A Brief History of Spirituality tells the story of Christian spirituality from its origins in the New Testament to the present day.
Charts the main figures, ideas, images and historical periods, showing how and why spirituality has changed and developed over the centuries
Draws out the distinctive themes of Christian spirituality, exploring the historical and cultural events and experiences that changed people’s attitudes and practices
Coverage extends right up to the modern day, exploring the huge changes in spirituality in recent years and the way it is nowadays often contrasted with ‘religion’
Written by a leading commentator on spirituality, and published in the popular Brief Histories of Religion series
About the Author
Philip Sheldrake is William Leech Professorial Fellow in Applied Theology at the University of Durham. He is also Honorary Professor at the University of Wales Lampeter and is regularly a visiting professor at the University of Notre Dame and other North American universities. He has taught and written extensively in the field of Christian spirituality and spirituality more generally. His books include Spirituality and History (2nd edn 1998), Spaces for the Sacred: Place, Memory and Identity (2001) and, as editor, New SCM Dictionary of Christian Spirituality (2005, in the USA New Westminster Dictionary). He is Past President of the international Society for the Study of Christian Spirituality.
Features
Offers an eye-opening journey through the history of Christian spirituality, from its origins in the New Testament through to the present day.
Charts the main figures, ideas, images and historical periods, showing how and why spirituality has changed and developed over the centuries.
Draws out the distinctive themes of Christian spirituality, exploring the historical and cultural events and experiences that changed people’s attitudes and practices.
Coverage extends right up to the modern day, exploring the huge changes in spirituality in recent years and the way it is nowadays often contrasted with ‘religion’.
Written by a leading commentator on spirituality, and published in the popular Brief Histories of Religion series.
