For this new series of CrossTraining sessions, we're reading throughDallas Willard's "Renovation of the Heart."
In this book, Willard makes a strong case for the radical interiority of human spirituality and obedience - the 'heart' of the matter, if you will (see Mk.7:6-23). However, he also argues that it is in the exercise of spiritual disciplines, which entail bodily actions (e.g., fasting, solitude, even physical posturing for prayer), that Christ is realistically and progressively formed within us (cf. Gal.4:19).
How do you account for the apparent paradox between the radical interiority of spiritual life on the one hand, and the inevitable 'externality' of obedience, service, and the exercise of various disciplines, which are used to cultivate it, on the other? How do you see them relating? Do we work from the inside out (right heart -> right action), or the outside in (right action -> right heart)?
6 comments:
Working from the outside in: The Spiritual Discipline of Running! I hate to run. Well, I hate the first mile. After I get going I kind of enjoy it. But the decision to go for a jog requires nothing short of humility! I hate the fact that I have to run. I hate the fact I have to take care of my body, that it doesn't take care of itself. It is very humbling. This translates spiritually. Submitting physically has the power to generalize to the spiritual and I find myself more humble before God and more willing obey - even though it costs. The gains far out weighs the cost. Though, the cost is immediate, the gains are lasting.
Great illustration, Reid! I think running is a great example for the Christian life, and it is certainly a picture used within Scripture for it (e.g. 1 Cor. 9:24-27). My friends and I have been discussing this recently, and the question that keeps coming up is, 'How should it feel to follow Christ?' In other words, what if someone is continually apathetic towards their spiritual formation. In this case, working from the inside -> out is impossible. Or, is it? Are we misunderstanding what this means? Does it relate merely to our emotions or is there more to our 'inside'? Furthermore, I have found no way to separate whether Christian service and spiritual disciplines flow from or contribute to our sanctification. At this point, I will have to say that it is the genius of the AND. They both show your sanctification and contribute to it. It is similar to the way that running both shows your concern for physical health and contributes to it. And, in the words of Mr. Nike, if you don't feel like running, 'Just Do It'! But, of course, that is a bit scary, especially when it leads to merely going through the motions, legalistically following what the culture deems as Christianity!
So … two questions remain:
1. Should our spiritual formation be accompanied by affection for God?
2. What advice should be given to someone who is feeling apathetic? How long should someone ‘Just Do It’, or should they never just go through the motions?
Hurley, I agree that "both/and" rather "either/or" is the right answer. Isn't it always? Well, maybe not.
But to answer the first question, I do think that affection needs to accompany spiritual growth. How else can we grow in our fulfilling the greatest commandment?
But how do we cultivate 'right' affections? Sometimes 'right' thinking and 'right' doing aren't always accompanied by "godly affections." I do think spiritual disicplines (devtional readings in scripture or writings by thoughtful christians) are important, as well as corporate worship. But again, these won't and have not always brought immediate results.
Like everything else, it is a process, which God uses to renew and refresh our hearts.
I think Reid has given a great analogy for how God works "from the outside in" to shape us. Perhaps the greatest counter example would be conversion / regeneration. Yes, it is from "the outside," as the gospel gets communicated to us from another, and is illuminated by the (invading) Holy Spirit, but the regenerative work is internal, invisible and even 'mysterious', as Jesus suggests in John 3. It is then with this renewed heart that we can respond with obedience to Jesus' commands. This is of course the point of Jer.31 and Ez.36. We need new hearts - not merely new ceremonies, disciplines, or environments - if we are to obey God.
But as there are "means of grace" God has given us (e.g., Scriptures, prayer, fellowship, corporate worship, etc.), we can choose to 'avail' ourselves of, or even better, submit ourselves to, in discipline, in desperation (a spiritual hunger and thirst for rightouesness), and in a deliberate, thoughtful pursuit of godliness. God uses these 'means' to communicate grace to us through the Spirit's indwelling presence (i.e., internal work).
So it is both. God works within us, both to will and to work, and we respond continuously in "working out our salvation with fear and trembling." God initates of course in regeneration. Thereafter it seems it must be a continuous feedback loop.
What I think Willard will help us see is just how it is that exercising the disciplines is used by God to change us and conform us to Christ.
Good stuff, guys!
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