Soul Guide: Following Jesus As Spiritual Director (Spiritual Formation Line)
Commonly associated with monastic orders and the mystical practices of Roman Catholic saints, the discipline of spiritual direction is one that conservative Protestants have approached with caution and caveats. That may be changing. Well known in evangelical circles, Demarest, a popular author and professor at Denver Seminary, argues that spiritual counselors and "soul friends" are indeed part of God's plan for the converted Christian. Although comfortable referring to classic spiritual authorities like Teresa of Avila and the Desert Fathers (and Mothers), Demarest believes that "soul-care"-relationships between experienced Christians and those seeking guidance in faith-are driven by the believer's fundamental need to imitate Christ's life and character. "In Jesus Christ, then, we find the pattern of spiritual guidance and the qualities of the ideal spiritual director," he writes. At the heart of the book is a group of meditations on various Gospel passages; Demarest uses an event in the life of Jesus Christ to draw some conclusions about his character and relationships. One of a series of books on spiritual formation offered by NavPress, this volume offers readers application questions at the end of each chapter. The author's focus on Jesus as principal spiritual mentor should allay conservatives' concerns about extra-biblical eclecticism, and his balanced and straightforward style should also give this volume wide appeal. One minor gripe: in a book that avoids any controversy over gender roles, the occasional use of the word "man" instead of "humanity" is jarring.Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.