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Intimacy with Christ: Her Letters Now in Modern English
Within the pages of this book you will find spiritual insight and counsel from church history's best-known woman. Her words speak to you of how to know your Lord intimately. You will come away from this book with more understanding of practical ways of walking with your Lord, by means only Jeanne Guyon is capable of giving you. Guyon lights up the precious and powerful value of fellowshipping , not only with your Lord, but also with other believers. This book will meet you where you are and lead you on to a higher place in Christ.
- GenresChristianity
184 pages, Paperback
Published October 14, 2014
11 people are currently reading
135 people want to read
About the author
Jeanne Guyon
383 books102 followersJeanne Marie Bouvières de la Mothe Guyon (commonly known as Madame Guyon) was the leader of the Quietist movement in France. The foundation of her Quietism was laid in her study of St. Francis de Sales, Madame de Chantal, and Thomas a Kempis. At age 16, she married Jacques Guyon, a wealthy man of weak health, 22 years her senior. Until his death in 1676, her life was an unhappy one, partly due to the difference in their ages, and partly due to a tyrannical mother-in-law. Her public career as an evangelist of Quietism began soon after her widowhood.
Her first labors were spent in the diocese of Geneva, at Anecy, Gex, and Thonon, and in Grenoble. In 1686 she went to Paris, where she was at first imprisoned for her opinions, in the Convent of St. Marie in the Faubourg St. Antoine; she was released after eight months at the insistence of Madame de Maintenon. She then rose to the zenith of her fame. Her life at all times greatly fascinated those around her; the court, Madame de Maintenon, and Madame de Maintenon’s College of Ladies at Cyr, came under the spell of her enthusiasm. But the affinity of her doctrines with those of Michael Molinos, who was condemned in 1685, soon worked against her.
Her opinions were condemned by a commission, of which Bossuet was president. She then incurred Bossuet’s displeasure by breaking the promises she had made to him to maintain a quiet attitude and not return to Paris. She was imprisoned at Vincennes in December 1695, and the next year moved to Vaugirard, under a promise to avoid all receptions and correspondence, except by special permission. In 1698, she was imprisoned in the Bastille for four years. She spent the remainder of her life in retirement with her daughter, the Marquise de Bois, at Blois. She had numerous visitors of all ranks, some from foreign countries, and had a considerable correspondence. Her works fill some 40 volumes. (less)
Her first labors were spent in the diocese of Geneva, at Anecy, Gex, and Thonon, and in Grenoble. In 1686 she went to Paris, where she was at first imprisoned for her opinions, in the Convent of St. Marie in the Faubourg St. Antoine; she was released after eight months at the insistence of Madame de Maintenon. She then rose to the zenith of her fame. Her life at all times greatly fascinated those around her; the court, Madame de Maintenon, and Madame de Maintenon’s College of Ladies at Cyr, came under the spell of her enthusiasm. But the affinity of her doctrines with those of Michael Molinos, who was condemned in 1685, soon worked against her.
Her opinions were condemned by a commission, of which Bossuet was president. She then incurred Bossuet’s displeasure by breaking the promises she had made to him to maintain a quiet attitude and not return to Paris. She was imprisoned at Vincennes in December 1695, and the next year moved to Vaugirard, under a promise to avoid all receptions and correspondence, except by special permission. In 1698, she was imprisoned in the Bastille for four years. She spent the remainder of her life in retirement with her daughter, the Marquise de Bois, at Blois. She had numerous visitors of all ranks, some from foreign countries, and had a considerable correspondence. Her works fill some 40 volumes. (less)
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
May 22, 2016
This book blew my mind, it was brilliant! It took a while to get through this book as I would read one of her letters slowly and often more than once, pondering what she wrote. Most of the time, I felt like she was writing to me personally. In a nutshell, Jeanne Guyon, suggests that you keep Christ as your focus day and night, and she offers helpful, deep, and meaningful ways to do that. Brilliant. This is one book I will refer to often. Highly recommend!
July 21, 2024
MADAME GUYON'S LETTERS, ANSWERING VARIOUS QUESTIONS
Jeanne-Marie Bouvier de la Motte-Guyon (commonly known as Madame Guyon; 1648-1717) was a French mystic and one of the key advocates of Quietism (which was considered heretical by the Catholic Church). She was imprisoned from 1695 to 1703 after publishing 'The Song of Songs: Commentary' and 'Experiencing the Depths of Jesus Christ,' she wrote an autobiography while in prison. She then went to live with her son, and spent her remaining years writing poetry and avoiding controversy. [This book has also been published under the titles, 'Jeanne Guyon Speaks Again,' and 'Guyon's Spiritual Letters.']
In responding to the question of how one can discern between the leadings of God, and our natural thoughts and ideas, she admits, "Unfortunately, there is no positive way of knowing!... if you are looking for some great, divine revelation for matters which your own reason and common sense can figure out, you set yourself up to be deceived." (Pg. 31)
She replies, "You ask why I do not use theological terminology in explaining the Scriptures. I do this because my Lord teaches me that while there is nothing as profound as the gospels, there is nothing as simple." (Pg. 61) In another letter, she says, "I never implied that I was infallible, did I? Who am I but an erring person? Leave me, please, and unite yourself only with God, who will never lead you astray." (Pg. 75)
She advises us to be "wholly lost in God," where "You decrease and He increases within you." In such case, however, "you always remain distinct from God; and you never lose your identity in becoming one with Him." (Pg. 112)
Her letters provide some unique insight into Guyon, and will be of great interest to anyone interested in the woman and her spirituality.
Jeanne-Marie Bouvier de la Motte-Guyon (commonly known as Madame Guyon; 1648-1717) was a French mystic and one of the key advocates of Quietism (which was considered heretical by the Catholic Church). She was imprisoned from 1695 to 1703 after publishing 'The Song of Songs: Commentary' and 'Experiencing the Depths of Jesus Christ,' she wrote an autobiography while in prison. She then went to live with her son, and spent her remaining years writing poetry and avoiding controversy. [This book has also been published under the titles, 'Jeanne Guyon Speaks Again,' and 'Guyon's Spiritual Letters.']
In responding to the question of how one can discern between the leadings of God, and our natural thoughts and ideas, she admits, "Unfortunately, there is no positive way of knowing!... if you are looking for some great, divine revelation for matters which your own reason and common sense can figure out, you set yourself up to be deceived." (Pg. 31)
She replies, "You ask why I do not use theological terminology in explaining the Scriptures. I do this because my Lord teaches me that while there is nothing as profound as the gospels, there is nothing as simple." (Pg. 61) In another letter, she says, "I never implied that I was infallible, did I? Who am I but an erring person? Leave me, please, and unite yourself only with God, who will never lead you astray." (Pg. 75)
She advises us to be "wholly lost in God," where "You decrease and He increases within you." In such case, however, "you always remain distinct from God; and you never lose your identity in becoming one with Him." (Pg. 112)
Her letters provide some unique insight into Guyon, and will be of great interest to anyone interested in the woman and her spirituality.
February 27, 2019
This is simply a book of short letters that Madame Guyon has written to various people whom are not named with the exception that there are 10 or so letters between Guyon and Francois Fenelon. Further, there is a short essay at the end of the book about discovering the inward journey.
Generally, the letters were a 300-500 words in length and were always on the one subject (the letters to anonymous respondents were actually titled) and as a result were relatively easy to read. Except that some of Madame Guyon's concepts were a little difficult to practically apply.
I think she's the sort of person who would have been lovely to meet and be 'coached by' so she could, by her own example, demonstrate how she 'let go of the self' and 'drawing to the inward activity of the spirit" to name just two of her key imperatives in achieving intimacy with Christ.
It's good to read but I'm not sure I'm any the wiser on how to practically apply some of the ways in which she achieved intimacy with Christ.
Generally, the letters were a 300-500 words in length and were always on the one subject (the letters to anonymous respondents were actually titled) and as a result were relatively easy to read. Except that some of Madame Guyon's concepts were a little difficult to practically apply.
I think she's the sort of person who would have been lovely to meet and be 'coached by' so she could, by her own example, demonstrate how she 'let go of the self' and 'drawing to the inward activity of the spirit" to name just two of her key imperatives in achieving intimacy with Christ.
It's good to read but I'm not sure I'm any the wiser on how to practically apply some of the ways in which she achieved intimacy with Christ.
August 16, 2022
Good book. More of a devotional than a novel.
February 14, 2017
I love Guyon's letters - they contain nuggets of wisdom that can be re-read again and again.
August 27, 2011
Great devotional book, comprised mostly of small excerpts from letters dealing with many aspects of the Christian life. I hope to come back to this one at some point.
July 4, 2012
This book was amazing! It started me out on deep seeking into the love of God.
October 3, 2015
Great Book! A very intimate look inside the mind and heart of a truly great historical figure.
December 12, 2016
Successful spiritual direction in the form of excerpts of letters.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews