Synopses & Reviews
Richard Foster founded RENOVARE (Latin for "to make new") for the purpose of encouraging long-term commitment to spiritual renewal and growth. Now, in this landmark work, he examines the foundation of Christian experience--six dimensions of faith and practice--and explains the unique contributions of each one.
These great historical movements or "streams," as Foster calls them, are Contemplative, Holiness, Charismatic, Social Justice, Evangelical and Incarnational. Each stream emphasizes a different aspect of life and faith; for example, the Contemplative way is a prayer-filled life, while the way of Holiness is a life of virtue. Foster lifts up the enduring character of each tradition in the midst of constantly evolving faith. He shows how a variety of practices, from individual study and retreat to disciplines of service and community, are all essential elements of growth and maturity.
What Foster ultimately discovers is that while each tradition is capable of providing spiritual growth, the most complete renewal can only come from combining the best from each tradition. Stream of Living Water integrates Foster's work in seeking the most complete, most fulfilling path to spiritual renewal. He identifies the strengths and weaknesses of each tradition and offers practical ways to incorporate these traditions in our daily life--offering his devoted readership a clear and tangible course to authentic Christian experience.
Synopsis
In this landmark work, Richard J. Foster, author of the bestselling Celebration of Discipline and founder of the Renovar program for spiritual renewal, examines the "streams of living water" - six dimensions of faith and practice that define Christian tradition. Foster lifts up the enduring character of each tradition in the midst of constantly evolving faith, and shows how a variety of practices, from individual study and retreat to disciplines of service and community, are essential elements of growth and maturity.
In Streams of Living Water, Foster seeks a balanced path to a renewal of the spirit. He identifies the strengths and weaknesses of each stream and offers practical ways to incorporate these spiritual dimensions into our daily lives - offering a clear and tangible path to authentic Christian experience. He reveals that while each stream is capable of providing spiritual growth, the most complete renewal can only come from combining the best from each tradition.
Richard J. Foster is the author of several bestselling books, including Celebration of Discipline and Prayer, which in 1993 was Christianity Today's Book of the Year and won the Gold Medallion Award from the Evangelical Christian Publishers' Association. He is the founder of Renovar , an infrachurch movement committed to the renewal of the Church in all her multifaceted expressions.
"Streams of Living Water' is a book that will make you adore God."
- Dallas Willard, author of The Divine Conspiracy
About the Author
Richard J. Foster is the author of several bestselling books, including Celebration of Discipline and Streams of Living of Water. He is the founder of Renovaréan infrachurch movement committed to the renewal of the Church in all her multifaceted expressions, and a general editor of the forthcoming RenovaréSpiritual Formation Study Bible.