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Christianity Today, January, 2009 |

Spiritual Formation Agenda

Three priorities for the next 30 years.

Richard Foster | posted 2/04/2009 08:48AM

Our world today cries out for a theology of spiritual growth that has been proven to work in the midst of the harsh realities of daily life. Sadly, many have simply given up on the possibility of growth ...

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Mike Frazier

Posted: February 09, 2009 8:25 PM

It is the abundant life you are talking about? The with-God, abiding in Him, immersed in His Spirit, fully functioning in His power and grace that you are suggesting we can know, experience, share? Ah, I'll give my life to finding this pearl, and propogating this dream. Sounds familiary, much like the message of Jesus I read about in the scriptures! Thanks Richard for the beautiful reminder. As always, well said, clearly articulated.

Gary Sweeten

Posted: February 05, 2009 8:03 PM


Ah, good stuff. But, it is hard. There are so many barriers and so many substitutes. Go for it, Richard

usernametodd

Posted: February 05, 2009 10:06 AM

I thought the author did a great job sizing things up - both Spiritually and worldly. But then left us to the devices of men. That's one of the problems - people who look for understanding by way of men, Calvin, the pope, and others who have a very complicated one that is of their own accord and not Chirst's. And spawn followers who have a relationship with the word 'through them' instead of 'through Christ'. Too many would-be theologians, too many study books that read the Bible for us. The Bible is simple and vast. Men who teach otherwise have done more harm than good. Our love for tradition can also keep us grounded in its errors. I like a good literal translation in my own language, listening to God's revelation to the world, then being equiped to share it with others to everyones edification. If there are places in the Bible that leave one stumped, then, he should perhaps just keep reading and let the Bible continue to teach itself. This article encouraged sharing well.

Tommy G

Posted: February 05, 2009 10:02 AM

You wrote: This seems to be about taking the attention off Christ and putting it on spiritual Directors, about focusing on self or one's own "spirituality" instead of the kingdom of God.... It seems to be gives spirituality the odious sense shared by the word piety. Amen! -Could not agree more. Why do things have to be so complicated? Why can't we be as the little child that stood before Jesus and that He rejoiced in? If we claim to hear His voice, then why are we so afraid to entrust ourselves to His leading ? And why are we so anxious to prove to the world that even though we're Christians, we're just as smart & hip as everyone else. Get alone with Him and His Word, and seek His face until you know you've encountered the living God. Play your life to Him and you’ll never go wrong!

Fritz

Posted: February 05, 2009 8:27 AM

Illusions OF Grandeur created the functional man. Gods work has always been to raise His children through life’s experiences. Our work has always been to discern Gods will for our lives with the gifts that He has given us while living and doing the things that need to be done. In the midst of this God jealously guards His reputation in ways that are generally low key and only apparent to the discerning thus easy to ignore by those desiring to do so. This nation, the US, should be warned that erasing the signature of God from our foundation of culture and government will lead to serious consequences. It is the duty of the church to so warn but not try to become the hand of the Almighty. We should warn them that Germany, a leader in the world of the intellectual, worldwide, voted Hitler into power in a time of great stress and brought down their house of intellectual rebellion against God to become a symbol of inhumanity of man towards his fellow man. [Rousseau and the French revolution

*	Posted: February 04, 2009 6:56 PM

This seems to be about taking the attention off Christ and putting it on spiritual Directors, about focusing on self or one's own "spirituality" instead of the kingdom of God. Is it a substitute for reading the Bible and prayer, spiritual fellowship, and obtaining guidance from the Spirit of the living Christ? If it is just another way of following Christ, what is wrong with the way taught by Jesus himself? It seems to be gives spirituality the odious sense shared by the word piety.

James Addis

Posted: February 04, 2009 6:36 PM

Hmmm, "echoing through the centuries is a great company of witnesses telling us of a life vastly richer and deeper and fuller." I am not convinced. Read the biography of any great Christian and interspersed with acts of heroism and devotion, one finds fear, depression, despair, disillusionment, and spectacular sinning. King David is a classic example. The Apostle Peter is another. Instead of eternally grasping at some lofty spiritual plateau, maybe we should view the Christian life as an exciting roller coaster ride. The higher the highs and deeper the lows the better.

Sean Baines

Posted: February 04, 2009 5:16 PM

The reason that people are not happy and I am talking mainly about the USA is that people here are mostly religious but not Christian. I read the new Testament all the time and if I compare the Christian people in the USA to what Jesus says is this book, I see no comparison at all. You are a good Christian if you are successful and rich ( look what the Mega churches preach). If you say" we need Health insurance also for the poor", you are a socialist and therefore cannot be a Christian. Come on people Read the book and read what Jesus really said and yes Jesus was not an American. I have lived all over the World and No the USA is not the best country in the world anymore. SB

Peter

Posted: February 04, 2009 4:00 PM


Amen! This is a message that needs to be spoken from the rooftops. One change I'd make, though, "esse" is better translated "being," understood verbally, than "essence." Thus "Activity follows being." One thing I missed was any reference to Brother Lawrence's "Practice of the Presence of God."

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