The Devout Life
The church in the Western world is largely faltering in its spiritual and missional vitality. There's a crisis of piety--or the devout life--heartfelt devotion to Christ and his cause. The Pietist movement of the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries grew into a revolutionary torrent of spiritual renewal that influenced the Moravians, the Methodists, the great awakenings, and global evangelicalism as we know it today. The Devout Life explores and expands on ten key features of Pietism to plunge the depths of spiritual renewal for today.
""Many great spiritual writers in Christian history were busy pastors and administrators. This ultimately depends upon the disposition of the heart--the orientation of the affective and controlling center of the self. Roger Helland passionately believes this still. Drawing upon the legacy of classic Pietism, he calls for a renewal of heartfelt, 'all-in' devotion to Christ and his mission in the world.""
--Glen G. Scorgie, Professor of Theology, Bethel Seminary San Diego
""Few books can both prick the Christian's conscience and compel the reader towards a deeper and more authentic relationship with God. Roger's appeal to historical Pietism and systematic application to modern discipleship stirs the heart and challenges the mind to move beyond intellectual and religious activity, to true intimacy with a living and loving God.""
--Tom Blackaby, Pastor and former International Director of Blackaby Ministries International
""Spiritual growth requires transformation of our heart as well as our head. In The Devout Life, Roger Helland encourages both, drawing on the history of the Pietist movement to affect both mind and will. This rich stream of historical insight brings fresh perspective to our contemporary interest in the spiritual disciplines.""
--Kenton C. Anderson, President, Northwest Baptist Seminary
""Sometimes there's a gap between a book's content and its author. Not here. Helland's prescription for the devout Christian life mines Scripture, Pietist and Puritan doctors alike, but also aligns with what I know to be Roger's deepest aspirations. May this prescription from a devoted disciple, a capable leader, and a competent scholar settle deeply into your heart as you read and the Spirit enables.""
--David Guretzki, Executive Vice President, Evangelical Fellowship of Canada
""Roger Helland has written an engaging and stirring call to actually live the sanctified life as described in Scripture and experienced and taught by holy men and women down throughout the ages, particularly those in the Pietist tradition. I heartily recommend it. If read and applied, it would lead to the cure for so much staleness and bondage in the lives of believers and to the experience of a deeper experience of the presence of Christ. He has made a rich offering, especially to the evangelical Christian.""
--Peter H. Davids, Visiting Professor, Houston Graduate School of Theology
Roger Helland is district minister of the Baptist General Conference in Alberta, Canada. His passion is to stimulate spiritual and missional renewal in the church. He is the author of six books including Magnificent Surrender (2012) and Missional Spirituality (2011) and serves as an adjunct instructor in several Bible colleges and seminaries. Roger and his wife Gail live near Calgary.
