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Christian devotional literature (also called devotionals or Christian living literature) is religious writing that Christian individuals read for their personal growth and spiritual formation.[1] Such literature often takes the form of Christian daily devotionals.[2] Original excerpts including the Book of Daniel and Leviticus derive from Ancient Roman (753 BC – 640 AD), Greek and Byzantine (395 AD – 1453 AD) culture – and encompass the past relationship of God's Law through the Old Testament. Though these are the most significant accounts, the majority of the literature comprises commentaries to the ever changing social and political reforms of human history – including the impact of censorship, persecution – the reign of Emperor Nero (54 AD – 68 AD) and Diocletian (284 AD – 305 AD) and martyrdom on Christian life through the ages (Gregory, 2001).[3]
The sources of devotional literature vary across society. Monks, priests and saints such as Agios Paisios (Άγιος Παΐσιος), St. Ephraim and Anthony the Great follow the Western interpretation of holistic commentary, with a focus on aspects of faith such as virtue as both secondary and primary sources; while scholars and philosophers such as Samara Levy (2001) and Christopher Kaczor (2021) break the religio-socio barrier by integrating Eastern, Arabic and international culture and ideologies.
- ^ George Thomas Kurian (2010). The Encyclopedia of Christian Literature, Volume 1. Scarecrow Press. ISBN 9780810869820. Retrieved 28 December 2011.
After the Bible, Christian devotional literature has provided the most popular and instructive kind of reading and guidance for believers. Most broadly considered, Christian devotional literature may be thought to encompass any inscribed verbal artifact employed to stimulate the production, sustenance, and direction of the unique interior Christian self, whether solely in relation to the divine or including also service to fellow believers, neighbor, and/or world.
- ^ Rainey, David (30 July 2008). Faith Reads: A Selective Guide to Christian Nonfiction. ABC-CLIO. p. 48. ISBN 978-1-59158-847-4.
- ^ Gregory, Brad S. (2001-11-15). Salvation at Stake: Christian Martyrdom in Early Modern Europe. Harvard University Press. ISBN 978-0-674-26406-9.