For much of my life as a follower of Jesus, I've regarded spiritual disciplines as legalistic to-do lists. They were other opportunities for me to fail -- I don't pray enough, I don't read my Bible enough, I don't fast (ever really), I don't... I used to think the problem was with spiritual disciplines themselves, but I have come to learn that my challenge was the lens through which I viewed spiritual disciplines. Finding Our Way Again by Brian McLaren was a big help in pushing me over the edge to embrace spiritual practices!
Finding Our Way Again: The Return of the Ancient Practices is the introductory book in a new series of books called The Ancient Practices Series. It is published by Thomas Nelson. The general editor is Phyllis Tickle.
I found the book to be very well written and easy to read. I grew up in a low-church faith tradition, so the only spiritual practices I came in contact with were prayer and Bible reading. This work expanded my understanding of spiritual practices and helped me discover more spiritual practices. The most helpful thing for me was how Brian McLaren provided a framework for understanding the process of spiritual growth and how spiritual practices fit into that. The following diagram illustrates what I learned from Brian.
As a follower of Jesus, my aim is to become more like Jesus in everything I say and do (seems like a long road some days). Becoming like Jesus involves engaging in three essential tasks, under the guidance and power of the Holy Spirit. One task is soul cleaning, and it's just like cleaning up a home that has been neglected to make it a suitable place to live. Another task is illumination or taking in the light of Jesus. Once the house is cleaned up, you fill it with light which chases out the darkness. A final task is becoming one with God. I don't mean that in a metaphysical, kind of new agey, way. The more time you spend in God's presence, casting off the sin that so easily entangles and Son-bathing in the light of Jesus, you begin to see what God see, love what God loves, break over what breaks God's heart...you become more and more like Jesus. Spiritual practices are tools that the Holy Spirit uses in this process of spiritual formation. The cool thing is, we don't have to be passive recipients of the Holy Spirit's work. As we take it upon ourselves to engage in spiritual practices, we are inviting the Holy Spirit to work in our lives. To be clear, I don't believe we are "working" our way into Christ-likeness - No, it is God who causes growth. What we are doing is putting ourselves in a place where it is easier for the Holy Spirit to work. Spiritual practices are our invitation to God to clean us up, fill us up and use us to God's glory.
McLaren then groups spiritual practices into three categories. Contemplative practices, communal practices and missional practices. I'll let you read the book to find out what these are. They will also be the subjects of the other books in the series. There will be 7 more books in the series. The titles are:
- In Constant Prayer by Robert Benson
-Sabbath by Dan B. Allender (2009)
- Fasting by Scott McKnight (2009)
- The Sacred Meal by Nora Gallagher (2009)
- The Pilgrimage by Diana Butler Bass (2009)
- The Liturgical Year by Joan Chittister (2010)
- Tithing by Douglas LeBlanc (2010)
I recommend Finding Our Way Again, especially to people who grew up in church traditions where ancient spiritual practices were not taught or observed by the congregation OR you were taught spiritual practices in the context of should/ought/guilt/shame. It is an excellent place to start! The lens through which McLaren views the practices is very winsome, encouraging and life-giving.
hey, Mike! Your review has gotten me hooked! I'm adding this book to my list. Love the diagram too—so helpful! Good stuff.
On another note, so exciting about your Colombia trip! Can't wait to hear more.
Posted by: Erin Straza | September 02, 2008 at 02:53 PM