn, et. al., eds. The Study of
Spirituality
(New York: Oxford, 1986). A very good one-volume source on the history of
Christian spirituality.
Kelleman,
Robert, and Edwards, Karole A. Beyond the Suffering: Embracing the Legacy of
African American Soul Care and Spiritual Direction. (Baker: 2007)
Kelly,
Thomas. A Testament Of Devotion (New York: Harper and Brothers, 1941). This
brilliant, provocative little text makes my top ten ever-read books on
Christian spirituality. A modern classic.
Kraft, Charles. Christianity
With Power: Your Worldview and Understanding of the Supernatural (Ann Arbor, Mi.: Servant, 1989). A brilliant study in paradigm
theology by an anthropologist and missiologist at Fuller Theological Seminary.
Ladd, George. The Gospel of the Kingdom:
Scriptural Studies in the Kingdom
of God kingdom of God
Leech, Kenneth. Experiencing God: Theology As
Spirituality
(San Francisco: Harper and Row, 1985). An excellent historical study, from
biblical times to the present, of the experience of God.
Leech.
Soul Friend: The Practice of Christian
Spirituality (New York: Harper and
Row, 1980). The best book available on spiritual direction.
Leech. True Prayer: An Invitation to Christian
Spirituality
(San Francisco: Harper and Row, 1980).
Lovelace,
Richard. Dynamics of Spiritual Life: An
Evangelical Theology of Renewal
(Downers Grove: Intervarsity Press, 1979).
Lovelace. Renewal
As a Way of Life: A Guidebook for Spiritual Growth (Downers Grove: Intervarsity Press, 1985).
Manning, Brennan. The Ragamuffin Gospel. A beautiful, very
thoughtful meditation on the grace of God.
Manning,
Abba’s Child. This book spoke deeply to me about my need for experiential
knowledge of the love of God.
Manning,
The Importance of Being Foolish: How to
Think Like Jesus. Very good as it gets at the real Jesus.
May, Gerald. Addiction and Grace (San Francisco:
Harper and Row, 1991). An excellent, clearly written book with an especially
helpful section on addiction to control.
May. Care of Mind, Care of Spirit: A
Psychiatrist Explores Spiritual Direction (New York: Harper and Row, 1992). A
very good text on the nature of spiritual direction.
May.
Will and Spirit: A Contemplative
Psychology (Harper and Row: 1987).
An excellent text.
Mbiti, John. African Religions and Philosophy.
Mbiti. Introduction to African Religion.
McGinn, Bernard. The Essential Writings of
Christian Mysticism. McGinn is
arguably our greatest scholar on the nature of Christian mysticism. This is the
text to read on mysticism in the early church father, and in the West.
McKnight, Scot; Tickle, Phyllis. . Fasting: The
Ancient Practices.
McManus, Erwin. The Barbarian Way
McLaren, Brian. The Secret Message of Jesus: Uncovering
the Truth that Could Change Everything
(Thomas Nelson: 2007). I loved this book about the kingdom of God
Merton, Thomas. The
Inner Experience: Notes On Contemplation (Harper: 2003).
This is Merton’s final book. Few write about contemplation as well as he does.
Merton. New Seeds of Contemplation (New
York: New Directions, 1961). Merton at his best.
Merton. No Man Is an Island (New York: Harcourt Brace
Jovanovich, 1983). Contains the classic chapter, “Being and Doing.”
Merton. Seeds (Shambala: 2002). A killer
collection of Merton quotes. A tremendous introduction to the depth, wisdom,
and discernment of Thomas Merton. Prophetic.
Merton. The Sign of Jonas (New York: Harcourt Brace Jovanovich, 1981). One of Merton’s journals,
containing many spiritual gems,
Miller, J. Keith. A Hunger
for Healing: The Twelve Steps as a Classic Model for Christian Spiritual Growth (New York: Harper and Row, 1991).
Miller. Hope In the Fast Lane:
A New Look at Faith in a Compulsive World (New York:
Harper and Row, 1987). An excellent text on overcoming sin in one’s life.
Especially good on identifying the deep source of stress and overcoming stress.
Miller. The Secret Life of the
Soul (Nashville: Broadman and Holman, 1997). About the
vulnerability needed for the transformation of the soul.
Muse, J. Stephen, ed. Beside
Still Waters: Resources for Shepherds in the Marketplace (Smyth and Helwys: 2000). An excellent text that uses Psalm 23 to
speak to Christian leaders regarding spiritual issues. Very good on our need to
care for ourselves physically.
Mulholland, Robert. Shaped By the Word: The
Power of Scripture in Spiritual Formation (Nashville: Upper Room Press, 1985).
An excellent book on how the Bible interprets us.
Nelson,
Alan. Broken In the Right Place
Nouwen,
Henri. A Cry for Mercy: Prayers From the Genesee
(Garden City, New York: Image, 1981). A beautiful book of prayers expressing
our heart’s fears, struggles, and longings.
Nouwen.
Behold the Beauty of the Lord: Praying with Icons (Notre Dame: Ave Maria
Press, 1987).
Nouwen.
Gracias! A Latin American Journal (San Francisco: Harper and Row, 1983).
One of Nouwen’s spiritual journals.
Nouwen.
In the Name of Jesus: Reflections on Christian Leadership (Harper and
Row). A brilliant little book, among the best I have ever read on pastoral
leadership.
Nouwen.
Lifesigns: Intimacy, Fecundity, and Ecstasy in Christian Perspective
(New York: Image, 1986).
Nouwen.
Making All Things New: An Invitation to the Spiritual Life (New York:
Harper and Row, 1981).
Nouwen.
Out of Solitude: Three Meditations on the
Spiritual Life (Notre Dame: Ave
Maria Press, 1980).
Nouwen. Reaching Out: The
Three Movements of the Spiritual Life (Garden City, New
York: Image, 1976).
An excellent text; a modern classic. On solitude,
hospitality, and prayer.
Nouwen. Spiritual Direction: Wisdom for the Long
Walk of Faith.
Nouwen. Spiritual Formation: Following the
Movements of the Spirit.
Nouwen. The Genesee
Diary: Report From A Trappist Monastery (Garden City, New York: Image, 1976). This
book makes my top ten ever-read list in terms of spiritual impact. An excellent
example of journaling that is of spiritual value.
Nouwen,
The Inner Voice of Love (Image Books: 1999). I find it hard to
express how much God used a slow, meditative reading of this book to effect
changes in my life.
Nouwen.
The Living Reminder: Service and Prayer
in Memory of Jesus Christ (New York
Nouwen. The Only Necessary Thing: Living a
Prayerful Life.
Nouwen. The Return of the
Prodigal Son: A Story of Homecoming (New York: Image,
1992). Simply put, one of Nouwen’s best and one of my very favorites.
Nouwen, and Dear, John. The
Road to Peace: Writings on Peace and Justice. This is a spectacular book to
read devotionally, with Nouwen's deep insights clarifying real Jesus-following
and the blessedness of peacemaking.
Nouwen. The Way of the Heart (New York: Ballantine, 1981). A beautiful, meditative little book on
solitude, silence, and prayer.
Paris, Peter. The Spirituality of African
Peoples.
Payne, Leanne. Listening
Prayer: Learning to Hear God’s Voice and Keep a Prayer Journal (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Books, 1991). A very good, well-written text on
what it means to hear God’s voice.
Peterson, Eugene
Peterson.
Christ Plays in Ten Thousand Places: A
Conversation in Spiritual Theology. The first of five books in Peterson’s
summary of his spiritual theology.
Quinn, Robert. Deep
Change (Jossey-Bass: 1996). A very good book, written from
a leadership-business perspective, on the inner transformation required to lead
effectively.
Renovare, et. al. The Life with God Bible NRSV.
The spiritual exercises are woven into this study Bible.
Senn, Frank, ed. Protestant
Spiritual Traditions (New York: Paulist, 1986). Various authors writing
from the following perspectives: Lutheran, Reformed, Anabaptist, Puritan,
Pietist, and Methodist.
Sittser, Jerry. A Grace Disguised: How the Soul Grows Through
Loss. Perhaps the best book on a spirituality of grieving ever written, by a
deep thinker and excellent writer.
Sittser. A Grace revealed: How God Redeems the Story of Your Life.
The follow-up to A Grace Disguised.
Smedes, Lewis. Shame
and Grace. (San Francisco: Harper and Row, 1994). For me, a
beautiful book on overcoming self-condemnation by a deeper understanding and
experience of the grace of God.
St. Teresa of Avila Interior Castle
Thomas, Gary
Thurman, Howard. For the Inward Journey: The
Writings of Howard Thurman (Harcourt Brace: 1984). An excellent anthology of
Thurman’s spiritual writings.
Thurman. Jesus and the Disinherited (Beacon:
1996). If you’re going to read one book by Thurman this is the one to read. He
is brilliant, insightful, and extremely relevant for even today. There s a
timelessness about Thurman’s writings.
Thurman. Howard Thurman: Essential Writings.
(Orbis: 2006) Edited by Luther Smith. Smith is one of our great, if not our
greatest, Thurman scholars. His introduction to Thurman’s writing is very
helpful.
Thurman. Meditations of the Heart. (Beacon:
1999)
Thurman. With Head and Heart: The Autobiography
of Howard Thurman.
Walters, Kerry (ed.). Rufus Jones: The Essential
Writings. Howard Thurman was deeply indebted to the mentoring of the Quaker
mystic Rufus Jones.
Weems, Renita. Listening
for God: A Minister’s Journey Through Silence and Doubt (Simon and Schuster: 1999). An excellent reflection of the silence of
God and intimacy with God.
West, Cornel, and Glaube Jr., Eddie S. African
American Religious Thought: An Anthology. (Westminster
Willard, Dallas. The Divine Conspiracy:
Rediscovering Our Hidden Life in God (Harper Collins: 1998). What a deep,
beautiful book on the kingdom
of God
Willard. Hearing God: Developing a
Conversational Relationship with God (IVP: 1999)
Willard. Renovation of the
Heart: Putting on the Character of Christ
(Navpress:2002). This excellent book is all about spiritual transformation and
is especially helpful in defining biblical terms like “soul,” “heart,” “spirit,”
and “body.”
Willard. The Spirit of the
Disciplines: Understanding How God Changes Lives (Harper and Row: 1988). A great book, profound, clearly written.
Richard Foster called it “the book of the decade.”
Wilmore, Gayraud. Black Religion and Black Radicalism:
An Interpretation of the Religious History of African Americans.
Wimber, John. Power
Healing (Harper and Row). An excellent, encouraging text
filled with realism and hope.
