Practices of Love
Spiritual Disciplines for the Life of the World
(Brazos Press, 2017)
WHO: Kyle David Bennett, assistant professor of philosophy at Caldwell University, where he also directs the Spirituality and Leadership Institute.
HE SAYS: “Our sanctification and the renewal of all things doesn’t drop from the sky but comes through the Father, the Son and the Spirit remedying and renewing the daily, mundane activities and the relationships, practices and institutions that are built on them.”
THE BIG IDEA: The spiritual disciplines were originally designed to positively impact our relationships here on earth. These seemingly random and strange practices are actually sanctified and renewed ways of doing everyday activities.
THE PROGRESSION:
After explaining what the spiritual disciplines were originally meant to be, the author examines familiar practices—simplicity, meditation, fasting, solitude, silence, service, keeping the Sabbath—from the side, showing the horizontal dimension to them.
At the end of each chapter, he provides a prayer and a section of simple steps to approaching that particular discipline so we are living it not just practicing it.
“The Christian life is a reformed and transformed lifestyle lived according to the Father’s design, the Son’s example and the Spirit’s guidance.”
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A 2018 ALSO RECOMMENDED OUTREACH RESOURCE OF THE YEAR—DISCIPLESHIP
“Astute insights from a philosopher about how to engage the classic spiritual disciplines in ways that do not only enrich our vertical relationship with God, but also our horizontal relationships with friends, family, neighbors, strangers, enemies, animals and the earth.”
Evaluated by Michelle Sanchez, executive minister of Make and Deepen Disciples for the Covenant. She previously served as pastor of Christian formation and mission at Highrock Church in the Boston area and in leadership for the Lausanne Committee for World Evangelization.
