|
Pursuing an Earthy Spirituality
Ebook
|
"Red beef and strong beer" was how C. S. Lewis described his education under one of his early tutors. It was, in other words, a substantial education that engaged deeply with the intellectual tradition and challenged him to grow.Gary Selby sees Lewis's expression as an indication of the kind of transformation that is both possible and necessary for the Christian faith, and he contends that spiritual formation comes about not by retreating from the physical world but through deeper engagement with it.By considering themes such as our human embodiment, our sense of awareness in our everyday experiences, and the role of our human agency—all while engaging with the writings of Lewis, who himself enjoyed food, drink, laughter, and good conversation—Selby demonstrates that an earthy spirituality can be a robust spirituality.
Preface
Abbreviations
Introduction: "Red Beef and Strong Beer"
1. An Inconsolable Secret: Our Longing for Joy
2. Not Safe—But Good: God as the Glad Creator
3. This Bleak Fantasy: Negative Spirituality and the Christian Life
4. A New Kind of Consciousness: The Alternative to Negative Spirituality
5. Very Far Inside: Spirituality and the Life of Virtue
6. Retinas and Palates: Spirituality and the Earthy Life
7. Those We Have Hitherto Avoided: Spirituality and the Other
8. The Beginning of All Things: Spirituality and the Life of Hope
Conclusion: The Joy of the Lord Is My Strength
For Further Reading
General Index
Scripture Index