Postgraduate Reading List
MA Christian Spirituality
Some introductory reading
If you had time to read one or two of the following, it would be useful preparation for the first term’s work, introducing you to the field. The books marked with an asterisk form part of the Foundations module.
Lawrence S. Cunningham and Keith J. Egan, Christian spirituaility: themes from the tradition (New York: Paulist, 1996). A basic tour.
Michael Downey, Understanding Christian spirituality (New York: Paulist, 1996). Introductory.
E. Dreyer and M. Burrows, editors, Minding the spirit: the study of Christian Spirituality (Baltimore, MD: Johns Hopkins University Press, 2005). Essays collected over fifteen years from the Christian Spirituality Bulletin and Spiritus, which have contributed to defining the academic field of spirituality.
Arthur Holder , editor, The Blackwell Companion to Christian Spirituality (Oxford: Blackwell, 2005). Good but expensive, at ,85.
*Mark A. McIntosh, Mystical theology: the integrity of spirituality and theology (Oxford: Blackwells, 1998). Not basic, but a profound reflection on the study of spirituality and its relation to theology, covering a number of themes in the Foundations module.
Margaret R. Miles, The image and practice of holiness: a critique of the classic manuals of devotion (London: SCM, 1998). Now unfortunately out of print.
*Philip Sheldrake, Spirituality and history: questions of interpretation and method (London: SPCK, 1991; second edition 1995). Important issues concerning the study of spirituality.
A brief history of spirituality (Oxford: Blackwell, 2007). A short historical overview.
The new dictionary of Catholic spirituality, edited by Michael J. Downey (Collegeville: Liturgical Press, 1993). Short articles for dipping into, not a book for reading right through.
The new SCM dictionary of Christian Spirituality, edited by Philip Sheldrake (London: SCM, 2005). Again, short articles for dipping into, not a book for reading right through.
Rowan Williams, The Wound of Knowledge (London: DLT, 1979, 1990). A useful historical introduction.
Some introductions to Theology
If you have not studied Theology formally, or are not familiar with the common theological language used in text books, it would be useful to look at one of the following:
Mark A. McIntosh, Divine Teaching: an Introduction to Christian Theology (Oxford: Blackwell, 2008). Brilliant and brief, now the best short introduction available – worth owning.
McGrath, A., Christian Theology: an Introduction (Oxford: Blackwell, 2001). Clear and comprehensive. A good way to get the lay of the land.
Colin Gunton, The Christian Faith: An Introduction to Christian Doctrine (Oxford: Blackwell, 2001).
Migliore, Daniel, Faith Seeking Understanding: An Introduction to Christian Theology (Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 1991). A very good short introduction which combines reformed and liberation perspectives.
Hodgson and King, Christian Theology: an introduction to its traditions and tasks (London: SPCK, 1983).