Biblical Foundations of Spirituality: Touching a Finger to the Flame

by Barbara E. Bowe, Laurie Brink (Contribution by), John R. Barker (Contribution by)

Overview

Biblical Foundations of Spirituality invites readers to “touch a finger to the flame” of the Bible by offering guidance on what, how, and why to read Scripture as a source of spiritual nourishment. The second edition builds on Barbara Bowe’s acclaimed book with two new chapters by Laurie Brink and John R. Barker introducing key theological concepts and exploring how biblical spirituality was first experienced and expressed in early Christian communities.

The book begins by exploring the many meanings of the word “spirituality,” then leads readers through the Bible—from Genesis to Revelation—to develop a biblically based spirituality that can serve as a compass in the challenges of life. Updated to reference the latest scholarship, this book helps make the Bible more accessible and shows how it can be relevant to life today. The book stresses the spiritual dimension of biblical figures’ search for God and shows how their insights about God—from successes to dead ends—can reflect our contemporary searching and struggles. Biblical Foundations of Spirituality reveals the spiritual wisdom of the Bible, connecting it with everyday life and spirituality.

With a chronology, reflection questions, a glossary, and updated notes and bibliography, as well as two new chapters, the second edition of Biblical Foundations of Spirituality is ideal for classroom, parish, or individual reading.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780742559608
Publisher:	Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, Inc.
Publication date:	01/26/2017
Edition description:	Second Edition
Pages:	296
Product dimensions:	5.90(w) x 8.90(h) x 0.70(d)
Age Range:	18 Years

About the Author

Barbara E. Bowe, RSCJ, was professor of biblical studies at the Catholic Theological Union in Chicago where she taught courses in New Testament and early Christianity and directed the Biblical Spirituality Program.

Laurie Brink, OP, is associate professor of New Testament Studies at Catholic Theological Union and an associate editor for The Bible Today. She has published numerous articles on Scripture, and her most recent book focuses on the role of soldiers in Luke-Acts.

John R. Barker, OFM, is assistant professor of Old Testament Studies at Catholic Theological Union and the Old Testament book reviewer for The Bible Today. He is a regular contributor to pastoral publications such as Emmanuel Magazine, The Bible Today, and Weekday Homily Helps.

Table of Contents

Preface to the Second Edition
Acknowledgments
Abbreviations for Biblical Books
Chronology
Introduction: Touching a Finger to the Flame
1 What Is Spirituality?
2 God beyond All Names
3 The Riddle of the World
4 The God of Blessing and Salvation
5 I Have Heard Their Cry
6 Royal Power and the Covenant Dream
7 Prophetic Spirituality
8 Wisdom Has Built Herself a House
9 Crisis and Hope
10 That Man Jesus
11 Pauline Spirituality
12 A New Heaven and a New Earth
Conclusion: Biblical Foundations of Spirituality
Epilogue: The Church That Sojourns
Notes
Glossary
Bibliography
Index of Biblical Names
Index of Proper Names
Index of Places
Index of Scripture Citations and Ancient Literature
Index of Subjects
In Memorial: Barbara Ellen Bowe, R.S.C.J.: December 1, 1945–March 14, 2010

Editorial Reviews

In this second edition of Barbara Bowe’s award-winning book, the original text is supplemented by two excellent new chapters. John Barker’s discussion of postexilic theology serves as a bridge between the theology of the Old and New Testaments, and Laurie Brink provides a sketch of the postcanonical movement of Christian theology. Bowe laid a firm foundation for this work; Barker and Brink have added to the trustworthiness of its structure.

Dianne Bergant

Barbara Bowe’s work contributes to an understanding of spirituality that emphasizes how our daily and contextual response to God gives rise to our theology. Her work considers how the lived daily experience of a people of faith “touching their fingers to the flame” and “eating God’s word” gave rise to the Sacred Scripture and continues to give rise to our theologizing on that Scripture. The contributions of John R. Barker and Laurie Brink to this new edition of Bowe’s masterful work help the flame of her book burn even brighter.

Gilberto Cavazos-González

Barbara Bowe’s work contributes to an understanding of spirituality that emphasizes how our daily and contextual response to God gives rise to our theology. Her work considers how the lived daily experience of a people of faith “touching their fingers to the flame” and “eating God’s word” gave rise to the Sacred Scripture and continues to give rise to our theologizing on that Scripture. The contributions of John R. Barker and Laurie Brink to this new edition of Bowe’s masterful work help the flame of her book burn even brighter.

Gilberto Cavazos-González

Bowe's unique combination of sound biblical scholarship, creativity in identifying components of a sound contemporary spirituality, and clear writing style result in a work that many will find refreshing.

Theological Studies

Bowe promises us access to a hungry flame, to living water, to a wonderful banquet, to a valued touchstone—all available within the Scriptural tradition. And in this book, she presses into our hands a wonderful sheaf of tickets—memorable characters, visual images, clear advice, pregnant metaphors, relevant experience, wise commentary—that will help us visit these places not just once but many times over. We are in the company of an expert guide.

Barbara Green

[Bowe] has done quite a remarkable job of extracting major insights from the immensely variegated corpus of Hebrew and Christian scriptures and showing how they speak to our present condition.

The Christian Century

The quest for a truly authentic spiritual life is a consuming question for many thoughful people today. This superb book responds to that need.

The Bible Today

Bowe leads her readers through the Bible like a scribe of the kingdom, bringing from her storeroom insights both new and old—some of them deepen our view of familiar terrain, while others entice us to ask new questions, to imagine surprising perspectives for our spiritual lives. I found her attention to the believer's social location especially helpful. Her journey through the Bible witnesses to God's presence in the ordinariness, heights and depths of our daily lives and challenges.

John C. Endres

In a style eminently readable, [Bowe] surfaces the meaning of the biblical texts and reveals their breauty and their relevance to persons of all ages.

Catholic Press Association

In The Biblical Foundations of Spirituality, Barbara Bowe reinterprets the historical-critical study of scripture as an act of love rather than a dry methodology and reminds us that reading and study can open us to the sharp, transforming edge of the word of God. Under her wise and passionate direction, we learn to read our way into greater attentiveness to God and our own humanity.

Stephanie Paulsell

Integrating sound biblical scholarship with a lively sense that the sacred text can transform, if we would but let it, Barbara Bowe invites us to 'eat the bread of the Word.' Written with both head and heart fully engaged, Biblical Foundations of Spirituality both honors the historical integrity of the Scripture and yet opens up the richness of its narrative so that we might live today into the astonishing reality promised there.

Wendy Wright

A marvelous blend of sound biblical scholarship and theological sensitivity in the service of developing a mature spirituality for the 21st century. Barbara Bowe invites us all to read the Bible in new and fresh ways, and draws us into the dynamics of biblical spirituality by her well conceived questions for reflection. She provides 'solid food' for individuals and groups on the journey of faith.

Daniel J. Harrington