Spirituality by Carl McColeman
Spirituality by Carl McColeman is not your typical book on the topic. For starters, the subtitle is A Postmodern and Interfaith Approach to Cultivating a Relationship with God. I got this book in the mail to coincide with some relationships that are developing in my life; pagan priests, self proclaimed “recovering agnositcs,” and Kabbalists. For my entire life, I’ve spoken of my spiritual life through a “Christianese” vocabulary (correct words that don’t always make sense to outsiders) and I wanted to explore fresh ways of saying the same things about my walk with God. This book did just that.
Though a bit bookish, Spirituality helped explore the linguistic roots of faith through etymology and cultural history. I learned that “community” is derived from the Latin words “shared tasks” and that humus (the root of humility) means “of the earth” – meaning humility is less about self-loathing and more about being people “of the earth” — people willing to get their hands dirty to get a job done for instance. I even was reminded of a Greek seminar where I learned metanoia (Greek for “conversion”) is more often found in an ongoing present (perfect tense) than in a finite past or present. We are continually being converted – which is what spiritual formation is all about. Knowing the history of our language helps bring fresh insight into our sometimes subconscious beliefs.
His foundation of language as the starting point for discussing spirituality is a tricky, yet helpful place to begin an interfaith dialogue – I suppose there is no shared holy text from which to base arguments or draw out ideas – so language itself will have to do.
McColeman says that spirituality (of any faith) begins with a fundamental choice “to trust in life’s wonder rather than to fear life’s risk. It includes the choice to live life with a greater emphasis on vulnerability and playfulness than on control and inflexibility.” (211) McColeman hismelf is an ordained Episcopal priest who explores the practices of the ancient Celts, who themselves developed a spirituality of wonder, adventure, and delight. He clearly defines himself as a Christian, and it was refreshing to read his admonishion not to mix all religions together – they are not trying to do the same thing and will lead to different results. But spirituality as the title suggests, is about cultivating your faith and giving words to it is McColeman’s best gift to us.
Sean, and 
Jesse 4:06 pm on June 26, 2009 Permalink
Read this interview with Scott Cairns to see my new most favorite poem about metanoia: http://www.theotherjournal.com/article.php?id=808 (It’s quoted all the way down at the end)
Sean 12:55 am on June 27, 2009 Permalink
I’m going to have to check this book out. I’ve been caught by a conversation with a friend of mine from grad school who’s become an atheist. He use to be a part of a house church I had years ago. I never really put any time into him becuase I felt he was going a different direction than I was. I keep trying to listen to him for something to say that could be insightful. Instead I constantly feel illequiped.
Got a question for you, I remember Aquino’s systematics class where we did studies on religious ends. I’m hearing some of the same language here in your writing…i.e. that different faiths are going different directions. I get that, but does it ever come off to you like a consumerist perspective on our own faith. All we need to do is figure out what we are selling so we can market it better>? Maybe its just my own personal struggles here, it’s probably not what the author is trying to do. Certainly find out where we come from and are going is entirely important in a conversation. I’m just wondering how after finding out what we are about we can most faithfully go about giving out our treasure.