Classic Devotionals: A Thirteen-Week Devotional and Introduction to Classic Theologians and Mystics of Christian History

By Christopher J. Freet

Christians often talk about a faith that is relevant, fresh, and new. At the same time, we often forget that the faith is also rooted in a rich history, one that can enlighten and deepen our spiritual walk.

In Classic Devotions: A Thirteen-Week Devotional and Introduction to Classic Theologians and Mystics of Christian History you will be invited to connect with this rich history of Christian devotion in an accessible way. Each of the thirteen weeks is devoted to a particular Christian mystic or theologian. Through the week, there are quotations from that person or group of persons, with parallel scripture passages. On the seventh day, there are questions for practical application to help you apply these ideas and insights in your own thinking and your own life.

Each devotional is relatively short. But if you follow the suggested by the author for studying and meditating each day, you will find a wonderful opportunity to learn more and build a connection both with the community of God's people through the ages, and through that connection with God and with others today.

This book can be used for individual devotions, or can be studied in a group.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Energion Publications
• Release date: Mar 8, 2023
• ISBN: 9781631998614

Book preview

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Classic Devotions

A Thirteen-Week Devotional and Introduction to Classic Theologians and Mystics of Christian History

Christopher J. Freet

Energion Publications

Gonzalez, Florida

2023

Copyright © 2023, Christopher J. Freet

Scriptures taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com The NIV and New International Version are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.™

ISBN: 978-1-63199-860-7

eISBN 978-1-63199-861-4

Library of Congress Control Number: 2023933832

Energion Publications

P. O. Box 841

Gonzalez, FL 32560

energion.com

[e-mail]

Table of Contents

Introduction vii

How to Use this Devotional ix

Week 1, Day 1 The Desert Fathers/Mothers 1

Week 2, Day 1 St. Benedict 7

Week 3, Day 1 The Way of a Pilgrim 13

Week 4, Day 1 Aelred of Rievaulx 17

Week 5, Day 1 St. Bonaventure 23

Week 6, Day 1 Thomas a Kempis 29

Week 7, Day 1 Julian of Norwich 35

Week 8, Day 1 Martin Luther 41

Week 9, Day 1 St. John of the Cross 47

Week 10, Day 1 Brother Lawrence 53

Week 11, Day 1 John Wesley 59

Week 12, Day 1 Thomas Kelly 65

Week 13, Day 1 St. Therese of Lisieux 73

Appendix A – Spiritual Direction 79

Appendix B – Lectio Divina and The Prayer of Examen 81

Acknowledgments 83

Bibliography and Further Reading 85

This book is dedicated to:

Joshua Nolt

The time spent together during our monthly retreat days was so life-giving to me.

I’m forever grateful for the time in silence, prayer, sharing meals together

and encouraging one another in the Lord.

My Lord and my God,

You are good above all that is good.

You alone are most high, most mighty,

most sufficient, most complete;

You alone are full of sweetness,

of comfort, of beauty and love;

You alone are exalted and glorious above all things;

and in you all good things have their perfect existence,

as they always have done and as they always shall.

Therefore I am not satisfied in anything You give me

that is not Yourself,

nor by any promise or revelation

that does not let me see You or receive You fully.

My heart cannot really rest or find full satisfaction

unless it rests in You.

Thomas a Kempis (The Imitation of Christ, Book 3, XXI)

Introduction

The purpose of this devotional is twofold. First and foremost, to help fellow Christ-followers keep their hearts and minds focused on Jesus Christ, our Lord, Savior and Prince of Peace (cf. Heb. 3:1; 12:2). Secondly, I hope to introduce fellow believers to the rich writings of the classic Christian theologians.

All too often I fear that many Christians are not connected to the great cloud of witnesses that have gone before us. Our faith, while being personal on one level, is also corporate on another level. This corporate faith includes all those who have gone before us, from the time of God interacting with Abram until this present day. The Christian story is one of God interacting throughout history with His people. This includes the classic theologians and mystics that many of us are often only loosely acquainted with at best.

This devotional will merely introduce the reader to the classic theologians beginning with the Desert Fathers and Mothers of the fourth century and bringing the reader up to the twentieth century with a look at St. Therese of Lisieux and Thomas Kelly. Part of my hope is that the reader will find their curiosity piqued as they read and perhaps desire to dig deeper into one or more of these classic writings. As such, I have placed a full bibliography at the end of this devotional for those interested in reading further. Of course, while it is important to be familiar with and gain a basic understanding of the Christian classics, the ultimate goal lies elsewhere. Each of these classic theologians had their hearts and minds fixed on Jesus Christ. Union with Christ and growth in godliness or sanctification must always be the vision for the Christ-follower. It is my prayer that this devotional will work toward this end for the glory of God and His kingdom.

One final note, it is important for us to remember that theology and doctrine are never developed apart from the life lived for Christ. As Paul spoke and Luke records in the book of Acts, This was not done in a corner (Acts 26:26). Each of these classic authors is writing from within their own context, amidst their own issues and dealing with the events of their own time. This cannot be missed if we are to connect with and understand these writings today. As Richard Woods reminds us, all authentic spirituality is first of all the product of life, not merely or even primarily of study. The Word became flesh and blood, not paper and ink.¹

To God be the glory.

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1 Richard J. Woods, Christian Spirituality: God’s Presence through the Ages (Orbis: Maryknoll, 2006) pg. xviii.

How to Use this Devotional

The material in this devotional is designed to be brief. The hope is that the reader would utilize the spiritual discipline of meditation. The first day of each week introduces the theologian(s) that is the focus for that week. Over the next five days, there will be a quote or