Growing into God: A Beginner's Guide to Christian Mysticism

For those interested in Christian Mysticism, this book is a must read. Many books cover Christian Mysticism by giving a history of thought or selected writings. This book not only gives a history of thought, but provides practical ways to engage in the tradition of Christian Mysticism. Every chapter is filled with at least a few stories about mystics throughout history that give context to the practice Marby covers in that chapter. Typically, the language associated with Christian Mysticism is lofty and difficult to navigate. This book navigates it well by using that language and expounding upon the tradition.The book is 287 pages long. However, the main section of the book (where Marby goes in depth about each "stage" of practicing Christian Mysticism) only covers 120 pages. The rest of the book is a series of appendices that expound on the subject. There is a question and answer section that has questions based on each chapter, a section on practicing, references, quotes, and spiritual development. The book, in that format, intends to be a reference that one can go back to. Personally, I would have loved if the content covered in the Q&A section was covered in the chapters of the greater part of the book. The content is good, but it would have been nice to read the content in the context of its chapter.Overall, I can not recommend this book enough, especially if you are becoming disenchanted with faith or Christianity.

I, like the author's students, find Evelyn Underhill worthwhile but dated and difficult. This book is to that classical mystic what Eugene Petersen's "The Message" is to the NIV version of the Bible. The first half of the book is a thorough, clear and entertaining exposition of the main characteristics of the Christian mystical experiences, various well-known mystics, their contributions to mysticism and the Christian experience and, where necessary, a "translation" into modern terminology. The second part of the book deals more directly with those about whom he speaks in the first half - quotations, techniques (for want of a better word) and stepping stones into the waters of the Divine Encounter.It is easy to read, but that does not make it superficial, even though the humour is robustly comical rather than intellectually witty. It doesn't pretend to be anything more than an introduction, but having read it, I have found I now have distinct signposts in the works of more erudite authors on this fascinating subject.

This is a great introduction to Christian Mysticism. Mabry is a fellow UCC Pastor like me who also happens to be a world traveler and mystic, so I have to back him up! Aside from that I will say that Mabry's writing is clear and well crafted. John gives a great summary of the broad brush strokes of the path of Christian Mysticism, making the path more accessible. This is an important work given that the classics of Christian Mysticism often feel obtuse and awkward for our times. John distills the classics with us in mind. I also appreciate his wonderful collection of quotes from the mystics in the back. Highly recommended! -Amos Smith (author of Healing The Divide: Recovering Christianity's Mystic Roots)

Good basic introduction for general readers. I first read this in its Kindle format, but thought it was well enough written to have a hard copy for notes and such. If one were running a Spiritual Director training program for laity, this would be an excellent small book to include in the introductory reading. Persons seeing themselves as "spiritual rather than religious" will get the point that the tools and approaches we use to reach toward The Lord in the West generally come out of our collective experience. Good book, and you may want to go on and buy it in hard copy and save your Kindle money for something else.

If you are inclined to seeing the world as the mystics do, this book provides a great guide to the paths that most people follow. It is easy to read while being greatly informative. The examples lend a human immediacy to the subject. A section of questions is available for each section that was drawn from the many students the author has had. I was surprised by how often my questions appeared. I guess the more intimate and personal we consider our concerns to be, the more universal they end up being.Highly recommended.

As a theology student, I love this book. Christian mysticism is a topic that really interests me, but has always felt so inaccessible until this book. The author does a fantastic job of explaining mysticism by staying true to the topic while also not sounding pretentious. A true blessing. Would recommend to anyone interested in this topic!

Heretical and disrespectful more than once-- and I'm not even a fundamentalist. It's fine to write about mysticism, but don't call it 'Christian mysticism' when you're going to mock Jesus and contradict the core tenants of your target audience. Mabry hugely lost credibility on his topic because of this. However, the quotes at the end are good.

John Mabry has taken some very complex concepts and put them into language for people who are relatively new to the mystical writings of people like John of the Cross, Theresa of Avila, and others who walked very closely with God.Mabry has chosen well from the writings of the mystics themselves to help the reader understand at more than a surface level.

Well written and an excellent introduction to the subject of mystic christianity. The main body of the book is followed by various appendices, Q&As, Quotes from historically known mystics etc. A bibliography of references or list of recommended further reading would be a useful addition.

Really good book.It really guided you in showing you the steps within mysticism. It also had useful common questions in helping you understand the process better.

A well written and easily understandable guide to Christian Mysticism.