Ever since Plato, it has been tempting to equate “spiritual” with “ideal” – to imagine that spiritual growth is a way out of the pains and sufferings and frustrations of life. And many a well-intentioned person has taken up the life of prayer in the hope of transcendence (escape?). But perfection does not belong to...
Tag: introduction to reformed theology
Loving God 201, Part 3: Third Rule of the Spiritual Life
Here we continue our look at the classical tradition of Christian spiritual formation by examining the Benedictine vow of stability – the commitment to stay put, to stay engaged in our most valuable relationships and to work out the discipline of love within them. Our 21st century culture is more mobile and virtual than ever,...
Loving God 201, Part 2: Second Rule of the Spiritual Life
This is an episode about the commitment to endurance and its essential role in the process of our spiritual formation. Classically, we are warned that one of the most deadly poisons to the spiritual life is despair. And by despair we don’t mean depression, sadness, frustration…even very serious doubt. Despair is surrender. As Martin Thornton...