Final Steps in Christian Maturity

by Jeanne Guyon

The best way to describe this books is to say that it is Volume II of Experiencing the Depths of Jesus Christ.
We had not expected to ever see a book by Jeanne Guyon that would rival her monumental Christian classic, Experiencing the Depths of Jesus Christ. . . yet that is exactly what this book does!
What is the story behind this truly remarkable book?
The King of France ordered Jeanne Guyon to appear before Archbishop Bossuet for interrogation. This would be a fateful event for her, for the results of that interrogation would decide whether or not she would be imprisoned.
Jeanne Guyon made the decision to present to Bossuet a clear statement - and defense - of her teachings. The result was a massive three-volume work entitled Justifications.
This work was later printed in French, probably appearing in only one printing. Justifications has never appeared in English, and has been virtually forgotten. Final Steps in Christian Maturity is a careful selection of some of the very best material found in that original three-volume work. Here, then, is some of the finest literature ever penned on the deeper Christian life.

Genres: Christianity

Paperback

First published May 1, 1985

About the author

Jeanne Marie Bouvières de la Mothe Guyon (commonly known as Madame Guyon) was the leader of the Quietist movement in France. The foundation of her Quietism was laid in her study of St. Francis de Sales, Madame de Chantal, and Thomas a Kempis. At age 16, she married Jacques Guyon, a wealthy man of weak health, 22 years her senior. Until his death in 1676, her life was an unhappy one, partly due to the difference in their ages, and partly due to a tyrannical mother-in-law. Her public career as an evangelist of Quietism began soon after her widowhood.

Her first labors were spent in the diocese of Geneva, at Anecy, Gex, and Thonon, and in Grenoble. In 1686 she went to Paris, where she was at first imprisoned for her opinions, in the Convent of St. Marie in the Faubourg St. Antoine; she was released after eight months at the insistence of Madame de Maintenon. She then rose to the zenith of her fame. Her life at all times greatly fascinated those around her; the court, Madame de Maintenon, and Madame de Maintenon’s College of Ladies at Cyr, came under the spell of her enthusiasm. But the affinity of her doctrines with those of Michael Molinos, who was condemned in 1685, soon worked against her.

Her opinions were condemned by a commission, of which Bossuet was president. She then incurred Bossuet’s displeasure by breaking the promises she had made to him to maintain a quiet attitude and not return to Paris. She was imprisoned at Vincennes in December 1695, and the next year moved to Vaugirard, under a promise to avoid all receptions and correspondence, except by special permission. In 1698, she was imprisoned in the Bastille for four years. She spent the remainder of her life in retirement with her daughter, the Marquise de Bois, at Blois. She had numerous visitors of all ranks, some from foreign countries, and had a considerable correspondence. Her works fill some 40 volumes. (less)

Reviews

[Steven H · Rating 5 out of 5]

EXCERPTS FROM MADAME GUYON'S DEFENSE OF HERSELF

Jeanne-Marie Bouvier de la Motte-Guyon (commonly known as Madame Guyon; 1648-1717) was a French mystic and one of the key advocates of Quietism (which was considered heretical by the Catholic Church). She was imprisoned from 1695 to 1703 after publishing 'The Song of Songs: Commentary' and 'Experiencing the Depths of Jesus Christ,' she wrote an autobiography while in prison. She then went to live with her son, and spent her remaining years writing poetry and avoiding controversy. Ironically, though she never had any intention of separating herself from the Catholic Church, her warmest admirers today are found among Protestants.

This book is a selection from Guyon's three-volume, 1,200-page defense of herself before Archbishop Jacques-Bénigne Bossuet. She suggests that "it is difficult for a more advanced believer to fall away. He sees the end result of what will take place in his life. Little by little, he is settled into a fixed state. Eventually, it will take pride and maliciousness of PURPOSE to move him from his relationship with the Lord. It IS possible for him to fall, of course, just as it was possible for the rebellious angels to do so..." (Pg. 23)

She advises, "I would NEVER pause or dwell on ANYTHING which has been said in this book thus far! ... This would be like asking the food in the stomach to return to the mouth again! That would be the forerunner of death. No, the halfway house is still only INTRODUCTORY. Do not remain here." (Pg. 31-32) She argues that those devoted to the interior life suffer not only at the hands of the godless world, "but they also receive persecution from people who life ordinary lives; and, even more, they suffer from pious and religious-minded men who are not interior. It is the religious-minded who persecute as a matter of duty!" (Pg. 67)

She admits, "There are some souls who cause me great suffering. They are selfish souls who are full of compromise and speculations and desire others to accommodate them and their inclinations... I cannot adapt to their superficial state nor can I respond to their profession of friendship. They are repulsive to my feelings." (Pg. 86-87)

This book gives helpful background for some of Guyon's other books, and insight into her spirituality.

[Tom Watson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent insights on growing in maturity in one's faith. I would have given it 5 stars but there are a couple of odd chapters. The rest is so outstanding, I chalk those odd parts to translation problems.