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Mere Discipleship: Growing in Wisdom and Hope
For those involved in discipling others and anyone looking for a deeper, richer relationship with God. Are you looking to move beyond a superficial grasp of faith and find the riches that God promises in His Word? Learn how we can hold on to hope while journeying through darkness, and live meaningfully in a world where things don't always seem to make sense. In exploring Christian discipleship, Alister McGrath encourages us to move beyond a superficial grasp of our faith to discover its depth and riches. He sees discipleship as a process of growth in wisdom: we absorb a Christian vision of reality, allow it to percolate in our minds and then inform how we see things, think about them and act. Helpfully drawing on the astute and illuminating insights of Dorothy L. Sayers, C. S. Lewis, John Stott and J. I. Packer, the author suggests how we can hold on to hope while journeying through darkness, and live meaningfully in a world where things don't always seem to make sense. 'Alister McGrath offers an appealing and lucid demonstration of theology understood as a "reflective inhabitation" of the Christian faith. This wise and elegant book shows the urgent importance of a Christian mind for faithful discipleship that engages the contemporary world. It should be essential reading for every pastor and every thoughtful Christian layperson.' Jeffrey P. Greenman, President, Regent College, Vancouver
168 pages, Paperback
Published September 20, 2018
26 people are currently reading
156 people want to read
About the author
Alister E. McGrath
451 books498 followersAlister Edgar McGrath is a Northern Irish theologian, priest, intellectual historian, scientist, and Christian apologist. He currently holds the Andreas Idreos Professorship in Science and Religion in the Faculty of Theology and Religion at the University of Oxford, and is Professor of Divinity at Gresham College. He was previously Professor of Theology, Ministry, and Education at King's College London and Head of the Centre for Theology, Religion and Culture, Professor of Historical Theology at the University of Oxford, and was principal of Wycliffe Hall, Oxford, until 2005. He is an Anglican priest and is ordained within the Church of England.
Aside from being a faculty member at Oxford, McGrath has also taught at Cambridge University and is a Teaching Fellow at Regent College. McGrath holds three doctorates from the University of Oxford, a DPhil in Molecular Biophysics, a Doctor of Divinity in Theology and a Doctor of Letters in Intellectual History.
McGrath is noted for his work in historical theology, systematic theology, and the relationship between science and religion, as well as his writings on apologetics. He is also known for his opposition to New Atheism and antireligionism and his advocacy of theological critical realism. Among his best-known books are The Twilight of Atheism, The Dawkins Delusion?: Atheist Fundamentalism and the Denial of the Divine, Dawkins' God: Genes, Memes, and the Meaning of Life, and A Scientific Theology. He is also the author of a number of popular textbooks on theology.
Aside from being a faculty member at Oxford, McGrath has also taught at Cambridge University and is a Teaching Fellow at Regent College. McGrath holds three doctorates from the University of Oxford, a DPhil in Molecular Biophysics, a Doctor of Divinity in Theology and a Doctor of Letters in Intellectual History.
McGrath is noted for his work in historical theology, systematic theology, and the relationship between science and religion, as well as his writings on apologetics. He is also known for his opposition to New Atheism and antireligionism and his advocacy of theological critical realism. Among his best-known books are The Twilight of Atheism, The Dawkins Delusion?: Atheist Fundamentalism and the Denial of the Divine, Dawkins' God: Genes, Memes, and the Meaning of Life, and A Scientific Theology. He is also the author of a number of popular textbooks on theology.
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
November 26, 2020
The premise of the book is quite promising: how can we develop specifically Christian habits of mind that cultivate hope and confidence? McGrath doesn’t actually tell us in the first few chapters. We have some good quotes from Wittgenstein on how religion “encourages us to be passionately committed to a set of coordinates.” Very true. But what would a specifically Christian habit of mind look like?
His chapter on bookstores is good and he explains why physical copies of books will always have a place.
Examples of the Christian Mind:
Dorothy Sayers, Charles Peirce, and Abductive Reasoning. The mind seeks unity and patterns. Per Peirce (and later Polanyi), it will follow the evidence and make a proleptic leap to the conclusion.
The chapter on CS Lewis was okay. It’s hard to write anything new about Lewis these days.
His chapter on bookstores is good and he explains why physical copies of books will always have a place.
Examples of the Christian Mind:
Dorothy Sayers, Charles Peirce, and Abductive Reasoning. The mind seeks unity and patterns. Per Peirce (and later Polanyi), it will follow the evidence and make a proleptic leap to the conclusion.
The chapter on CS Lewis was okay. It’s hard to write anything new about Lewis these days.
March 26, 2019
Some quotes:
"Christian discipleship is not about mastering God, but being mastered by God - not as an act of craven intellectual submission to someone we fear, but as an act of joyful intellectual enrichment arising from the expansion of our rational and imaginative capacities in response to a captivating vision of God, which ends up setting us free" (the creative mind, 87).
"Religious faith is thus not a rebellion against reason but, rather, a principled revolt against the imprisonment of humanity within the cold and limiting walls of a rationalist dogmatism. Human logic may be rationally adequate but it is also existentially deficient" (Truth, mystery and darkness, 127).
"This world is God's world and it is to be valued, appreciated, enjoyed. Yet it is studded with clues that it is not our real home; that there is a still better world beyond its frontiers; and that one may dare to hope to enter and inhabit this better place" (the hope of heaven, 143).
"Christian discipleship is not about mastering God, but being mastered by God - not as an act of craven intellectual submission to someone we fear, but as an act of joyful intellectual enrichment arising from the expansion of our rational and imaginative capacities in response to a captivating vision of God, which ends up setting us free" (the creative mind, 87).
"Religious faith is thus not a rebellion against reason but, rather, a principled revolt against the imprisonment of humanity within the cold and limiting walls of a rationalist dogmatism. Human logic may be rationally adequate but it is also existentially deficient" (Truth, mystery and darkness, 127).
"This world is God's world and it is to be valued, appreciated, enjoyed. Yet it is studded with clues that it is not our real home; that there is a still better world beyond its frontiers; and that one may dare to hope to enter and inhabit this better place" (the hope of heaven, 143).
June 13, 2019
A decent book. McGrath uses his former lectures and sermons to compile elements that compose discipleship.
What I enjoyed most was the middle section where he offered mini-biographies on Dorothy Sayers, C.S. Lewis, John Stott, and J. I. Packer.
What I enjoyed most was the middle section where he offered mini-biographies on Dorothy Sayers, C.S. Lewis, John Stott, and J. I. Packer.
June 13, 2024
Figured out why this was in the bargain bin.
McGrath is obviously very bright and writes well. But this is simply a set of random observations about Christianity, particularly rebuttals of New Atheism and postmodernism. It is not coherent and has nothing to do with discipleship.
McGrath is obviously very bright and writes well. But this is simply a set of random observations about Christianity, particularly rebuttals of New Atheism and postmodernism. It is not coherent and has nothing to do with discipleship.
February 5, 2019
In this fairly short book (under 200 pages) Alister McGrath looks at the issue of discipleship although the book actually looks further afield as well. Anyone familiar with McGrath's writings will find the same logical and rigorous thought patterns that characterise his written ministry. While there is some overlap with his other writings (understandable given his output!) this is a very good book both for someone relatively new to the Christian faith and those with a deeper understanding. That's one thing I love about McGrath, his ability to explain sometimes complex subjects in simple ways and leave you wanting to dive deeper yourself. While the style is largely academic it's what I'd call 'accessibly academic' and there are plenty of moments of reflection as well. I feel McGrath is underrated as a reflective writer, less well known titles like The Journey testify to this.
Perhaps the core of McGrath's own thoughts are best summed up in his own words, "...we need to appreciate that, although Peter and Andrew's journeys of faith may be said to have begun on the shores of Lake Galilee, they certainly did not end there. As we read the gospels, we recognise that the disciples' faith deepens, both in terms of its intensity and its substance, as they gradually come to understand more about the identity and significance of Jesus of Nazareth and respond to him accordingly."
The first part of the books offers five reflections on the discipleship of the mind. I personally loved the section on Books and the Discipleship of the Mind (but then I'm a book nerd) and their value as a window into other viewpoints whether to agree or disagree. McGrath then turns to fairly short but still informative examinations of the thoughts of Dorothy L. Sayers, C. S. Lewis, John Stott and J. I. Packer. Finally he concludes with what are effectively four sermons or reflections (although still in a reader friendly academic style) which offer hope in times of darkness.
I also loved his emphasis on getting to know someone's views in their totality rather than just snapshots which can be taken out of context, "Whether I am reading C S Lewis or Emil Brunner, I feel myself called on as a scholar to read them properly, carefully, and fully." He goes on, "Even when reading someone I know I will end up criticising - such as Richard Dawkins - I still take care to read his works in their totality, not making myself dependent on the kind of disembodied and decontextualized textual snippets that now circulate on the internet." Of course not everyone has time to do that so at least I know McGrath has more likely than not done the wider groundwork for me although McGrath would be the first to advise deciding for ourselves.
I love that despite his academic credentials McGrath retains a deep love for Jesus at the heart of his thinking, "Let me return to Stott's landmark statement: "God's good news is Jesus." When I first read those words, I was thrilled. I was getting fed up with dry and overintellectualised theories about Jesus Christ....Stott's reflections on some passages on early Christian evangelism in Acts led him to this powerful conclusion, which I hope is uncontroversial: "Jesus Christ is the heart and soul of the gospel."
I shall be re-reading this book as there's much I want to look at again.
Recommended.
Perhaps the core of McGrath's own thoughts are best summed up in his own words, "...we need to appreciate that, although Peter and Andrew's journeys of faith may be said to have begun on the shores of Lake Galilee, they certainly did not end there. As we read the gospels, we recognise that the disciples' faith deepens, both in terms of its intensity and its substance, as they gradually come to understand more about the identity and significance of Jesus of Nazareth and respond to him accordingly."
The first part of the books offers five reflections on the discipleship of the mind. I personally loved the section on Books and the Discipleship of the Mind (but then I'm a book nerd) and their value as a window into other viewpoints whether to agree or disagree. McGrath then turns to fairly short but still informative examinations of the thoughts of Dorothy L. Sayers, C. S. Lewis, John Stott and J. I. Packer. Finally he concludes with what are effectively four sermons or reflections (although still in a reader friendly academic style) which offer hope in times of darkness.
I also loved his emphasis on getting to know someone's views in their totality rather than just snapshots which can be taken out of context, "Whether I am reading C S Lewis or Emil Brunner, I feel myself called on as a scholar to read them properly, carefully, and fully." He goes on, "Even when reading someone I know I will end up criticising - such as Richard Dawkins - I still take care to read his works in their totality, not making myself dependent on the kind of disembodied and decontextualized textual snippets that now circulate on the internet." Of course not everyone has time to do that so at least I know McGrath has more likely than not done the wider groundwork for me although McGrath would be the first to advise deciding for ourselves.
I love that despite his academic credentials McGrath retains a deep love for Jesus at the heart of his thinking, "Let me return to Stott's landmark statement: "God's good news is Jesus." When I first read those words, I was thrilled. I was getting fed up with dry and overintellectualised theories about Jesus Christ....Stott's reflections on some passages on early Christian evangelism in Acts led him to this powerful conclusion, which I hope is uncontroversial: "Jesus Christ is the heart and soul of the gospel."
I shall be re-reading this book as there's much I want to look at again.
Recommended.
January 20, 2019
This is why I read books:
One of those mentors that I would add the list McGrath mentioned would be McGrath himself. I would pay to attend one of his lectures, but I doubt that opportunity will happen for me. Instead, however, I can engage with McGrath through is writing.
McGrath also explains one of the reasons why I like to study Theology:
There's so much to learn and explore in the Christian faith and the God we serve, and we should never stop learning more about God. In this book, McGrath reminds us that we are called to serve Christ with our minds also, Mark 12:30, which we can do by studying theology and reading books.
As we learn and grow, discipleship is the sharing of that wisdom and knowledge with those around us, and to take it further, sharing it with those outside of the Christian faith.
Lately, I've been wrestling with passages in the Bible such as Luke 9 (verses 23-27) where Christ said "If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me". McGrath has reminded me that part of that, part of following Christ, is to learn about Him, exploring past and present theologians and texts to expand my knowledge of God and my faith.
There's a lot more I could quote from this book, such as Stott's idea of "double-listening", or McGrath's various references to C.S. Lewis. All in all, this was a good book and has already helped shed some light on my own faith journey. I highly recommend this book.
There are, of course, some people I would have loved to have known as mentors. Sadly, I shall never be able to know great writers of the past, such as Augustine of Hippo, Athanasius of Alexandria, or Martin Luther—to name only three individuals—or to journey alongside them in person and talk to them about their habits of thought, prayer, and adoration. Yet I can read their books. While this is no substitute for the living presence of a mentor, it allows me to absorb their ideas and work out how I might benefit from their wisdom. Though dead, they still speak to us, offering us encouragement and stimulus.
One of those mentors that I would add the list McGrath mentioned would be McGrath himself. I would pay to attend one of his lectures, but I doubt that opportunity will happen for me. Instead, however, I can engage with McGrath through is writing.
McGrath also explains one of the reasons why I like to study Theology:
That’s why good theology leads to worship, in that it confronts us with a vision of God so compelling and overwhelming that we cannot help but adore it on the one hand and fail to put it into words on the other. Theology informs our minds without limiting reality to what our minds can enfold, thus alerting us to a greater horizon of divine activity and presence that is best expressed in worship and adoration rather than in theological speculation.
There's so much to learn and explore in the Christian faith and the God we serve, and we should never stop learning more about God. In this book, McGrath reminds us that we are called to serve Christ with our minds also, Mark 12:30, which we can do by studying theology and reading books.
Part of the process of discipleship is the expansion of our minds and souls that arises from a deeper understanding of the Christian faith, stimulated and enlarged by conversations with other wayfarers along the road and the books that have emerged from those journeys. The process of discipleship is nourished by the sharing of wisdom and acquired experience within the wandering people of God, who come to see their journey as a process of personal and spiritual growth
As we learn and grow, discipleship is the sharing of that wisdom and knowledge with those around us, and to take it further, sharing it with those outside of the Christian faith.
Lately, I've been wrestling with passages in the Bible such as Luke 9 (verses 23-27) where Christ said "If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me". McGrath has reminded me that part of that, part of following Christ, is to learn about Him, exploring past and present theologians and texts to expand my knowledge of God and my faith.
There's a lot more I could quote from this book, such as Stott's idea of "double-listening", or McGrath's various references to C.S. Lewis. All in all, this was a good book and has already helped shed some light on my own faith journey. I highly recommend this book.
May 26, 2021
I was pleasantly surprised to find this little book by the renowned Alister McGrath at a discout bookstore. I was not familiar with the book, but a quick perusal left me intrigued and I figured anything from McGrath would be worthwile. Mere Discipleship is a collection of essays reflecting on the importance and place of reasonableness to the Christian faith. The Bible says, "Love the Lord with all your heart, mind, soul, and strength," and in this particular book, McGrath gives attention to the task of loving God with your mind. Most of the essays resonate with a favorite quote of McGrath by CS Lewis, "I believe in Christianity as I believe the Sun has risen, not only because I see it, but because by it I see everything else" (from "Is Theology Poetry?")
I found the book delightful and exeedingly relevant for this moment in Christianity. McGrath offers an important correction to today's drift into platitudes and shallow thought on display in too many churches. Christianity is reasonable, McGrath argues, and deserves a place at the table of conversations about the deepest questions facing our existence. Following reflections on the discipleship of the mind, he offers four case studies of thinkers who embody the discipleship that McGrath is proposing.
While the general thrust of the book is a little different, the tone and sentiment of Mere Discipleship brought to mind the famous little book by Helmut Thielicke An Exercise for Young Theologians. I think any pastor would do well to spend some time with McGrath's recent book as he (re)affirms our desire to lead our congregations to more deeply disciple their lives and shape their minds in the model of Christ.
I found the book delightful and exeedingly relevant for this moment in Christianity. McGrath offers an important correction to today's drift into platitudes and shallow thought on display in too many churches. Christianity is reasonable, McGrath argues, and deserves a place at the table of conversations about the deepest questions facing our existence. Following reflections on the discipleship of the mind, he offers four case studies of thinkers who embody the discipleship that McGrath is proposing.
While the general thrust of the book is a little different, the tone and sentiment of Mere Discipleship brought to mind the famous little book by Helmut Thielicke An Exercise for Young Theologians. I think any pastor would do well to spend some time with McGrath's recent book as he (re)affirms our desire to lead our congregations to more deeply disciple their lives and shape their minds in the model of Christ.
February 15, 2023
Read and pass. This book was an enjoyable read about how Christianity offers the best lens to view the world through to account for both the rational scientific observable “facts” as well as the deeper longings, values, relationships, and imaginations. Different than the typical call to discipleship, this book is a call to have a mind that is ever expanding in its grasp of the ungraspable God. McGrath urges us to seek right theology through Scripture, historical formulations, and community. Yet, most importantly, theology that goes beyond bare reason and assent to be imaginative, compelling, humble, and embodied. God is not to be defined, but related to as he discloses himself and hints for us to hunt for him in every aspect of this world.
I enjoyed the middle section the most with its tying together of themes from the thoughts of Dorothy Sayers, Lewis, Stott, and Packer. The takeaway there was discovering God not just in the “facts” but in the patterns, leading others to find him not through cold reason but imaginative depictions of the realities of the aspects of this life unsatisfied by naturalism and the eternal realities they point to beyond the horizon, being bridges between the world of the Scriptures and the world of our day, and marrying the distilled clarity of good theology with the worshipful and ministerial practice of spirituality.
The only aspect of this book I disliked is that it it is mostly a compilation of other writings and speeches. While there is certainly a coherent flow in theme, it can be a bit redundant and would have benefited from editorial blending.
I enjoyed the middle section the most with its tying together of themes from the thoughts of Dorothy Sayers, Lewis, Stott, and Packer. The takeaway there was discovering God not just in the “facts” but in the patterns, leading others to find him not through cold reason but imaginative depictions of the realities of the aspects of this life unsatisfied by naturalism and the eternal realities they point to beyond the horizon, being bridges between the world of the Scriptures and the world of our day, and marrying the distilled clarity of good theology with the worshipful and ministerial practice of spirituality.
The only aspect of this book I disliked is that it it is mostly a compilation of other writings and speeches. While there is certainly a coherent flow in theme, it can be a bit redundant and would have benefited from editorial blending.
May 5, 2021
One of the most memorable parts I came across in this book is McGrath's sharing of the ultramodern novelist Evelyn Waugh's conversion to the Christian faith.
"Waugh spoke of his delight in discovering this new way of engaging reality in a letter he wrote to his friend Edward Sackville-West in 1949: "Conversation is like stepping across the chimney piece out of a Looking-Glass world, where everything an absurd caricature, into the real world God made; and then begins the delicious process of exploring it limitlessly.""
It beautifully captures the giddiness, the glee of steeping myself in all of this, of the Chrisitan worldview that sees so much more and beyond.
This book has been wonderful in putting into words the joys of much I've come to love, theology, Lewis, the imagination,... What an uplifting, encouraging read!
"Waugh spoke of his delight in discovering this new way of engaging reality in a letter he wrote to his friend Edward Sackville-West in 1949: "Conversation is like stepping across the chimney piece out of a Looking-Glass world, where everything an absurd caricature, into the real world God made; and then begins the delicious process of exploring it limitlessly.""
It beautifully captures the giddiness, the glee of steeping myself in all of this, of the Chrisitan worldview that sees so much more and beyond.
This book has been wonderful in putting into words the joys of much I've come to love, theology, Lewis, the imagination,... What an uplifting, encouraging read!
May 11, 2020
I really appreciated McGrath’s call to a robust discipleship that includes the mind.
He casts a vision of the development of the mind in discipleship as fresh and necessary
He also helps us see the need for fresh communication in our culture, discerning the true hunger of our culture while bringing the true hope of the gospel.
His sketches of various writers and thinkers was a treat. Sayers, Stott, Lewis, Tolkien, etc.
Finally, his appreciation for science while acknowledging its limitations for a meaning are so needed today where many evangelicals disregard science rather than appreciating its purpose.
He casts a vision of the development of the mind in discipleship as fresh and necessary
He also helps us see the need for fresh communication in our culture, discerning the true hunger of our culture while bringing the true hope of the gospel.
His sketches of various writers and thinkers was a treat. Sayers, Stott, Lewis, Tolkien, etc.
Finally, his appreciation for science while acknowledging its limitations for a meaning are so needed today where many evangelicals disregard science rather than appreciating its purpose.
April 20, 2021
This is a short and practical book that focuses on developing the mind set of a disciple of Christ. McGrath does this by working through the challenges to the Christian worldview in the present age, and then proceeds to connect this to the necessity of individuals growing in a knowledge for Christ. McGrath often pulls from C.S. Lewis, but also examines the important figures throughout church history and how their labors can aid the Christian in developing a biblical worldview that leads to following the teachings of Christ more closely. This could be a helpful book to do a study with an individual (or group) as it brings up theology and apologetics.
January 8, 2024
Several of the chapters in this book reflect on the contributions of great Christian thinkers from the past 100 years or so. Many of the chapters are based on talks or sermons that the author has given over the years. Overall, the book had some good content, but I found it a bit dry and tedious.
I think the most significant point in the book is that Christianity makes the most sense of the world we see around us. Therefore, apologetics is different than trying to prove Christianity is true, as if it were a mathematical theorem. Rather, it's more like a scientific experiment: Do my observations support or negate my hypothesis (of Christianity)?
I think the most significant point in the book is that Christianity makes the most sense of the world we see around us. Therefore, apologetics is different than trying to prove Christianity is true, as if it were a mathematical theorem. Rather, it's more like a scientific experiment: Do my observations support or negate my hypothesis (of Christianity)?
February 25, 2019
A book that I found interesting, enjoyable and educational to read, that by reading my theological knowledge was increased, as well as learning other interesting things as well.
The text's language is well balanced that it is reasonably easy to get into but with the right and rich terminology that befits this theological book. The information was well ordered as well.
The only criticism is that I think the writer was a bit too much on the defensive on the subject of Richard Dawkins, but it was a minor thing and not too taxing to my reader, it just occurred to me as a mild observation.
The text's language is well balanced that it is reasonably easy to get into but with the right and rich terminology that befits this theological book. The information was well ordered as well.
The only criticism is that I think the writer was a bit too much on the defensive on the subject of Richard Dawkins, but it was a minor thing and not too taxing to my reader, it just occurred to me as a mild observation.
December 30, 2024
Not a comprehensive guide to discipleship, but McGrath touches on some important topics, focusing primarily on the developing the Christian mind. His chapter on the place of books in character formation is good, and he makes a case for buying physical copies of books rather than online texts. I agree with him to a point, I do think books that you intend to read and re-read and use for reference should be in physical form if you have the space for them.
I have read many of Alister McGrath's books and find him insightful and practical.
I have read many of Alister McGrath's books and find him insightful and practical.
September 25, 2019
McGrath is on sparkling form here. He takes as his theme the Christian life of the mind, the need to engage in the right way with the secular, the mindset of journeying in hope, and other nuggets. There are good looks at some prominent modern Christian thinkers and an excellent chapter on the creed as a set of co ordinates. Not a nuts and bolts how to live but thinking and feeling.
November 11, 2019
I loved this book by Alister McGrath! While at times a bit repetitive, it was very readable and presented a unique view on Discipleship, particularly through the lens of C.S Lewis' work. I really enjoyed the portion of the book where he engaged with four key figures in recent Christian history, discussing how exactly they can teach us about Discipleship! Very good read!
March 9, 2019
This is a celebration of thoughtful Christianity. Christian faith does not require one check their brain at the door. Despite the title, it is not so much on discipleship, It is rather more of a call to be thinking Christians.
November 21, 2019
I have never enjoyed reading academic essays so much, or found myself longing to read more by C.S. Lewis, John Stott or J.I. Packer (or the Packerman, as I like to refer to him as). Even if you’re not an academic, I would highly recommend.
May 19, 2020
More Lectures Than an Actual Book
If you're looking for a book, this isn't it. McGrath is an engaging writer. Unfortunately his skills won't on display in this book. The content was good in parts, but overall I have read better books by the author.
If you're looking for a book, this isn't it. McGrath is an engaging writer. Unfortunately his skills won't on display in this book. The content was good in parts, but overall I have read better books by the author.
October 2, 2022
We’ll written reflections on discipleship, from McGrath’s reflections on other theologians.
November 13, 2019
Alister McGrath’s book is composed of three parts:
The first part centers on discipling the mind. McGrath doesn’t speak of discipleship in verb form, as one mentoring another, but in noun form, we are disciples of Jesus. He writes of the importance to “Love your God with all your mind.”
The second part is four essays on people who have been influential on McGrath’s spiritual development: Dorothy Sayers, C. S. Lewis, John Stott, and J. I. Packer. These profiles stand out a little above the whole collection of essays. This should not be surprising as McGrath writes “spiritual biographies.” Most influential on him, based on all his writings, and by the number of citations throughout this book, is C. S. Lewis.
The third part is composed of four rather short sermons.
A theme throughout the book is the Christian worldview. McGrath uses this term only once or twice in the book. He uses, much more often, the need for the people to see the ‘big picture,’ and how Christianity provides for this. Other worldviews, like those of the New Atheists, rationalists, postmoderns, don’t allow for or explain the big picture.
The first part centers on discipling the mind. McGrath doesn’t speak of discipleship in verb form, as one mentoring another, but in noun form, we are disciples of Jesus. He writes of the importance to “Love your God with all your mind.”
The second part is four essays on people who have been influential on McGrath’s spiritual development: Dorothy Sayers, C. S. Lewis, John Stott, and J. I. Packer. These profiles stand out a little above the whole collection of essays. This should not be surprising as McGrath writes “spiritual biographies.” Most influential on him, based on all his writings, and by the number of citations throughout this book, is C. S. Lewis.
The third part is composed of four rather short sermons.
A theme throughout the book is the Christian worldview. McGrath uses this term only once or twice in the book. He uses, much more often, the need for the people to see the ‘big picture,’ and how Christianity provides for this. Other worldviews, like those of the New Atheists, rationalists, postmoderns, don’t allow for or explain the big picture.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews