cover image THE SPIRITUALITY OF MEN: Sixteen Christians Write About Their Faith

THE SPIRITUALITY OF MEN: Sixteen Christians Write About Their Faith

, . . Fortress, $25 (300pp) ISBN 978-0-8006-3447-6

Although feminism has been a dominant force in shaping church polity, doctrine and theology over the past 30 years, a growing men's movement in the churches (Promise Keepers being its most visible outgrowth) has sought to recover an authentic male spirituality. The 16 writers in this volume represent various facets of these attempts to chart what it means to be a man in the church in the 21st century. The contributors explore a number of issues, ranging from spirituality and mental health to sexuality, relationships and community. For example, Mark Muesse (religious studies, Rhodes College) suggests that men incorporate Buddhist meditation into their spiritual practice as they seek wholeness. Michael Battle (black church studies, Duke) explores the ways that the African concept of Ubuntu might help men understand the importance of interdependence and relationships. Other writers examine, among other things, the Christian man's role in providing healing as partners of women who were sexually abused as children, male spirituality and its influence on male health crises, and the effects of pre- and post-retirement masculinities. Most of these essays are academic in tone—all but three of the contributors are professors—and the prose is often filled with jargon. At times, reading these essays is like overhearing these men talking to themselves: what they have to say is interesting and important to them, but it has little appeal to the larger theological world. (Dec.)