what is a christian devotional book and why do people read it?
Obviously, the original Christian devotional book is the Bible, particularly the Psalms which are full of praise to God.
But early in Christianity, believers sought to know and understand God through meditation and learning from others.
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To that end, teachers, monks, nuns, and even lay people began to write down their thoughts or reactions to the biblical text.
some used “devotionals” in a variety of formats to share their personal insights about god gleaned through their readings, prayers, and meditations.
devotionals are not theology (the study of god) or doctrine. Designed for individual believers to use in their personal worship of God, they help readers grow in their spiritual lives.
devotional books became more popular when books could be more easily produced and people could read.
the imitation of Christ
This is why one of the earliest and most enduring devotionals is Thomas à Kempis‘ The Imitation of Christ.
First written in Latin, around 1420, by a Catholic friar in the Netherlands, it was reprinted 744 times before 1650! It is the most translated book in history, apart from the Bible.
wikipedia describes it this way:
“the text is divided into four books, which provide detailed spiritual instructions: “useful advice on spiritual life”, “guidelines for the interior life”, “on interior consolation” and “on the most holy sacrament”. The approach taken in imitation is characterized by its emphasis on the interior life and estrangement from the world, as opposed to an active imitation of Christ by other friars. the book places a high level of emphasis on devotion to the eucharist as a key element of the spiritual life.”
other known devotionals
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Teresa de Ávila, mystic and nun, wrote a series of volumes, including El Castillo Interior, published in 1588.
Designed as a guide to spiritual development through service and prayer, it used a metaphor to foster spiritual development. According to Wikipedia, Teresa was inspired by a vision:
“his vision of the soul as a castle-shaped crystal globe containing seven mansions, which he interpreted as the path of faith through seven stages, ending in union with god.”
The Carmelite monk Saint John of the Cross wrote Dark Night of the Soul around the same time.
Another famous devotional that has stood the test of time is Brother Lawrence‘s Practicing the Presence of God.
John Bunyan’s Pilgrimage Progress is an example of devotional writing that is not a devotional. It is an allegory of the Christian life, but it does not focus the reader on how best to worship God.
Or at least that’s how I reacted to the book, written by Bunyan from jail in 1678.
latest devotionals
More modern Protestant devotionals adopted a slightly different format in the 19th and 20th centuries, generally targeting a specific Bible verse.
Examples of these types of devotionals would include Morning and Evening by Charles Spurgeon; oswald chambers’ my maximum for his highest; creeks in the desert by lettie cowman and living faith for catholics. the upper room has provided devotionals in a host of international languages for many years.
Devotionals should not usurp the Bible’s position in believers’ lives, but rather add to their worship experience. For years, I sat silently before God with three books: the Bible, My Best for His Greatest, and Stormie Omartian The Power of a Praying Wife.
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I read the Bible, God’s own word, to apply it to my life. my max for your tallest offers a short reading of 350 words based on a verse.
I used the power of a praying wife to pray for my husband: 30 different passages provided 30 different areas to pray, or one per day.
Devotionals themselves form only one corner of the Christian life. they cannot take the place of worshiping god, praying, reading and studying the bible.
They are just another aspect of the Christian life, a tool, and reading the wisdom of others is helpful.
If you read Christian devotionals, how do you read them and why?
Any favourites?
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