The Art of Holiness
In "The Art of Holiness," we explore practical holiness, supernatural ministry, and intergenerational encouragement. We talk with practitioners who are innovating in these areas, and often Carolyn will invite a next-generation co-host to join her for the learning.
The Art of Holiness
Keith Jagger
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Dr. Keith Jagger is a university chaplain, Dean of Christian Formation and Assistant Professor of Biblical Studies at John Brown University — a private Christian university in Arkansas. Dr. Jagger provides leadership for the ongoing spiritual growth of the university community. He holds a masters degree in New Testament from Asbury Theological Seminary (which I mention so I can give Asbury a shout-out) a certificate in Formative Spirituality from Epiphany Academy (led by Dr. Susan Muto) and a PhD in Early Christianity from the University of St Andrews, where N.T. Wright was his advisor. We’re talking with Dr. Jagger about Thomas Merton, the 20th century Trappist monk who lived as a resident of the Abbey of Gethsemane in Kentucky for 27 years and as a willing hermit for the final three years of his life.
Thomas Merton was devoted to contemplative prayer and mysticism, always seeking a more direct, wordless communion with God. He wrestled with the Jesus prayer, which we’ll explore in another episode, and with uncertainty and humility and trust. This is what led him to write what we now call Merton’s Prayer of Unknowing, published in his book, Thoughts in Solitude.