Thomas Merton and Henri Nouwen: Spiritual Guides for the 21st Century

The fact is, both Thomas Merton and Henri Nouwen have been profiled in great depth. What more can you expect to learn by studying them side-by-side? This series answers that question without hesitation: much more.

Masterfully crafted by their biographer, Thomas Merton and Henri Nouwen: Spiritual Guides for the 21st Century folds Dr. Michael W. Higgins’ (Ph.D., York University) years of dedicated research, writing, and teaching into a single, spiritually edifying series. In 12 scholarly lectures, you will take turns examining Thomas Merton’s and Henri Nouwen’s life and legacy. Fluent in each, Dr. Higgins effortlessly navigates intricate philosophy and devastating self-honesty—hallmarks of both men—bringing you to the heart of Merton’s and Nouwen’s fascinating idiosyncrasies and their unique articulations of spirituality for our contemporary secular culture.

Whether this is your first introduction to spiritual masters Thomas Merton (1915-1968) and Henri Nouwen (1932-1996) or the culmination of your separate interest in each, the information, insight, experience, and sheer level of enthusiasm that Dr. Higgins brings to the table makes this particular discussion of Merton and Nouwen—jointly—extremely distinctive if not outright unique.

By gleaning the holiness of Nouwen and Merton (especially in their diaries), Dr. Higgins ushers you into the hallowed landscape so exquisitely mapped by these two twentieth-century pioneers. As a person of faith, you will find the unity and meaning you crave in their brave examples.