God in the Dark: Suffering and Desire in the Spiritual Life

by Susan Pitchford

Contemporary Christianity is afflicted with two First, our spiritual life is often bland and lukewarm. Distracted and fragmented by our lives, and malnourished on conventional piety, we feel out of touch with the God described in the Bible as a consuming fire." Second, we don't know how to make sense of suffering, especially the pain of spiritual darkness and aridity. The answer to both of these problems is passion. In God in the Dark, Susan Pitchford explores the two faces of desire, the mutual attraction between the soul and God; and suffering, especially our confusion and grief when we find ourselves in dark places. We often misinterpret times of darkness, assuming we've fabled and God has abandoned us. Pitchford suggests that darkness is not a place of abandonment but a place of intimacy and a special call to a deeper relationship with the God who desires us. Once we understand this, we will not have to fear the dark, and when the night closes in around us, we can experience it as an embrace.

Genres: Spirituality, Religion

146 pages, Hardcover

First published March 1, 2011

Reviews

[Margaret D'Anieri · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a wonderful book .... In a very real way, is changing my life, one of the key books helping to counteract the "spirit goog, body bad" distortion in western and particularly Puritan religilos influences. Written with wry humor and humility.

[Paul Dubuc · Rating 5 out of 5]

Outstanding! The best introduction to mystical experience. Very lucid, avoids jargon, dispels the hype while conveying passion and the hope in suffering with a gentle touch of humor and plenty of good sense.

[elzinga · Rating 5 out of 5]

God in the Dark has been a kindred spirit as it explores the two faces of passion: desire and suffering. This never-ending spiral, as Pitchford points out, leads to loving union with our creator. Wisdom from Susan, and all those quoted, abounds on these pages. Highly recommend.

[James · Rating 5 out of 5]

A much-needed book in this age of hyped-up evangelicalism and the prosperity gospel. It portrays the spiritual life as one of ups and downs and even doubts, lasting a lifetime. Today's churches, especially in the U.S., have been influenced by the consumer culture of wanting it all now. Every moment of our lives has to be an "aha" moment or God has abandoned us. This book addresses that fatal flaw in our characters and provides a historical, as well as a personal, perspective.

[Margaret D'Anieri · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the way she writes, and manages to make language, traditions and imagery about our relationship with Jesus relevant, when they seem quaint, inappropriate, or just plain weird. (See Song of Songs). She also makes generous room for all kinds of spiritual connections, particularly for those for whom contemplative silence isn't their way to the divine. And she has a great sense of humor!