Spiritual Formation - a bad thing getting worse? or a good thing?

[BobRyan]

I am watching a video recorded sermon by Elder Ted Wilson given at the ASI conference last Sabbath in which he mentions Spiritual Formation as an error that Adventists should avoid.

Some have argued that Richard Foster has put a good face on the eastern mysticism orientated spiritual formation practices.

But the question is whether or not this has been baptized and come up as something good - or is it just the same old bad ideas now dressed up in Christian garb?

God says "be still and know that I am God"

Ellen White says "the silence of the soul makes more distinct the voice of God".

In the book Desire of Ages we see just how imagination and silence is being promoted in these inspired sources. There "in imagination we see Christ crucified" speaking of taking the bible scenes of Christ's work in our behalf and in imagination focused on the work of Christ for us as described (as directed for us by our Spiritual Director - the Holy Spirit) in the Bible.

Very different from "empty your mind- go to a place of total silence" of the eastern mystic.

Not knowing the difference is "a bad thing".

What say you?

in Christ,

Bob

[BobRyan]

Olger suggests some outside reading - on this subject.

http://clubadventist.com/forum/ubbthread...html#Post466558

in Christ,

Bob

[Overaged]

I am watching a video recorded sermon by Elder Ted Wilson given at the ASI conference last Sabbath in which he mentions Spiritual Formation as an error that Adventists should avoid.

Some have argued that Richard Foster has put a good face on the eastern mysticism orientated spiritual formation practices.

But the question is whether or not this has been baptized and come up as something good - or is it just the same old bad ideas now dressed up in Christian garb?

God says "be still and know that I am God"

Ellen White says "the silence of the soul makes more distinct the voice of God".

In the book Desire of Ages we see just how imagination and silence is being promoted in these inspired sources. There "in imagination we see Christ crucified" speaking of taking the bible scenes of Christ's work in our behalf and in imagination focused on the work of Christ for us as described (as directed for us by our Spiritual Director - the Holy Spirit) in the Bible.

Very different from "empty your mind- go to a place of total silence" of the eastern mystic.

Not knowing the difference is "a bad thing".

What say you?

in Christ,

Bob

Perhaps, Bob, we need to define exactly what we mean by "spiritual formation?" There is more than one kind out there.

[skyblue888]

Personally I see no need to dwell upon false teachings. The Testimonies have told us in no uncertain terms what it is we must do in order for the Father to receive us unto Himself and that is that we must come to Him, daily, just as we are, sinful, helpless, dependent, and present our case before Him pleading the merits of the blood shed for us upon Calvary's cross.

"Jesus loves to have us come to Him just as we are, sinful, helpless, dependent." F.W.38.

"Present your case before God pleading the merits of the blood shed for you upon Calvary's cross." F.W.105.

This is how we draw nigh to God and God draws nigh to us.

For "The merits of Christ's sacrifice are sufficient to present to the Father in our behalf." S.C.36.

Look at the results of habitually dwelling upon Christ and His all-sufficient merits:

"Habitually dwelling upon Christ and His all-sufficient merits increases faith, quickens the power of spiritual discerment, strengthens the desire to be like Him, and brings an earnestness into prayer that makes it efficacious." Gospel Worker, 166.

"We shall come in repentance and contrition with a despairing sense of our own finite weakness and learn that we must daily apply to the merits of the blood of Christ that we may become vessels fit to the Master's use." F.W.86.

This is the secret of living the Christian life.

Is it not?

sky

[lazarus]

Love to see some a quote or two from Foster's book that illustrate the error. I'm not saying there are none but its my experience that the vast majority of those who write on these issues are spot on Biblically, from my reading.

[BobRyan]

Some suggested reading -

Jan Markell unmasking Richard Foster and Spiritual Formation/ Spiritual Directors

Jan Markell unmasking Spiritual Formation –

http://lightingtheway.blogspot.com/2009/11/unmasking-spiritual-formation.html

Christianity Today warning Christians away from SF in 2002

Yet in 2002

Three Temptations of Spiritual Formation

http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2002/december9/4.46.html?start=1

in Christ,

Bob

[ClubV12]

Well this subject pretty much went over my head. I have a hunch if I keep reading the Testimonies principles will emerge that will help identify this and many other errors that will come along.

Assuming this is an error of course, I don't have nor necessarily WANT enough information to evaluate it one way or the other at this time. That may change in the future of course...

[skyblue888]

"The way to dispel darkness is to admit the light. The best way to deal with error is to present the truth."

"The only remedy is belief in the truth, acceptance of the light." D.A.498; T.M.91.

My personal studies of the Scriptures and of the Testimonies in the last 35 years have led me to accept the light of precious truth: "The merits of His sacrifice are sufficient to present to the Father in our behalf." S.C.36.

"We can do nothing of ourselves. In all our helpless unworthiness we must trust in the merits of the crucified and risen Saviour. None will ever perish while doing this." P.P.203.

"The lifting up of the brazen serpent was to teach Israel an important lesson. They could not save themselves from the fatal effect of the poison in their wounds. God alone was able to heal them. Yet they were required to show their faith in the provision which He had made. They must look in order to live. It was their faith that was acceptable with God, and by looking upon the serpent their faith was shown. They knew that there was no virtue in the serpent itself, but it was a symbol of Christ; and the necessity of faith in His merits was thus presented to their minds." P.P.430.

On page 432 she adds this:

"Though millions who need to be healed will reject His offered mercy, not one who trust in the merits of Christ will be left to perish."

The focus is on the merits of Christ, the necessity of faith in the merits of Christ. Statement must be compared with statement. Elsewhere she speaks of the necessity of looking to Jesus and accepting His merits which it is our privilege to claim and that unless we do claim them, and that is how we appropriate them, we cannot be saved. See T.M.93.

Thus she writes, "The only faith that will benefit us is that which embraces Him as a personal Saviour: which appropriates His merits to ourselves."

Notice how this means that this is what it means to receive Him as our personal Saviour. See D.A.347.

This is the Bible truth on this subject that is so necessary to our present and eternal welfare and that not one in one hundred understands for himself. See 1.S.M.360.

"Many have a nominal faith in Christ, but they know nothing of that vital dependence upon Him which appropriates the merits of a crucified and risen Saviour." 1 S.M.389.

What happens when we daily appropriate His merits to ourselves?

The love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Spirit which is given unto us.

And that is righteousness by faith for "Righteousness is love and love is the light and the life of God." M.B.18.

"God will accept everyone that comes to Him trusting wholly in the merits of a crucified Saviour. Love springs up in the heart. There may be no ecstasy of feeling but there is an abiding, peaceful trust. Duty becomes a delight, and sacrifice a pleasure. The path that before seemed shrouded in darkness becomes bright with the beams from the Sun of Righteousness. This is walking in the light as He is in the light." 1 S.M.354.

sky