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Introduction to Spirituality (Foundations for Spirit-Filled Christianity): Cultivating a Lifestyle of Faithfulness
This introduction explores Christian spirituality as a pursuit of the global church today. It encourages students to adopt a lifestyle spirituality, which involves relational intimacy with the triune God.
Gary Tyra is well known for his work in the field of Christian spirituality and has years of experience in the classroom and in the church. In this book, Tyra encourages us to adopt a Pauline lifestyle spirituality, whereby we keep in step with the Holy Spirit so that we might experience an ongoing mentoring relationship with the Son in order to faithfully and fruitfully engage in the mission of the Father. Keeping in step with the spirit unfolds in a "lifestyle spirituality," a collection of convictions, commitments, and customs that constitute the disciple's lifelong journey with the triune God.
This book is part of a new series that reflects the changing face of global Christianity. Series volumes are written by leading Pentecostal/Charismatic scholars who highlight themes of interest to Pentecostal/Charismatic students; however, the books are respectful, appreciative, and inclusive of a variety of church families and traditions. Series editors are Jerry Ireland, Paul W. Lewis, and Frank D. Macchia.
Gary Tyra is well known for his work in the field of Christian spirituality and has years of experience in the classroom and in the church. In this book, Tyra encourages us to adopt a Pauline lifestyle spirituality, whereby we keep in step with the Holy Spirit so that we might experience an ongoing mentoring relationship with the Son in order to faithfully and fruitfully engage in the mission of the Father. Keeping in step with the spirit unfolds in a "lifestyle spirituality," a collection of convictions, commitments, and customs that constitute the disciple's lifelong journey with the triune God.
This book is part of a new series that reflects the changing face of global Christianity. Series volumes are written by leading Pentecostal/Charismatic scholars who highlight themes of interest to Pentecostal/Charismatic students; however, the books are respectful, appreciative, and inclusive of a variety of church families and traditions. Series editors are Jerry Ireland, Paul W. Lewis, and Frank D. Macchia.
196 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 20, 2023
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August 7, 2023
As the title says, this textbook is an introduction to spirituality, or more precisely, Christian spiritual formation. Dallas Willard once said that everyone is being formed spiritually in some way. Willard goes on to state that both "Terrorists as well as saints are the outcome of spiritual formation". The questions each Christian must ask themselves are "How am I being formed? and "In what way am I being formed?" The author's aim is to encourage the reader to intentionally engage in formational practices that seek to honor God through "the cultivation of a biblically informed Christian spirituality". Tyra approaches Christian spirituality from a position of theological realism that he summarises as God's real existence, which can be known and communicated adequately in human language.
The writer asserts that all forms of spirituality consist of three fundamental elements. These include core convictions or beliefs concerning the nature of God. These convictions give rise to a series of concepts (Tyra calls these "commitments") about how to please God. Consequently, they lead to a compilation of customs aimed at establishing a desired connection with God.
This book is not an easy read and there have been times I have felt that the author mislabeled some of his ideas to fit an alliterative pattern. For example, Tyra labelled one of the three elements of spirituality as "commitments" where they would be better described as "ideas" or "principles". That aside, I have been challenged by this book to think more deeply and intentionally about my spiritual formation. I have been encouraged to "keep in step with the Spirit" by cultivating a lifestyle marked by spiritual, moral, and missional faithfulness to God. Chapter 8 is where Tyra pulls all of his ideas together into a cohesive plan, and this is the high point of the book. I also really appreciated the list of recommended readings.
The writer asserts that all forms of spirituality consist of three fundamental elements. These include core convictions or beliefs concerning the nature of God. These convictions give rise to a series of concepts (Tyra calls these "commitments") about how to please God. Consequently, they lead to a compilation of customs aimed at establishing a desired connection with God.
This book is not an easy read and there have been times I have felt that the author mislabeled some of his ideas to fit an alliterative pattern. For example, Tyra labelled one of the three elements of spirituality as "commitments" where they would be better described as "ideas" or "principles". That aside, I have been challenged by this book to think more deeply and intentionally about my spiritual formation. I have been encouraged to "keep in step with the Spirit" by cultivating a lifestyle marked by spiritual, moral, and missional faithfulness to God. Chapter 8 is where Tyra pulls all of his ideas together into a cohesive plan, and this is the high point of the book. I also really appreciated the list of recommended readings.
Displaying 1 - 1 of 1 review