Spiritual formation

"Spiritual theology" redirects here. For the book by Diogenes Allen, see Spiritual Theology: The Theology of Yesterday for Help Today.

Spiritual formation may refer either to the process and practices by which a person may progress in one's spiritual or religious life or to a movement in Protestant Christianity that emphasizes these processes and practices. The processes may include, but are not limited to,

  • Specific techniques of prayer and meditation[1]
  • A lifestyle integrating spiritual disciplines or exercises[2]
  • Understanding and practice of historical religious philosophy and techniques[3]
  • The knowledge and expression of the truth of God and of self[4]

There are numerous definitions of spiritual formation and no definitive depiction due to the breadth of the concept and the numerous perspectives from which religious persons may approach it. From a Christian standpoint, most would argue that it is identical with sanctification as understood as a progressive and gradual process of maturation.[5] It is often referred to as "being conformed to the image of Christ,"[6] being made holy,[7] or the formation of virtue and character.[8][9] In Care of Mind, Care of Spirit, psychiatrist Gerald G. May offers, “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 joy and enthusiasm spiritual direction.”[10]

  1. ^ E.g., Keating, Thomas (2009). Intimacy with God: An Introduction to Centering Prayer. The Crossroad Publishing Company. ISBN 978-0824525293.
  2. ^ E.g., Foster, Richard (1998). Celebration of Discipline: The Path to Spiritual Growth. San Francisco, CA: HarperSanFrancisco. ISBN 0060628391.
  3. ^ E.g., Hall, Christopher A. (1998). Reading Scripture with the Church Fathers. IVP Academic. ISBN 0830815007.
  4. ^ Calvin, Jean, 1509-1564, author. (March 2018). Institutes of the Christian religion. pp. Bk 1, Ch 1. ISBN 9781455326235. OCLC 1104345291. {{cite book}}: |last= has generic name (help)CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  5. ^ Larry Christenson, The Renewed Mind: Becoming the Person God Wants You to Be Bethany House, 2001
  6. ^ Mulholland, M. Robert Jr., Invitation to a journey : a road map for spiritual formation, p. 15, ISBN 9780830855827, OCLC 1041139742
  7. ^ WELS Topical Q&A: Sanctification and Justification, by Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod
  8. ^ Tennant, Agnieszka. "The Making of a Christian", Christianity Today, London, 27 October 2005. Retrieved on 14 August 2014. ] ,
  9. ^ Chan, Simon. (2014). Spiritual Theology : a Systematic Study of the Christian Life. InterVarsity Press. pp. 73, 89. ISBN 9780830876990. OCLC 1043362825.
  10. ^ May, Gerald G. Care of Mind, Care of Spirit: A Psychiatrist Explores Spiritual Direction. 1st HarperCollins paperback ed. San Francisco: HarperSanFrancisco, 1992, p. 6.