Beloved Dust: Tides of the Spirit in the Christian Life

by Robert Davis Hughes III

There has been an explosion of interest in classical Christian spirituality over the past 50 years. While a great deal of work has been done on the history of Christian spirituality, there has been no full-scale theological and pastoral treatment of Christian spiritual life since before the Second Vatican Council.

Beloved Dust takes a realistic, contemporary view of human being as entirely physical (dust) and shows it immersed in three great tides of the Holy Spirit, the traditional threefold rhythm of conversion, transfiguration, and glory. What is unique about Robert Hughes's approach is the effort to root spiritual theology in the doctrine of the Spirit, an outgrowth of the renewed interest in the Trinity among both Catholics (Karl Rahner) and Protestants (Robert Jenson). Also striking is Hughes's emphasis on "ordinary life". Here as a married Episcopal priest/theologian who brings a distinctly "Protestant" perspective to a traditionally "Catholic" enterprise for so long the preserve of celibate priests. What he achieves is a new presentation of the traditional teaching in the light of contemporary knowledge and practice.

432 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2008

Reviews

[Harry Allagree · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is probably the most challenging, yet exciting, theological books I've read since I was in seminary (eons ago!). Bob is an acquaintance of mine from many years ago when I met him through the Education for Ministry program, out of the School of Theology, University of the South, Sewanee, TN, where he teaches. I admired what he had to say even then.

This is a comprehensive new treatment of spiritual theology, magnificently drawing on the best of the old traditional theological views, and suggesting a fresh vision which seems totally valid and sensible to me. It's obvious that Bob's literally decades of research & life experience has gone into his book. I believe it's as close as one can get to a coherent human expression of what it means for a human being to be in relation to God & to live accordingly.

The book is dense &, I think, presupposes some understanding of theology, spirituality, etc. But it's worth sticking with it to the end.

[Betsy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well, that took a while to get through. As usual with academic books, there is a lot (really, a lot) of setup material (stages of religious development, various virtues and gifts, more) before the author gets to the meat of his ideas. Once he got to the Tides and Slacks of conversion, it became interesting.