This book is a recognized classic in the field of spiritual disciplines, and it is widely used as a textbook. Yet I had never read it until now. In one sense, this book seemingly runs counter to my own theology, which is exemplified in the book Experiencing God (aff). In that material, Henry Blackaby, my father, describes the Christian life as a love relationship, not a discipline. As my father often says, “Love is the discipline!” Nevertheless, as anyone who has attempted to nurture a relationship knows, certain activities can fortify and deepen a bond. Foster drew on a wealth of classic Christian writings to present a survey of the ways Christians can strengthen their walk with the almighty.
Foster divides spiritual disciplines into three broad categories: the inward disciplines, the outward disciplines, and the corporate disciplines. I will not attempt to summarize everything Foster said. Rather, I will mention just a few highlights.
Foster begins by sharing his own experience of attempting to do Christian ministry straight out of seminary. Within a few months, he faced spiritual bankruptcy. He notes, “My problem was that what I did say had no power to help people. I had no substance, no depth. The people were starving for a word from God, and I had nothing to give them. Nothing.” (xiii). He goes on to say, “Superficiality is the curse of our age. . . The desperate need today is not for a greater number of intelligent people, or gifted people, but for deep people” (1). Foster warns that “to know the mechanics does not mean that we are practicing the Disciplines” (3). He continues, “The disciplines allow us to place ourselves before God so that he can transform us” (7). He argues that the disciplines themselves are not life-changing, but the God of the disciplines is.
The first major section of the book involves the inward disciplines: meditation, prayer, fasting, and study. He cautions that in contemporary society, our enemy focuses on three things: noise, hurry, and crowds. Concerning meditation, Foster claims, “Christian meditation, very simply, is the ability to hear God’s voice and obey his word” (17). He states, “Jesus has not stopped acting and speaking” (18). He suggests, “He desires a perpetual Eucharistic feast in the inner sanctuary of the heart” (20). Foster includes a discussion on sanctified imagination that is also of interest, though it might stretch some readers’ thinking (26).
The second discipline Foster addresses is prayer. He notes, “Prayer is the central avenue God uses to transform us” (33). He adds, “All who have walked with God have viewed prayer as the main business of their lives” (34). Interestingly, Foster points out that when Jesus prayed for others, “he never concluded with, ‘if it be thy will’” (37). His prayers were bold and confident. Foster also states, “We can determine if we are praying correctly if the requests come to pass” (38). Again, Foster notes, “Imagination often opens the door to faith” (41).
Concerning fasting, Foster comments, “In many ways the stomach is like a spoiled child, and a spoiled child does not need indulgence, but needs discipline” (51). In this section, Foster gives many practical guides for fasting, a discipline foreign to many Christians.
Another inward discipline is study. Forster argues that a proper approach to study produces an abundant spiritual harvest in our lives. Again, he offers many practical suggestions as to how to get the most out of study and reading.
Foster then examines four outward disciplines: simplicity, solitude, submission, and service. I found his discussion on simplicity to be particularly interesting, practical, and relevant to modern society. He has written a book on this topic called Freedom of Simplicity (aff)(San Francisco: Harper and Row, 1981).Foster offers ten practical suggestions for living a life of simplicity. He comments, “The person who does not seek the kingdom first does not seek it at all” (87). In an age of rampant consumerism, this discipline is much-needed!
Foster next examines the discipline of solitude. He notes that “Solitude is more a state of mind and heart than it is a place” (96). He adds, “Whether alone or among people, we always carry with us a portable sanctuary of the heart” (97). He quotes Thomas a Kempis, who said, “It is easier to be silent altogether than to speak with moderation” (99).
Foster then looks at submission. He notes that freedom comes from each discipline. With submission, “It is the ability to lay down the terrible burden of always needing to get our own way” (111).
He addresses the discipline of service next. Interestingly, he observes, “Most of us know we will never be the greatest; just don’t let us be the least” (126). He also notes that martyrdom involves a great sacrifice at one time, whereas in service we can suffer many little deaths (126).
Foster’s final section involves corporate disciplines: confession, worship, guidance, and celebration. He begins with some interesting comments on confession. Those in the protestant tradition may feel uncomfortable confessing their sins to other people. He notes, “Today we take our offenses to the love of God far too lightly. If we had only a tinge of the sense of revulsion that God feels toward sin, we would be moved to holier living” (148). He adds, “Confession begins in sorrow, but it ends in joy”(153).
Concerning worship, Foster writes, “To worship is to experience Reality, to touch Life” (158). He adds, “Worship is the human response to the divine initiative” (158). He also says, “To worship is to change” (173).
Foster also discusses the discipline of guidance. He notes that many Christian traditions do not know what to do with it. Yet the Christian life is meant to be lived in community and in submission to one another. Many Christians need to consider this discipline carefully.
Finally, Foster concludes with the discipline of celebration, which he notes is central to all the disciplines. He writes that “God’s normal means of bringing joy is by redeeming and sanctifying the ordinary junctures of human life” (193). He encourages people to cultivate a wide appreciation of life in which people don’t work all the time but find joy and rest in the many good things God has placed around them (196). This practical word is much needed for many!
I found this book helpful and thought-provoking. Foster’s use of classic Christian writing added breadth to the discussion. I would question or push back on many of his points theologically, but his material has a lot to offer. When teaching on this subject in the past, I have used Donald S. Whitney’s book Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life (aff). Colorado Springs: Navpress, 1991. I find Whitney’s approach to be more modern. Nevertheless, Foster’s book is a classic in its field, and anyone who desires to develop their own spiritual disciplines would do well to read it.
Rating: 4
