God of Intimacy and Action : Reconnecting Ancient Spiritual Practices, Evangelism, and Justice (07 Edition)

Praise for The God of Intimacy and Action

"I am most pleased by this teaming of Tony Campolo and Mary Albert Darling on a subject so vital to spiritual formation. Tony is known for his deep social activism; Mary for her deep spiritual intimacy. Of course these two realities go hand-in-hand, like a bow and an arrow or a lock and a key. Part of the charm of The God of Intimacy and Action is watching Tony and Mary respecting each other, challenging each other, learning from each other. I know both Tony and Mary personally and can testify to the genuineness of their search for spiritual wholeness. It is a search that always holds in creative tension a profound intimacy with God through Christ with a vigorous engagement in the social realities of our day."

—Richard J. Foster, author, Celebration of Discipline

"There was a time when those who most passionately pursued intimacy with God in their souls were the same folk who most impatiently worked for justice in the streets. They were called prophets. Sometimes saints. Tony and Mary ask: 'Why not you and me?'"

—John Ortberg, pastor, Menolo Park Presbyterian Church

"Darling and Campolo sift through the dirt of Christendom and uncover the precious treasures of our faith. In these pages, the mystics remind us that Christianity is less of a theory and more of a romance. May they awaken each of us with the ancient whisper that St. Francis heard in Assisi, 'Repair my Church which is in ruins.' [And may those repairs continue . . . In us.]"

—Shane Claiborne, founding member of The Simple Way community; author, The Irresistible Revolution; and recovering sinner

"This book is a premiere example of the wonderful convergence that is taking place between the many streams of Christianity: mystical, political, contemplative, biblical, and evangelical—in the best sense of all those terms. Grow with Tony Campolo and Mary Albert Darling in the fullness of Christ."

—Fr. Richard Rohr, O.F.M., Center for Action and Contemplation, Albuquerque, New Mexico

"Catholics and Protestants have been debating for centuries about which is more vital — faith or good works? There are hopeful signs, however, that the controversy may be winding down. Acclaimed evangelical speaker and writer Campolo teams up with spiritual director and teacher Darling to reveal some gems from the liturgical Christian tradition to evangelical Protestants who may be ready for a refreshing change. While steeped in their own evangelical tradition, the authors are not afraid to venture back into Christian history and reclaim some practices that have long been considered exclusively Catholic. Darling suggests Centering Prayer, along with works by Ignatius Loyola and Catherine of Siena, as excellent spiritual tools to help evangelicals grow in faith and love for the poor. A vital theme in Campolo and Darling's work is that spirituality is not solely an individualistic practice, but must lead Christians to love and help the oppressed. True Christian mysticism, the authors posit, is not an either/or proposition: "We believe that the nexus between evangelism and justice is to be found in the kind of Christian mysticism we are advocating in this book." While not all evangelicals are ready for such a radical shift, others will be greatly enriched. (July 13)" Publishers Weekly (Copyright Reed Business Information, Inc.)

"'Catholics and Protestants have been debating for centuries about which is more vital — faith or good works? There are hopeful signs, however, that the controversy may be winding down. Acclaimed evangelical speaker and writer Campolo teams up with spiritual director and teacher Darling to reveal some gems from the liturgical Christian tradition to evangelical Protestants who may be ready for a refreshing change. While steeped in their own evangelical tradition, the authors are not afraid to venture back into Christian history and reclaim some practices that have long been considered exclusively Catholic. Darling suggests Centering Prayer, along with works by Ignatius Loyola and Catherine of Siena, as excellent spiritual tools to help evangelicals grow in faith and love for the poor. A vital theme in Campolo and Darling's work is that spirituality is not solely an individualistic practice, but must lead Christians to love and help the oppressed. True Christian mysticism, the authors posit, is not an either/or proposition: 'We believe that the nexus between evangelism and justice is to be found in the kind of Christian mysticism we are advocating in this book.' While not all evangelicals are ready for such a radical shift, others will be greatly enriched. (July 13)' Publishers Weekly (Copyright Reed Business Information, Inc.)" Publishers Weekly (Copyright Reed Business Information, Inc.)

Praise for The God of Intimacy and Action

"Tony Campolo...and Mary Darling...are like gunpowder and a spark. The result is a dynamite book that many have been waiting a long time for."

—Relevant Magazine

"In 25 years, when we look back as journalists chronicling this era of religious reawakening—this book likely will turn up as a classic....This book is both a manifesto—and a sturdy guidebook—for the journey of reclaiming much that has been lost."

—David Crumm, founder of Read the Spirit

"Tony Campolo and Mary Darling...are two first rate minds grappling with classical and contemporary theology, and then adding to that a set of concrete practices...The Network of Spiritual Progressives (including those of us who are not Christian) can draw much wisdom and guidance from this book."

—Tikkun Magazine

"I know both Tony and Mary personally and can testify to the genuineness of their search for spiritual wholeness. It is a search that always holds in creative tension a profound intimacy with God through Christ with a vigorous engagement in the social realities of our day."

—Richard J. Foster, author of Celebration of Discipline

"Darling and Campolo sift through the dirt of Christendom and uncover the precious treasures of our faith."

—Shane Claiborne, founding member of The Simple Way community; author of The Irresistible Revolution; and recovering sinner

In The God of Intimacy and Action, beloved author and activist Tony Campolo teams up with spiritual director Mary Albert Darling to show how contemplative spiritual practices can lead to greater intimacy with God and fuel passion for reaching out to others through spreading the Good News and fostering justice for the poor and oppressed. The authors reveal why this combination is not only crucial but historical and is vividly demonstrated in the lives of saints such as St. Francis of Assisi, Ignatius of Loyola, and Catherine of Siena. 

Tony Campolo is professor emeritus of sociology at Eastern University. Previously he served for ten years on the faculty of the University of Pennsylvania. Dr. Campolo is a media commentator on religious, social, and political matters, and hosts From Across the Pond, a weekly program on the Premier Radio Network in England.

Mary Albert Darling, associate professor of communication at Spring Arbor University, is a Protestant who has been trained in spiritual direction in the Jesuit tradition. She also teaches in her university's Spiritual Formation and Leadership graduate program.

Acknowledgments.

An Introduction to Mystical Christianity.

PART ONE.   Knowing God Intimately: Where Christian Mysticism Can Take Us (Tony Campolo)

1 What Mystical Christianity Is All About.

2 Christian Mysticism and Personal Evangelism.

3 Christian Mysticism and Working for Justice.

PART TWO.  Fueling Intimacy: The Mystical Path (Mary Albert Darling).

4 Awakening to Mysticism and a Holistic Gospel (Even If You’re Not a Monk).

5 Cultivating Holy Habits.

6 Moving from Self-Awareness to God-Awareness: The Prayer of Examen.

7 Becoming God’s Friend: Lectio Divina.

8 Deepening Our Intimacy with God: Centering Prayer.

9 Committing to a Holistic Gospel.

PART THREE.  Taking Intimacy with God into the World (Mary Albert Darling and Tony Campolo).

10 Avoiding Two Temptations.

11 Connecting Intimacy and Action.

Postscript.

Notes.

The Authors.

Index.