The central thesis of this book is that Baptists should recover the contemplative tradition with which they began in the early seventeenth century and to teach others how to live contemplatively in an age and culture far removed from contemplation. Through our four centuries, especially in America, cultural experience has reshaped and is reshaping our spirituality and worship in ways whereby God ends up as the one we expect to serve our programs and whims rather than the one we serve.

The sensational small-group series Companions in Christ is now being offered in a new 5-piece Participant's Book set as well as the traditional 1-piece Participant's Book. With the same great daily exercise material and articles, the two different Participant's Book styles allow your group to use the format that best fits your time frame. The new 5-piece Participant's Book set offers groups a convenient way to take breaks between modules. The traditional 1-piece volume is still a great value for groups who will continue their study together for 28 weeks.

The sensational small-group series Companions in Christ is now being offered in a new 5-piece Participant's Book set as well as the traditional 1-piece Participant's Book. With the same great daily exercise material and articles, the two different Participant's Book styles allow your group to use the format that best fits your time frame. The new 5-piece Participant's Book set offers groups a convenient way to take breaks between modules. The traditional 1-piece volume is still a great value for groups who will continue their study together for 28 weeks.

An introduction to the history of the Christian church from its inception to approximately 600 C.E., this volume seeks to balance the traditional presentation of notable figures, councils, and controversies with the telling of the story of the ordinary Christian during this era. An important feature of this work is its attendance to the stories of ordinary lay Christians--particularly women--and what Christian faith meant within the overall context of their lives. Other emphases include the church's changing role in society during this period (and the fateful consequences those changes have had for modern Christians) and the development of early Christian spirituality.

Employing a socio-institutional approach, Hinson divides his material into five major periods: (1) Beginnings to 70 C.E. (2) 70-180, during which Christianity broadcast itself throughout the Roman Empire and beyond (3) 175-313, wherein the church achieved new status and came under official scrutiny as a threat to the empire (4) 313-400, in which the church faced the major challenge of Christianizing the empire now embracing it (5) 400-600, when the Germanic "invasions" led to a rift between East and West and posed new challenges to the church's survival and growth.

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These essays explore many themes in spirituality--the ecumenical nature of spirituality, theological perspectives, listening, spirituality in the dialogue of religions, action and contemplation, contemplation and work, discernment, eucharistic spirituality, centering prayer, spiritual perspectives on peacemaking, letters for spiritual guidance, and reading for spiritual enrichment. The essays were prepared to honor the life and work of Douglas V. Steere, co-founder of the Ecumenical Institute of Spirituality, and to further explore themes found in his writings.