Gary Thomas

On Spiritual Formation

By Evan B. Howard, Spirituality Shoppe NewesLetter 4/2 Sept, 1999

"Spiritual formation" is fast becoming a popular phrase in evangelical circles. It identifies an important but also a frequently misunderstood theme in Christian spirituality. For these reasons, I thought I would devote the next couple of NewesLetters to answering a few questions about spiritual formation.

First, what is spiritual formation and where did all this recent interest in spiritual formation come from?

A potter "forms" a lump of clay into a pot or a mug. Parents and teachers talk about children being in their "formative years" and of the need for "character formation" among the youth of today. "Formation," in these contexts, brings to mind shaping and molding, influencing the development of potential into a completed actual, into something that possibly resembles an ideal design. "Spiritual" formation refers to a similar shaping process with reference to the spiritual dimension of a person's life. The term received special attention in the Christian tradition with reference to the training of priests or members of religious Orders.

In short, Christian "spiritual formation" refers to the process by which believers become more fully conformed and united to Christ, especially with regard to maturity of life and calling. Instruction, personal relationships, spiritual disciplines--even simply reflecting on the trials of the day--all can facilitate spiritual formation insofar as they are aimed at this purpose of cultivating growth toward maturity in Christ.

Interest in spiritual formation has flowered in the past few generations along with the rise of awareness of spirituality in general, both in the Church and in the culture. Christian and non-Christian alike are increasingly finding their religious moorings not in the distinctive beliefs, but rather in the encounters and the experiences, that accompany the pursuit of faith. Initiation into and maturing in these encounters is the special role of gurus, priests, and wise folk of various traditions. This has contributed to the interest in spiritual formation at the cultural level.

The Roman Catholic community received specific encouragement toward spiritual formation in the decrees of the second Vatican Council held in the mid-1960's. Academic programs, retreat centers, and a variety of workshops and seminars in Christian spirituality and spiritual formation began to pop up in the United States. Soon Protestants were catching the "spirituality bug." Reading devotional classics, practicing spiritual disciplines, and visiting retreat centers became more and more popular, even for evangelical believers. More recently we have seen the same people who experimented with spiritual disciplines five years ago now signing up for programs in spiritual formation designed to train spiritual leaders or "spiritual directors." Now you can find books, journals, centers, and training programs in spiritual formation everywhere. Spiritual formation is "in."

But is spiritual formation Biblical?

This is a good question. The very fact that you asked it shows me that you are good "Berean" Christians, evaluating the latest trends in the light of the Scriptures (see Acts 17:10). When I explored the Scriptures I found that they encourage believers to be intentional about becoming more fully conformed and united to Christ, especially with regard to maturity of life and calling.

While the precise methods of spiritual formation are not specified, the Bible is clear that God is interested in Christians growing in an ever deeper relationship with him. I will briefly summarize my findings here. If you are interested in more information on this just ask me and I will send you my list of verses from the New Testament on spiritual formation.

First, spiritual formation begins at the beginning. Whether it is called the "new birth" (John 3:3-8), being "baptized into the body of Christ" (1 Corinthians12:13), or "leaving the old" (Colossians 3:9-10), there is a sense that our joining with Christ is not simply an ending but a new beginning.

Second, the Bible insists not merely upon new birth, but in perseverance in that new birth. The Bible is full of passages encouraging us to "stand firm," to "endure," to "hold fast," to "abide" in the faith (1 Thessalonians 3:8; Ephesians 6:14; Hebrews 10:23; John 15:5-9). The Bible also affirms God's desire that we would not simply come to belief in Christ, but that our lives would show this belief (Matthew 7:21-24; Acts 4:32-34; James 1:22-25). The encouragements to "put off/put on," to "put to death," to "be devoted to," all encourage a kind of aggressive pursuit of a godly life (Romans 8:13; Ephesians 4:22; Colossians 3:5-12; 4:2).

One aspect of the biblical teaching on spiritual formation that struck me was the repeated encouragement toward increase. Increase of faith, increase of love, increase of knowledge, increase in numbers of believers. Paul praises the Churches for growth (2 Thessalonians 1:3) and urges them on to more (1 Thessalonians 4:1,9; Colossians 1:10-11). 2 Peter 1:5-8 urges us to, "make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in you knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ."

But, of course this aggressive pursuit, this increase in conformity with Christ is not simply a matter of our own effort apart from the work of the Spirit. Just as the Holy Spirit was actively involved in the new birth so the Spirit is involved in our growth in maturity. The Spirit is the Sustainer of our life (Romans 8:10-11; 1 Corinthians 3:16) and the Guarantee of our completion (2 Corinthians 1:22; Ephesians 1:3). It is the Spirit who brings the teachings of Christ to mind (John 14:26), who directs us away from the flesh (Romans 8:2-5) and transforms us into increasing glory (2 Corinthians 3:18). The Spirit contributes to the maturing of our knowledge of God, leading us into all truth (John 16:13), and strengthening us to know Christ more and more (Ephesians 3:16-19). The Spirit fosters our worship (Luke 1:67; John 16:14; Acts 10:44-47; Romans 8:15), transforms our outreach (Luke 4:18-19; John 16:8-11; Hebrews 2:4; 1 Thessalonians 1:5), and builds up our relationships (Acts 15:28; Romans 14:17; 1 Corinthians 12:4-13; Ephesians 4:3-4; Colossians 1:28).

Spiritual formation involves our own intentional pursuit of God. But it is an intentional pursuit that is inspired by the Spirit, informed by the Spirit, and empowered by the Spirit.

The Bible is also interested in Christians becoming productive. The image of bearing fruit is a strong one. Not only are we encouraged to develop in our Christian lives such that we "bear fruit" (Romans 7:4; Colossians 1:6), but there can be serious consequences for those who do not bear fruit (Hebrews 6:7-8; John 15:1-16).

Ultimately, our faith in Christ should lead us into a place of discipleship, into a place where we are willing to follow Jesus wherever he invites. Read the Gospel of Mark. Mark leads the readers to identify with the disciples. Here we find Jesus repeatedly inviting the disciples into situations of deeper growth and realization of Christ. They are invited to participate in the feeding of the five thousand (Mark 6:32-44) and in a stroll on the water (Mark 6:45-52). They are sent out to do what Jesus did (Mark 3:13-19; 6:7-11). Mary and Martha are invited to sit and learn from the Master teacher (Luke 10:38-42). Even after the resurrection, Peter is invited through a vision to experience more of Christ and to grow in his understanding of salvation (Acts 10:9-48). These situations were stretching for the disciples. Jesus' invitations to growth can be stretching for us today.

Finally, the Christian life should aim for maturity. We are not to remain infants, but to press on to adulthood. Many passages simply use the word "perfection" (see Matthew 5:48; 2 Corinthians 7:1; 13:9-11; James 1:4). Of course, there is no sense of a legalistic or meticulously monitored notion of "perfection" upheld in the NT. Nonetheless, as the passages indicate, the New Testament aims at some kind of perfection, completion, or maturity (1 Corinthains 2:6; 3:1-4; 14:20; Galatians 3:1; Ephesians 4:13; Philippians 3:12-14; Hebrews 5:11-14; 6:1-4; James 3:2). I think this theme carries a sense of (to borrow a phrase) "being all that you can be" in Christ. We should never settle for less as believers.

So now we have caught a glimpse of spiritual formation in our culture and in the Bible. "Spiritual formation" refers to the process of growth in maturity in Christ. While the term came from the training of priests and members of religious Order, and is currently associated with elements outside Christianity, the concept of spiritual formation is deeply rooted in the heart of God communicated in the Scriptures.

Simply put, spiritual formation is not optional. God's desire for you, expressed in Paul's prayer to the Colossians, is that you would, "lead lives fully pleasing to him, as you bear fruit in every good work and as you grow in the knowledge of God. May you be made strong with all the strength that comes from his glorious power, and may you be prepared to endure everything with patience, while joyfully giving thanks to the Father, who has enabled you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the light."