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.)

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. 

"In The God of Intimacy and Action Tony Campolo and Mary Albert Darling act as healers, seeking to mend the brokenness between spirituality and justice, prayer and protest, loving God and loving neighbor that exists within the Body of Christ. The Church needs teachers like Campolo and Darling who embody a holistic Christianity in which befriending the poor is prayer and prayer is an act of justice."

—Mark Yaconelli, author, Contemplative Youth Ministry: Practicing the Presence of Jesus

How can we grow closer to God and transform that intimacy into a healing presence in the world?

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.

Campolo and Darling explain mystical spirituality and its practices and integrate them with evangelism and justice to illuminate what they call "holistic Christianity." They suggest specific ways to nurture and energize one's spirituality and show how to go beyond living a Christian life that merely emphasizes right beliefs and right behaviors. They encourage followers to develop a sense of personal unity with Christ that will compel them to help share Jesus' message and mission in its totality. The ultimate goal is a unity with God that involves a connectedness with those around us—especially the lost, poor, and oppressed.

The God of Intimacy and Action is filled with contemporary examples of people who are experiencing the kind of mystical spirituality that empowers and inspires them to become true followers of Christ.

Tony Campolois 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.