Christian Spirituality The Classics is a unique & comprehensive guide to thirty key Christian spirituality texts Ranging from Origen & Augustine to Jonathan Edwards Therese of Lisieux & Thomas Merton it offers a view of the texts which is founded in scholarship but which also presents them as living documents that invite- even compel -contemplative reflection & existential response Each chapter briefly describes the classic text's author & audience gives a synopsis of its contents suggests some of its influence in history & then explores aspects of the text's meaning for readers today Key themes include What is the meaning of life? How can human beings find truth? How can they discover who they really are? How can they live together in peace? How can they live more fully in God's presence in this world & be united with God in the world to come? The scholars who have written these chapters are all experts on their respective topics but they wear their learning lightly Anyone wishing to discover the riches of Christian spirituality will find this the ideal introduction & should be able to progress to a deeper understanding of the texts themselves