In the Coracle

Book Summary: Becoming Human by Jean Vanier

December 17th, 2009, No Comments

Becoming Human
by Jean Vanier
Paulist Press (1998)

Description of the Book
In Becoming Human, Jean Vanier challenges us to evolve as human beings by growing from solitary, lonely individuals to relational, communal beings that open ourselves to others.

Interpretation of the Book
Vanier writes five sections of the book, beginning by focusing on loneliness and the ways that we exclude [...]

Finding Sanctuary by Abbot Christopher Jamison (Book Summary)

May 22nd, 2009, 1 Comment

“Finding Sanctuary: Monastic Steps for Everyday Life” (Abbot Christopher Jamison)

Finding Sanctuary
by Abbot Christopher Jamison
Liturgical Press (2006)

Description of the Book
Modern life is characterized by an overwhelming sense of busyness. The Rule of St. Benedict, written 1500 years ago for an Italian abbey, provides practical insights about Christian living that can be applied today and provide sanctuary [...]

Sacred Companions by David Benner (Book summary)

May 21st, 2009, 1 Comment

“Sacred Companions: The Gift of Spiritual Friendship & Direction” (David G. Benner)

Sacred Companions
by David G. Benner
InterVarsity Press (2002)

Description of the Book
Sacred Companions describes spiritual friendship and spiritual direction for the contemporary Christian who wishes to be intentional about growing in their Christian life. Benner writes as a psychologist and a spiritual director, specifically aiming to [...]

Community and Growth by Jean Vanier (Summary paper)

May 20th, 2009, No Comments

“Community and Growth” (Jean Vanier)
Community and Growth
by Jean Vanier
Paulist (1989)

Description of the Book

Community and Growth is Jean Vanier’s reflection on spiritual growth in intentional communities, and is written from his experience with L’Arche communities for developmentally handicapped people.
In the author’s words, Community and Growth “tries to clarify the conditions which are necessary to life in [...]

70 Books in 70 Days: Christian Ethics Book Reviews

May 19th, 2009, No Comments

My friend and high-school classmate Ron Sanders has recently launched a blog with a friend of his, and I’d like to refer you to that blog.  Ron and Reggie Williams are Ph. D. students at Fuller Seminary studying Christian Ethics.  They’re getting close to being done, and they’re headlong into doing literature reviews in their [...]

To Pause at the Threshold (Part 3)

May 17th, 2009, No Comments

“To Pause at the Threshold: Reflections on Living on the Border” (Esther De Waal)

The final chapter of this book is the one I enjoyed and appreciated the most.
Titled The Time Between The Times, it looks at how we live with those twilight moments when something is dawning or is in its dusk phase (whether that [...]

To Pause at the Threshold (Part 2)

May 16th, 2009, No Comments

“To Pause at the Threshold: Reflections on Living on the Border” (Esther De Waal)

There is a traditional saying of ancient wisdom: “A threshold is a sacred thing.” (p. 1)

We have thresholds, transition points, throughout our lives. In our culture, we tend to rush through them, or not even notice that we’re blasting through thresholds. However, [...]

To Pause at the Threshold (Part 1)

May 13th, 2009, No Comments

“To Pause at the Threshold: Reflections on Living on the Border” (Esther De Waal)

Esther de Waal is one of those writers that I deeply respect. She writes mostly about Benedictine spirituality, but also deeply about Celtic spirituality. She approaches monastic spirituality from the perspective of a layperson, incorporating different streams into her everyday life. This [...]

Thoughts on Community with Jean Vanier, Part 3

May 13th, 2009, No Comments

The mission of the Christian community is expressed in general and specific ways, according to Vanier.
Each community has a general mission, to express the life of God amongst its members. And each community has a specific mission, “its specific way of giving life through its particular goals” (p. 88). The goals of each community should [...]

Book Summary: The Way of the Heart by Henri Nouwen

April 29th, 2009, No Comments

Here’s a book summary, written for my next class’s project paper.

“The Way of the Heart: The Spirituality of the Desert Fathers and Mothers” (Henri J. M. Nouwen)
The Way of the Heart: Desert Spirituality and Contemporary Ministry
by Henri Nouwen
HarperSanFransisco (1981)
Description of the Book
The fourth- and fifth-century Desert Fathers practiced solitude, silence and prayer in their spiritual [...]