Embracing Contemplation – Reclaiming a Christian Spiritual Practice

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. 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.

Acknowledgments

Introduction: Retrieving the Heart of the Christian Faith—John H. Coe and Kyle C. Strobel

Part 1: Historical Inquiries


1. The Controversy Over Contemplation and Contemplative Prayer: An Historical, Theological, and Biblical Resolution—John H. Coe

2. Is Thoughtless Prayer Really Christian? A Biblical/Evangelical Response to Evagrius of Pontus—Evan B. Howard

3. Medieval Ressourcement—Greg Peters

4. Sabbatical Contemplation? Retrieving a Strand in Reformed Theology—Ashley Cocksworth

5. "To Gaze on the Beauty of the Lord": The Evangelical Resistance and Retrieval of Contemplation—Tom Schwanda

6. Christian Contemplation and the Cross: The Pathway to Life—Diane Chandler

Part 2: Constructive Proposals


7. Biblical Spirituality and Contemplative Spirituality—Steven L. Porter

8. Contemplation by Son and Spirit: Reforming the Ascent of the Soul to God—Kyle C. Strobel

9. Gospel-Centered Contemplation? A Proposal—Ryan A. Brandt

10. The Beatific Vision: Contemplating Christ as the Future Present—Hans Boersma

11. Contemplative and Centering Prayer—James Wilhoit

12. Contemplative Prayer in the Evangelical and Pentecostal Traditions: A Comparative Study—Simon Chan

13. A Distinctively Christian Contemplation: A Comparison with Other Religions—Glen G. Scorgie

Conclusion: Recovering Contemplation—John H. Coe and Kyle C. Strobel

Contributors

General Index

Scripture Index