[PhilThreeten] Book Review: Sacred Rhythms: Arranging Our Lives for Spiritual Transformation
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PhilThreeten
Mar 23, 2006, 10:47:48 AM3/23/06
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Unfortunately, the best that I can say of this book is that it should only be purchased after Richard Foster’s Celebration of Discipline. His treatment is still, by far, the best and most comprehensive material on these matters.
However, there are a couple of redeeming qualities in Ruth Haley Barton’s book. After reading Foster’s book, first skip to Chapter 8 in Barton’s book. This is the chapter on Sabbath that I think that Foster is missing from his material. Though he touches on it, I think that Barton offers a more extensive understanding and begins the process of recognizing Sabbath lifestyle as something that goes beyond either Solitude (as in Foster’s material) or just a day-long process.
Second, go to Chapter 9 and read about the Rule of Life. In this chapter Barton discusses how to go about developing a rhythm of disciplines in our own life. Again, this is a missing component to Foster’s book and is really a necessary process to make sure that a person does not become overwhelmed by what Foster presents.
The Appendix C on choosing spiritual disciplines that correspond to our needs is helpful, but not nearly elucidated enough. Barton has more here that she could have written.
Overall, I would not recommend this book alone but see it (or actually, see the last two chapters) as a needed addition to the excellent work that Foster has already done.
Categories: Readings
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Posted by PhilThreeten to PhilThreeten at 3/23/2006 10:45:00 AM
However, there are a couple of redeeming qualities in Ruth Haley Barton’s book. After reading Foster’s book, first skip to Chapter 8 in Barton’s book. This is the chapter on Sabbath that I think that Foster is missing from his material. Though he touches on it, I think that Barton offers a more extensive understanding and begins the process of recognizing Sabbath lifestyle as something that goes beyond either Solitude (as in Foster’s material) or just a day-long process.
Second, go to Chapter 9 and read about the Rule of Life. In this chapter Barton discusses how to go about developing a rhythm of disciplines in our own life. Again, this is a missing component to Foster’s book and is really a necessary process to make sure that a person does not become overwhelmed by what Foster presents.
The Appendix C on choosing spiritual disciplines that correspond to our needs is helpful, but not nearly elucidated enough. Barton has more here that she could have written.
Overall, I would not recommend this book alone but see it (or actually, see the last two chapters) as a needed addition to the excellent work that Foster has already done.
Categories: Readings
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Posted by PhilThreeten to PhilThreeten at 3/23/2006 10:45:00 AM
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