New Scm Dictionary of Christian Spirituality

"Although the style of the dictionary undoubtedly reflects the growth of spirituality as an academic discipline, anyone with an intelligent interest in Christianity will find this volume useful." Paul Richardson, The Church of England Newspaper, August 19, 2005. Thirteen excellent short introductory essays put spirituality in context within other fields of knowledge or behaviour, such as culture, interreligious dialogue, psycho-therapy, science and the social sciences. Behing this is the attempt to have spirituality taken seriously as an academic discipline. (...) It is no small achievement, then, that researchers of spirituality like Sheldrake and the theologian Sandra Schneiders, whose first essay explores definitions, methods and types of spirituality, have succeeded in establishing their field as an academic discipline. The New SCM Dictionary establishes brilliantly that spirituality no longer means just asceticism and personal prayer, a thin extension of monastic praxis into theology. (...) If a good book is one that breaks the spell of the preconceptions you were held by until you opened it, this is a very good and useful book." Laurence Freeman, The Tablet.co.uk "This Dictionary is warmly welcomed and commended. (...) The general user will find many stimulating and informative accounts of new thought. Most articles have excellent and up to date reading lists(...) Preachers will find much material to inform sermons. Conventional subjects are well dealt with and perhaps less expectedly sport, leisure, business and disability. There is an exemplary entry on Islam and Christianity. (...) The hardback at GBP50 is likely to be found in libraries but the paperback is good value for individual purchase." Norman Chatfield, The Reader, Spring 2006, Vol 103.N Degrees1 "By highlighting the academic, Sheldrake has produced a volume that will doubtless be of more use in the university than its predecessor.(...) Quibbles aside, I would certainly recommend this book as an invaluable reference work for anyone who has an interest in spirituality today." Paul Nicholson SJ, The Way, July 2006.