News

Entempling: A Resource for Devotions and Quiet Times and gatherings for Contemplative Prayer

Edited and adapted by Blake Burleson and Michael Sciretti, Jr.
Paperback
$20.00
Order

In recent years, Christians from diverse denominational backgrounds are employing forms of contemplative prayer in their reflections and devotions. Some Baptists are incorporating elements of these prayer forms into their collective and personal expressions of worship and study. This resource book, edited and adapted by Baptist ministers Blake Burleson and Michael Sciretti, Jr., includes prayers and meditations from Baptist theologians, writers, pastors, lay leaders, and social advocates which reflect a primary calling to a devotional, unitive, or transformative experience in the Divine Presence. The original writings have been edited and adapted for public reading in contemplative worship or for private reading for devotional quiet.

From John Bunyan to Roger Williams to Martin Luther King, Jr., these Baptist voices include American, Canadian, English, German, and South African men and women from the past four centuries. This resource is particularly anchored by five lesser-known Baptists: Gerrard Winstanley, Anne Dutton, Henry Alline, Muriel Lester, and Howard Thurman.

Themes of divine companionship and communion, the cultivation of an interior focus, and resting in the inner chamber of the heart are evident throughout the voices of these men and women. Using the Jewish Temple as a basic framework, the readings take one on an inward-outward journey through the movements of conversion, invocation, illumination, communion, and reconciliation. Included at the end are two templets for crafting a personal or corporate experience of contemplative prayer using readings from the book.

"The editors have plumbed a shimmering tradition and come up with a handful of spiritual jewels of various ages and hues. This book, which will find its place on many bedside tables, should be a helpful aid to persons of all denominations."
Harvey Cox,
Hollis Research Professor of Divinity,
Harvard University

"It has been suggested that for Baptists conversion is the end of the spiritual life. Burleson and Sciretti show that indeed conversion is the end—the front end. In this wonderful resource we are led by saints from the Baptist family on a pilgrimage that is contemplative and active as well as communal and personal. Those who join them will learn that though the spiritual journey may begin with conversion, it does not stop there."
Curtis W. Freeman,
Research Professor of Theology
Director of the Baptist House of Studies,
Duke University Divinity School

Invocations

Edited by Lynn Bauman
Paperback
$20.00
Order

This resource for contemplative prayer is being made available for individuals in their private life of contemplative prayer, but more especially for leaders of contemplative prayer gatherings. In it are multiple sections with guidelines, instructions, templates and examples for the use of Acclamations, Chants, Prayers, Canticles, Liturgies of Morning and Evening Prayer and Eucharistic celebrations, and finally, a sections on Blessings. Each section contains extensive material collected and edited specifically for use among those who are experiencing and exploring the many dimensions of contemplative prayer. This and its companion volume Recitations are twin-wire spiral bound. The editor for this volume is Lynn C Bauman. Order directly from Praxis. $20.00.

A companion volume of sacred poetry as "private readings for public prayer" (Recitations) is also available for personal and corporate use. Order from Praxis. $20.00

Spiritual Commentary on The Gospel of Thomas: In Trouble and In Wonder, Vol. II (Logia 44-71)

This is the second volume of Lynn C. Bauman's series In Trouble and In Wonder, a commentary on the Gospel of Thomas. The commentary is based upon his translation of the Gospel of Thomas published by White Cloud Press.

Order - available from cafepress.com

The Luminous Gospels: Thomas, Mary Magdalene, and Philip

by Lynn C. Bauman, Ward J. Bauman, and Cynthia Bourgeault
Paperback (7"x9")
$20.00
Order

The extraordinary discovery of the Nag Hammadi Library and other early Christian documents over the last century has sparked a revolution of understanding. We can now imagine the possibility of moving from the Christian Gospel as dogmatic tradition about Jesus, to the teachings of Jesus as a wisdom tradition. That is truly "good news." These early texts give us another view, one that is luminous with insight. Open these pages and enter a new world of early perennial wisdon. As you enter their world, you are invited into a way of knowing that is essential for receiving the gift of wisdom.

Ancient Songs Sung Anew - New Small Edition

by Lynn C. Bauman
Paperback (5"x8")
$15.00
Order

This concise edition of just the Psalms themselves, without notes or meditations, is small enough to be carried for personal use. It contains the same poetic translation as the larger text in a beautiful new font and cover that complements the original text. These songs and prayers are the heart-felt cries of men and women as they journey across the troubled landscape of our world.

Love is Stronger than Death: The Mystical Union of Two Souls

by Cynthia Bourgeault
Paperback
Publisher: PRAXIS (January 2008)
$16.95
Order

"Sacred tradition is full of stories that illustrate the ongoing transcendent communion across the spiritual body of humanity, which in Christianity is called 'The Communion of the Saints.' There is a thin line between life and death, the living and the so-called 'dead'. We imagine it to be a chasm, but it is not. In the Islamic world such an intimate and deep communion existed between Jalaluddin Rumi and Shams-i Tabrizi prior to and following Shams' disappearance and death. Like Rumi and Shams, the communion between Rafe and Cynthia was a true 'conversation of the heart' (sohbat) that continues to this day. We are privileged to listen in."

- Lynn C. Bauman, Author of The Gospel of Thomas: Wisdom of the Twin

Spiritual Commentary on The Gospel of Thomas: In Trouble and In Wonder, Vol. I (Logia 1-43)

This is a new and extensive spiritual commentary on the wisdom tradition of the Gospel of Thomas. A number of recent commentaries have focused on the historical-critical issues concerning the text of the Gospel. The focus of this commentary, however, is primarily upon the inner meaning of Yeshua's teaching found in Thomas and the way in which women and men in the contemporary world may use that teaching as a guide in the learning of wisdom. It is constructed as a multi-layered and interactive text which allows a person to enter into it at many different levels. This is the first of three volumes of the commentary and is based upon Lynn Bauman's translation of the Gospel of Thomas published by White Cloud Press.

Order - available from cafepress.com

More books offered by Praxis >>

PRAXIS offerings:

• Resources which can be used as companions or guides for spiritual life within the contemplative tradition of Christianity.
  
  
• Texts, curricula and materials for clergy and lay mentors for instruction and study in the practice of spirituality in daily life.
  
  
• Articles and information about Christian spirituality that honors the Christian faith tradition and also recognizes and receives wisdom from other traditions and faiths.
  
  
• Retreats and seminars which are available as learning opportunities in various locations supported by Praxis.

We believe you will find these products and opportunities not only helpful, but reflective of qualities that value substance and content over the mass marketing of Christianity and an over-simplification of the sacred. The purpose of our work is to draw people to a practice of the spiritual path while providing nourishment for inner growth and transformation.