David Steindl-rast - Faith beyond Belief: Spirituality for Our Times

The effect of reading this book is extraordinary. Theres a sense of warmth and intimacy here that is often lacking in more systematic presentations of theology. Its like being invited to pull up a chair at the breakfast room table where two wise and gentle monks are having a conversation, pondering the deepest thoughts of their hearts. Their conversation draws on insights from the enduring religions of the world as well as from psychology, philosophy, and poetry. But it is all grounded in the real stuff of ordinary, human life. Brother David and Father Anselm delve deeply into places of the human heart that every reader knows well, and you might find yourself marvelling at how well they seem to know and embrace you. The words conversation and conversion share a common rootone conveys friendly intimacy and the other conveys dramatic power. This book conveys both.

The Reverend Gary D. Jones

Rector of St. Stephens Episcopal Church

Richmond, Virginia

What an inspiring book! I feel humbled and greatly enriched by discovering the pearls of wisdom revealed in these challenging conversations. We meet two spiritual masters speaking from the depths of their hearts and a wealth of experience. The deepest insights of spiritual life are presented here with so much discernment, beauty, and love as well as great simplicity. They open up the treasures of faith beyond all well-worn doctrines, rituals, and beliefs by concentrating on the heart of religion, its life-giving energies, and its eternal message of trust and hope. This book is a precious gift, a real treasure. Let us hope that it will be discovered by many people and give them a deep sense of trust, strength, and joy.

Ursula King

University of Bristol, England

This is an extraordinary conversation between two of the most eloquent voices in contemporary Benedictine monasticism. Br. David, whose poetic, prophetic rearticulation of ancient truths has inspired believers and nonbelievers across the globe, and Fr. Anselm, with his prodigious output of practical down-to-earth monastic spirituality, invite us into an intimate colloquy that at times is nothing short of breathtaking in its vision of and for Christianity.

Cyprian Consiglio, OSB Cam.

Author of Spirit, Soul, Body

Faith beyond Belief reawakens the ancient form of monastic writing known as a chapter: brief, condensed writing on a host of topics. Together these two revered, spiritual masters from the Benedictine tradition offer reflections and guidance on the deep-tissue, spiritual topics of our day. Their reflections shimmer with wisdom as they traverse the pathless path of prayer with poise and proclaim it in perfect pitch. Readers will find their gratitude expanding into canyons of receptive reverence for the wisdom and perspective that David Steindl-Rast and Anselm Grn, each in his own way, offer to each one of us.

Martin Laird

Author of Into the Silent Land and A Sunlit Absence

Readers are treated in Faith beyond Belief to a unique opportunity to be a fly on the wall and listen in on a thought-provoking series of discussions between two of the greatest spiritual writers of our time. This volume presents a wide-ranging array of timely theological, spiritual, and cultural themes that will not leave those already familiar with David Steindl-Rast and Anselm Grn disappointed. Those new to their creative and original engagement with faith, tradition, and dialogue will surely find this a welcome entre to their respective works.

Daniel P. Horan, OFM

Catholic Theological Union

Author of The Franciscan Heart of Thomas Merton: A New Look at the Spiritual Inspiration of His Life, Thought, and Writing

Faith beyond Belief presents a compelling blend of scholarly and practical insights, grounded in ancient traditions and texts while also providing fresh approaches to meaning-making in a diverse and global society. The wide-ranging dialogue explores the basic values found at the heart of all religionsgratitude, courage, self-knowledge, forgiveness, compassioneach one oriented toward sustaining positive human relationships. The authors excel at illuminating nuances when they encounter points of tensionfrom exploring the hidden value of suffering, to reconciling the goals of self-acceptance and self-mastery, to navigating religious and nonreligious approaches to social justice and environmental crises. The result is an impassioned and inspirational book that calls for each of usno matter our belief systemto connect with the heart of what it means to be human. And furthermore, it points to practical steps toward this noble aim.

Geshe Lobsang Tenzin Negi, PhD

Director of the Emory-Tibet Partnership at Emory University

Cover design by Ann Blattner. Cover photo: Father Anselm Grn and Brother David Steindl-Rast in conversation at the Abbey of Mnsterschwarzach. Johannes Kaup / Vier-Trme-Verlag.

This work was originally published in German as Das Glauben Wir. Copyright 2015 by Vier Trme GmbH-Verlag, Mnsterschwarzach.

Scripture texts in this work are taken from the New Revised Standard Version Bible, 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

2016 by Order of Saint Benedict, Collegeville, Minnesota. All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form, by print, microfilm, microfiche, mechanical recording, photocopying, translation, or by any other means, known or yet unknown, for any purpose except brief quotations in reviews, without the previous written permission of Liturgical Press, Saint Johns Abbey, PO Box 7500, Collegeville, Minnesota 56321-7500. Printed in the United States of America.

The Library of Congress has cataloged the printed edition as follows:

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Names: Grn, Anselm, author. | Steindl-Rast, David, author.

Title: Faith beyond belief : spirituality for our times : a conversation / David Steindl-Rast and Anselm Grn ; edited by Johannes Kaup ; translated by Linda M. Maloney.

Other titles: Glauben Wir. English

Description: Collegeville, Minnesota : Liturgical Press, 2016. | Includes bibliographical references.

Identifiers: LCCN 2016007165 (print) | LCCN 2016015434 (ebook) | ISBN 9780814647134 (pbk.) | ISBN 9780814647387 (ebook)

Subjects: LCSH: SpiritualityChristianity. | Theology.

Classification: LCC BV4501.3 .G79513 2016 (print) | LCC BV4501.3 (ebook) | DDC 248dc23

LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2016007165