For a while now I’ve argued that the spiritual disciplines movement over-emphasizes individual, solitary disciplines. Consider, for example, this from Dallas Willard —
Three practices or spiritual disciplines are especially helpful in making Sabbath real in the midst of our life: Solitude, Silence, and Fasting. These are
three of the central disciplines of abstinence long practiced by the followers of Jesus to help them find and keep solid footing in the kingdom that cannot be moved–in the midst of a busy and productive life, or even a life of trial, conflict and frustration. …Experimental, prayerful implementation of solitude, silence, fasting–and other appropriate practices, such as fellowship, worship and study (there is no
complete list of spiritual disciplines)–will certainly liberate us into the riches of kingdom living. We do not have to live under the thumb of our
circumstances. For many, it is a considerable test of faith to take control of how they spend their time. But that is up to us. And putting time-tested,
biblical disciplines for the spiritual life into sensible practice will soon lead us into an abundance of life that is eternal in quality and power.
While Willard acknowledges that not all spiritual disciplines are solo practices, he emphasizes the ones that are the most individualized of all: solitude, silence, and fasting. I think this is a mistake.
In fact, one of the key elements of the Kingdom is community. We are saved into community. After all, there’s no such thing as a Kingdom with just one citizen.
(Mat 22:2-3 ESV) 2 “The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who gave a wedding feast for his son, 3 and sent his servants to call those who were invited to the wedding feast, but they would not come. …
(Mat 22:8-10 ESV) 8 “Then he said to his servants, ‘The wedding feast is ready, but those invited were not worthy. 9 Go therefore to the main roads and invite to the wedding feast as many as you find.’ 10 And those servants went out into the roads and gathered all whom they found, both bad and good. So the wedding hall was filled with guests.”
Jesus compares the Kingdom to a wedding feast — not a monastery or a desert. Therefore, when Jesus preached the Sermon on the Mount, his instructions focused heavily on interpersonal relationships — how to get along. In fact, even when he speaks of prayer, he teaches a prayer to be prayed in community: “Our Father” can only be spoken by a community.
Moreover, every time the New Testament holds Jesus up as an example of how to live, the apostles speak in terms of service, submission, and sacrifice — actions that can only occur in community. Not once is Jesus held up as an example of prayer, fasting, solitude, silence, or meditation.
Now, I’m actually the sort of person who handles solitude pretty well. And I can read and study and write all alone just fine. I’m personally inclined toward the individualistic disciplines. But I can’t let my personal preferences sway my teaching, and I think the Bible calls us much more into a life of spiritual community than a life of solitary study, prayer, and meditation.
This is not to dismiss individual disciplines as unimportant. They just shouldn’t be treated as the core of Kingdom living. I can’t find such a teaching in the Bible. I figure the preference some have for these particular disciplines is more about the personalities and needs of the teachers than truly thoughtful study of the Scriptures.
And so, I figure we shouldn’t have to look that hard to find some community disciplines. You see, contrary to the radical Western individuality that so infects our thinking, I think we desperately need more community — community of a healthy, spiritual kind. And we don’t talk much about it.
But before I try to compile a list of community disciplines, I thought I’d ask the readers: What disciplines, individual or corporate, do you find in the Scriptures that are actually taught as Christian practices?
1. emulate Jesus
2. worship in spirit & truth
3. love others, the way Jesus loved us
Communities & individuals are free to find their own individual ways to act out these principles.
Perhaps I Cor 7:5 might have some bearing on this question. “Do not deprive one another, except perhaps by agreement for a limited time, that you may devote yourselves to prayer; but then come together again, so that Satan may not tempt you because of your lack of self-control.”
Not sure I see a command here as much as a recognition of the need for individuals to “get away” at times to spend some “quiet time” with the Lord. If away from spouse and immediate family, certainly from extended family…
But, to your point….it does also appear that the need for extended periods of “aloneness” are more the influence of the Deceiver than a recommended approach to righteous living…
By example Jesus also separated Himself from the crowds and at times from his closest inner circle… Again, not a command but one could obviously see some benefit to “quiet time” if Jesus felt it necessary and important… Again…not for extended periods..
I depends on how we define “practices”. In a sense anything we do, we practice. However, “practice” is often used somewhat synonymously with how we use the “discipline” itself. In fact, a discipline is something we practice, but also implies that that practice influences a deeper change within us (disciplines us). That is, it isn’t just “going through the motions” (to use a churchy term). If we practice the wrong things, we become disciplined in the wrong way. To practice those things that lead us to better understand God, ourselves, and our relationship with Him and others, the better disciplined we become in a good way. That is not to simplify spirituality to a set of practices, but the practices do influence the discipline / spirituality.
That said, anything we “practice” that leads us to be more spiritually “disciplined” is a spiritual discipline. So, even though there are many that are taught as Christian practices in the scriptures, there may be others that we haven’t even thought about.
Some that I can think of off the top of my head taught in scripture are:
1. Fasting (Mark 2:20 in addition to the many examples of the practice)
2. Prayer
3. Meditation (which may come in many forms – I think even of Psalm 8 and meditation on God’s creation – though not “commanded” it is “taught”)
4. Singing (Colossians 3:16 – note the “together” aspect in that passage as well)
5. Serving (I Peter 4:9-10 – also can be included in the “together” category to some degree, even if we are serving alone – we still are serving others)
6. The list goes on and on….
BTW: When you do get to the list of community disciplines, I recommend the classic Richard Foster who categorizes his discussion of spiritual disciplines by Inward, Outward, and CORPORATE. Good point Jay concerning the often overemphasized individual nature of the disciplines (and/or practices).
Have you read *Pilgrim Heart* by Tippens (I think he’s at Pepperdine)? It’s about community spiritual disciples. I have to admit that, though I liked the topics he covered, I wasn’t helped too much by his discussion in the book.
But that was two years ago, so maybe I would be now.
“In fact, one of the key elements of the Kingdom is community. We are saved into community. After all, there’s no such thing as a Kingdom with just one citizen.”
Is that what we were supposed to gleen from Mat-22.?
I always thought it refered to the Jews being picked to become the bride of Jesus, but refused and the gentiles became second choice, and all that were called would not be accepted. Guess I will need to read that again.
I would argue strongly for deliberate inter-dependance and deliberate continuity to place.
Said less formally, sell as much of your stuff as you can, even needed stuff, so that you have to depend on your neighbors to do basic things. Then, commit to be there, with your neighbors, for as long as possible – not moving because you can afford a better house, or go to a better school, or make more money.
None of the other communal “practices” will work if there isn’t inter-dependence and continual presence.
As an aside, God in himself exists as relation – it is the very thing that, theologically, makes Christianity so unique. Of course, then, our existence should model His – communal (and sacrificial I would add!!).
Adam said, “God in himself exists as relation” That is an important point. “God revealed in Three Relationships” may be more theologically correct than “God in Three Persons.” Neither phrase is a scriptural quote, both are interpretive. We become like the Person when we emulate the Relationship. http://www.createdtobelikegod.com/2011/09/character-of-god-is-revealed-in-three.html
Discipline in community is a relationship shared between believers who practice personal discipline. Both are necessary and modeled by Jesus in personal discipline and in relationship between Son and Father. Jesus had the ideal balance. We tend to get off balance on what we think is important, focusing on the method of discipline instead of Jesus. That “off-balance” tendency does not come from out of the Spirit, it comes from a reaction to someone else..
I have practiced the discipline of associating with a small (4-8 people) group of Christians for the purpose of planning and reviewing our walk with Christ. We review what spiritual aids we have personally practiced in tha past week, what we have studied,and what action we have taken in Christ’s name during the past week. We talk about our sucesses and failures in calling others to Christ and what we plan to do in the upcoming week. We talk about a moment in the past week when we have been closest to Christ. I see the Scriptural reference to be from Jesus Himself as he had the 12 and then a smaller group of apostles with which he kept close company and who seemed very close to each other. I think It is difficult to experience growth in a crowd and think a small group best yeilds itself to Christian Growth. Althought my congregation has “Life Groups” and I participate in them, they are usually still to large (12-25 people) to facilitate the closeness needed for growth to occur.
If any of you are familar with the various 3-day retreat programs (Walk to Emmaus, Cursillo, Tres Dios, ect.) you will recognize these items as the agenda for “Reunion Groups”. The only 3 day program that I know about that is associated with the CofC is called “Higher Ground” which is centered in New Mexico. I’ve found my “reunion groups” to be very helpful. The one I am in now is an all male group but I’ve also been in co-ed groups. My experience with reunion groups is that they are very beneficial to the larger congregational group when they stick to the agenda. If they wander, then problems could occur.
Community among believers occurs at different levels. Doug refers to them in his experience as “small group:” “life group” and “local congregation”. Call it “family/clan/tribe” if you like.
“Family” is essentially small, due to the limits of our ability to have intimate relationships with a large number of people. Here we find accountability, mutual commitment and connection which reaches beyond a single facet of our lives. Perhaps “true friends” would also be a good identifier.
“Clan” connects at a broader level, small enough to know each other personally, but not intimately acquainted with one another. The local church service (in a small congregation) may fit this. A common identity and some limited common activity.
“Tribe” is more about title, tradition and heritage than it is about interpersonal connections. “Denomination” might fit this better, in a religious context. “I am a Baptist” or “I am a member of the Church of Christ” says something about our general affiliation, but does not connect us together beyond some general agreements.
The only “community” discipline I see as ubiquitous in the church is the Sunday morning church service and the supports required to maintain it. This discipline is our fundamental, the one we require if none other is practiced. Most of our time and treasure are invested right there.
There are other disciplines, of course. But they take a far back seat. In some groups we see a commitment to the poor, but get beyond the Salvation Army and that quickly becomes an ancillary feature, not a key discipline. A corporate commitment to church authority is a key discipline in the RCC, but don’t look for such an emphasis among most Protestants. And a community commitment to evangelism was left to the Mormons and Jehovah’s Witnesses long ago.
Otherwise, such things seem to come in swells. There will be a season where there are calls for prayer, then we will see a season where local groups train people for evangelism, or worship, or political involvement.
Perhaps the only other discipline I can see still identifiable as a community value may be a commitment to marriage and sexual morality. But even that is on the wane in far too many places, and has been left to individual preference more than to a standard held by a whole community.
James Thompson of ACU has a great article making your point on community formation as Paul’s focus. See “Paul and Spiritual Formation,” Christian Studies, volume 24, 2010, pp. 7-19 published by the Austin Graduate School of Theology.
While I can’t find the article on the Internet, I found notes someone took from a presentation of that material: http://www.bobyoungresources.com/sermons/spiritual-formation-in-paul.pdf. Thanks for pointing us this way!
Laymond,
You know, it’s entirely possible for a parable to have multiple lessons.
Jay, did Jesus give multiple explanations of those he explained?
Laymond–
If Jesus gave no explanation for a parable, that does not mean it HAD no explanation. Thus it follows that if he gave one explanation, this does not prove that it had ONLY one explanation. It’s apparent that there can be more explanation than Jesus offered his audience at the time.
Charles, that is what is wrong with Christianity today, everyone has their own explanation, of scripture.
I haven’t had time to read all the posts, so I may be repeating something someone else has already said.
I don’t think Dalls is saying that we need to shut ourself off from community for the whole day. When Dallas Willard suggests that we excercise solitude, silence and fasting on the Sabbath . . . could it be that he recognizes that the Sabbath is the day that a Christian is most likely to be able to find time to do these kind of practices?
Most Christians are working in the kingdom during the week, whether it be in their vocation or service, and there is little time for “meaningful” solitude, silence, and fasting.
Try fasting on a busy work day. There is a good chance you will be too busy to use the time to reflect on the fast. Then try to fast on a day of rest . . . when your hunger is speaking loudly amidst the quietness . . . and if you stay at home the frig is just in the next room waiting with big open arms.
Try to practice solitude on a work day. For most people it isn’t an option. The same is true for silence. I can find a few minutes . . . and I do at times. But it is not the same as removing yourself from the normal daily routine to connect with God . . . and wait for him to respond (lay something on your heart) amidst the solitude and silence.
The advice to practice solitude, silence, and fasting reminds me of the practice Jesus had of spending time with the Father alone. He would go off away from his disciples at times . . . leave the community . . . and spend time alone . . . with God. Isn’t that what Dallas is speaking to?
Christ taught three aspects of righteousness in the Sermon on the Mount – at least that’s how He introduces this new line of thought in His speech:
The main focus of His thoughts was to not do it because we look “holier than thou” by doing that. He gives three examples.
Prayer
Almsgiving
Fasting
But the abuse does not rule out the importance of proper use:
Shall we pray? Even as a community?
Shall we give als? Together, as a church?
Shall we fast …. if, then only on an individual level!
There is one main reason I cherish the ECF: They were consistent! They taught and practiced fasting as a community discipline. Of course, I am sure, we are far more spiritually developed than they were – so we went beyound fasting to feasting. I am not sarcastic – I am deeply moved.
The ECF show us quite first-hand which spritual disciplines the churches held to a generation or two after the apostles.
Alexander
It’s in fact quite easy: Either you go for lunch or for a prayer-walk.
Alexander
Laymond wrote: “Charles, that is what is wrong with Christianity today, everyone has their own explanation, of scripture.”
Hmm. If that is the case, Laymond, are you adding to the problem when YOU explain the scriptures to someone?
No one, and I mean NO one, offers complete objectivity when it comes to understanding or explaining scripture. Even if a fellow limits himself to listing passages wholesale on any particular topic, without editorial comment, I would suggest that his very selections of which scriptures to list is reflective of his own understanding and the lenses through which he views both the scriptures and the topic.
While I would agree that not all men’s explanations hold water, the fact that they exist is certainly not “what’s wrong with Christianity”. If it is, we are suffering from an incurable and ubiquitous defect from which none is immune. I think that our problem in this regard is, rather, an insufficient dependence upon the Holy Spirit, but that is part of growing in Christ, and while we all have some measure of that disorder, it is something God is working on in all who will allow it.
Yes you’re right . . . ii is quite easy to fast on a work day . . . but it can be difficult to reap the spiritual benefits that come with fasting when you are busy with work tasks.
It is a lot easier to miss the effects of not eating or to ignore them when you have a busy schedule to keep your mind elsewhere.
It is when we “:unbusy” ourselves that we reap the most from silence, solitude, and fasting.
Charles said ” I think that our problem in this regard is, rather, an insufficient dependence upon the Holy Spirit,”
Charles, might I ask just how you seeing the Holy Spirit influencing our lives, do you see that influence coming from a God in heaven answering prayers, or an indwelling “holy ghost” that influences us from within our being. ?
David P. Himes, you said the most in the fewest words; that makes me listen. And I can get quite wordy myself at times. So, here I go.
The difference between grace and legalism is “This is what I or we do” vs “This is what you should do”.
My own alone time with God is 3:30 AM. Some people tell me I’m crazy. Maybe so. But I need that time with God and myself before I or anyone else has a chance to mess up the day. Another’s alone time with God may be midnight; they need that time to let God put everything back together that had been torn apart earlier by others, or by self.
As for fasting, or doing without, I let the situation determine that. I find that denying myself by the calender or the clock creates pride and, often, failure and excuses. There is nothing like a fall from “I DO NOT….”.
In the movie CHOCOLAT the mayor of the town viewed the chocolate shop owned by Vianne and her 6 year old daughter as a corrupting influence on the town’s people. His pride in not partaking was his banner….until he broke into the shop and gorged himself into a blissful sleep.
In the movie the mayor, humbled by what he did, became a kind, open minded person. Unfortunately, many church members lose control while, let’s say, on vacation, or some other “out of sight” location. Then they return to Sunday School the next week like nothing ever happened. Nothing known, nothing to regret, nothing learned. Whereas, within the soul that loves, there is nothing private, even when not another soul is around. This person can say “God have mercy on me, a sinner” and burst forth as a river of mercy toward all.
That’s so true. I usually keep my fasts on Wednesdays and Fridays as to “not eating”, but very often I also remain at work because there is always something to do. But as often as I leave my workplace, take my Bible and go for a prayer walk leaving my job completely behind me, I am blessed.
But even if I don’t do that, not eating is a reminder to me of the wedding feast we are looking forward to (Mat 9:15), something I would not want to miss anymore – although I could have much more benefit from it. The reason I chose these two days BTW is probably worth to mention here:
The fasting Christ addressed in Mat 6:16-18 is the religious discipline of the pharisees and scribes whose righteousness we should supercede by far. Certainly we won’t supercede their righteusness by just not doing what they did, but by doing it with the right attitude (we do pray and give alms, don’t we). They fasted twice a week (Luk 18:12). From the Didache we know that these fast days were mondays and thursdays:
What is intersting in this document of the 1st century church of Christ is what follows in order to be different from these hypocrites:
Strange approach – but obviously fasting was a “community discipline”, something all were encopuraged to do – and therefore it makes sense to have the same days for the fasts. These two days became the norm throughout the whole ancient church and in the Roman church these two are still the classic fast-days.
For me it was a great encouragement when around noon time on a Wednesday I called a brother, and as I asked whether I was disturbing his lunch-break, he answered: “I am just tasting of prayer today.” He strives to observe the regular fasts as I do, and most likely he is doing a better job than I do. Probably he thinks the same about me … we both struggle with our flesh. But since I am not alone in my disciplines, I am encouraged and also not that much in danger that I’d praise myself for doing something extraordinary.
But struggles are part of our lives. And yes:
But there is someone around out there who tries to keep us busy with all his might … and we ourselves are easily distracted. I guess that’s one of the reasons we should teach fasting and encourage it.
Alexander
Actually, fasting need not be a solitary discipline any more than prayer must. When I fast, it is almost always in partnership with my wife Angi.
Micah, we wrote Leafwood’s group study guide to Darryl Tippens’ “Pilgrim Heart” (along with some less-recognized but wonderful folks) and were impressed with his emphasis on communal disciplines — including:
Welcoming, befriending,, confessing, forgiving, listening, singing, feasting, and story-telling.
What is fasting, denying one’s self, and what would be the purpose today? There are so many people who are denied
the minimum needs for living a full life, what if we were to send half of our meals to those who have nothing, would that be as good as fasting? or do we have to call it fasting and look as if we are starving, even tho we had steak and potatoes the night before. I have never purposely fasted for relegious purposes but I have been hungry many times because of the situation I found myself in, is that called involentary fasting? if it is there are millions fasting everyday, the only thing fasting help, in my opinion is your own health.
Laymond, I was speakiing of the direct, personal influence of the Holy Spirit of God who dwells within us. That would not exclude answered prayer.
Good point, Laymond: The Early Christians often fasted on behalf of the needy, which means they only ate water and bread as a family in order to save some money/food for those who are poor. That’s in accordance with Isaiah:
This does not substitute “literal” fasting, but gives it a deeper meaning. The other important meaning is that we wait for Christ as our bridegroom:
Is Christ now taken away from us? Are we eagerly awaiting his return and the wedding? Then fasting is a way to express this longing and to prepare for the feast.
Alexander
Alex, thanks for fleshing out my thoughts . that is what I meant, just starving for a day or two will not accomplish anything. Whatever it is that you are giving up, if it benefits no one else it is a useless endeaver
For whom did Jesus fast?
I would suggest here that community disciplines depend on true community. I think what often passes for community in the Body is mere co-location of people with similar interests. Like a group of people who all like the Harry Potter series, attending the same showing of the most recent movie. These folks are not “community” in any real sense. Their lives intersect, but they do not really connect beyond events of common interest. In such a dynamic, it is unreasonable for anyone to expect that group to engage effectively in common disciplines which may be inconvenient to their individual lifestyles.
Is there a Kingdom lifestyle that supercedes our individual lifestyles?
Alexander
That whole “preferring one another” thing sure runs ninety degrees to the usual American lifestyle. “Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ” is also a clear redirection of our usual tendencies.
That’s true, Charles. But it’s also a huge step away from the topic of this thread. Doesn’t it equally go against our ususal tendencies when we fast, pray to give alms?
If these are also part ofthe Kingdom lifestyle, shouldn’t they be “community disciplines” rather than individual ones?
Alexander
I wasn’t arguing for our usual tendencies here. Not at all. Just suggesting that one reason behind our lack of community disciplines is a lack of true community. Americans live in a country fundamentally based on the idea of individual self-determination. This is so inculcated in us as a culture that it is also a part of the church. Nobody tells us what to do. At least not much.
As to whether particular disciplines should be exclusively of a community nature, I don’t know that this should be an either/or proposition. I think Corinth might be a good example, regarding alms. Paul’s call for storing up some money to be taken to Judea was not, IMO, a substitute for caring for the poor closer to home, but a temporary corporate addition to it. It was a community discipline called for by Paul due to the nature of the work to be done.
Likewise, it seems to me to be wholly appropriate for the Christian community to gather to fast or pray for the nation, but this is in addition to our own personal intercession.
Exactly. That’s why I’d be open to just skip the offering once in a while unless we are able to name specific needs. but on a daily basis we should help one another. Last week an unemployed sister of our curch was able to earn a week’s wage for helping out on an hourly base in the company where I work. The Lord willing she’ll be hired by December. I’m just mentioning that becasue this was one of the highlights last week.
Alexander
I am reminded of the old arguments over what could or could not be done “from the church treasury”. I much prefer to make three phone calls to friends and say, “I know a lady who needs some help.” This is made much easier when I know a local club has not tapped them out with repeated references to “bringing the tithe into the storehouse”. I would also observe that believers who would ordinarily drop a $20 in the “special offering” will often find $200 to give when it’s “me, you, Ellen, and Alexander” taking on this particular task of helping.
Laymond,
You’re confusing the Postmodern concept of there being more than one truth with the Eastern concept that the same lesson can teach multiple lessons that don’t contradict each other.
It’s critical in reading parables and other figurative language that we not force the Eastern mode of expression into a Western mode of reading. If all Jesus wanted to say in the Parable of the Good Samaritan is “love your neighbor,” he had no need for the parable. Instead, he brilliantly brought to the fore several different perspectives on “love your neighbor” in a way that — literally — changed the world.
For example, he taught —
* The Samaritans are our neighbors.
* The Jews are the Samaritans’ neighbors.
* Implicitly, there are no racial barriers to who is my neighbor.
* To love one’s neighbor requires action for your neighbor’s benefit.
* To love one’s neighbor is a higher command that such ritual laws as the command to avoid touching a dead person and so becoming unclean — even if you’re a priest.
And there are, of course, many more such lessons, all built on a single parable. Jesus was answering the question “Who is my neighbor?” but he taught much more than the question required.
And part of his teaching method, which was typical of rabbis, was to force the listeners to think through the story and derive the lessons for themselves.
for themselves.
Brent,
Willard writes,
For an introvert, being alone, in study and meditation, is refreshing. To an extrovert, it can be tiring.
For an extrovert, being with others, in conversation and sharing, is refreshing. To an introvert, it can be tiring.
The post-Exilic Jews dedicate the Sabbath to studying the Torah — but they do it together, at synagogue, in community.
So what is the basis for suggesting that to “rest” I should be alone? You see, it’s utterly without logic to tie Sabbath rest to Solitude, Silence, and Fasting. There is no scriptural basis for such a connection, nor does it even fit the human experience.
Rather, the logic seems to be that these are the disciplines with the highest priority and thus we must exclude all else to exercise them. But I find no scriptural evidence for that conclusion either.
I think we need to re-think this whole idea of spiritual disciplines from the standpoint of some solid theology, not pulling prooftexts from here and there to create a new Pietism. Of course, it’s not just awful, but it’s a distorted view of Christianity, with some full truths, some half truths, and a few outright mistakes (and it gets under my skin for reasons I’ll explain later). Yes, silence can be a good thing. No, we aren’t commanded to spend time each week in silence. Yes, solitude can be a good thing. No, we aren’t commanded to spent even one second in solitude. But we may. It’s not a goal Jesus set for us; but neither is it a prohibition.
And when we impose these “disciplines” on ourselves as a means of pleasing God, we’ve missed the boat. But if they help us be and do what truly pleases God, then well and good. But we aren’t called to serve God via solitude and silence. Nor are these the essential key to creating disciples, in my opinion. The individual spiritual disciplines have been WAY over-sold.
I’ll try to explain myself better in a few days. Got some preacher interviews and other stuff going on …
Charles wrote,
Very insightful and true of far too many churches.