The Journey

McGrath (Oxford University professor of historical theology and author of A Journey Through Suffering and To Know and Serve God) offers an extended journey metaphor to help Christians deepen their spirituality. McGrath describes the ultimate barrenness of using only a cerebral approach to the Christian life to the exclusion of imagination, meditation and real-life application, doubtless speaking to many who have attended Bible studies for years, perfecting their knowledge but not necessarily experiencing changed lives. Next, McGrath presents his intricate journey metaphor, speaking of the Exodus as a basic pattern--from ""our own Egypt"" to our promised land. The second part of the book groups the chapters around four ""landmarks"" on the journey: creation, exile, redemption and consummation. Within each chapter are three subsections: landmark, wilderness and oasis, symbolizing the motives, the difficulties and the rewards of that stage. In addition, in each subsection, McGrath ""hitches a ride"" with a Christian saint whose writings offer guidance; his exemplary pilgrims range from Anselm of Canterbury to C.S. Lewis and include some who are still writing today, such as John Stott and J.I. Packer. The Journey should appeal to readers who enjoy Christian spirituality works along the lines of Richard J. Foster's Celebration of Discipline and Dallas Willard's The Divine Conspiracy. (Apr.)