Comments on: Why I Don't Think Too Much of "Spiritual Formation"

By: Steve

Steve — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 12:49:14 +0000

Michael,

Very good information. Only 1 item that was unclear: What brand of cigarette do you smoke?

By: Ed kratz

Ed kratz — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 12:26:48 +0000

Michael, I know the feeling you have as stated:

“For me, listening to and reading books of this genre is like listening to an organ. I know, you love the organ. I don’t. I can’t stand it. It drains all the life out of me. I only have enough breath to make it though half a sentence in each song and the sentences are not long”

That is exactly how I feel when listening to U2!

I think you bring up some good points in the post and what is interesting is that similar objections come from many in the ’spiritual formation’ arenas when you ask them to come study theology with you.

Let’s face it, there are those who are overzealous in what it is they promote. There is a need for spiritual formation, and ideally it would include theological study as a vital part of it.

For many believers the need to have structure in their Christian walk is just as strong as other believers need to have flexibility.

A good morning routine can be vital to those working a 9-5 job as it helps them focus themselves on the Lord before they go out and face their daily grind. I know for myself starting the day with prayer, meditation, and bible reading sets me on the right path for my day, but left to my own devices I tend to slip in the spiritual exercises if not involved with others to help encourage me, and hold me to some form of accountability.

By: Selah

Selah — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 08:36:40 +0000

Just read your posting! Wow! To paraphrase the words of someone else somewhere: “Lord, I thought I was the only one!” Thanks, Michael!

By: Susan

Susan — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 16:25:33 +0000

I appreciate Michael’s thoughts here. While it’s certainly valuable to be a student of the Word, and have a vital, prayerful relationship with God, I think that Michael’s cautions are valid. Leave it to us sinners to take a good thing and corrupt it in some way. It’s not good to develop a monk-like mentality….that there is some great virtue in ’spiritual isolation’. It’s good to find a quiet place to read and pray and memorize scripture, but if this isolation is taken too far…. to the extent that a person somewhat selfishly withdraws from those they should rightfully serve and care for…that’s where it goes too far. As Alexander (above) and others have said, our relationship with Christ, as it develops and transforms us, will bear fruit among others….. loving, self-sacrificial serving and opening our mouths to tell other’s about Jesus.

By: Alexander M. Jordan

Alexander M. Jordan — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 20:22:33 +0000

Michael,

As always, a thought-provoking post. I too have strong reservations about spiritual formation, feeling like it may lead either to a kind of mysticism not advocated in Scripture or a legalistic and ultimately unhelpful approach to spiritual growth.

I suppose some of the disciplines described by authors like Foster or Willard could be helpful– it’s been a while since I have looked at their stuff.

And of course, it does take discipline to be a disciple. Discipline is hard because we are sinners and in our flesh we do not naturally want to submit to God nor draw closer in relationship with Him.

We should follow in the way of our Lord Jesus who spent much time in prayer and fasting not as an end it itself but to draw strength and direction as He ministered to others. And of course He lived and breathed Scripture! So prayer, true knowledge and application of Scripture, faith-filled obedience expressing itself in love to others, are all modeled in the life of our Savior.

Whatever disciplines we use, they must help us to love each other with the love of God– so that we become extensions of His love to others. Mystical spiritual experience, busyness in service or theological/intellectual learning that isn’t motivated by love or expressing itself in love is worthless, a clanging cymbal (1 Cor 13:1).

The disciplines we use ought to be those Jesus modeled, but not in a legalistic way. The key test is: Am I growing more Christ-like in my obedience to God, so that I am loving Him and others as He did? This is the standard by which I ought to judge my spiritual progress (John 13:34).

By: John Carroll

John Carroll — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 09:14:59 +0000

…’they continued steadfastly in the apostle’s doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.’ (Acts 2:42) I guess this would be the core of what is now being called spiritual discipline. Notice how it is ‘other-centered.’ My problem is not with spiritual formation programmes, as such, but rather the individualistic mentality that permeates such undertakings. In other words, just as I should watch what I eat, and exercise regularly for the health of my body, so I should do this and this and this for the health of MY soul. This rugged individualism which permeates so much of our Western culture is firmly entrenched in the way we go about being more like Christ. But from the very first, the disciples were a community, a body, a building, where each needed the other. I have built a couple of barns. Doubtless if nails and timbers as individuals could talk, they would be saying “Ouch!” a lot. But when it is all complete, I can’t think of one nail or one piece I would take out. Can one nail or one timber go about and say “I am the barn?” How we need each other!

By: Joshua Allen

Joshua Allen — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 18:13:06 +0000

Good post. You make a good case against the “How-To Manual” approach to discipleship.

I personally enjoyed “The Fulfillment of All Desire”, for giving great encouragement and wisdom about discipleship without being too prescriptive or “one size fits all”.

@Paul – Prayer is certainly mandated for the believer. But you are making a good overall point.

By: Ishmael

Ishmael — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 11:10:12 +0000

It’s totally off the subject but you have coined a quotable quip with “I would have rather somked a pack of cigarettes …”. I will certainly be reusing it — with attribution of course.

By: Paul

Paul — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 01:18:49 +0000

Dave Z…
Thanks for reading and more importantly interacting.

First, the disciplines (biblically defined) are no more mandated than any other practice that Christ enjoins us to follow. Is “prayer” mandated for the believer? Likely not, but I cannot imagine any believer who does not commune with our Lord. Is service and submission mandated for the believer? I cannot imagine any one under the Lordship of Christ not serving or submitting to him.

As for biblical support (thanks for the challenge!), you might consider reading some/all of my studies at http://tmch.net/inperson.htm#sd where you’ll find ample support from Scripture on any/all of the disciplines mentioned.

Grace to you,
Paul

By: Neil Damgaard

Neil Damgaard — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 23:45:21 +0000

You know what’s funny? I started forming spiritually, I think, before I got saved, which was in March 1972, in human time. (I think S. Lewis Johnson called that “prevenient grace.”) At that point, I started paying attention–we didn’t have terms like “spiritual formation,” “wholistic spiritual maturation,” “promise-keeping,” etc. in the Navigators. We just were told the Wheel Illustration, the Hand Illustration, the Bridge Illustration (for witnessing), the importance of Bible reading and memorization (we DID have one cool acronym: TMS–Topical Memory System), and “find a church, dude.” The thing is, I grew. I wanted to grow and I sensed that God did too.

Since then I have traversed charismatic systems, Reformed systems, Baptist systems, Francis Schaffer/L’Abri systems, New England Tundra systems (no Christians around for miles and miles and lots of cold wind, with a healthy dose of neo-multi-diverse Catholicism.) I am still growing. I’m not sure if I’m spiritually forming or not. But I am growing. God is insisting on it.