Exploring the Spirituality of the Gospels

In his most recent, wonderfully accessible book, Patrick Hartin offers the reader a thoughtful exploration of the spirituality of the four canonical gospels. The features that make this such an outstanding entry in the crowded field of books on `biblical spirituality' are two in particular. Hartin's jargon free, splendidly lucid definition of Christian spirituality is in itself worth the price of the book. Adding immeasurably to the value, though, is his equally straightforward approach to reading the gospels of Jesus with the results of historical-critical analysis at hand, but not dominating his presentation, and then letting the gospels' portrait of Jesus inform his sketch of each gospel's spirituality for today.

Fr. Hartin's book provides an excellent entry point for those interested in exploring biblically based Christian spiritualities. Hartin begins by defining such spiritualities as rooted in the incarnation. Utilizing a productive mix of historical critical insights, Hartin demonstrates how various Gospel values were adapted in several contexts between the second and twentieth centuries. This alone would make the book a worthwhile read. But then Hartin presses on to present possibilities for those who seek to bring to life similar values as avenues of transformation in the contemporary world.

For those readers looking for a spiritual vision that is more than pious wishes, that has real content, Patrick Hartin's book is ideal. Hartin deftly weaves together spiritual exploration with a study of the Gospels that reflects the best of historical and literary methods. He then incarnates this spirituality for his readers by lifting up lives such as Antony, Dorothy Day, Oscar Romero, and Augustine whose spiritual vision was rooted in the Gospels. Nuanced, subtle, yet very accessible, Hartin's work offers a gracious reading of the Gospels. It is ideally suited for Catholic undergraduate and church audiences, but would appeal to non-Catholic readers too.