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Links to Useful Articles & Resources on the Disciplines
(more resources will be added from time-to-time)

 

Articles on Spiritual Formation

     The Three Temptations of Spiritual Formation, by Evan Howard

            Howard's article is a well thought out discussion detailing how much of the current interest in
                spiritual formation goes wrong. He ably points out that many mainline, and I would add some
                charismatics and fellow evangelicals, have gone wrong in becoming so broad in their
                incorporation of non-christian practices that they cease to include Christ.

                Personally, I find Howard is ready to embrace some practices that I still find dubious, even if
                one believes they are holding faithfully to Jesus. But the article is still very useful and worth
                reading. His main thesis is right on target.

      Our Commitment, by Intervarsity President, Alec Hill - 2004

     Spiritual Formation: What it is, and How it is Done, by Dallas Willard

               Willard writes an excellent article on the description and purpose of the disciplines
               involved with spiritual formation in the character of Christ. This is well worth reading.

     Spiritual Formation: A Pastoral Letter, by Richard Foster

            Foster, here, makes the simple case for keeping Jesus as the only true center for
                spiritual formation. In his discussion, Foster includes a very helpful breakdown of
                the various writings in the Bible, e.g., gospels, pentateuch, epistles, etc., and
                identifies each one's unique contribution to our journey in becoming Christ-like.

      An Excellent Article by Dallas Willard - This link is to an article that, while starting out
               with some heavily philosphical discussion, soon moves on toward some very readable
               and encouraging descriptions of the Christian disciplines and explains how they work
               to bring real transformation to Christians for whom more bible study and prayer just
               hasn't been working.  Take special note of Willard's discussion on Solitude & Silence.

      A First Rate Website by Donald S. Whitney - This link will take you to Whitney's website
               on the spiritual disciplines. Whitney is a reliable guide to the disciplines and his site is filled with
               great resources on the disciplines. Also be sure to get his book (below):

                 click on icon to purchase.

              Whitney makes a clearly written and compelling case for taking up the disciplines. Very instructive
              and motivating. Superbly illustrated preferring evangelical and puritan sources over the mystic
              tradition which I think enhances its reliablity and value.

     The Christian Disciplines by Waldo Hiebert - a Mennonite believer with a simple but
          rich article on the disciplines of solitude, journaling and fasting. Hiebert includes a gem of a quote
          from Dietrich Bonhoeffer about the dangers of living in community without the practice of periodic
          solitude and the peril of solitude without a solid engagement with community.