Editorial Review

Read more

Reviews (69)

A Reflection to Touch Your Heart!
Nouwen's meditation on the Gospel parable and Rembrant's painted depiction of the Return of the Prodigal Son is amazing.Touching the heart with his honest and transparent identification with each of the three figures central to the story.
One of the Top 5 Spiritual Books I've Ever Read
I'd give it 6 stars if I could. I left the Catholic Church right after high school, and returned after being away 25 years, The Gospel reading the Sunday I returned was the Prodigal Son !
Love Beyond All Reason ... Reconciliation
THE RETURN OF THE PRODIGAL SON by Henri J.M. Nouwen, is a reader's journey into his own soul. When Nouwen is moved by Rembrandt's "The Return of the Prodigal", heexplores the Luke 15:11-32parable as it relates to his own spiritual journey. He searches the depths ofthe father, the elder son,the younger son, and the role of forgiveness, compassion and unconditional love.
Read more

Subjects:  1. 1606-1669    2. 1606-1669.    3. Catholic Church    4. Christianity - Discipleship    5. Inspirational - Catholic    6. Religion    7. Religion - Classic Works    8. Rembrandt Harmenszoon van Rijn    9. Rembrandt Harmenszoon van Rijn,    10. Return of the prodigal son    11. Spiritual life    12. Subjects & Themes - Religious    13. Christian religious experience    14. Nouwen, Henri J. M    15. Personal Christian testimony & popular inspirational works    16. Religion / Discipleship   

Reviews (5)

Meaty enough to read this year and next
This is a great devotional book, and I am not usually one that finds devotionals set up like this very interesting. It is set up to have a reading each day during Advent, Christmas and through to Epiphany, and the readings are all written by people like C.S. Lewis, Madeleine L'Engle, Thomas Merton, Henri Nouwen, Kathleen Norris, Annie Dillard, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, etc.This is no, "What was the innkeeper thinking" sort of advent reading book.It is thoughtful and insightful and has a lot to say that ties into the preparative nature of advent, that is the preparation for the messiah's return.The writings vary in length and type from scholarly writings to musings to poetry or introspection. The readings are meaty enough, too, that you could certainly read them this year and again next year and they'll still be good.

Much more than Advent and Christmas reading.
I really shouldn't write a review yet, because I haven't finished the book. I'm doing so in hopes that people will buy the book in time to use it this year. This is an excellent book of essays, a few poems, and some sermons. There are some very "heavy hitters" in the mix--check out the table of contents. I have only read through December 2 so far, but it has been a very rewarding journey just a few steps down the path. I particularly love the piece by Karl Rahner (1904-1984), a German Jesuit and theologian. It is very cutting edge theology for its time and even for today, and it reads beautifully and powerfully. Henri Nouwen is also excellent, along with Sylvia Plath's poem.
Watch For the Light
I have not read the book as it is to use during Advent and Christmas and the readings begin on November 24, 2005. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Devotional    2. Holidays - Christmas    3. Religion    4. Religion - Inspirational/Spirituality    5. Spirituality - General    6. Bible readings or selections    7. Personal Christian testimony & popular inspirational works   

Reviews (17)

Enlightened?
The ability to heal even though a person has been wounded is an extraordinary message. Hence the appropriate title for this book. The author proposes that the spiritual counselor relate to their directee from their own personal experiences. He suggests that it is through reaching within oneself that those in this kind of service can truly be of help. Nouwen validates the experiences of many in this or allied professions; that we uncover our own pain and weaknesses as we attempt to guide others.This affirmation is valuable. In healing others, the counselor is healed. In being able to recognize and share our own pain, we can better serve.
Very Academic
I'm reading this book with a group of friends, and we all were surprised at how "academic" this book is written. By "academic" I mean, this book seems to be written during Nouwen's days when he was still at Yale University. The wording and word choice of the sentences are much more collegiate than his later works, which he wrote after going to L'Arche in Toronto. The book is still great and speaks powerfully to things of the Spirit, but it is just a little bit more difficult to understand than say, a John Eldredge book.

Contrarian
I have hated this book ever since I first read it. It is incredibly light in any kind of real thought; it provides no original insights. It is practically barren of any Scriptural references. I frankly am astounded that any Christian finds anything to like about this book. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Catholic Church    2. Christianity - Pastoral Ministry    3. Clergy    4. Inspirational - Catholic    5. Office    6. Pastoral theology    7. Religion    8. Religion - Classic Works    9. Spirituality - General    10. Christian moral & pastoral theology    11. Religion / Leadership   

Reviews (4)

Henri Nouwen's Contribution To Spiritual Direction
Henri Nouwen was a great promoter of the practice of spiritual direction, but he never wrote a book on the subject. This is surprising since he wrote a wide array of books on just about any given subject in the Christian spiritual quest. He did write a number of articles on the subject, and there are a number of unpublished article and writings pertaining to the subject. Two close friends and associates of Nouwen, Michael Christensen and Rebecca Laird have compiled these writings into a book that is entirely Nouwen's writings (without commentary) and could just be the book Nouwen would have written if he had approached the subject.
An apt title
This compilation is an informative and effective presentation of the discipline of spiritual direction.If one was interested in spiritual direction and wanted to find out what it was all about and its potential,this would be a great place to start.

A Very Personal Book on Spiritual Direction
This is more than a book on Spiritual Direction, but a 'life' of Spiritual Direction.The subject is introduced with Henri Nouwen's real life experiences that are very transparent and naked, that speaks to the hunger of every human soul with great impact.
Read more

Subjects:  1. Christian Life    2. Christianity    3. Christianity - Christian Life - General    4. Faith    5. Inspirational - Catholic    6. Religion    7. Religion - Classic Works    8. Spiritual life    9. Spirituality - General    10. Religion / General   

Editorial Review

Read more

Reviews (31)

Thoughts on the Inner Voice of Love
One of Nowen's best books, coming from a highly personal experience. His sharing of intimate thoughts during a stage ofintense suffering and loss and the process by which his relationship with God slowly lifted him from his dispair is a great source of comfort. The structure of the book, divided in individual "spiritual imperatives" makes it very powerful. One of the most moving and soul-nourishing book I have read.

Nouwen Did It Again!
This simple, readable book is an excellent treatise on discovering more about God's embrace.I have read it and highly recommend it to anyone seeking to find your place in God's world.It is awesome!

Have you been there?
I think those who haven't been where Henri Nouwen was, and weren't introduced to this "book" then will have a difficult time truly appreciating its gravity.
Read more

Subjects:  1. Anxiety    2. Christianity    3. Distress (Psychology)    4. General    5. Inspirational - Catholic    6. Religion    7. Religion - Classic Works    8. Religious aspects    9. Self-Help    10. Spiritual life    11. Personal Christian testimony & popular inspirational works    12. Religion / Inspirational    13. Self-Help & Practical Interests   

Reviews (11)

Simply Transformative
Nouwen is at his very best in this classic work. Readers will be captured by the spiritual depths of this book as Nouwen probes the three movements of the spiritual life.I have taught this in a small group format several times with great response and discussion.This book ranks in my top five favorites of all time, a book complex enough to provide fresh meaning each time it is read. Highly recommend!

A countercultural classic
In a culture of distraction, agitation, and surfeit, Nouwen's classic work on the dynamics of spiritual development offers wise, gentle and welcome guidance along the way of simplicity, peace, and mindfulness... truly countercultural.

A lifeline for the weary Christian - refreshing and renewing
Read more

Subjects:  1. Catholic Church    2. Christianity - Theology - Catholic    3. Devotional    4. Inspirational - General    5. Religion    6. Religion - Inspirational/Spirituality    7. Spiritual life    8. Christian life & practice    9. Religion / Inspirational   

Reviews (2)

Essential for those of us needing to be taught how to pray..
Nouwen's work is always worthwhile, even when it is not his best effort. This book is his very best work on the most important topic he consistently addressed- prayer. Much thanks need to be given to Wendy Greer who gleaned these excerpts from his many books. She has done an admirable job. This book, due to it's format, is very conducive to being read over a course of time, maybe for one's devotions. The wisdom in it makes for a book that I will return to over and over again. I have given this book to my closest christian friends, who like me have a conviction that the prayerful life, a life lived always in the awareness of our relationship with Christ, is the only life worth living.

Journey to the Core of Prayer & Life
The Only Necessary Thing is not the usual book on how to pray and what makes prayer so important.It is a collection of a man's writings on his passionate believe in the Savior, and therefore, his conversations withHim.It gives a glimpse of how Henri Nouwen himself prayed and what isprayer to him.But never one time in the book does he come across asdidactic. Instead, the book weaves together the essence of prayer and lifein a contemplative and meditative manner.One can almost chew and"re-chew" through Nouwen's sober, frank and yet deepcontemplation on his God and his conversations with Him.Read more

Subjects:  1. Catholic Church    2. Christianity - Christian Life - General    3. Devotional    4. Prayer    5. Religion    6. Religion - Inspirational/Spirituality    7. Spirituality - General    8. Christian spirituality    9. Religion / General   

Editorial Review

"Our ridiculously fallible language becomes a lesson in how God's grace works despite and even through our human frailty. We will never get the words exactly right. There will always be room for imperfection, for struggle, growth and change. And this is as it should be." With observations like this one, Kathleen Norris, author of Read more

Reviews (67)

Looking At Words In a New Way
I really enjoyed the fresh look at words used in faith discussions. I particularly liked the one on Silence.

Amazing Grace
Unlike the the Author, Katherine Norris , I have been a Catholic all my 71 Years and She has renewed my faith and spirituality and taught me more about the religion I grew up in then all the catechism classes and college courses in theology I studied.
Amazingly Good
This book impressed me immensely; well beyond what I had expected and I had read two previous books by Kathleen Norris.It is a marvelous format that works like a sort of "Day by Day" series of inspiring and/or compelling theological thoughts.Rather than follow a litergical order of verses, Norris uses different words and terms associated with Christianity to fuel her observations.I honestly was expecting a sort of academic treatise on what various terms meant.What I got instead was an illustration of the essence of the meaning of various aspects and perspectives of Christianity.From the very beginning I was inspired by what Ms. Norris was sharing.She has observed a lot through her years and has a remarkable ability to recall those observations into illuminating stories.
Read more

Subjects:  1. Christian life    2. Christianity    3. Christianity - Christian Life - General    4. Christianity - Theology - General    5. Faith    6. Presbyterian authors    7. Religion    8. Religion - Christian Life    9. Terminology    10. Religion / General   

Editorial Review

Read more

Reviews (9)

Bread cast upon the waters
I was given "Bread For The Journey" at a particularly low point in my life and will personally attest to its restorative power. Henri Nouwen was the rare soul who wrote from a soul molded by the living heart of scripture and informed by compassionate hands-on caregiving.
A Great Meal
If are bodies are not fed we will die. In the same manner, if the spirituality of our being is not fed, it too will wither and fade. This book offers food for our spiritual journey in a way that makes one look forward to the meal and after partaking makes one fulfilled by the experience.

Daily Bread
A book of daily meditations needs to give you something to think about, chew on, and ponder, throughout the rest of your day.Nouwen does this.His meditations are brief, and to the point.They cover many aspects of our daily journey to become more fully the children of God, emotional and physical, as well as spiritual.He invites you to think about who Jesus really said was your neighbor, for example. I began in June, and have not yet gone through the whole year, but I already know it is a book I will be able to use for years to come. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Devotional    2. Devotional calendars    3. Inspirational - General    4. Meditations    5. Prayer    6. Religion    7. Religion - Inspirational/Spirituality    8. Personal Christian testimony & popular inspirational works    9. Religion / General   

Reviews (4)

Elegant!
Seeking God is an elegant, insightful, and extremely valuable treatment of the spirituality inherent in St. Benedict's Rule. The further into the book I read, the better I realized it was. Again and again I was impressed withthe wisdom and psychological astuteness of the Rule as deWaal explained it.Benedict's way of moderation, humility, and balance, as interpreted bydeWaal, seems one of the wisest and healthiest examples of Christianthinking that I have encountered. It is an excellent antidote to theregrettable tendency of some to want to separate body from soul and thematerial world from the spiritual world; Benedictine spirituality insteadbalances and integrates them!

Seeking God at Home
"Seeking God" helped bring "The Rule of St. Benedict" into focus for me, enabling me to see clearly the wisdom of Benedict's vision for our day. For two other books that explore Benedictine wisdom for parents, look for "The Family Cloister: Benedictine Wisdom for the Home" and "The Christian Family Toolbox: 52 Benedictine Activities for the Home", both by David Robinson (New York: Crossroad,2000 and 2001). Benedict still speaks relevantly and prophetically in our day!

Excellent in terms of spirituality and guidance.
The author was recommended to me both by my spiritual director and by a monastic.I see why.It is written simply and directly.It does not drip religiousity nor is it so esoteric that one becomes stalled in frustration. Instead, de Waal relates the Rule of St. Benedict to life in the worldtoday.She does not compromise the Rule nor interpose her own"doctrine"- she draws from a great knowledge of writers of theBenedictine tradition from the past to the present, couples that with herexperience as a wife and mother, presenting a straight forward discussionof the Rule, how it is of help to the Christian of today, and how it may beapplied in the life of the individual who is seeking a rule for his or herown life.Her tradition is Anglican but one does not sense anintrusiveness- rather a calm, rational, feet on the floor contemplativeguide which opens the door to further spiritual growth. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Benedict,    2. Christian Life    3. Christianity - Ritual & Practice    4. Institutions & Organizations    5. Monasticism    6. Monasticism and religious orde    7. Regula    8. Religion    9. Religion - Worship - Liturgy    10. Religious    11. Rules    12. Saint, Abbot of Monte Cassino    13. Specific Religious Congregations And Orders    14. Benedict   

Reviews (8)

Excellent read, great book
Short, simple, easy to read in the typical Nouwen fashion, and yet when you are finished, you can not help but feel refreshed, energized, and re-awakened to that "tiny whispering sound" referred to in 1 Kings 19:12. This is an excellent book about the heart of prayer: standing silent in the presence of God. There is a lot of noise out there, and this book shows how to leave the noise outside, how to instill the silence of presence to God in your soul, and how to carry that out to the marketplace, where the message of the Gospel so needs to be heard.

Retreat planning tool
This book was recommended prior to a spiritual growth retreat.All retreat members read the book and were very pleased with the information.It is easy to get caught up in the noise and confusion of the world forgetting how important and valuable solitude and silence are to a relationship with God.In those quiet times come rich growth.This was a great reminder.

Three Practices that Bring Life
In this book Henri Nouwen takes us through three often-neglected disciplines in our noisy, busy, fast-paced culture. He not only encourages us to take some time to turn from the noise to silence, from the busyness to solitude, and from running fast to slowing down to pray; but he shows us how.
Read more

Subjects:  1. Christianity    2. Christianity - Catholicism    3. Christianity - Christian Life - General    4. Clergy    5. Office    6. Pastoral theology    7. Religion    8. Religion - Classic Works    9. Spiritual life    10. Spirituality - General    11. Religion & Beliefs    12. Religion / General   

Reviews (4)

Poli-sci major?
The principles in this book are as pertinent today as it was 75 years ago. "The individual or the group which organizes society, however social its intentions or pretension, arrogates an inordinate portion of social privilege to itself."
Toolbox for American Civil Rights
Niebuhr's answer to the question, "What then should we do?" influenced MLK's thinking and found its way into the action plan of the American civil rights movement.This work is well thought out and, decades later, remains truly readable to those of us who are not trained in psychology, theology or sociology.If you feel powerlessly subjected to the tyranny of the majority and want to do something about it -- read this book.

Some Sun Through Clouds of Self-Interest
At first glance, Reinhold Niebuhr's (1892-1971) book "Moral Man and Immoral Society" (New York:Scribners, 1932, 1960), still relevant today, could seem to breed a cynical future "from the perspective of those who will stand in the credo of the nineteenth century," ". . . enmeshed in the illusion and sentimentalities of the Age of Reason." (xxiv)Niebuhr was a professor at Union Theological Seminary in New York City, and previously pastor during the Great Depression of a small congregation in or near Dearborn, Michigan, many of whose parishioners worked for Ford Motor Company's factories.Niebuhr, having lived through the frustrations and hypocrisy of the Victorian era and economic depression and two World Wars, assessed people in group types of church denominations, nations, privileged classes, the middle class, blue-collar working classes, and mobs.He lamented the necessary time restraints that representative democracy requires and that permit self-interest to misuse information and lapse into greed.
Read more

Subjects:  1. Christianity - Theology - Ethics    2. Individual Theologians And Their Works (General)    3. Moral Theology    4. Political ethics    5. Religion    6. Religion - Theology    7. Social ethics    8. Sociology - General    9. Theology   

Reviews (4)

A Revolutionary Theological Treatise
There has been no book written in the last 1900 years that better explains the human condition and the Christian response to it.Niebuhr draws from an extensive understanding of political science, psychology, history, and religion to explain the origin and nature of sin.He elaborates on the abortive efforts of the ego to overreach the human condition through partial and disingenuous strategies.Hereflects on why collectives, lacking the constraints of individual conscience, so dramatically exceed the sinfulness of the individuals that constitute them.
Absorbing and Rewarding
In the Nature and Destiny of Man, Reinhold Niebuhr, the influential "Christian realist" theologian, deals with big issues: the nature of man, history, and the end of the history.He offers deep - I would say profound -support for his views, but not proof.He offers one interpretation of the meaning of life's mysteries but not the only possible interpretation. Best 20th Century Theological Work
This work is known to be a classic, and in my opinion, it is the best written last century.I even enjoyed R. Niebuhr better than Tillich and Barth.His erudition and conclusions are powerful and engaging. I recommend reading this for those familiar with political thought and philosophy of the modern era.By no means is this work parochial, it scope makes it a enthralling read even for those who find themselves outside to sprectrum of Christian belief. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Christianity    2. Christianity - Theology - Anthropology    3. Civilization    4. Man (Christian theology)    5. Man (Theology)    6. Religion    7. Religion - Socialissues    8. Sociology of Religion    9. Theological anthropology    10. Christian theology   

Editorial Review

A member of the Calmaldolese order of monks, and well-known for his far-reaching interests in theology and science (he has explored the implications of contemporary physics with Fritjof Capra, the author of Read more

Reviews (4)

With gentle humor, Brother David teaches us gratefulness...
One of the things I first noticed about this book on being grateful is that it has sold many thousands of copies. Mine says, on the cover, "65,000 in print." That's a kind of best seller on a subject by a monk, a contemplative, and promises along the way by its subtitle the inviting phrase, "An Approach to Life in Fullness." There is a demand for living a good life, and one way is living a life of being grateful to God and having a heart of prayer, the book's main theme.
To paraphrase Mr Whipple ...
David Steindl-Rast's spirituality is so squeezably soft, it's irresistible.This not entirely un-vapid volume offers us a contemplative spirituality that assures us that all is hunky-dory.The author suggests that we should replace the concepts of "sin" and "salvation" with the dialectic of alienation vs togetherness.(Where a figure like St Thomas More would fit in this alien/together spectrum, is anyone's guess, and it raises the question: Is it not necessary at times to be "alien" from the main stream if that stream is polluted?) Made me want to share the ideas with others
I've only read this book once through so far, and I can tell it will be a book to read again and again.On a first read, the chapter on faith and beliefs spoke to me most - I've shared Brother David's ideas about what itREALLY means to "live by every word that comes from the mouth ofGod" with several friends already.Great book! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Christianity    2. Christianity - Christian Life - General    3. Devotional    4. Gratitude    5. Inspirational - General    6. Prayer    7. Religion    8. Religion - Inspirational/Spirituality    9. Spiritual life   

Reviews (7)

A nice little book for your own spiritual retreat.
This is a small book, almost a pamphlet, so it works very nicely for readings during a quiet retreat. Nouwen reminds us of the importance of solitude for service. The book is composed of a few sermons he gave at Yale and is one of those books where you'll find yourself wanting to excerpt quotes to stick on the wall by your computer. I'll give you one as an example: "It is in this solitude that we discover that being is more important than having, and that we are worth more than the result of our efforts." The book is an affirmation.

Great read, information is valuable in all aspects of life.
This was a very informative and a very simple read. In a nutshell, it defines how important solitude is in terms of how we can't get caught up impressing life judges. Also, "It teaches us", not to become restless of our actions for our only way of aquiring self pride. A small, but loud volume
This book spoke deeply to me.As a parent with young children, I have often felt guilty for needing "my space."Nouwen removes my feelings of guilt and selfishness by explaining this need for time alone as being a spiritual need where growth and connection with God are possible. Contains few pages, but a big message. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Christian life    2. Inspirational - Catholic    3. Inspirational - General    4. Meditations    5. Religion    6. Religion - Classic Works    7. Spirituality - General    8. Personal Christian testimony & popular inspirational works   

Reviews (1)

Wonderful! Can't go wrong with this purchase!
This is a wonderful little devotion book for Advent. I have become a huge Henri Nouwen fan.....he always shares his journey and is transparent...I especially enjoy the Advent Action given with each devotion.....the daily devotions give just enough without being overwhelming, allowing me to reflect on it all day. Redemptorist Publishing always offer heart warming devotionals. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Advent    2. Bible - Study - General    3. Catholic Church    4. Christmas    5. Devotional    6. English    7. Holidays - Christmas    8. Inspirational - Catholic    9. Prayer-books and devotions    10. Religion    11. Religion - Classic Works   

Reviews (2)

Why the controversy?
Gutierrez has written about "liberation theology" in layman's language.Not only is the book informative, it is a guide to personal spirituality. It changes your view of Spirtuality
This book applies to everybody who is looking to stregthen his or her spirtuality. It looks at the Latin American version of Christianity which is a good reminder that there are more types of spirtualities than the American ones. It a good read, well written and it draws well on the scripture. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Christianity    2. Church work with the poor    3. Economic conditions    4. Inspirational - Catholic    5. Latin America    6. Religion    7. Religion - Classic Works    8. Religious life and customs    9. Spiritual life    10. Spirituality - General   

Reviews (2)

An important collection
Reinhold Niebuhr was one of the giants of twentieth century theology.His theology was not contained in a massive, multi-volume systematic treatment, but rather in the practical and spiritual applications he drew out of his philosophical and theological meditations.This collection of essays shows both the practical and spiritual aspects of what Niebuhr was about - they deal with ethics, politics, justice, the interplay of science and religion, and above all, God's grace and mercy that extends to the entire world.
Essential indeed
Niebuhr was not only one of the great Protestant theologians of the last century: he was one of very few thinkers ever to have deriv