Steps Along the Way: A Spiritual Autobiography

by Diogenes Allen

In his latest book, Diogenes Allen recounts his search for the Providence of God. His journey includes reflections on the evolving role of faith in the world; an exploration of the anguished and eloquent poetry of George Herbert; a reading of the messages of love, duty, and forgiveness in the stories of Joseph and his brothers and the Prodigal Son; and, finally, a single, but moving, tracing of his own regrets and joys as a person of faith.

Whether recounting a simple excursion or unraveling a complex poem, Diogenes Allen shows us the pain of loss, the wellsprings of joy, and the power of a deep and lovingly cultivated faith.

144 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2002

Reviews

[Ray · Rating 4 out of 5]

Diogenes Allen is a legend in Princeton. For more than 40 years he has been a stand out among the heady group of intellectual superstars. He is a force of nature, whose raw gifts place him among Peter Brown, Bruce McCormick, David Willis, Bruce Metzger, and just a handful of others that make up the greatest theological minds of the town. And if that were not enough, he has also been a recognized master in the philosophical guild as well. His work on Kierkegaard, Simone Weil, and others have become standards.

So I expected some deep but difficult going here. Not so -- this is Prof. Allen at his most relaxed and accessible. This would be profitable reading not only for his professional colleagues, ministers, philosophy grad students and seminarians. It would also be a good read for any interested and thoughtful layperson.

(Disclaimer: Allen is considered 'conservative' by his mainline colleagues and fellow PCUSA Presbyterians, but to some evangelical readers he may be less orthodox than we'd hope in just a very few places here.)

[Bryan · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great book, as seem to be all of Allen's books.