CS 501 Introduction to Christian SpiritualityThe Journey of the Christian Life

Deadly Thoughts and Godly VirtuesGluttony

AngerGreedEnvyPrideLust IndifferenceMelancholy or depression

TemperanceMildnessGenerosityHappinessHumilityChastityDiligenceWisdom

Gluttony overcome by Temperance

Gluttony – the insatiable desire to take things in, to consume, and

to attempt to satisfy desire

through gorging

Gluttony overcome by Temperance

Gluttony – the insatiable desire to take things, in, to consume and

to attempt to satisfy desire

through gorging

Temperance – recognizes that there will always be more to come and that, due to trust in God, God

will provide

Anger overcome by Mildness

Anger – arises from a sense of

violation of self, of agreements, and of principles, and from a feeling of threat to social status or the

desire to control others

Anger overcome by Mildness

Anger – arises from a sense of

violation of self, of agreements, of principles and

from a feeling of threat to social status or the

desire to control others

Mildness – the capacity for self-restraint due to

confidence in God

Greed overcome by Generosity

Greed – boundless in its

grasping for money or fame and its need to

fill others’ minds with ourselves

Greed overcome by Generosity

Greed – boundless in its grasping for money or fame

and its need to fill others’ minds with

ourselves

Generosity – recognizes that

the greatest good is found in sharing

with others in community due to

recognizing the sufficiency of

God’s provision

Envy overcome by Happiness

Envy – awakens when feelings of

inadequacy about one’s gifts and abilities lead to

resentment of the gifts and abilities

of others

Envy overcome by Happiness

Envy – awakens when feelings of

inadequacy about one’s gifts and abilities lead to

resentment of the gifts and abilities

of others

Happiness – recognizes one’s

own competencies and

celebrates the skills and abilities

of others

Pride overcome by Humility

Pride – results from a

disproportionate sense of one’s own

contribution, manifested in an

inordinate belief in one’s own importance

Pride overcome by Humility

Pride – results from a

disproportionate sense of one’s own

contribution, manifested in an

inordinate belief in one’s own importance

Humility – recognizes that one’s own gifts

and abilities need to be developed further without

feeling threatened by the

achievements of others

Lust overcome by Chastity

Lust – results from egocentrism and the belief that the person after whom we lust exists only

to satisfy one’s unbridled desires

Lust overcome by Chastity

Lust – results from egocentrism and the belief that the person after whom we lust exists only

to satisfy one’s unbridled desires

Chastity – works to properly balance

love with the capacity to be

loved by someone, honoring and

caring for those we love

Indifference overcome by Diligence

Indifference – reflects a belief that what one is

doing has no outcome worthy of respect due to

a loss of confidence that

one’s life matters

Indifference overcome by Diligence

Indifference – reflects a belief that what one is

doing has no outcome worthy of respect due to a

loss of confidence that one’s life

matters

Diligence – reflects the perseverance

that helps one through tough

times, believing that the ultimate

purpose of life rests in the hands

of God

Melancholy overcome by Wisdom

Melancholy and depression –

concludes that the priorities by which one has structured his or her life will have no lingering effect after he or

she is gone

Melancholy overcome by Wisdom

Melancholy and depression –

concludes that the priorities by which one has structured his or her life will have no lingering effect after he or

she is gone

Wisdom – recognizes the role one’s life plays in the greater affairs

of the world, finding

contentment in one’s contribution

to it

THE SPIRITUAL DISCIPLINES

The Corporate Disciplines• Augustine said that the Christian

should be an alleluia from head to foot or, as Anthony Campolo said, the Christian should be a party waiting to happen!

• Psalm 98• Psalm 150

Celebration

The Corporate Disciplines• Augustine said that the Christian

should be an alleluia from head to foot or, as Anthony Campolo said, the Christian should be a party waiting to happen!

• Psalm 98• Psalm 150

Celebration

• Disciples are those who intentionally discern the direction and leadership of the Holy Spirit corporately.

• John 16:13-15• Galatians 5:24-26

Guidance

The Corporate Disciplines• The Discipline of Confession brings an

end to pretense. God is calling into being a Church that can openly confess its frail humanity and know the forgiving and empowering graces of Christ. Honesty leads to confession, and confession leads to change. May God give grace to the Church once again to recover the Discipline of Confession (Richard Foster).

• Psalm 51:6-7• James 5:13-16

Confession

The Outward Disciplines• This is what worship looks like

to the world.• Romans 12:1, 2 • 1 Peter 4:7-10

Submission and Service

The Outward Disciplines• This is what worship looks like

to the world.• Romans 12:1, 2 • 1 Peter 4:7-10

Submission and Service

• We must seek out the recreating stillness of solitude if we want to be with others meaningfully. We must seek the fellowship and accountability of others if we want to be alone safely. We must cultivate both if we are to live in obedience (Richard Foster).

• Psalm 46:10-11

Solitude

The Outward Disciplines• To live life in the

courage, the wisdom, and the strength to hold the kingdom of God as the number-one priority of our lives is to live in simplicity (Richard Foster).

• Matthew 6:19-21, 33-34

Simplicity

The Inward Disciplines• In study there are two “books”—verbal and

nonverbal. Books and lectures are one part, the world of nature and the careful observation of events and actions are the primary nonverbal fields of study. The principal task of study is a perception into the reality of a given situation, encounter, book, etc. We can go through a major crisis, for example, without any perception of the real nature of the tragic situation. But if we carefully observe and reflect upon what occurred, we can learn a great deal. Study is well worth our most serious effort.

• 2 Timothy 2:15• Isaiah 55:8-9

Study

The Inward Disciplines• Some have exalted religious

fasting beyond all Scripture and reason; and others have utterly disregarded it (John Wesley).

• Isaiah 58:6-9

Fasting

The Inward Disciplines• Some have exalted religious

fasting beyond all Scripture and reason; and others have utterly disregarded it (John Wesley).

• Isaiah 58:6-9

Fasting

• Christian meditation, simply, is the ability to hear God’s voice and obey his word

• Psalm 1:1-3• Hebrews 12:25-29

Meditation

The Inward Disciplines• Of all the spiritual disciplines, prayer is the

most central because it ushers us into perpetual communion with the Father. Meditation introduces us to the inner life, fasting is an accompanying means, study transforms the mind, but it is the Discipline of Prayer that brings us into the deepest and highest work of the human spirit. To pray is to change and to see things from God’s point of view. Listening to God is the necessary prelude to intercession. We must hear, know, and obey the will of God before we pray it into the lives of others.

• Romans 8:26• Ephesians 6:18

Prayer

The Inward Disciplines• Worship is an

ordered way of acting and living that sets us before God so that he can transform us.

• John 4:23-24

Worship

A PRAYER FOR THE INCORPORATION OF THE SPIRITUAL DISCIPLINES

Father of Beauty, how great is your creative power! Give me eyes to recognize every “tool” in your hands as you work to reshape me in the immortal image of your Son . . . all the words and people and circumstances that gouge, as well as those that smooth.I trust you, Father. Shape in me the beauty of a life set apart for you.

RESPONDJournal your answers to these questions

What did you hear from God during the reading and reflection on the disciplines?

How will you respond to what you heard from God?

Which of the disciplines are disciplines for you?

Which of the disciplines are not disciplines for you?

THE ULTIMATE GOALEvagrius

• The state in which every thought, desire, and action is properly ordered.

Apatheia

THE ULTIMATE GOALEvagrius

• In this state, the passions of the soul are overcome by love of God and neighbor, and the passions of the flesh are overcome by self-discipline.

Apatheia

THE ULTIMATE GOALEvagrius

• “The proof of apatheia is had when the spirit begins to see its own light, when it remains in a state of tranquility in the presence of images it has during sleep, and when it maintains its calm as it beholds the affairs of life.”

Apatheia

THE ULTIMATE GOALEvagrius

• “To achieve apatheia is to achieve a full and harmonious integration of the emotional and spiritual life under the direct influence of God’s divine love. It creates a state of deep calm based on obedience to the commandments of God and the practice of virtue.”

Apatheia

THE JOURNEY OF SUFFERING

Definitions – 1 Peter

Physical suffering –

1:6• Abuse• Poverty• Disease

• Persecution

Definitions – 1 Peter

Physical suffering –

1:6• Abuse• Poverty• Disease

• Persecution

Consequences of

wrongdoing - 2:19-20

Definitions – 1 Peter

Physical suffering –

1:6• Abuse• Poverty• Disease

• Persecution

Consequences of

wrongdoing - 2:19-20

Willingly giving up

one’s rights in obedience to

Christ – 2:21ff; 3:18;

4:1,2,12ff

Desert and Wilderness

Desert

• The choice to separate oneself for discipline, instruction, solitude, preparation

• Examples• Paul – Gal 1:13-19• Desert Fathers, i.e., Anthony, John

Cassian

Desert and Wilderness

Desert

• The choice to separate oneself for discipline, instruction, solitude, preparation

• Examples• Paul – Gal 1:13-19• Desert Fathers, i.e., Anthony, John Cassian

Wilderness

• A time of sending by God to learn from God through discipline; may include consequences of sinful behavior

• Examples• Children of Israel – Num 14:26-35; Heb 3-4• Jesus – Mt 4

A Final Word

•12So then, brothers and sisters, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh— •13for if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. •14For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God. •15For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received a spirit of adoption. When we cry, “Abba! Father!” •16it is that very Spirit bearing witness with our spirit that we are children of God, •17and if children, then heirs, heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ—if, in fact, we suffer with him so that we may also be glorified with him.

Romans 8:12-17