Introduction to Spirituality
Cultivating a Lifestyle of Faithfulness
by Gary Tyra
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Pub Date 20 Jun 2023 | Archive Date 4 Jul 2023
Baker Academic & Brazos Press | Baker Academic
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Description
Gary Tyra is well known for his work in the field of Christian spirituality and has years of experience in the classroom and in the church. In this book, Tyra encourages us to adopt a Pauline lifestyle spirituality, whereby we keep in step with the Holy Spirit so that we might experience an ongoing mentoring relationship with the Son in order to faithfully and fruitfully engage in the mission of the Father. Keeping in step with the spirit unfolds in a "lifestyle spirituality," a collection of convictions, commitments, and customs that constitute the disciple's lifelong journey with the triune God.
This book is part of a new series that reflects the changing face of global Christianity. Series volumes are written by leading Pentecostal/Charismatic scholars who highlight themes of interest to Pentecostal/Charismatic students; however, the books are respectful, appreciative, and inclusive of a variety of church families and traditions. Series editors are Jerry Ireland, Paul W. Lewis, and Frank D. Macchia.
Advance Praise
“Gary Tyra’s accessible treatment of spiritual life in, with, and through the real person of Christ available by the Holy Spirit is a welcome addition to recent spiritual formation literature. Tyra’s account is grounded in theological, christological, and pneumatological realism. Tyra never loses sight of the idea that the spirituality of Jesus is a formational-missional spirituality for the sake of the world. Biblically grounded and theologically engaged, Tyra’s Introduction to Spirituality is an excellent resource for anyone interested in going deeper in Christian spiritual life.”—Steve L. Porter, senior research fellow and executive director, Martin Institute for Christianity and Culture, Westmont College; editor, Journal of Spiritual Formation and Soul Care
“Through his lucid and persuasive language, Gary Tyra masterfully engraves in his readers’ minds that true spirituality is biblically based, theologically sound, and essentially missional. Enjoying an ‘I-Thou’ relationship with God brings us to a transformed, God-honoring, and fruit-bearing lifestyle through the leading of the Spirit. This includes being mentored by the risen Lord to become like him before others. Tyra serves not just an appetizer but a full meal to his readers: inviting all to learn, introspect, and grow in their spiritual journey. I recommend this book to all who desire to live a life pleasing to God.”—Roji Thomas George, professor of New Testament, South Asia Institute of Advanced Christian Studies, Bangalore, India
“Gary Tyra offers his readers a biblically informed Christian spirituality that is thoroughly trinitarian. By weaving the idea of ‘keeping in step with the Spirit’ throughout the book, he invites readers to abide in and walk behind Christ in the power of the Spirit. This is what makes his proposal—which requires foundational convictions that produce a set of commitments that will, in the end, bring forth an array of customs of spirituality—theologically real. Far from being just a set of principles and rules, these components form a triadic continuous living cycle of developing roots, exhibiting shoots, and producing fruits.”—Florian M. P. Simatupang, lead pastor of IES Christ the King; Theology Faculty at Sekolah Tinggi Teologi Satyabhakti, Indonesia
Available Editions
| EDITION | Other Format |
| ISBN | 9781540965226 |
| PRICE | US$24.99 (USD) |
| PAGES | 208 |
Available on NetGalley
Featured Reviews
Douglas L, Reviewer
As the title says, this textbook is an introduction to spirituality, or more precisely, Christian spiritual formation. Dallas Willard once said that everyone is being formed spiritually in some way. Willard goes on to state that both "Terrorists as well as saints are the outcome of spiritual formation". The questions each Christian must ask themselves are "How am I being formed? and "In what way am I being formed?" The author's aim is to encourage the reader to intentionally engage in formational practices that seek to honor God through "the cultivation of a biblically informed Christian spirituality". Tyra approaches Christian spirituality from a position of theological realism that he summarises as God's real existence, which can be known and communicated adequately in human language.
The writer asserts that all forms of spirituality consist of three fundamental elements. These include core convictions or beliefs concerning the nature of God. These convictions give rise to a series of concepts (Tyra calls these "commitments") about how to please God. Consequently, they lead to a compilation of customs aimed at establishing a desired connection with God.
This book is not an easy read and there have been times I have felt that the author mislabeled some of his ideas to fit an alliterative pattern. For example, Tyra labelled one of the three elements of spirituality as "commitments" where they would be better described as "ideas" or "principles". That aside, I have been challenged by this book to think more deeply and intentionally about my spiritual formation. I have been encouraged to "keep in step with the Spirit" by cultivating a lifestyle marked by spiritual, moral, and missional faithfulness to God. Chapter 8 is where Tyra pulls all of his ideas together into a cohesive plan, and this is the high point of the book. I also really appreciated the list of recommended readings.
