CS 501 Introduction to Christian SpiritualityA Philosophy of Christian SpiritualityThe Rule of Life

PHILOSOPHY OF CHRISTIAN SPIRITUALITY – THE DEFINITIONBecky Towne

Christian spirituality is a way of connecting the finite with the eternal through interactions and

intersections of relationship as a follower of Christ Jesus

PHILOSOPHY OF CHRISTIAN SPIRITUALITY – BUILDING THE PHILOSOPHYBecky Towne

Christian spirituality is a way of connecting the finite with the eternal through interactions and

intersections of relationship as a follower of Christ JesusRelationship

with God – study,

responsiveness,

attentiveness, spiritual practices

PHILOSOPHY OF CHRISTIAN SPIRITUALITY – BUILDING THE PHILOSOPHYBecky Towne

Christian spirituality is a way of connecting the finite with the eternal through interactions and

intersections of relationship as a follower of Christ JesusRelationship

with God – study,

responsiveness,

attentiveness, spiritual practices

Relationship with others –biblical love, community-

building, corporate spirituality

PHILOSOPHY OF CHRISTIAN SPIRITUALITY – BUILDING THE PHILOSOPHYBecky Towne

Christian spirituality is a way of connecting the finite with the eternal through interactions and

intersections of relationship as a follower of Christ JesusRelationship

with God – study,

responsiveness,

attentiveness, spiritual practices

Relationship with others –biblical love, community-

building, corporate spirituality

Relationship with self – spiritual balance,

removal of barriers, rest,

reflection, integrity

PHILOSOPHY OF CHRISTIAN SPIRITUALITYBecky Towne 2012

Christian spirituality involves living a life in balance relationally, transformationally, and

vocationally.

Connecting with God,

others, and self (relational)

Becoming more like Christ

(transformational)

Doing the will of God

(vocational)

RULE OF LIFE – ITS NATUREChan, 190ff

Patterns of

Disciplines

•Not a set of rules to make oneself good and acceptable before God

RULE OF LIFE – ITS NATUREChan, 190ff

Patterns of

Disciplines

•Not a set of rules to make oneself good and acceptable before God

•A new or renewed pattern of discipline to achieve ascetical proficiency as a participant within the Kingdom of God

RULE OF LIFE – ITS NATUREChan, 190ff

Patterns of

Disciplines

•Not a set of rules to make oneself good and acceptable before God

•A new or renewed pattern of discipline to achieve ascetical proficiency as a participant within the Kingdom of God

Spiritual Rhythms •Fits secular work into a spiritual rule rather than the other way

around

RULE OF LIFE – ITS NATUREChan, 190ff

Patterns of

Disciplines

•Not a set of rules to make oneself good and acceptable before God

•A new or renewed pattern of discipline to achieve ascetical proficiency as a participant within the Kingdom of God

Spiritual Rhythms

•Fits secular work into a spiritual rule rather than the other way around

•Establishes a rhythm to maintain spiritual focus

RULE OF LIFE – ITS NATUREChan, 190ff

Patterns of

Disciplines

•Not a set of rules to make oneself good and acceptable before God

•A new or renewed pattern of discipline to achieve ascetical proficiency as a participant within the Kingdom of God

Spiritual Rhythms

•Fits secular work into a spiritual rule rather than the other way around

•Establishes a rhythm to maintain spiritual focus

Status of a Rule •Rules lack benefit when viewed as ends unto themselves

RULE OF LIFE – ITS NATUREChan, 190ff

Patterns of

Disciplines

•Not a set of rules to make oneself good and acceptable before God

•A new or renewed pattern of discipline to achieve ascetical proficiency as a participant within the Kingdom of God

Spiritual Rhythms

•Fits secular work into a spiritual rule rather than the other way around

•Establishes a rhythm to maintain spiritual focus

Status of a Rule

•Rules lack benefit when viewed as ends unto themselves•Embracing a rule reorders life according to one’s philosophy of

Christian spirituality

RULE OF LIFE - PURPOSES

Reinforces holy habits•Becomes

second nature•Reaches a

degree of proficiency

RULE OF LIFE - PURPOSES

Reinforces holy habits•Becomes second

nature•Reaches a

degree of proficiency

Views spiritual life as holistic integration•Spiritual

disciplines•Spiritual

exercises

RULE OF LIFE - PURPOSES

Reinforces holy habits•Becomes second

nature•Reaches a degree

of proficiency

Views spiritual life as holistic integration•Spiritual disciplines•Spiritual exercises

Functions as a standard of measurement•Individual and

corporate dimensions

•Personal and social dimensions

RULE OF LIFE – INDIVIDUAL AND CORPORATEPrayerfully covers the whole of life

• Should strike a balance between flexibility and perseverancePersona

l Rule

RULE OF LIFE – INDIVIDUAL AND CORPORATEPrayerfully covers the whole of life

• Should strike a balance between flexibility and perseverance

• Should be simple, easy to remember, and within reasonable reach

Personal Rule

RULE OF LIFE – INDIVIDUAL AND CORPORATEPrayerfully covers the whole of life

• Should strike a balance between flexibility and perseverance

• Should be simple, easy to remember, and within reasonable reach

Personal Rule

• Can be used as a guide for the personal rule, when a common rule is already adopted

Common Rule

RULE OF LIFE – INDIVIDUAL AND CORPORATEPrayerfully covers the whole of life

• Should strike a balance between flexibility and perseverance

• Should be simple, easy to remember, and within reasonable reach

Personal Rule

• Can be used as a guide for the personal rule, when a common rule is already adopted

• Involves placing oneself under some kind of external accountability, often embraced publicly

Common Rule

WEBSITES OF INTEREST

http://www.mustardseedorder.com/cm/home/9 (Definition of a Rule of Life)

http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/source/rul-benedict.html (Rule of St. Benedict)