A Systematic Study of the Christian Life
Simon Chan
An imprint of InterVarsity Press
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© 1998 by Simon Chan
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Image: Imperial Cross of the Holy Roman Empire, West German (oak, gold, precious stones & pearls), German School at Kunsthistorisches Museum, Vienna, Austria. The Bridgeman Art Library.
ISBN 0-8308-7699-0 (digital)
ISBN 0-8308-1437-4 (print)
In Memory of Darrell (1955–1995)
Who Taught Me the Art of Dying Well
Part One: The Theological Principles of Spiritual Theology
1. Christian Spiritual Theology: Its Nature & Criteria
2. The Christian Doctrine of God as the Foundation of Christian Spirituality
4. Salvation & the Life of Spiritual Progress
5. The Church as the Community of Saints
Part Two: The Practice of the Spiritual Life
6. The Theology & Life of Prayer
7. Spiritual Exercises Focusing on God & Self
8. Spiritual Exercises Focusing on the Word
9. Spiritual Exercises Focusing on the World
11. The Discernment of Spirits
12. The Art of Spiritual Direction
Most of the material of this book began as lectures delivered at several seminaries in India, the Philippines, Malaysia and Singapore over a number of years. I have learned much from the students of these seminaries—perhaps more than they realized. I thank Trinity Theological College for giving me a year of sabbatical leave. The project could not have been undertaken otherwise, given the tyically heavy teaching and administrative load of seminary teachers in Asia. I am grateful to the Global Research Institute of Fuller Theological Seminary, which provided the facilities for me to work in comfort and with minimal distraction. Dr. Walter Hansen, the director of GRI, not only offered many helpful suggestions but also made our stay in Pasadena quite unforgettable. Rare indeed is the gift of such friendship! My ...
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About Spiritual Theology: A Systematic Study of the Christian LifeTheology is “the doctrine of living unto God,” wrote the Puritan theologian William Ames. Unfortunately, post-Enlightenment theology has tended to divorce “doctrine” from “living unto God.” And to the degree that this split has been deepened and perpetuated, both theology and spirituality have been impoverished. Spiritual Theology is a rare book. In it, Simon Chan surveys the little-explored landscape where systematic theology and godly praxis meet, highlighting the connections between Christian doctrine and Christian living and drawing out the spiritual implications of particular aspects of systematic theology. Allowing rational formulations to drop into the background, he brings the mystery of the faith to the fore. Chan begins with the principal doctrines of God, sin, salvation and the church. He then progresses to a reflective consideration of the practice of the spiritual life, from prayer to spiritual direction. Unabashedly evangelical and truly ecumenical, Chan grounds his exploration in the sources of the Protestant, Catholic and Orthodox traditions. His work is well abreast of contemporary theological currents and cross-culturally conversant from an Asian perspective. Spiritual Theology is a book for those who care deeply about theology and spirituality and strive to integrate the two. It is well worth careful reflection and prayerful reading. |
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