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Thread: Spiritual Formation

  1. #11
    Super Moderator Quest's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Jonathan david View Post
    Quest, I'm liking how you are articulating this. You use of the term "mystical" implies that it is not necessarily "the dark side" that many assume. In a basic sense, an appropriate biblically-based mystical experience is simply connection a from our spirit to the Holy Spirit, and as you say, innate to the tranformation process.

    Any yes, there are cautions here (as with most Christian practices and processes). The mature and discerning Christian will know how to discover that secret place in God that people like David knew well, and avoid the side trails. Deep and intense communion with God is too important to let fear discourage us from going to the place of intimacy that God so desires from us.
    Yes, God led me in this direction years ago and walked me through the process of fear into the promises an safety issues..His Spirit always confirms with His word, sometimes through revelation and wisdom that connects thing I could not see before..

    The renaming of the Biblical process to Spiritual Formation just reminds me of a marketing ploy...then again maybe to shock and awe or something...but now that I think about it...no..just because the Lord led me there does not mean the process would be embraced by traditionalists..it probably could not be just a shift that would not have fallout..

  2. #12
    Quote Originally Posted by Bookman View Post
    I've found it mostly associated with the more liturgical churches. There are people who become mentors (though that's not the word) and help people with their spiritual formation. It can be valid or can be another Christian fad. It just depends on the people involved. There's nothing inherently bad in it.
    I am getting the jist that some of the "liturgical" churches are sensing there is more in God that their "system" has shut out, if not intentionally.
    I have heard this from a church in Asia, that they were open to understanding more streams different than theirs. I think this shows a tremendous amount of maturity, that seeking the things of God can go beyond the status quo, breaking the "camp" mentality.

  3. #13
    Super Moderator Quest's Avatar
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    Christians talk too much and don't listen much...and to tell them to journal what they hear in faith expecting God to talk to them just sounds almost sacrilegious to them...prayer should be more listening than talking...

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  5. #14
    Super Moderator Quest's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Jonathan david View Post
    I am getting the jist that some of the "liturgical" churches are sensing there is more in God that their "system" has shut out, if not intentionally.
    I have heard this from a church in Asia, that they were open to understanding more streams different than theirs. I think this shows a tremendous amount on maturity, that seeking the things of God can go beyond the status quo, breaking the "camp" mentality.
    Yes, but some Christians essentially fear the supernatural...they may be fine with God breaking in and doing something because He is God but actually setting apart time to interact with the supernatural terrifies them..they think of things like séances or inviting spirits....but no, it's inviting THE SPIRIT...to hang out with HIM and listen to HIM and record what we hear and then test the spirit....Even if they listen in prayer they don't let their minds see and acknowledge what they are doing...

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  7. #15
    Quote Originally Posted by Cardinal TT View Post
    "Spiritual formation is an intentional Christian practice much like that of Eastern Mysticism, which claims as its goal the development of religious maturity that leads to Christian devoutness which has it roots in the ancient practices found in those of Catholic religious orders, Ascetics and others."

    I've heard of this but not under the term Spiritual Formation


    You learn something new everyday
    TT, thanks for the example. So here is a case where the wording creates an uncomfortable "adjacency" for many in the West, that may cause an immediate concern. Typically, no American Christian would instantly want to follow "practice much like that of Eastern Mysticism." But here's where intelligent discovery needs to usurp the provocative phraseology in order to make appropriate distinctions. Worship between many religions can seem "similar", but obviously that is an insufficient story.

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  9. #16
    Super Moderator Quest's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Jonathan david View Post
    TT, thanks for the example. So here is a case where the wording creates an uncomfortable "adjacency" for many in the West, that may cause an immediate concern. Typically, no American Christian would instantly want to follow "practice much like that of Eastern Mysticism." But here's where intelligent discovery needs to usurp the provocative phraseology in order to make appropriate distinctions. Worship between many religions can seem "similar", but obviously that is an insufficient story.
    Absolutely...it's mysticism but to call it that disturbs some..religious practices are not ne...nor are tey anit=God..more like they ere borrowed from...

    I wonder how 'Spiritual Formation' was introduced to your friends church...and do you know what they are integrating in? Contemplative prayer? Meditation?
    I would be very interested in their 'lesson' format..

  10. #17
    Quote Originally Posted by Quest View Post
    Yes, but some Christians essentially fear the supernatural...they may be fine with God breaking in and doing something because He is God but actually setting apart time to interact with the supernatural terrifies them..they think of things like séances or inviting spirits....but no, it's inviting THE SPIRIT...to hang out with HIM and listen to HIM and record what we hear and then test the spirit....Even if they listen in prayer they don't let their minds see and acknowledge what they are doing...
    Your comment brings to mind:

    EXODUS 20
    The People Afraid of God’s Presence
    18 Now all the people witnessed the thunderings, the lightning flashes, the sound of the trumpet, and the mountain smoking; and when the people saw it, they trembled and stood afar off. 19 Then they said to Moses, “You speak with us, and we will hear; but let not God speak with us, lest we die.”

    20 And Moses said to the people, “Do not fear; for God has come to test you, and that His fear may be before you, so that you may not sin.” 21 So the people stood afar off, but Moses drew near the thick darkness where God was.

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  12. #18
    Quote Originally Posted by Quest View Post
    Absolutely...it's mysticism but to call it that disturbs some..religious practices are not ne...nor are tey anit=God..more like they ere borrowed from...

    I wonder how 'Spiritual Formation' was introduced to your friends church...and do you know what they are integrating in? Contemplative prayer? Meditation?
    I would be very interested in their 'lesson' format..
    Will try and find out...

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    Quest (10-24-2016)

  14. #19
    Senior Member wheeze's Avatar
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    Spiritual formation is an intentional Christian practice much like that of Eastern Mysticism, which claims as its goal the development of religious maturity that leads to Christian devoutness which has it roots in the ancient practices found in those of Catholic religious orders, Ascetics and others. One engages in spiritual formation through:
    Ancient Christian religious activities (prayer, the study of scripture, fasting, simplicity, solitude, confession, worship, etc.)
    Spiritual Theology that includes historical and contemporary practices
    Christian Spirituality

  15. #20
    Senior Member Colonel's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by wheeze View Post
    Spiritual formation is an intentional Christian practice much like that of Eastern Mysticism, which claims as its goal the development of religious maturity that leads to Christian devoutness which has it roots in the ancient practices found in those of Catholic religious orders, Ascetics and others. One engages in spiritual formation through:
    Ancient Christian religious activities (prayer, the study of scripture, fasting, simplicity, solitude, confession, worship, etc.)
    Spiritual Theology that includes historical and contemporary practices
    Christian Spirituality
    That could sound like a substitute instead of the reality that the baptism in the Spirit brings.

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