The other day my colleague asked me, “What one book on spiritual formation would you recommend to church planters?”
ONE BOOK?! Now spiritual formation is a theme in my life (I’ve blogged a little about that in another place). It is something I pursue and encourage others to do the same, but at that moment I drew a blank. I scanned the books on my shelves and thought, “Is there one book that has shaped my understanding of spiritual formation more than any other?” After looking in vain, I realized that the one book that has shaped my understanding of the spiritual life more than any other (except of course the Bible) wasn’t on my shelf because I have given my copy away (I now have a copy in my Kindle). Without a doubt, “Under the Unpredictable Plant: An Exploration in Vocational Holiness” by Eugene Peterson, is that book. Peterson introduced me to several key thoughts that I wanted to share with readers – now this is not a substitute for reading the book.
Three points of spiritual formation stand out in my memory:
1. Peterson warned me against “Ecclesiastical Pornography.” You know what that it, don’t you? It is when you look at another guy’s ministry and lust after it, but you fail to realize that what you think you see, is an illusion. In the same way that sexual pornography is staged and airbrushed illusion, so is the image that many of us have of the ministries we see around us. Consider the big church that has no problems and only good-looking, “normal” people – an illusion! How about the theologically astute church with only deeply orthodox and highly intelligent leaders – imaginary! How about the missionary/church planter with a booming ministry and no problem people – again, an illusion. What about the church in that book you are reading – a well staged scene! Peterson warns that the lust you feel for that ministry is partaking in ecclestical pornography, and just like sexual pornography, it breeds nothing but discontentment and disdain. Love the people God has given you and faithfully serve in the field he has placed you. Don’t be tempted by the airbrushed illusion of the other guy’s ministry
2. Next, Peterson helped me understand that spiritual growth is like growing a garden. Our lives are the field. God plants the seeds and he sends different types of weather – sun, rain, wind, hardships, joy, boredom. The disciplines are tools that allow us to respond and nurture growth, like gardening tools, each has its place and usefulness. So the spiritual formation is never determined by the situation we find ourselves in, rather each season of life is useful if I nurture my soul.
3. Peterson helped me understand the importance of finding a spiritual guide – even if they are long dead and might not engaged in “spiritual” work. No one person knows everything, and it is often extremely helpful to look outside of our small circle in order to get a different perspective. For him, it was Fydor Dostoevsky and Wendell Berry. I tried both, and found them… well, not so helpful. For me, fiction writers and musicians have served as guides into the depth of human depravity, the great penalty of sin, the thrill of love, and the frustrations of a life lived “under the sun.” Over the years, these lessons have pressed me closer to the Lord and allowed me to experience the glorious riches of the gospel.
Well, that is the ONE BOOK that has guided my spiritual formation, and why.
ALSO RANS:
This discussion caused me to think about other books that have nourished my soul over the years.
1. Knowledge of the Holy and The Pursuit of God by A.W. Tozer – this evangelical mystic helped me understood what it meant to pursue the unattainable God and to never be satisfied with anything less than Him.
2. Prayer: Cry for the Kingdom by Stanley Grenz – this book helped me understand the theological basis for prayer. I call it, “A book on prayer for thinking men.”
3. Sacred Romance: Drawing Closer to the Heart of God by John Eldridge and Brent Curtis – I know, there are some serious (!) theological issues with this book, it introduced me to the concept of living within the Gospel story and not settling for a cerebral faith. Few statements have challenged me like this one: Modern evangelicalism reads like an IRS 1040 form: It’s true. All the data is there, but it doesn’t take out breath away. (45) For a more theologically sound explanation of the gospel as story, I would recommend VanHoozer’s Drama of Doctrine.
4. Desiring God and Brothers We are Not Professionals by John Piper. I don’t like everything Piper has written, I’m sure it is me not him, but these two books have challenged me like few others.
5. Celebration of Discipline by Richard Foster & The Spirit of the Disciplines: Understanding How God Changes Lives by Dallas Willard – I think these books go well together because they gave me a sense of both form and function.
This list could go on forever, but it needs to stop somewhere. Here is as good a place as any.
What one book would you recommend? Why?
