Introduction to Spirituality
Cultivating a Lifestyle of Faithfulness
About
This introduction explores Christian spirituality as a pursuit of the global church today. It encourages students to adopt a lifestyle spirituality, which involves relational intimacy with the triune God.
Gary Tyra is well known for his work in the field of Christian spirituality and has years of experience in the classroom and in the church. In this book, Tyra encourages us to adopt a Pauline lifestyle spirituality, whereby we keep in step with the Holy Spirit so that we might experience an ongoing mentoring relationship with the Son in order to faithfully and fruitfully engage in the mission of the Father. Keeping in step with the spirit unfolds in a "lifestyle spirituality," a collection of convictions, commitments, and customs that constitute the disciple's lifelong journey with the triune God.
This book is part of a new series that reflects the changing face of global Christianity. Series volumes are written by leading Pentecostal/Charismatic scholars who highlight themes of interest to Pentecostal/Charismatic students; however, the books are respectful, appreciative, and inclusive of a variety of church families and traditions. Series editors are Jerry Ireland, Paul W. Lewis, and Frank D. Macchia.
Series Preface
Introduction
Part 1: The Convictions (Root) of a Christian Lifestyle Spirituality
1. The Trinitarian Realism That Underwrites a Lifestyle Spirituality
2. Getting There from Here: Paul's "I-Thou" Spirituality
Part 2: The Commitments (Shoot) of a Christian Lifestyle Spirituality
3. Keeping in Step with the Spirit: Merely Nice or Utterly Necessary?
4. An Ongoing Mentoring Relationship with Jesus? Yes Please!
5. A Missional Faithfulness and Spirituality: You Gotta Commit!
Part 3: The Customs (Fruit) of a Christian Lifestyle Spirituality
6. Really Praying without Ceasing: Who Knew?
7. Taking Abiding in Christ to the Next Level
8. Completing the Circuit: Forging a Missional Spirituality
9. All the Spiritual Disciplines: Not Just Any Engagement Will Do!
Conclusion
Suggested Readings
Indexes
Endorsements
"Gary Tyra's accessible treatment of spiritual life in, with, and through the real person of Christ available by the Holy Spirit is a welcome addition to recent spiritual formation literature. Tyra's account is grounded in theological, christological, and pneumatological realism. Tyra never loses sight of the idea that the spirituality of Jesus is a formational-missional spirituality for the sake of the world. Biblically grounded and theologically engaged, Tyra's Introduction to Spirituality is an excellent resource for anyone interested in going deeper in Christian spiritual life."
Steve L. Porter, senior research fellow and executive director, Martin Institute for Christianity and Culture, Westmont College; editor, Journal of Spiritual Formation and Soul Care
"Through his lucid and persuasive language, Gary Tyra masterfully engraves in his readers' minds that true spirituality is biblically based, theologically sound, and essentially missional. Enjoying an 'I-Thou' relationship with God brings us to a transformed, God-honoring, and fruit-bearing lifestyle through the leading of the Spirit. This includes being mentored by the risen Lord to become like him before others. Tyra serves not just an appetizer but a full meal to his readers: inviting all to learn, introspect, and grow in their spiritual journey. I recommend this book to all who desire to live a life pleasing to God."
Roji Thomas George, professor of New Testament, South Asia Institute of Advanced Christian Studies, Bangalore, India
"Gary Tyra offers his readers a biblically informed Christian spirituality that is thoroughly trinitarian. By weaving the idea of 'keeping in step with the Spirit' throughout the book, he invites readers to abide in and walk behind Christ in the power of the Spirit. This is what makes his proposal--which requires foundational convictions that produce a set of commitments that will, in the end, bring forth an array of customs of spirituality--theologically real. Far from being just a set of principles and rules, these components form a triadic continuous living cycle of developing roots, exhibiting shoots, and producing fruits."
Florian M. P. Simatupang, lead pastor of IES Christ the King; Theology Faculty at Sekolah Tinggi Teologi Satyabhakti, Indonesia
Praise for the Foundations for Spirit-Filled Christianity series
"The church and academy are finally ready for Foundations for Spirit-Filled Christianity, which relays the insights and perspectives of mature Pentecostal and Charismatic theologians and biblical scholars on a broad array of important theological topics, doctrinal loci, and practical realities. Pentecostal theologians from around the world are now ready to speak in their own accents in ways that will benefit the church catholic."
Amos Yong, professor of theology and mission, Fuller Theological Seminary
"I am amazed at how North American and European Christians continue to ignore the dramatic changes in global Christianity. These changes are not insignificant. They call for serious revisions in the Christian mission, ecumenism, and theological training. One of the most dramatic shifts has been the rapid rise of Pentecostal/Charismatic spirituality. It is safe to say that in all forms of the global church--Protestant, Roman Catholic, and Orthodox--people are increasingly seeing themselves as Spirit-filled believers. Unfortunately, colleges and seminaries often lack textbooks that address these changes. This series, Foundations for Spirit-Filled Christianity, is a timely intervention, one that will certainly help to fill this gap."
Cheryl Bridges Johns, director of the Global Pentecostal House of Study and visiting professor, United Theological Seminary
"The Foundations for Spirit-Filled Christianity series rightly identifies the pivotal role of Pentecostal and Charismatic Christianity in shaping tomorrow's global Christianity and addresses the shortage of resources for training future leaders. The titles of the series will serve this Christian family's continuing growth by providing textbooks for its theological education."
Wonsuk Ma, dean, College of Theology and Ministry, Oral Roberts University
The Author
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Gary Tyra
Gary Tyra (DMin, Fuller Theological Seminary) is professor of biblical and practical theology at Vanguard University of Southern California. An ordained minister with the Assemblies of God, he has served as the senior pastor for three churches over a...
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