Tony Campolo and Mary Albert Darling, The God of Intimacy and Action: Reconnecting Ancient Spiritual Practices, Evangelism, and Justice. Jossey-Bass, 2008.
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LifeandLeadership.com Summary
The name Tony Campolo has long been associated with Christian social activism. In this book, he broadens this horizon by partnering with Mary Albert Darling, a long-time student and practitioner of the mystical spiritual practices. Together they provide insights and suggestions for integrating ancient spiritual practices with active ministry engagement through evangelism and social action.
A chief influence is the twelfth century monk, Francis of Assisi. Campolo’s appreciation for Francis stems from the fact that the spirituality he practiced “did not leave him out of the world…but rather engaged him with the world in ways that would make him a ceaseless evangelist for his Lord, a constant servant of the poor, and a lover of God’s creation.” (xiii). In this way, Campolo says, “Francis became my model for a Christian who combined the liftestyle of an evangelist with the commitments of an advocate for the lost and oppressed of the Earth.” (xiii) As he teamed with Mary Darling, she led him to appreciate not only Francis, but other Catholic spiritualists, such as Ignatius of Loyola. She helped Campolo “weave mystical spirituality, evangelism, and a broad sense of justice together into a seamless garment of ‘holistic spirituality.’” (xiv) Campolo adds that this same holistic approach is exemplified in Protestant historical figures such as John Wesley. Thus their book combines both Catholic and Protestant traditions of spirituality.
In Part One, “Knowing God Intimately, Where Christian Mysticism Can Take Us,” Campolo introduces the term “mystical spirituality” in a way that those not familiar with it or who have stereotyped it will be able to see its value in inspiring holistic Christian living. He attempts to connect mystical spirituality to transformation into the image of Christ as manifested by walking humbly with God, loving tenderly (interpersonal relationships and evangelism), and doing justice (Micah 6:8) as a functioning part of the body of Christ. This section includes separate chapters on evangelism and working for justice, showing the connection between mystical spirituality and these two vital expressions of Christian mission.
In Part Two, “Fueling Intimacy, The Mystical Path,” Mary Darling moves mystical spirituality beyond the stereotype of the ancient monastic communities into how they can help Christians deepen their awareness of God in every aspect of their lives. Her chapters encourage us to develop holy habits or spiritual practices, defined as anything done “intentionally, over time with regularity, with the goal of being formed into Christ-likeness, with the result (fruit) of growing in our love for God and others.” (77) She describes several of these practices, with emphasis on the Ignatian Prayer of Examen, Lectio Divina, Centering Prayer, and Committing to a Holistic Gospel, offering the most helpful developments on these practices to be found.
In Part Three, “Taking Intimacy With God Into the World,” provides excellent chapters on how to keep one’s spirituality in balance. In one chapter, the authors discuss how to avoid two temptations, narcissistic spirituality and spiritless service. This is followed by a chapter on how to connect intimacy and action, providing several examples of how other groups do this effectively.
This is an excellent blend of Christian spirituality, well-deserving of the title, “God of Intimacy and Action.” It helps to guard against shallow activism on one end and self-focused experientialism on the other.
From the Publisher
How can we grow closer to God and transform that intimacy into a healing presence in the world?
In The God of Intimacy and Action, beloved author and activist Tony Campolo teams up with spiritual director Mary Albert Darling to show how contemplative spiritual practices can lead to greater intimacy with God and fuel passion for reaching out to others through spreading the Good News and fostering justice for the poor and oppressed. The authors reveal why this combination is not only crucial but historical and is vividly demonstrated in the lives of saints such as St. Francis of Assisi, Ignatius of Loyola, and Catherine of Siena.
Campolo and Darling explain mystical spirituality and its practices and integrate them with evangelism and justice to illuminate what they call “holistic Christianity.” They suggest specific ways to nurture and energize one’s spirituality and show how to go beyond living a Christian life that merely emphasizes right beliefs and right behaviors. They encourage followers to develop a sense of personal unity with Christ that will compel them to help share Jesus’ message and mission in its totality. The ultimate goal is a unity with God that involves a connectedness with those around us—especially the lost, poor, and oppressed.
The God of Intimacy and Action is filled with contemporary examples of people who are experiencing the kind of mystical spirituality that empowers and inspires them to become true followers of Christ.
About the Authors
Tony Campolo is professor emeritus of sociology at Eastern University. Previously he served for ten years on the faculty of the University of Pennsylvania. Dr. Campolo is a media commentator on religious, social and political matters, and hosts the popular radio show From Across the Pond in England.
Mary Albert Darling, associate professor of communication at Spring Arbor University, is a Protestant who has been trained in spiritual direction in the Jesuit tradition.
***For additional information on this resource, including reviews, click the bookstore links. Check the reference at page top or the links below for resource guides on related topics.***
See Other Resource Guides on Christian Social Ministry:
- Social Ministry, Introduction
- Theological and Philosophical Foundations of Social Ministry
- Spirituality for Ministry of Social Compassion and Justice
- Strategies For Christian Social Ministry
- Perspectives and Strategies For Social Ministry Among the Urban Poor, Urban Ministry
- Christian Perspectives on Political Theory and Church-State Relations
- Christian Perspectives on Economics and Public Policy
- Evangelism