Richard H. Schmidt

This book is a compilation of twenty-nine "thinkers and spiritual guides" that have shaped the Episcopal Church. The majority worshiped, preached, wrote or taught within the Church of England, such as Thomas Cramner, Richard Hooker, and John Wesley while others, including William Porcher DuBose, Madeleine L'Engle, and Desmond Tutu operated in other regions of the Anglican Communion, respectively the United States and South Africa. Each luminary in the book includes a short spiritual show more biography, excerpts from their own writings, and questions for self-reflection or group discussion. Although this book was conceived for those new to the Episcopal Church, it is also a good introduction or review who have been worshipers for years. show less

A fresh, readable introduction to Christian spirituality, God Seekers brings to life thirty-three spiritual masters from throughout Christian history.

NCLA Review - Richard Schmidt, editor and director of Forward Movement Publication, has done us all a favor with this work. God Seekers, an overview of twenty centuries of Christian spirituality, focuses on thirty-two personalities as exemplars of their times. Moving seamlessly from Augustine of Hippo to John Bunyan, from English Mysticism to Feminist Spirituality, Schmidt writes an essay reflecting on each movement, and then uses the individual's own words to "flesh it out." With a Foreword show more by Phyllis Tickle, and a lengthy Introduction by the author, this volume includes a helpful index and copious quotations. This is more a reference work than anything else, and is meant to be sampled rather than to be read straight through. With all of that in mind, this would be a valuable addition to any church's and/or pastor's library. Rating: 4 —WS show less

Profiles twenty-nine Anglicans over the past five hundred years, including John Donne, George Herbert, Desmond Tutu, and Madeleine L'Engle, The latter wrote, "Had Mary been filled with reason there'd have been no room for the child." And she quotes another saying, "God must be very great to have created a world which carries so many arguments against His existence." MAY 2004