Book Review

By Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat

The God of Intimacy and Action
Reconnecting Ancient Spiritual Practices, Evangelism, and Justice
Tony Campolo, Mary Albert Darling
Jossey-Bass 10/08 Paperback $14.95
ISBN: 9780470345214

Both Tony Campolo, professor emeritus of sociology at Eastern University, and Mary Albert Darling, associate professor of communication at Spring Arbor University, have found in St. Francis of Assisi a role model for evangelical Christians because he was a mystic and an activist trying to transform the world through loving service. In this buoyant volume, they present a holistic Christianity that blends mystical spirituality, evangelism, and a broad sense of justice.

Tony Campolo begins in Part One with an examination of the five types of mystical experiences relevant to increasing intimacy with God: new insights, I-thou relationships, heightened awareness, conversion experiences, and breakthrough experiences. But in addition to deepening our connection to God and our interpersonal relationships, we must seek to bring about a more just world through our actions. He concludes with a plea to evangelical churches to establish:

• an awareness that Christ is in the poor and oppressed, waiting to be loved and served;
• a call to challenge institutionalized religion;
• an understanding of the importance of entering into one another's sufferings;
• a plan for the world as it should be.

In Part Two, Mary Albert Darling, a Protestant spiritual director, challenges Christians to cultivate "holy habits." She defines a spiritual practice as something done intentionally, over time with regularity, with the goal of being formed into Christ-likeness, and with the result (fruit) of growing in love for God and others. She explains three spiritual practices: moving from self-awareness to God-awareness with the Prayer of Examen; becoming God's friend with Lectio Divina; and deepening our intimacy with God through Centering Prayer. With these practices as a foundation, believers can also be inspired by the lives of saints.

A commitment to this holistic Christianity will be reinforced by prayer, quiet time, silence, and spiritual guidance from others. Campolo and Darling warn against the dangers of narcissistic spirituality and spiritless service. They end with hopeful signs of what they see as a new commitment to justice on the part of evangelical Christians who had not taken this work seriously enough in the past.

Books and Audios Recently Reviewed

Reviews and database copyright © 1970 – 2009
by Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat