384 - Christian Spirituality: Origins to the Twelfth Century

Christian Spirituality: Origins to the Twelfth Century

Edited by Bernard Mcginn, John Meyendorff, and Jean Leclercq, Eds.

New York, Crossroad, 1987. 496 Pp. $19.95.

This volume on Christian spirituality constitutes number 16 in the series World Spirituality: An Encyclopedic History of the Religious Quest. It includes original contributions by the three editors as well as by twenty-two other scholars. Intended for the general reader as well as for "those with more advanced knowledge who are anxious to reflect upon the issues presented," it succeeds well in its intention.

The ecumenical nature of the volume is noteworthy. Individual articles attempt to include the breadth of the religious quest: an article on the patristic age mentions Macrina and Nonna as well as Basil and Gregory; the rich heritage of Syriac-speaking Christians is noted along with the Greek and Latin tradition; spirituality's expressions in art, poetry, liturgy, and prayer are included along with theological questions. A development of the role of art in the spirituality of Western Christianity would have been a helpful complement to the excellent article on the iconographic tradition of the East. A substantial article on Scripture and its interpretation in the early centuries serves as a prologue to the volume.

The editors have truly provided a text that, by its historical and thematic approach, is a must for any serious student of Christian spirituality. The volume's excellent bibliographies invite and facilitate further study.

Mary Milligan, Loyola Marymount University, Los Angeles, Calif.