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Counterpoints
Four Views on Christian Spirituality
How do Christians cultivate a vibrant and Christ-centered spirituality that's rooted in biblical clarity?
Spiritual formation--the cultivation of a relationship with God--lies at the heart of what it means to be a Christian in the body of Christ. But with the rise of diverse spiritual practices, from Zen meditation to out-of-body experiences, the idea of spirituality has become watered down by postmodern culture.
Christian spirituality, on the other hand, embraces devotion to the triune God, abiding in Christ, the pursuit of holiness, and the cultivation of virtues. But what exactly falls within the scope Christian spirituality?
This volume of the Counterpoints series focuses on the Church’s search for spiritual identity, meaning, and significance as interpreted by four of the major Christian
Eastern Orthodoxy – represented by Bradley NassifRoman Catholic – represented by Scott HahnProgressive Protestant – represented by Joseph DriskillEvangelical - represented by Evan HowardThe Counterpoints series presents a comparison and critique of scholarly views on topics important to Christians that are both fair-minded and respectful of the biblical text. Each volume is a one-stop reference that allows readers to evaluate the different positions on a specific issue and form their own, educated opinion.
Spiritual formation--the cultivation of a relationship with God--lies at the heart of what it means to be a Christian in the body of Christ. But with the rise of diverse spiritual practices, from Zen meditation to out-of-body experiences, the idea of spirituality has become watered down by postmodern culture.
Christian spirituality, on the other hand, embraces devotion to the triune God, abiding in Christ, the pursuit of holiness, and the cultivation of virtues. But what exactly falls within the scope Christian spirituality?
This volume of the Counterpoints series focuses on the Church’s search for spiritual identity, meaning, and significance as interpreted by four of the major Christian
Eastern Orthodoxy – represented by Bradley NassifRoman Catholic – represented by Scott HahnProgressive Protestant – represented by Joseph DriskillEvangelical - represented by Evan HowardThe Counterpoints series presents a comparison and critique of scholarly views on topics important to Christians that are both fair-minded and respectful of the biblical text. Each volume is a one-stop reference that allows readers to evaluate the different positions on a specific issue and form their own, educated opinion.
299 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 28, 2012
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
July 12, 2019
The four position papers by Bradley Nassif (Orthodoxy), Scott Hahn (Roman Catholic), Joe Driskill (Progressive/Mainline), and Evan Howard (Evangelical) were clear and informative. Bruce A. Demarest introduction is fine, though the team should have agreed on a clearer definition of "spirituality" to save time first. The responses of each author to the other were fair, clear, and short, with particular deference shown to Nassif and Eastern Orthodoxy. I wish the essays were a little dicier and distinctive. For example, I was frustrated that Driskill did not press on patriarchy and Christ's character more, or that Nassif was not more assertive and descriptive about the imagistic and iconic aspects of real-life Orthodox experience, or that Hahn did not more greatly like sacramental spirituality and questions of obedience and mission, or that Howard did not more greatly emphasize restoration and spirit-living or the Black experience of faith or global growth in evangelicalism. I am surprised the authors didn't address the question of cultural dominance and fading faith. The book also shows that 2012 is a long way from 2019 in American history, which surprises me.
Besides the fact that it is another all-male cast in the otherwise great Counterpoints series by Zondervan, Demarist's conclusion was terrible. It was neither a good summary nor a fair assessment, but basically all the places that evangelicalism is right and the others wrong.
Four Views on Christian Spirituality is a good introductory text for those wanting to explore the contours of Christian spirituality, but I would recommend instead Simon Chan's Spiritual Theology, Sandra Schneider's cross-disciplinary work, or particular practitioner-thinkers like Eugene Peterson or Kathleen Norris.
Besides the fact that it is another all-male cast in the otherwise great Counterpoints series by Zondervan, Demarist's conclusion was terrible. It was neither a good summary nor a fair assessment, but basically all the places that evangelicalism is right and the others wrong.
Four Views on Christian Spirituality is a good introductory text for those wanting to explore the contours of Christian spirituality, but I would recommend instead Simon Chan's Spiritual Theology, Sandra Schneider's cross-disciplinary work, or particular practitioner-thinkers like Eugene Peterson or Kathleen Norris.
June 18, 2018
I find it enjoyable, instructive, and challenging to read books by people from a variety of views, and books that bring together multiple views and have the authors interact with each other provide one of the best ways to do this. So I was excited to read this book that presents views of Orthodox, Catholic, progressive Protestant, and evangelical Christians.
I think I learned quite a bit from each section (though less in the case of the evangelical view, not because it was not very well presented, but because that being my own background, little there was new to me). I grew up in a progressive Protestant church, but have wondered sometimes whether my view of it had been skewed by my youth, as I left when I was 14 upon being converted in a fundamentalist church, and the extreme contrast between those two traditions. Based on that section, the church of my childhood as I remember it was very typical of that progressive tradition.
I'm not sure whether to consider it a limitation of this book or reflecting the very nature of the differences among these views, that each chapter approached the subject using a different framework, making it difficult to draw direct comparisons and contrasts among them. The editor does this in the conclusion, but his view clearly is that of the evangelical, so I wonder how the Orthodox, Catholic, and progressive Protestant would written that kind of concluding chapter.
When I read books, years ago, on the different world religions, I was struck by how, far from being similar at their core as some people claim, they don't come up with either the same or different answers to a standard set of questions, but rather provide answers to very different questions. I got somewhat the same sense reading this book, that it is hard to compare the different views because their basic approach to spirituality is distinctly different. But I guess that's what makes each of them what it is, and from reading this book I understand each better.
I think I learned quite a bit from each section (though less in the case of the evangelical view, not because it was not very well presented, but because that being my own background, little there was new to me). I grew up in a progressive Protestant church, but have wondered sometimes whether my view of it had been skewed by my youth, as I left when I was 14 upon being converted in a fundamentalist church, and the extreme contrast between those two traditions. Based on that section, the church of my childhood as I remember it was very typical of that progressive tradition.
I'm not sure whether to consider it a limitation of this book or reflecting the very nature of the differences among these views, that each chapter approached the subject using a different framework, making it difficult to draw direct comparisons and contrasts among them. The editor does this in the conclusion, but his view clearly is that of the evangelical, so I wonder how the Orthodox, Catholic, and progressive Protestant would written that kind of concluding chapter.
When I read books, years ago, on the different world religions, I was struck by how, far from being similar at their core as some people claim, they don't come up with either the same or different answers to a standard set of questions, but rather provide answers to very different questions. I got somewhat the same sense reading this book, that it is hard to compare the different views because their basic approach to spirituality is distinctly different. But I guess that's what makes each of them what it is, and from reading this book I understand each better.
July 30, 2021
This is my introduction to the "counterpoints" series where three to five experts argue/present their view and then comment on the others. "Christian Spirituality" interested me especially since I've read a lot of varying theology and authors, and because I wanted to get a better picture of the eastern orthodox church.
I like this approach, although I think there is an unnecessary concluding chapter, or rather, summary. Each person gives a great presentation, and I as a reader can either find myself disagreeing, agreeing, or simply expanding my understanding of the Christian denomination. It's more about the latter, and all is done in a very cordial fashion from all the authors. I do find myself drawn toward some of the vies more than others, and some do a lesser job than others in their defense/presentation.
It surprised me how much history is presented here from all authors, and you really get a good picture of the historical Christian landscape.
I like this approach, although I think there is an unnecessary concluding chapter, or rather, summary. Each person gives a great presentation, and I as a reader can either find myself disagreeing, agreeing, or simply expanding my understanding of the Christian denomination. It's more about the latter, and all is done in a very cordial fashion from all the authors. I do find myself drawn toward some of the vies more than others, and some do a lesser job than others in their defense/presentation.
It surprised me how much history is presented here from all authors, and you really get a good picture of the historical Christian landscape.
August 6, 2024
I don’t think I would recommend this to anyone beginning their journey to understand “Christian Spirituality.” The book contains four authors from different traditions (Orthodox, Catholic, Progressive Protestant, and Evangelical) explaining their own tradition’s spirituality and then responses to their explanation from the author contributors. I really like this kind of layout. It allows for genuine, respectful, but penetrating criticism for other ideas. That’s the best part of the book, reading the responses.
The problem is that the writers have no shared definition of what “Christian Spirituality” actually is. Each one defined it for themselves, but it doesn’t quite function as an “apples-to-apples” kind of debate. You learn about major tenets of their tradition, but not necessarily with clarity of their spirituality.
The problem is that the writers have no shared definition of what “Christian Spirituality” actually is. Each one defined it for themselves, but it doesn’t quite function as an “apples-to-apples” kind of debate. You learn about major tenets of their tradition, but not necessarily with clarity of their spirituality.
November 6, 2019
A solid overview of these four views. My only point of contention is that the editor really tips his hat to what he thinks is the right view: he’s an evangelical through and through and his conclusion makes that evident. That is, he doesn’t approach the other views with the amount of intellectual humility and impartiality one would expect from the editor (who’s job is general to conclude by moving towards integrating all the views, rather than by making his personal opinion incredibly obvious). Overall a thought provoking and helpful read.
September 6, 2017
Four theologians from different perspectives (Eastern Orthodoxy, Roman Catholicism, progressive Protestantism, and evangelical Protestantism) present their views on Christian spirituality and interact with each other's chapters. The book provides a helpful overview of some of the chief approaches to and issues in Christian spirituality from the early church to the present.
November 22, 2020
Interesting look at different Christian traditions' approach to spirituality - definitely things to learn from each one, even ones that are very different than mine. I also saw in this book how much my own tradition has been influenced by the evangelical tradition's approach in their approach to Bible study, prayer, evangelism, and fervor.
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June 16, 2024Very comprehensive book on Catholicism, Orthodoxy, Progressive Christianity and Evangelicalism and how they all approach spirituality! By providing a clear definition of spirituality I was able to have language for a realm of the Christian faith I am passionate about. I learned a lot about the defining features of each of these perspectives and was able to think critically about them all.
October 14, 2025
Good addition to the counterpoint series, with a Eastern Orthodox, Catholic, Mainline and Evangelical Protestant presenting their respective approaches to Christian spirituality and responding to the contributions of others. The part I found most interesting was the EO and mainline but I would definitely recommend this book for anyone interested in these differences.
September 6, 2019
This book was decent in its goal of defining 4 schools of Christian Spirituality. With these “views” books you can occasionally get contributors that make one wonder why they were picked to discuss the topic. Also, the engagement back and forth on the views was less than stimulating at times.
May 31, 2023
Lacking an Anglican voice.
August 9, 2016
Catholic and Orthodox writers: "Wait, why are we schismed again?"
Mainline Protestant writer: "You guys are pretty terrible at social justice but also my tradition is collapsing :("
Evangelical writer: "I'm just so happy to be invited and I love all you guys!!"
Some rousing discussions of faith. I wish everybody could talk about their traditions this way. When I closed the book I was left with an unmistakable sense of how each branch of Christianity is weak in some vital areas of lived faith, and how the other branches can offer their strengths in return, if we'd only move forward in the same direction.
How much we need each other. All of us.
Mainline Protestant writer: "You guys are pretty terrible at social justice but also my tradition is collapsing :("
Evangelical writer: "I'm just so happy to be invited and I love all you guys!!"
Some rousing discussions of faith. I wish everybody could talk about their traditions this way. When I closed the book I was left with an unmistakable sense of how each branch of Christianity is weak in some vital areas of lived faith, and how the other branches can offer their strengths in return, if we'd only move forward in the same direction.
How much we need each other. All of us.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews