Reviews of Jeanne Guyons Book Experiencing the Depths of Jesus Christ

Experiencing the Depths of Jesus Christ is a classic arroyo to wistful prayer. It'due south shaped by a longing to feel the indwelling spousal relationship of God. Written in the 1700's, it was banned by the church, and Jeanne Guyon was imprisoned. The sheer impact of Madame Guyon's approach throughout the centuries at least demands our attending. John Wesley, Count Zinzendorf, Fenelon, Hudson Taylor, Watchman Nee. They were all influenced by this unassuming little pamphlet.

Experiencing the Depths of Jesus Christ (EDJC) sounds like a devotional, however it functions like a manual–with progressive steps, each leading to new levels of experiential maturity. That was the greatest depict for me—few books on prayer are written with such practical vitality. Guyon's entire premise is based on experiencing spousal relationship with Christ, so the subsequent chapters involve some added measure of give up. I found myself easily drawn to her way of writing. It felt less like a theological exploration of prayer, and more like sitting at the feet of an older adult female education me to pray. There were several chapters where I had to put the book downward and exercise what I read. Some of her instructions were as rich every bit they were simple, and I would get stuck on ane folio for several days, enjoying the journey those few words would take me. I think the power in this book prevarication partially in its audience. Guyon is clear in the intial chapters that she is writing to people who don't know how to pray—basically illiterate believers of her time. I think it acquired her to trim the fat, so to speak. What'due south left is a powerful instance of contemplative-mode praying.

At times, her terminology has a Roman Catholic feel. This makes sense, every bit Guyon is plain a Roman Catholic. I tend to veer away from Catholic books on contemplation. A Catholic might practice the aforementioned discipline as observed by a Protestant, and nonetheless with entirely different motivations. Cosmic contemplatives often practice spiritual disciplines believing that their asceticism will touch their salvation in a positive way. Protestants firmly reject this. Nosotros engage spiritual disciplines, assertive that all we receive from God we receive by grace. So the purpose of the disciplines is not to twist God'due south arm, but to posture our restless hearts to experience his grace. That lone is a big departure between these 2 theological titans, and reason alone tomore often than notreject Catholic books on contemplation. I think this is a healthy apprehension, summarized best by the late Lutheran theologian, John W. Doberstein,

It is non true that prayers and books of devotion, even the and then-called "classics of devotion," can exist used indiscriminately. Many of them are infused with a mystical tradition which is completely alien to the gospel and tin only be disruptive to the evangelical user of them. Prayer and liturgy are realized dogma, doctrine which is prayed; but if the doctrine is false, putting it into the form of devotion does non make it whatsoever less false. The Roman Catholic forms of spiritual exercises tin can never be a pattern for us, though they have crept into many popular Protestant manuals and discussions of prayer and meditation. The difference that separates us is that all Roman Cosmic meditation rests upon the dogmatic assumption of synergism. (The Minister's Prayer Book, Xiv-15)

The Catholic influence lonely would put up my defenses with this volume, but Guyon kept evading many of my fears. In sure places she spoke of God'due south gracious sovereignty with such audacity, that I really began to wonder if she was a closet Calvinist! For instance, she asserts, "You can be certain you lot would never consent [to union with Christ] if it were non that God takes it upon Himself to act upon you…God must take responsibleness for bringing homo into wedlock with Himself" (130-131).

I wonder if it were quotes like–usurping the works-based theology of the Catholic church–that resulted in her imprisonment. I can certainly empathize. She said many things that initially rubbed me the wrong way. But was I merely biased and unteachable? And so I tried to read it with an open, but discerning mind merely to be sure. Unfortunately, some books have so much to "discern" that I wonder if they are worth reading at all! Notwithstanding, with EDJC, I'thou torn. If it's the case that Guyon was veering from her Roman Catholic roots, my opinion of this book would change drastically, and I would experience free to recommend it. At the moment, I don't think I could requite this book to a believer who was weak in their organized religion, or lacked audio theology or discernment. It'due south i of those. Only for Christians who have been trained with discernment, at that place are few books on prayer that were as heady for me to wade through every bit this. It may be worth the endeavor for you.

Overall, it was refreshing. It is leaps and bounds more impactful than many modernistic books that opine for capacity on end almost the technique and beauty of prayer without ever actually praying.

My final verdict: continue with both caution and curiosity.

Get the book on Amazon.

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Source: https://christopherlazo.wordpress.com/2014/12/15/book-review-experiencing-the-depths-of-jesus-christ-guyon/

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