Between the Carnal and the Spiritual

Between the Carnal and the Spiritual explores how to recover the freshness of spiritual life when familiar practices no longer bring joy.How can we recover the meaning of going to church when it becomes a dry formality - or, worse, a chore? What resources can we turn to when worship has become a burden, prayer a mechanical repetition of words, and the spiritual life a rigid system of rules?Father Constantine Litvinenko, a priest and a university lecturer in physics and mathematics, draws on many years of pastoral experience and scientific awareness to address the inner crises often faced by long-term Christians.Building on themes in his earlier work, 'Where Do Inner Problems Come From and How Can They Be Overcome?', this new book speaks to readers who feel weary, confused, or spiritually adrift. It is addressed to anyone who wants to rediscover both inner vitality and their thirst for God.In an age shaped by the growing influence of psychology, many religious practices call for careful and sober reflection. Fr Constantine challenges distorted notions of humility such as self-abasement or a fear-of-punishment-driven view of God which stand at odds with the Gospel. He seeks to dissolve rigid or authoritarian expressions of faith which can create anxiety, fear, and spiritual exhaustion. The Church, he argues, is called to proclaim joy, love, and inner freedom, not irrational guilt or fear of punishment.This is a book for those who want to rediscover the clear inner direction arising from God’s presence - and the joy this will bring.