Embracing Contemplation - by John H Coe & Kyle C Strobel (Paperback)

About the Book

What does a Christian life lived "by the Spirit" look like? Bringing together Protestant scholars and practitioners of spiritual formation, this volume offers a distinctly evangelical consideration of the benefits of contemplation. Drawing on historical examples from the church--including John Calvin, Richard Baxter, Jonathan Edwards, and John Wesley--this book considers how contemplative prayer can shape Christian living today.

Book Synopsis

What does a Christian life lived "by the Spirit" look like?For many Christians throughout history, fulfilling Paul's command in Galatians 5:25 included a form of contemplation and prayer that leads to spiritual formation. But in large part, contemporary Christians--perhaps especially evangelicals--seem to have lost or forgotten about this treasure from their own tradition.Bringing together scholars and practitioners of spiritual formation from across the Protestant spectrum, this volume offers a distinctly evangelical consideration of the benefits of contemplation. The contributors draw on historical examples from the church--including John Calvin, Richard Baxter, Jonathan Edwards, and John Wesley--to consider how contemplative prayer can shape Christian living today. The result is a robust guide to embracing contemplation that will help Christians as they seek to keep in step with the Spirit.

Review Quotes

"A collection of essays is tricky business, often some are good and others are poor. Things get even trickier when the topic is somewhat controversial, as contemplation tends to be among evangelicals. Happily, John Coe and Kyle Strobel have done excellent work in Embracing Contemplation. The essays are uniformly excellent and present a cogent argument for understanding and practicing a spiritual discipline that has helped believers for hundreds of years. Thanks for a job well done."

"In popular Christian culture where contemplation often is dismissed as Buddhist or New Age, this collection of essays convincingly argues, biblically and historically, that Spirit initiated abiding in and communing with the divine presence powerfully enriches love for God. Here is an apologia for a core Christian habit that is crucial for the good of the soul and the church."

About the Author

Kyle C. Strobel (PhD, University of Aberdeen) is associate professor of spiritual theology and formation at the Talbot School of Theology at Biola University, where he teaches in the Institute for Spiritual Formation. He is the author of several books, including Jonathan Edwards: An Introduction to His Thought, Jonathan Edwards's Theology: A Reinterpretation, and Formed for the Glory of God: Learning from the Spiritual Practices of Jonathan Edwards.

John H. Coe (PhD, University of California, Irvine) is director of the Institute for Spiritual Formation at Biola University. He is also professor of spiritual theology and philosophy at the Talbot School of Theology and Rosemead School of Psychology. He is the coauthor of Wildlife in the Kingdom Come and Psychology in the Spirit, and contributor to Reading the Christian Spiritual Classics and Psychology and Christianity. He was the founding editor of the Journal of Spiritual Formation and Soul Care and has contributed articles to the Journal of Psychology and Theology and the Journal of Psychology and Christianity.