Synopses & Reviews
For many Christians in America, becoming filled with Christ first requires being empty of themselvesand#151;a quality often overlooked in religious histories. In
Emptiness, John Corrigan highlights for the first time the various ways that American Christianity has systematically promoted the cultivation of this feeling. and#160;
Corrigan examines different kinds of emptiness essential to American Christianity, such as the emptiness of deep longing, the emptying of the body through fasting or weeping, the emptiness of the wilderness, and the emptiness of historical time itself. He argues, furthermore, that emptiness is closely connected to the ways Christian groups differentiate themselves: many groups foster a sense of belonging not through affirmation, but rather avowal of what they and their doctrines are not. Through emptiness, American Christians are able to assert their identities as members of a religious community.
Drawing much-needed attention to a crucial aspect of American Christianity, Emptiness expands our understanding of historical and contemporary Christian practices.and#160;
Review
and#8220;Corriganand#8217;s latest book turns a surprising themeand#8212;emptinessand#8212;into a fresh way to conceptualize the American religious landscape. Drawing on an impressive range of sources, he argues that emptiness is a ubiquitous feature of American Christianity and is experienced in multiple waysand#8212;emotionally, bodily, spatially, temporally, and doctrinally. Rich, erudite, and thought-provoking, this is a highly original contribution and a work of considerable theoretical importance.and#8221;
Review
andldquo;In this sweeping study of emptiness in American Christianity, Corrigan masterfully navigates difficult terrain, expertly ushering readers through centuries of religious behavior and across many traditions. With depth and creativity, he explores everything from the diaries of conflicted Puritans to Catholic Mel Gibsonandrsquo;s cinematic bloodletting. This is a powerful history.andrdquo;
Review
andldquo;This challenging and rewarding study adds an important dimension to the history of emotion and a grasp of the Christian experience in the United States. Impressively varied research combines with nuanced analysis and a clear line of argument. This is a rare kind of work that explores not only intellectual parameters, but also personal meanings.andrdquo;
Review
andldquo;A compelling and counter-intuitive compendium of emptiness and the myriad ways in which this curious state of being has generated striving, struggle, and the histories of American Christianity. Corrigan is the first to tackle how emptiness has become Americanized, for better and for worse, over the last few centuries.andrdquo;
Synopsis
An expert in moral and philosophical psychology, Robert C. Roberts here develops an original, up-to-date understanding of human emotions in relation to spirituality and as a basic part of Christian moral character. With an eye on pertinent Biblical texts, Roberts explores emotions as nonsensory perceptions that arise from personal caring and concern. His study culminates with an in-depth examination of six "fruit of the Holy Spirit" emotion-virtues: contrition, joy, gratitude, hope, peace, and compassion. Though Spiritual Emotions is rigorous in its focus on the inner structure of Christian character, it is nonetheless readable and is laced with many narrative examples. The book will be immensely useful for Christian ethicists, psychologists, pastors, and counselors.
About the Author
John Corrigan is the Lucius Moody Bristol Distinguished Professor of Religion and professor of history at Florida State University. He is the editor of the Chicago History of American Religion series, also published by the University of Chicago Press, and coeditor, most recently, of
Religion in American History.
Table of Contents
A Christian psychology of emotion -- Emotions and Christian teaching -- Emotions and Christian character -- The Christian passion -- Two modern giants on our need for God -- Something eternal in the self -- The salvation of Ivan Ilych -- Humility as a moral project -- Christian emotion-virtues -- Contrition -- Joy -- Gratitude -- Hope -- Peace -- Compassion.