Doing Spirituality

Description

“Doing Spirituality – The Journey of Character Formation toward Christlikeness” is a comprehensive text book (of 14 chapters and 444 pages) that expounds Christian spiritual formation from a Kingdom of God perspective, set in the framework Trinitarian theology. Alexander writes his personal story, examines the spiritual traditions through Church history, discusses Jesus’ spirituality of the Kingdom as well as Paul’s theology of transformation. He ends with the practical application in the classic disciplines for a spiritual life – “to live an integrated balanced spirituality daily“.

Endorsements:
“Alexander Venter has done it again. In his fourth book of the Doing series, we are presented with an invitation to whole-heartedly engage with the process of Christ being formed in us. The reality of this formation happening to us as pilgrims is unpacked in a profound yet clear and approachable way. This is one of those tomes that you will visit many times during your spiritual pilgrimage. So, dig in, go slow and see what actually happens to your heart.” Phil Strout, National Director of Vineyard Churches USA.

“Doing Spirituality is a widely informed, highly readable, textbook on Christian spirituality. It is grounded in the biblical theology of Jesus and the Kingdom of God, and set against the backdrop of the Trinity. Alexander Venter’s sweep of the history of spiritual traditions in the Christian Church further enriches the theology and practice of spirituality – that is: faithful discipleship to Jesus in progressive character formation to become like him. Doing Spirituality will be valuable for all Christ-followers. Spiritual leaders, pastors and students will especially benefit from this insightful textbook.” Craig S. Keener, F. M. and Ada Thompson Professor of Biblical Studies, Asbury Theological Seminary.

“Alexander’s works are substantial in content and have operated as textbooks around the world. But this one is the most-weighty of all. If I could use a metaphor, all his works are like a good full bodied red wine. If the earlier ones are like a merlot or a cabinet frank, this one is a robust, complex, weighty shiraz, not to be quaffed quickly but sipped slowly, savoring each mouthful (paragraph and chapter). Further there are flavors I have never tasted before. While reading the New Testament material I could rejoice in familiar flavors but then I found myself reading of deep subjects that I knew nothing about. I became the novice, tasting altogether new flavors. To leave the metaphor, it is also obvious to me, partly because I know him well, that none of this is purely theoretical research. Alexander lives and breathes ‘doing spirituality.’ Those who are serious about the spiritual life will be drawn into it, ‘deeper still’. This work will again function as a textbook, but for pilgrims of the journey.” Derek Morphew, Academic Dean of Vineyard Institute.