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adamrshields's review against another edition
5.0
Short review: I have been reading books on spiritual direction over the past several months trying to see what I am really looking for when I look for a spiritual director. This book looks at four different types of spiritual direction (Spiritual friendship, Formal Spiritual direction, Small group spiritual direction and spiritual direction in marriage). In all three Benner suggests there are three goals (1) becoming a great lover, (2) becoming whole and holy, and (3) becoming our true self-in-Christ. I spent nearly a month slowly reading through this, not because it is difficult but because I am still unsure about what I am really looking for. But this was a helpful book to get some more perspective on spiritual direction.
My full review is on my blog at http://bookwi.se/sacred-companions/
My full review is on my blog at http://bookwi.se/sacred-companions/
patlo's review against another edition
4.0
Sacred Companions
by David G. Benner
InterVarsity Press (2002)
Description of the Book
Sacred Companions describes spiritual friendship and spiritual direction for the contemporary Christian who wishes to be intentional about growing in their Christian life. Benner writes as a psychologist and a spiritual director, specifically aiming to describe these ancient practices to protestant Christians for whom the practices are new and unfamiliar.
Interpretation of the Book
The book is organized in three major sections. The first describes spiritual friendship, an intentional relationship in which spiritual growth is a stated goal. The second section focuses on spiritual direction, and the third section outlines specific scenarios combining friendship and direction, for small groups and in marriages.
The author writes comfortably, providing an approachable environment for Christians of all backgrounds who wish to grow in fruitfulness and seek spiritual accompaniment as the means to help them. Benner lightly references his background as a psychologist, but focuses more on his (mostly self-trained) spiritual direction practice. He introduces classic practices such as centering prayer and the Ignatian Examen, usually by telling stories of his experience as a director or a directee.
Application
This may be the friendliest, most approachable book available on the art of spiritual direction.
It strongly prefers the approach of spiritual direction to more general spiritual friendship, but makes only passing reference to the Celtic approach of anamchara, or soul friendship. The last section’s discussion of spiritual accompaniment in small groups is intriguing, and the author has great hopes for this blend of spiritual friendship and the small group movement. I found myself wanting more information on this subject. He also writes from his experience working with his wife in bi-directional spiritual direction.
I must also note here that the book’s hidden gem is its 28-page annotated bibliography, organized by topics and referencing current and classic works in related fields. This section of the book would be worth the cover price, even if the book were disappointing.
by David G. Benner
InterVarsity Press (2002)
Description of the Book
Sacred Companions describes spiritual friendship and spiritual direction for the contemporary Christian who wishes to be intentional about growing in their Christian life. Benner writes as a psychologist and a spiritual director, specifically aiming to describe these ancient practices to protestant Christians for whom the practices are new and unfamiliar.
Interpretation of the Book
The book is organized in three major sections. The first describes spiritual friendship, an intentional relationship in which spiritual growth is a stated goal. The second section focuses on spiritual direction, and the third section outlines specific scenarios combining friendship and direction, for small groups and in marriages.
The author writes comfortably, providing an approachable environment for Christians of all backgrounds who wish to grow in fruitfulness and seek spiritual accompaniment as the means to help them. Benner lightly references his background as a psychologist, but focuses more on his (mostly self-trained) spiritual direction practice. He introduces classic practices such as centering prayer and the Ignatian Examen, usually by telling stories of his experience as a director or a directee.
Application
This may be the friendliest, most approachable book available on the art of spiritual direction.
It strongly prefers the approach of spiritual direction to more general spiritual friendship, but makes only passing reference to the Celtic approach of anamchara, or soul friendship. The last section’s discussion of spiritual accompaniment in small groups is intriguing, and the author has great hopes for this blend of spiritual friendship and the small group movement. I found myself wanting more information on this subject. He also writes from his experience working with his wife in bi-directional spiritual direction.
I must also note here that the book’s hidden gem is its 28-page annotated bibliography, organized by topics and referencing current and classic works in related fields. This section of the book would be worth the cover price, even if the book were disappointing.
callieperez's review against another edition
informative
inspiring
reflective
relaxing
fast-paced
4.25
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