Spiritual Life

Paper Summary:

In this article, the writer discusses that in the book "Spiritual Life: The Foundation for Preaching and Teaching", the Episcopal priest, theologian, teacher and author John H. Westerhoff stresses that having a full spiritual life is essential for both preachers and teachers of the gospel. The writer notes that according to the book, to effectively guide others, a religious leader must understand the process of coming to terms with his or her relationship with God and personal sense of ethics. If he or she does not, than the advice given to seekers will be incomplete. The writer concludes that Westerhoff's book is filled with such quietly inspiring and ecumenical examples of how faith can create bridges between individuals rather than create divisions, and shows how starting with individual spiritual practice, a greater world community of all faiths can be created in a way that promotes and fosters our common humanity.

From the Paper:

"Westerhoff begins his book with a general guide for personal spiritual practices, and links these practices to teaching and guiding others and the whole community. Perhaps unusually for a minister, rather than stress unity of doctrine, Westerhoff stresses how a multiplicity of doctrines and disciplines, if mindfully practiced, can lead an individual to God. There is not only one path to understanding and one of the challenges of being a good guide for others is that an individual must have a strong sense of self-knowledge about his or her own personality and way of learning and facilitating internal spiritual devotion and creating spiritual relationships with others. Westerhoff thus injects a great deal of psychology in his book, recognizing that different metaphors and literary interpretations may be more effective for some readers than other readers. He suggests different ways of practicing faith for the introverted and the extroverted, the more linear and rational as well as the more intuitive."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Westerhoff, John H. Spiritual Life: The Foundation for Preaching and Teaching. Louisville, KY: Westminster John Knox Press, 1994.

More papers on Spiritual Life:

• Book Review # 147371 : "John H. Westerhoff's "Spiritual Life: The Foundation for Preaching and Teaching"
• Book Review # 135329 : "Spiritual Disciplines for Ordinary People"
• Book Review # 101119 : "The Spiritual Awakening"

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