Sacramental Life - by David A deSilva (Paperback)

About the Book

Using the "Book of Common Prayer," deSilva explores how Christians are spiritually formed by the sacraments of baptism, Eucharist, marriage, and last rites.

Book Synopsis

What happens when old meets new

As David deSilva has experienced the ancient wisdom of the Book of Common Prayer, he's been formed spiritually in deep and lasting ways. In these pages, he offers you a brand new way to use the Book of Common Prayer, that you too might experience new growth, new intimacy with God and a new lens through which to view the world.

Focusing on the four sacramental rites of baptism, Eucharist, marriage and burial, deSilva explores each one in depth through the prayers, liturgies and Scripture readings of the Book of Common Prayer, and then adds his own devotional exercises that help you immediately apply what you've reflected on. As you read and contemplate the material, you may notice old habits, wrong beliefs and negative patterns being replaced with new desires and perspectives that help you draw ever closer to God.

In this innovative and engaging resource David deSilva invites you in to a new way of being spiritually formed through an old book that has shaped thousands of disciples through the years. "I hope that, as you read and pray through this guide," he writes, "you will discover afresh the ways in which the rites contained in the Book of Common Prayer facilitate a genuine encounter with God, and a transforming experience of grace."

Review Quotes

"Sacramental Life bridges the gap between the Book of Common Prayer and daily life, making a helpful and substantial contribution to the ever-increasing number of pilgrims who desire a meaningful life with the prayer book."

--Julie Lane-Gay, Christian Century, March 24, 2009

"Sacramental Life is a fine exposition of the central sacramental experiences as found in the Book of Common Prayer, 1979 edition."

--Harry S., Book Bargains and Previews (bookbargainsandpreviews.com), June 2009

"A must-read for anyone who worships in a liturgical church, but will be edifying for Christians from any background. It is well suited for either individual or group study."

--James R. Hamrick, Bible Study Magazine, January/February 2009

"As a book of mediations this is a superb introduction to the BCP as a coherent spiritual approach to Christian spiritual life in all its breadth and depth, and will be of immense benefit to both those who are familiar with the BCP and those who know little or nothing of it."

--Robert D. Hughes, Journal of Spiritual Formation Soul Care

"Finally, there is a book that allows a breath of fresh air into the past and present. Trustworthy in intellect and inventive in practice."

--Worship Leader, October 2008

"First, deSilva does an unusually good job of communicating well and concisely. This, couple with the equally unusual feat of suggesting helpful practices at the end of each chapter makes this volume a great book to use in a small group or individual setting. The chapters are short, which make it a great daily read, and with 45 chapters, it is a great discipline for about a month and a half. If you know people who are curious about the Book of Common Prayer but altogether unfamiliar with it, this would be a decent place for them to start."

--Kyle Strobel, Theology Forum (theologyforum.wordpress.com), March 24, 2009

"Here liturgy is directly connected to our spiritual vitality, individually and communally. I can imagine this book not only being profitiable for individual spiritual growth, but any one of its four parts would form a useful resource for a study and reflection group."

--Liturgy (www.liturgy.co.nz), November 7, 2008

"In this innovative and engaging resource David deSilva invites you in to a new way of being spiritually formed through an old book that has shaped thousands of disciples through the years."

--www.wfn.org, June 2009

"The chapters in this book are short, and each has a section at the end titled "putting it into practice" giving an invitation to meditate on the material just read and to act on it."

--Rachel Wheeler, The Lamplighter, February 2009

"There is much to glean from deSilva's book. The practical applications are especially helpful. Some of them are tangible expressions that could serve as powerful object lessons in a pastoral setting."

--Trevin Wax, Discerning Reader (www.discerningreader.com), December 16, 2008

About the Author

David A. deSilva (PhD, Emory University) is Trustees' Distinguished Professor of New Testament and Greek at Ashland Theological Seminary in Ashland, Ohio. He is the author of over twenty-five books including Day of Atonement: A Novel of the Maccabean Revolt; Unholy Allegiances: Heeding Revelation's Warning; The Jewish Teachers of Jesus, James, and Jude; Introducing the Apocrypha: Context, Message and Significance; and Perseverance in Gratitude: A Socio-Rhetorical Commentary on the Epistle "to the Hebrews." He is also an ordained elder in the Florida Conference of the United Methodist Church.