Spiritual formation is an intentional Christian practice much like that of Eastern Mysticism, which claims as its goal the development of religious maturity that leads to Christian devoutness which has it roots in the ancient practices found in those of Catholic religious orders, Ascetics and others. One engages in spiritual formation through:
Contents
- Introduction
- Christianity
- Formal Study
- Informal study
- Communitychurch involvement
- Practice of religious exercises
- Ordinary experiences of everyday life
- Leadership
- Biblical references
- Facets of Spirituality
- Disciplines
- Writers
- Organizations
- References
Many authors have attempted to define spiritual formation. Christian religious writers and institutions have differing definitions due to their various conceptions of this practice. Some authors suggest that it is discovery of the so-called "leadings of the heart," renewal of the mind (sanctification), walking in the spirit, intersection between spirituality and vocation, or a type of character formation. The single thread of commonality between the different definitions is engagement in religious activities by a so-called "spiritual traveler."
In Care of Mind, Care of Spirit, psychiatrist Gerald G. May has written, “Spiritual formation is a rather general term referring to all attempts, means, instruction, and disciplines intended towards deepening of faith and furtherance of spiritual growth. It includes educational endeavors as well as the more intimate and in-depth process of spiritual direction.”
This practice can be viewed, from the outside, as a movement within Evangelical Christianity away from doctrinal exclusivity, and towards a more inclusive mystical methodology.
Introduction
Philosopher Dallas Willard wrote that spiritual formation “is a process that happens to everyone…. Terrorists as well as saints are the outcome of spiritual formation. Their spirits or hearts have been formed.” A study of various world religions such as Judaism, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, Confucianism, Taoism, and others would enable one to understand specifically how each religion views spiritual formation or spiritual growth within its unique belief system.
Christianity
In Christian Spiritual Formation, the focus is on Jesus. It is a lifelong process, as a believer desires to become a disciple of Jesus and become more like him. This would be possible because of the so-called "divine grace" of the Gospel and the empowering presence of the Holy Spirit. Dallas Willard wrote that “spiritual formation for the Christian basically refers to the Spirit-driven process of forming the inner world of the human self in such a way that it becomes like the inner being of Christ himself.”
Formal Study
Informal study
Community/church involvement
Practice of religious exercises
Ordinary experiences of everyday life
Leadership
Some people regard leadership development as a process of spiritual formation. Building on the emphasis of Christian spiritual formation in leaders, leadership expert Timothy H. Warneka wrote:
Today's world cries out for people who can lead with a global perspective. We need leaders who lead from the heart as well as the mind, leaders who understand that decisions made about even the smallest of organizations affect the entire global community. We need leaders who can act ethically, intentionally, and with respect for existing citizenry as well as for future generations. We need leaders who can address problems from an integrated, holistic perspective—the only place that solutions for today's most pressing problems will be found. Most of all, we need leaders who understand that the primary function of a leader is to serve, not to be served.
Biblical references
But now, this is what the LORD says— he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: "Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine.
He handed out gifts of apostle, prophet, evangelist, and pastor-teacher to train Christ's followers in skilled servant work, working within Christ's body, the church, until we're all moving rhythmically and easily with each other, efficient and graceful in response to God's Son, fully mature adults, fully developed within and without, fully alive like Christ.
For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.
Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.
Facets of Spirituality
Christian Spiritual Formation involves the growth of the whole person: the mind, body, heart, and will. Over time a believer may work with different pathways or facets of spirituality in the process of spiritual growth. In Conformed to His Image, Ken Boa explores 12 ways of approaching or studying Christian spirituality and spiritual formation. They are:
1. Relational Spirituality: Loving God Completely, Ourselves Correctly, and Others Compassionately
2. Paradigm Spirituality: Cultivating an Eternal versus a Temporal Perspective
3. Disciplined Spirituality: Engaging in the Historical Disciplines
4. Exchanged Life Spirituality: Grasping Our True Identity in Christ
5. Motivated Spirituality: A Set of Biblical Incentives
6. Devotional Spirituality: Falling in Love with God
7. Holistic Spirituality: Every Component of Life under the Lordship of Christ
8. Process Spirituality: Process versus Product, Being versus Doing
9. Spirit-Filled Spirituality: Walking in the Power of the Spirit
10. Warfare Spirituality: The World, the Flesh, and the Devil
11. Nurturing Spirituality: A Lifestyles of Evangelism and Discipleship
Disciplines
Some authors and speakers concerned with spiritual formation assert that believers can attain spiritual growth through the practice of religious disciplines. These are exercises said to be aimed to usher one into God's presence, where His life has the opportunity to transform our lives. Dallas Willard writes:
We meet and dwell with Jesus and his Father in the disciplines for the spiritual life.
Spiritual disciplines, as a strategy towards spiritual formation, have risen and fallen in popularity over the centuries. Christianity asserts two things: first, transformation of the heart is a work only God can accomplish, and second, we are saved not by our works or efforts, but by God's grace, that is, His unmerited favor; the church has often been tempted to marginalize the usefulness of these disciplines so as not be confused with preaching "justification by works."
However other scholars respond by saying that, it is not salvation that is at stake, but rather the need to develop people of genuine Christ-like character to live in the world and confront its values.
Quaker theologian Richard Foster, in his book Celebration of Discipline, includes several internal, external, and corporate disciplines one should engage in through his or her Christian life. These include the following internal disciplines: Meditation, Prayer, Fasting, and Study. External disciplines include: Simplicity, Solitude, Submission, and Service. Finally, corporate disciplines, those that are completed within the body of the church are confession, worship, guidance, and celebration.