Dictionary of Christian Spirituality

Scorgie (theology, Bethel Seminary) and Simon Chan, Gordon T. Smith, and James D. Smith III's impressive and well-researched volume assembles 34 articles and almost 700 dictionary entries signed by an international group of scholars. The first section presents six- to seven-page entries on topics such as spiritual theology, human personhood, education and spiritual formation, and liturgical spirituality. Also included are articles describing the history of Christian spirituality from 100 C.E. to the present. Each article is followed by a bibliography and a further-reading list. The second section is a dictionary with entries on a broad variety of subjects: biblical figures, popes, mystics, saints, philosophers, spiritual leaders, and educators, as well as concepts and areas of concern including poverty, humanism, suffering, vows, the Kingdom of God, and peace. Dictionary entries conclude with cross-references and a further reading list. Scorgie's intended audience is the evangelical community, but the wide scope of material covers foundational areas of interest that will appeal to people along the spectrum of Christianity. BOTTOM LINE This clear, understandable text with its singular features and perspective deserves a place alongside Philip Sheldrake's The New Westminster Dictionary of Christian Spirituality (Westminster John Knox Press, 2005) and Arthur Holder's The Blackwell Companion to Christian Spirituality (Wiley-Blackwell, 2010). Valuable for educators, clergy, students, and general readers; highly recommended for academic, seminary, large public, and church libraries.—Jackie Parascandola, Columbia Univ. Libs., New York