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Seasons of the Soul: Stages of Spiritual Development
Every Christian is on an amazing journey. But the unfortunate truth is that many of us live largely detached from this fact. Days go by, but it can be hard to feel a sense of movement or growth. Sometimes, in periods of doubt and depression, we might feel stuck in the same place for months. Yet the truth remains that from the moment we give Christ control of our life, we set out on the most significant journey that the journey of becoming like Jesus. In these pages, spiritual formation professor and New Testament scholar Bruce Demarest helps us grasp the whole picture of the journey we're on that we might live our days with intention and keep moving toward maturity in faith. Using Scripture, writings from our rich spiritual tradition and stories of present-day believers walking the same path of faith, Demarest leads us through the three main stages of the In addition, discussion and reflection questions at the end of each chapter help you see where you've been and what stage you're at now. And throughout the book, you will be reminded of the ultimate perfection, wholeness and eternity with Christ. Whether you are struggling and feeling stuck or experiencing a time of great joy, these pages will give you perspective, courage and hope as they guide you on the path of becoming like Jesus.
191 pages, Paperback
First published May 22, 2009
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
March 12, 2012
Demarest writes this book to elucidate readers on some of the seasons of spiritual formation in a person's life. It is different than Ashbrook's Mansions of the Heart or Hagberg's The Critical Journey in one major way: Hagberg & Ashbrook write about the stages of faith that occur over the duration of a person's life, whereas Demarest indicates that his 3 stage journey occurs at different times in a person's life. I found Demarest's insights helpful when thinking of them as sub-stages in Hagberg or Ashbrook's major stages.
The strengths of the book are:
1. As mentioned above, it provides insights when used alongside other developmental models.
2. Demarest scatters wonderful quotes throughout the book from men & women who have walked closely with God. For me, these quotes are worth the price of the book.
3. The Appendix lists and describes some of the main developmental models of spiritual formation that have been used thought Christian history. I found this very insightful to see the variety of models that have been used.
The weaknesses of the book:
In looking back over the book, I can't put my finger on why this book wasn't great. I don't think it flowed very well in the sub-headings of the chapters. It was a quick read but not because it was fascinating. I apologize for my failure to articulate this well. I just didn't think it was great.
The strengths of the book are:
1. As mentioned above, it provides insights when used alongside other developmental models.
2. Demarest scatters wonderful quotes throughout the book from men & women who have walked closely with God. For me, these quotes are worth the price of the book.
3. The Appendix lists and describes some of the main developmental models of spiritual formation that have been used thought Christian history. I found this very insightful to see the variety of models that have been used.
The weaknesses of the book:
In looking back over the book, I can't put my finger on why this book wasn't great. I don't think it flowed very well in the sub-headings of the chapters. It was a quick read but not because it was fascinating. I apologize for my failure to articulate this well. I just didn't think it was great.
September 16, 2022
This book is a helpful exploration on how spiritual growth occurs in our lives. Drawing from Walter Brueggemann's three phases of: securely orientated (encountering God's forgiveness and presence), painfully disoriented (soul searching moments when God may seem silent) and securely reorientated (spiritual renewal on a deeper level of intimacy with God), the reader is taken on an insightful trek through the dynamics that impact our sense of spiritual well-being.
The depth of familiarity with numerous spiritual writers and foundational biblical texts lends tangible credibility to what the author is communicating. I especially enjoyed the appendix where he succinctly introduces nine historic formation models taken from some of the churches true heavy weights in this field. I was underlining furious in that section.
While most sections are intimately familiar to me as someone who has spent time contemplating the pathway to divine intimacy; I have discovered a real joy in watching how Demarist weaves life, theology and personality together in a comprehensible manner. He speaks as a true pilgrim and his fidelity to the Christ of Scriptures is greatly appreciated.
The depth of familiarity with numerous spiritual writers and foundational biblical texts lends tangible credibility to what the author is communicating. I especially enjoyed the appendix where he succinctly introduces nine historic formation models taken from some of the churches true heavy weights in this field. I was underlining furious in that section.
While most sections are intimately familiar to me as someone who has spent time contemplating the pathway to divine intimacy; I have discovered a real joy in watching how Demarist weaves life, theology and personality together in a comprehensible manner. He speaks as a true pilgrim and his fidelity to the Christ of Scriptures is greatly appreciated.
January 24, 2020
This book is a sure encouragement to both the new and experienced alike. There is a lot to draw from Demarest's writing, especially practices and helpful history on a myriad of historical saints and faithful followers (Demarest includes a quote from a historical Christian on nearly every page). These quotes, the extensive appendix, and the Chapter on the Dark Night of the Soul are worth the price of the book. I found a lot to draw from them.
My only complaint is that I did not feel like he established his model thoroughly enough to keep me drawn into the argument itself. Rather, I stayed engaged because of his writing, especially when he would riff on scripture or theological truth. Would highly recommend to a discouraged brother/sister or someone looking to inflame or revitalize a formerly vibrant faith.
My only complaint is that I did not feel like he established his model thoroughly enough to keep me drawn into the argument itself. Rather, I stayed engaged because of his writing, especially when he would riff on scripture or theological truth. Would highly recommend to a discouraged brother/sister or someone looking to inflame or revitalize a formerly vibrant faith.
April 17, 2022
A very good book to illuminate Christians on the journey of the soul in this life - one which encouraged me greatly. Using a plethora of quotes and insights from historic thinkers, theologians, and spiritual pilgrims, Demarest maps out a basic path to the Believer’s walk with Jesus. He adeptly uses Bruggeman’s idea of orientation, disorientation, and reorientation to guide readers through a realistic look at faith. Its only drawbacks are a bit of over reliance on the quotes of others, a poor referencing system (editor’s fault likely), and inclusion of just a couple of odd mystics. Overall a very nice guide to the spiritual life’s ups and downs, GREATLY needed in today’s Church to encourage, inform, and truly help.
January 17, 2018
I would have given this book a better review if it was shorter. I found the general thesis stimulating - that the up's and well as the down's of life are equally part of God's plan - but found the appendix portions much more interesting. I'm thinking of the list of christian thinkers who tried to provide a systematic understanding of the seasons of the souls, how one progresses from a new convert towards experiencing God in His fulness.
June 8, 2024
This book contains some amazing quotes about the spiritual journey and helpful insights. I wanted to love it but it felt redundant and scattered. The highlights (for me) were the quotes but they may have kept the author from writing a more meaningful and cohesive book.
April 20, 2024
Great book to help a Christian understand their spiritual journey.
March 16, 2012
Many of us grew up in an evangelicalism that focused much of its energy on seeing men and women enter the kingdom and become active in helping others enter the kingdom. In recent years there have been encouraging sings of both a widening engagement with our culture and a deepening understanding of the journey after conversion. Bruce Demarest's book contributes to that deepening understanding of the journey.
Demarest frames this journey under three rubrics: orientation, disorientation, and reorientation. The bulk of the book focuses on disorientation, considering how we experience distress, understanding why we suffer, introducing many of us to "the dark night of the soul", and considering how we respond redemptively to disorientation, which catches many of us off guard.
One of the most delightful parts of the book for me was Demarest's consideration of what it means to become like a child as we find our identity more deeply in Christ. He lists these possibilities: delighting to be held and loved by our trusted caregiver, trusting our caregiver, living lightheartedly and spontaneously, asking hones but profound questions, embodying lack of premeditation and relative innocence, and enjoying the simple things of life.
The book concludes with brief summaries of classic and contemporary spiritual journey paradigms including those of Pseudo-Macarius, Bernard of Clairvaux, van Rusbroeck, Theresa of Avila, John of the Cross, Evelyn Underhill, M. Scott Peck, and Hagberg and Guelich.
Demarest frames this journey under three rubrics: orientation, disorientation, and reorientation. The bulk of the book focuses on disorientation, considering how we experience distress, understanding why we suffer, introducing many of us to "the dark night of the soul", and considering how we respond redemptively to disorientation, which catches many of us off guard.
One of the most delightful parts of the book for me was Demarest's consideration of what it means to become like a child as we find our identity more deeply in Christ. He lists these possibilities: delighting to be held and loved by our trusted caregiver, trusting our caregiver, living lightheartedly and spontaneously, asking hones but profound questions, embodying lack of premeditation and relative innocence, and enjoying the simple things of life.
The book concludes with brief summaries of classic and contemporary spiritual journey paradigms including those of Pseudo-Macarius, Bernard of Clairvaux, van Rusbroeck, Theresa of Avila, John of the Cross, Evelyn Underhill, M. Scott Peck, and Hagberg and Guelich.
June 18, 2012
I enjoyed reading and exploring through this book - each section could be reviewed / used separately or as a whole. I purchased this for ideas for a little Christian retreat I am working on with some friends. I chose to use the intro directly from here which talks about how we are all on different spiritual levels - how we can all benefit from each other, regardless of how far you've come or how new you are in your faith walk. This book can be used personally or with a group. A great book to have on hand and I'm sure I'll use it again in the future. Enjoy!
September 23, 2014
Very helpful book for understanding spiritual growth through stages of orientation, disorientation, and reorientation which can occur in cycles. A little shallow in places, but a good place to start, introducing helpful material.
September 11, 2016
I enjoyed reading this book and think I got some valuable thoughts out of it. I just wish it was a bit more accessible than it is. It's definitely written for thinkers!
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews