Altar in the World, An: A Geography of Faith
Product Description
In her critically acclaimed Leaving Church (“a beautiful, absorbing memoir.”—Dallas Morning News), Barbara Brown Taylor wrote about leaving full-time ministry to become a professor, a decision that stretched the boundaries of her faith. Now, in her stunning follow-up, An Altar in the World, she shares how she learned to encounter God beyond the walls of any church. From simple practices such as walking, working, and getting lost to deep meditations on topics like prayer and pronouncing blessings, Taylor reveals concrete ways to discover the sacred in the small things we do and see. Something as ordinary as hanging clothes on a clothesline becomes an act of devotion if we pay attention to what we are doing … More >>
Altar in the World, An: A Geography of Faith
Post Footer automatically generated by Add Post Footer Plugin for wordpress.
Is this book worth reading? If you are tend to favor a liberal Catholic of secular focus on life, then this book with tickle your ears. Buy it.
If you belive in Truth with a capital “T”, if you understand the gospel and the work of Grace offered through Christ, if you know how to read your Bible and find Truth there, then this book will offer nothing to you. You already know that your peace is found in Christ and His matchless work for you on the cross. Contemplating the beauty of the sunset is wonderful, but knowing Christ and worshipping Him is far more beneficial.
Taylor looks to abolish the distinctions between sacred and secular,even between the idea of the spirit and the flesh. Taylor comments on her Christian experiences and traditions, but she is much more comfortable employing “truths” from the Buddhist Eight-Fold Path, the Muslim notion of pilgrimage, rabbinic wisdom from Judaism, or the Sufi mystic poet Rumi.
In this book she commends twelve spiritual practices. She writes one chapter each on vision, reverence, incarnation, groundedness, wilderness, community, vocation, sabbath, physical labor, breakthrough, prayer, and benediction. Taylor sees nothing different from a practicing Christ than a Muslim or Buddhist or deeply spiritual atheist
Rating: 1 / 5
I find myself not wanting the book to end. So many of the insites Barbara Brown Taylor has shared resonate with me.
Rating: 5 / 5
“An Altar in the World,” by Barbara Brown Taylor is a beautifully written “travelogue” of altars Taylor encounters in her spiritual life.
Rating: 5 / 5
I’m definitely a Barbara Brown Taylor groupie – I started with Leaving Church, Seeds of Matthew, etc…Bread of Angels is probably my all time favorite. This book definitely hits another 10. Her gift of insight and writing is unique and she uses it to bless all of us. If you work in an industry that requires long hours and has a tendency to drain you of who you are – than this book can definitely rejuvinate you! For business and ethical discussions, you also might enjoy “Business Ethics – Making a Life and not just a living” by Gene Ahner.
I just finished reading this book – will start it again tomorrow – along with Bread of Angels!
Rating: 5 / 5
Barbara Brown Taylor once again writes a book for getting in touch with what is missing in our lives. She explores different ways to reconnect with God’s creation and our response to it. She writes from her heart, and encourages us to open our eyes and hearts in the process. This book is a keeper!
Rating: 4 / 5