Sacramental Life: Spiritual Formation Through the Book of Common Prayer

by David A. deSilva

What happens when old meets new? As David deSilva has experienced the ancient wisdom of the Book of Common Prayer, he's been formed spiritually in deep and lasting ways. In these pages, he offers you a brand new way to use the Book of Common Prayer, that you too might experience new growth, new intimacy with God and a new lens through which to view the world. Focusing on the four sacramental rites of baptism, Eucharist, marriage and burial, deSilva explores each one in depth through the prayers, liturgies and Scripture readings of the Book of Common Prayer, and then adds his own devotional exercises that help you immediately apply what you've reflected on. As you read and contemplate the material, you may notice old habits, wrong beliefs and negative patterns being replaced with new desires and perspectives that help you draw ever closer to God. In this innovative and engaging resource David deSilva invites you in to a new way of being spiritually formed through an old book that has shaped thousands of disciples through the years. "I hope that, as you read and pray through this guide," he writes, "you will discover afresh the ways in which the rites contained in the Book of Common Prayer facilitate a genuine encounter with God, and a transforming experience of grace."

Genres: Theology, Spirituality, Prayer, Faith, Nonfiction, Religion, Christian

288 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 2008

About the author

David A. deSilva (PhD, Emory University) is Trustees’ Distinguished Professor of New Testament and Greek at Ashland Theological Seminary in Ashland, Ohio. His numerous books include Introducing the Apocrypha and An Introduction to the New Testament: Contexts, Methods, and Ministry Formation.

Reviews

[Daniel Supimpa · Rating 4 out of 5]

My first (official) contact with the Book of Common Prayer, and its relationship to sacramental theology. DeSilva, although being mostly a NT scholar, makes a very clear account of the theological structure of four sacraments (baptism, eucharist, Christian marriage and Christian burial) and their consequent capacity of shaping spiritually a community that practices them. A helpful and well-explained entry point for low church evangelicals.

[Kcshrader · Rating 1 out of 5]

Disjointed, with a murky point of view. Couldn't make it past the first two chapters, which is a shame, because the topic has promise. Hope another author takes up the idea and develops it more clearly.

[Robert Durough, Jr. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Waxes and wanes in many respects, but certainly has its usefulness and points the reader toward Christ-formation through the use of the BCP. While I do jot hold to the authoritative traditions of the BCP or any denominations, I still found benefit from reading this text, even while having theological disagreement. I imagine it will be perceivably even more beneficial for those who rely on the BCP and the traditions that stick to it.

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really like the concept of this book.
I kept it by my bedside to read chapter at a time.
It is really set up more like a workbook devotional and to get everything out of it (aka spiritual formation) you really need to complete the exercises.
I got it from the library (I found it looking to see if our library had a copy of the book of Common Prayer after that kept being on my radar) and it was due before I finished it all.

[Bobbi Kraft · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favorite “go to” books when connecting individuals to liturgy. DiSilva describes worship in contextual terms that help us discover the importance for living out what we do in worship.

[Steve · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed the sections on Baptism and the Lord's Supper the best.

[Christi · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book started out really slowly--I didn't even think I was going to finish it. But it picked up a lot about 1/3 of the way in and I ended up getting a lot out of it. I really liked a lot of his insights and even though I don't come from a solid background on The Book of Common Prayer, I still found it enlightening and worth the read.

[Amybarker · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very good walk through the Book of Common Prayer. It helped me to appreciate all that the BCP offers, especially as someone who did not grow up using it. It is more theological than practical, as I’m still not sure I could open the BCP and know much of what to do with it. But I can appreciate its use in services now more than ever. Also, there are several chapters on things like the Lord’s Prayer and baptism, which I think any Christian could learn from, whether you are in a liturgical tradition or not.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Like a deep spring of water for a thirsty traveler. This book has challenged my beliefs, educated me about liturgy and deepened my love for the Book of Common Prayer. A valuable resource for personal transformation and spiritual formation. Good as a devotional for individuals or in a discipleship relationship, or possibly even group study. I found myself wanting to discuss things with other Christians. I will return to this book often to enrich my faith.

[Justin DeVantier · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best books I have read on anglican/liturgical spirituality. DeSilva writing style is easy to get wrapped into and much depth is revealed in the pages. Though not a substitution for scripture reading, Sacramental life is a perfect devotional companion to the BCP.

a must read for any liturgical christian.

[Adam Ross · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great read. The book walks you through the Anglican Book of Common Prayer as a guide for spiritual formation, and is broken into three parts, going through the meaning of Baptism, Eucharist, Marriage and Death. Good stuff.

[Kenny · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great guide to spiritual formation in the Anglican tradition. Very accessible and explains how the liturgies of the Book of Common Prayer ground Christian formation in in Scriptures and our real lives, cradle to grave.

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

didn't finish

[Willa Guadalupe Grant · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have gone through this book twice now & I really enjoy the way it uses The Book of Common Prayer as the basis of the study/practice. A good book for Anglicans & maybe non-Anglicans as well.

[Jonathan Frazier]

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