Joy in Divine Wisdom: Practices of Discernment from Other Cultures and Christian Traditions

by Marva J. Dawn

In Joy in Divine Wisdom Marva J. Dawn introduces readers to different and intriguing ways of discerning reality and making choices. She asks us to look outside ourselves, our own cultures, and our own brands of Christianity to new ways of listening for the voice of God in our lives. As an international speaker and teacher, she has encountered much wisdom both in Christian tradition and in the many places and people she has visited around the world. In showing us these refreshing new insights about discernment, she also gives us a deeper understanding of grace, community, honesty, humility, wholeness, forgiveness, trust, suffering, and faith.

320 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2006

About the author

Marva J. Dawn is an American Christian theologian, author, musician and educator, associated with the parachurch organization "Christians Equipped for Ministry" in Vancouver, Washington. She also serves as Teaching Fellow in Spiritual Theology at Regent College in Vancouver, British Columbia. Dawn is generally perceived as a Lutheran evangelical.

Reviews

[LuAnn · Rating 2 out of 5]

Intertwining practices from Christians in other cultures with teaching on discernment is an interesting premise. While not as practical as other books on discernment, such as Nancy Bieber's Decision Making & Spiritual Discernment: The Sacred Art of Finding Your Way, Dawn basically says, living a Christian life will help you with discernment. I had thought the practices from other cultures would be more specifically about discernment and would not be filtered through Christianity in those cultures when I picked up the book, though that's not to say that the practices aren't rooted in those cultures.

[Liz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Joy in Divine Wisdom is less about how to discern and more about important considerations and factors in the process of discernment. These include understanding the role of God's grace and Scripture; cultural practices of discernment and the values they embody; and the realities of suffering regardless of path.

[Sheri-lee · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think I've finally realized what it is about Marva J. Dawn's writing that frustrates me. There is much repetition, especially in referencing, (e.g. "Alexander McCall Smith's novels.." etc). It's like she's writing this as a thesis work or something and it just makes it longer and wordier which makes me zone out and miss what she's getting at. It's kind of annoying in that it makes me feel like she doubts her readers' intelligence or something.

I also feel like her writing is unorganized and in an attempt to organize it she has a bad habit of saying she is 'going to touch on this but talk about it more thoroughly in Chapter 7.' Whatever. I'll get to it in chapter 7. Quit saying 'more on this in Chapter 5 or 6 or 7 or 9'. Blah. It just distracts from the writing.

All that being said though, she has these amazing sections of writing where things are beautifully written with insight that makes old things new and clarifies things in ways you've never thought before. She has a lovely way with words in those instances where the profoundness and mystery and beauty of faith shines brilliantly.