The spiritual formation movement refers to the growing interest among Christians in recent decades to intentionally pursue spiritual growth and greater Christlikeness. It involves practices, disciplines, and resources aimed at developing a deeper relationship with God and living out one’s faith more fully. The goals of spiritual formation include becoming more like Christ, living in obedience to God’s word, serving others, and sharing one’s faith.
At the heart of spiritual formation is the work of the Holy Spirit transforming believers into the image of Jesus Christ. As 2 Corinthians 3:18 states, “And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.” Through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, God shapes believers’ character to become more Christ-like.
The Bible offers guidance on how to cooperate with this work of the Spirit. Christians are instructed to set their minds on Christ and his ways (Romans 8:5-6, Colossians 3:1-3). The disciplines of Bible reading, meditation, prayer, fasting, worship, service, and more help believers fix their thoughts on God and align their lives to his purposes. As Psalm 1:2 says, the person who delights in God’s word and meditates on it day and night is “like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither.” Immersing oneself in Scripture nourishes spiritual growth.
In Philippians 2:12-13, Paul urges believers to “work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.” Believers have a role to play in actively pursuing Christlikeness, but it is ultimately God working through his Spirit that brings about transformation. So spiritual disciplines are not about willpower but opening oneself to the Spirit’s work.
The Bible contains many commands and encouragements to pursue holiness and spiritual maturity. For example:
– Put off the old self and put on the new self (Ephesians 4:22-24)
– Set your minds on things above (Colossians 3:2)
– Be transformed by the renewal of your mind (Romans 12:2)
– Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness (1 Timothy 6:11)
– Make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, knowledge, self-control, steadfastness, godliness, brotherly affection, love (2 Peter 1:5-7)
Biblical figures also model intentional pursuit of spiritual growth through practices like prayer, fasting, meditation on God’s law, and learning from spiritual mentors and leaders.
While spiritual growth is a work of the Spirit, believers have a responsibility to cultivate spiritual disciplines and habits that open themselves to the Spirit’s leading. The spiritual formation movement has developed out of a renewed focus on this biblical call to holiness and transformation in Christ.
Some key practices and disciplines emphasized in spiritual formation include:
Prayer: Conversing with and listening to God; praising God; confessing sins; interceding for others. (Philippians 4:6-7, Colossians 4:2, James 5:16)
Bible study and meditation: Reading, studying, reflecting on, and memorizing Scripture. (Psalm 1:2, Joshua 1:8, Psalm 119:15)
Fasting: Periods of abstaining from food or other activities to focus on prayer and seeking God. (Matthew 6:16-18, Acts 14:23)
Silence and solitude: Slowing down to listen to God and disconnect from distractions. (Psalm 131:2, Mark 1:35, Luke 5:16)
Journaling: Writing to process thoughts, emotions, and insights.
Sabbath: Resting and renewing one’s relationship with God. (Genesis 2:2-3, Exodus 20:8-11)
Spiritual mentors and direction: Seeking input and accountability from spiritually mature Christians. (Proverbs 11:14, Acts 18:24-28)
Simplicity: Assessing lifestyle and stewarding resources wisely. (Matthew 6:19-21, 1 Timothy 6:6-8)
Spiritual disciplines are means of grace by which believers open themselves to the Spirit’s leading and growth in Christlikeness. Through practices like Bible reading, prayer, fasting, and fellowship, believers position themselves to draw near to God and receive his transforming power. By training in godliness and renewing the mind, habits and character are progressively shaped after Christ.
While spiritual growth occurs through the Spirit’s work, persevering in disciplines helps create space for that work. As 1 Timothy 4:7 instructs, “Train yourself for godliness.” Sanctification is empowered by God but often requires persevering through spiritual dry spells and seasons when his presence seems distant. Spiritual disciplines aim to steward one’s holiness through wise daily habits.
But spiritual formation is more than just activities; it involves fostering a deep, inner communion with Christ. In John 15, Jesus talks about abiding in him as branches connect to a vine. The early church father Athanasius said, “God became man so that men might become gods.” Through Christ in us, believers are transformed into Christlikeness. Spiritual formation literature often references this process of divinization or theosis, the Spirit’s work of making ordinary followers of Christ progressively holy.
Dallas Willard, a prominent voice in spiritual formation, defined it as “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.” Other leaders like Richard Foster and Henri Nouwen emphasized spiritual disciplines as a means toward the goal of a transformed inner life. Spiritual formation develops beliefs, values, habits and character to reflect Jesus Christ.
So in summary, spiritual formation applies the Bible’s teachings on pursuing holiness with the empowering grace of the Holy Spirit to foster personal transformation. Through spiritual disciplines, habits and training, believers cooperate with the Spirit’s leading into an ever-deepening relationship with Christ and conformity to his image. This brings outward change in line with inner transformation. The aim is falling ever more in love with Jesus and living out his life and character in all areas.
Historical Background
The modern spiritual formation movement emerged in the 1960s and 1970s, tracing influences back to Catholic traditions of spiritual direction and disciplines like lectio divina as well as authors like Thomas Kelly’s A Testament of Devotion. But the concepts have been practiced throughout church history. From the desert mothers and fathers like Antony, who emphasized spiritual practices, to Thomas à Kempis’ The Imitation of Christ, which highlights following Christ’s model, Christians have long sought to pursue Christlikeness.
Several 20th century streams influenced the movement’s growth. One was a renewed interest in practicing spiritual disciplines, especially through the work of Willard and Foster. Foster’s 1978 Celebration of Discipline, which surveyed disciplines like prayer, fasting, and silence, was a landmark book. Journals like Weavings promoted spiritual formation ideas. Evangelical interest surged with Fuller Seminary establishing a spiritual formation doctoral program.
Authors like Nouwen and Eugene Peterson wrote bestselling books on Christian spirituality. Seminaries began offering spiritual formation focused classes, pastors incorporated spiritual formation emphases into ministries, and Christian colleges created spiritual formation curricular and co-curricular programs. Spiritual direction—meeting regularly with a mentor to discuss spiritual growth—also became more popular across traditions. Overall, the spiritual formation movement has aimed to make spiritual growth more intentional and centered on Christlikeness.
Biblical and Theological Basis
The spiritual formation movement finds its biblical basis primarily in two key areas:
1. The Bible’s exhortations to pursue holiness and spiritual maturity. As examined earlier, Scripture repeatedly urges believers to grow in Christlike character through the Spirit’s power. Christians are called to be disciples and make disciples (Matthew 28:18-20), put sin to death (Romans 8:13), set minds on spiritual things (Romans 8:5-6), and walk by the Spirit rather than the flesh (Galatians 5:16-26). Spiritual formation practices aim to train believers in righteousness (2 Timothy 3:16-17).
2. Biblical models and examples of intentional spiritual growth. In addition to commands, the Bible offers many role models who exemplified earnest pursuit of godliness:
– David, who delighted in the law (Psalm 1:2)
– Daniel, who prayed faithfully three times a day (Daniel 6:10)
– Anna, who worshipped in the temple night and day (Luke 2:36-38)
– Paul, who disciplined his body to serve Christ (1 Corinthians 9:26-27)
– Jesus, who frequently practiced solitude and prayer (Luke 5:16)
Their examples encourage believers to make disciplined spiritual growth a priority too.
Some key theological themes undergirding spiritual formation include:
– Sanctification: The doctrines of sanctification and progressive growth in holiness provide a theological framework for spiritual formation. God desires for believers to become holy as he is holy through the transforming work of the Spirit (1 Peter 1:13-16).
– Anthropology: Humans are holistic beings with physical, mental, emotional, social and spiritual capacities that are interrelated. Spiritual formation applies this by nurturing spiritual growth in a holistic manner.
– Personal Transformation: The goal of conformity to Christ’s image requires believers to cooperate through spiritual disciplines. While divinization is a work of grace, disciplines allow space for the Spirit to transform hearts and minds toward godliness.
– Means of Grace: Spiritual disciplines serve as means through which God mediates his undeserved favor to shape believers’ characters. They nurture growth in a way analogous to how good nutrition yields physical health.
– Spiritual Theology: The study of how humans commune with and relate to God provides a framework for spiritual formation emphases. Authors like A.W. Tozer explored the nature of worship and fostering intimacy with God.
So in sum, the call to pursue godliness, examples of biblical saints, and theological concepts of sanctification, transformation, anthropology, means of grace and more provide a biblical basis for intentional spiritual formation.
Practices and Impact
As examined above, spiritual formation applies many practices and disciplines to foster communion with Christ and spiritual growth. While specific methods vary in emphasis across traditions, some key areas include:
– Prayer practices like lectio divina, contemplative/centering prayer, intercessory prayer, and liturgical prayer like the Daily Office or liturgy of the hours. These nourish intimacy and communication with God.
– Bible reading and meditation through methods like lectio divina, Ignatian contemplation, Jesus prayer, dwelling in the Word, etc. These help Scripture shape inner life.
– Silence, solitude and simplicity to remove distractions and focus on God’s voice. These might involve spiritual retreats, a day of silence, or living simply.
– Spiritual direction and formation groups like small groups or class meetings that provide fellowship, accountability and mentoring. These utilize the body of Christ’s gifts to foster growth together.
– Fasting disciplines to focus spiritual yearnings and humble oneself before God. This may include food fasts, media fasts, or other forms of self-denial.
– Service and ministry to cultivate obedience to Jesus’ commands and serve spiritual formation for others. Self-sacrifice and service nurture Christlike humility.
– Observing spiritual seasons like Advent or Lent to integrate liturgy and key spiritual themes into rhythms of life.
– Methods of self-examination like John Wesley’s Christian perfection questions or Ignatius of Loyola’s Daily Examen to assess spiritual progress. These facilitate awareness of God’s activity and prompting.
In recent decades, spiritual formation’s impact has been significant across Western Christianity. It has helped renew interest in historic spiritual disciplines and foster a more holistic view of spiritual growth beyond solely intellectual belief. Spiritual formation has shaped discipleship programs, recovery ministries, spiritual direction, and youth ministry approaches. Many see its emphases as an antidote to overly cerebral, emotive or programmatic faith. Others caution against overly mystical, subjective or works-based extremes that can arise. Spiritual formation has also influenced the broader Christian publishing industry with bestselling books and Bible studies. Overall, it continues to significantly shape modern discipleship practices.
Criticisms and Considerations
Despite its popularity, the spiritual formation movement has received critiques in the following areas that warrant consideration:
– Vagueness regarding specific methods and aims. Some approaches seem more centered on spiritual practices themselves versus growth in godly character and obedience.
– Individualistic or anthropocentric tendencies to make spiritual growth about self-fulfillment versus serving God and others.
– Subjectivism and reliance on mystical spiritual experiences that may lack biblical grounding.
– Eclecticism that indiscriminately borrows spiritual practices from other religions without assessing their doctrinal compatibility.
– Alignment with contemplative prayer practices and mystical traditions with questionable theological foundations.
– Perceived works righteousness if spiritual disciplines are viewed as earning justification versus means of grace for spiritual growth.
– Lack of emphasis on the local church community’s role in spiritual formation.
In response, evangelical spiritual formation proponents affirm the need for discernment regarding practices, grounding in Scripture, service toward others, and integration with the local church as the primary means of grace. Wise implementation of spiritual formation requires assessing these potential pitfalls and staying rooted in the Bible’s commands for faithful discipleship.
Conclusion
In summary, the spiritual formation movement has encouraged many believers to take their spiritual growth more seriously. Out of a biblical vision for pursuing Christlikeness and examples of intentional godliness, spiritual formation applies historical spiritual practices and disciplines to train and open believers to the Holy Spirit’s inner transformation toward increasing conformity to Jesus’ image. Spiritual disciplines cultivate space for the Spirit to develop character in keeping with the believer’s new identity in Christ. While excesses must be avoided, spiritual formation can fruitfully nurture intimacy with God and lifelong maturation when grounded in Scripture and oriented toward love for God and others. Practiced faithfully, it is part of the Bible’s mandate to grow in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ.