Introduction to Spirituality is one of the two debut books in Baker Academic’s “Foundations for Spirit-filled Christianity” series. The other is Frank Macchia’s Introduction to Theology. The goal of the series is to provide “high-quality introductory textbooks that include both global and Pentecostal streams of thought” (xi). They’ve hit the nail on the head with Gary Tyra’s volume.

Lifestyle spirituality rooted in a trinitarian realism is Tyra’s focus. God isn’t just an object of study, but the subject whom we encounter. Organized in three sections, complete with alliteration, Tyra considers the convictions, commitments, and customs of a Christian lifestyle spirituality.

The most significant part of this book for me was the missional emphasis. Many writers on spirituality become so focused on individual practices that they loose sight of God’s mission for the world. Tyra gives this subject full weight. He envisions disciples who keep in step with the Spirit, develop an ongoing mentoring relationship with the risen Christ, and participate in the ongoing mission of the Father to restore his creation.

I had the privilege of writing a full academic review of this volume for Pneuma. You don’t have to be an academic, however, to appreciate this book. It’s written in a causal tone, inviting novices to dig in and explore what the Pentecostal tradition has to say about spirituality.

Tyra, Gary. Introduction to Spirituality. Baker Academic, 2023. Foundations for Spirit-filled Christianity.