Tomorrow marks the anniversary of the death of Henri Nouwen, one of the greatest Christian spirituality writers of the twentieth century.
(Our intro guide to Nouwen’s books)
If you have benefited from Nouwen’s work, here are ten must-read classics of Christian spirituality from earlier centuries that are available as FREE ebooks!
*** How many of these classics have you read?
The Dark Night of the SoulJohn of the Cross |
The “dark night of the soul” does not refer to the difficulties of life in general, although the phrase has understandably been taken to refer to such trials. The nights which the soul experiences are the two necessary purgations on the path to Divine union: the first purgation is of the sensory or sensitive part of the soul, the second of the spiritual part (Ascent of Mount Carmel, Ch. 1, 2). Such purgations comprise the first of the three stages of the mystical journey, followed by those of illumination and then union. St. John does not actually use the term “dark night of the soul”, but only “dark night” (“noche oscura”). There are several steps in this night, which are related in successive stanzas of the poem. The thesis of the poem is the joyful experience of being guided to God. The only light in this dark night is that which burns in the soul. And that is a guide more certain than the mid-day sun. This light leads the soul engaged in the mystical journey to Divine union. FREE PDF EBOOK! (via CCEL) |
<<<<< PREV. BOOK |
|
 Reading for the Common Good From ERB Editor Christopher Smith "This book will inspire, motivate and challenge anyone who cares a whit about the written word, the world of ideas, the shape of our communities and the life of the church." -Karen Swallow Prior Enter your email below to sign up for our weekly newsletter & download your FREE copy of this ebook! |
Understanding Christian Nationalism [A Reading Guide] |
 Most Anticipated Books of the Fall for Christian Readers!
|
 Hilarious One-Star Customer Reviews of Bibles |
Love all of these, but sorely wish our communities were also mindful of such profound luminaries as Saint Isaak the Syrian, Saint Theophan the Recluse, Saint Maximos the Confessor, the Cappadocians, etc. May it be blessed.