Richard Foster explains why he believes that the classical spiritual disciplines such as mediation, submission and fasting are the only true ways to promote a deep inner life and infuse it with over whelming joy. Arguably the most established contemporary spiritual classic by our most profound living religious writer.
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About the Author
Richard Foster is a best-selling author, the founder of RENOVARAe - a movement committed to spiritual renewal - and Professor of Spiritual Formation at Azusa Pacific University, California.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Has Led Many to Use and Celebrate the Spiritual Disciplines,
By
This review is from: Celebration of Discipline (Paperback)
Richard Foster has served the Church and Christians well by writing this book, "Celebration of Discipline." Modern Christians have so separated their head knowledge from their heart knowledge and behavior that our faith is weak. It's no wonder that many people are leaving the faith or that the behavior of Christians doesn't match what they say they believe. One of the things missing from the contemporary church is discipline, the will to follow God, and also the disciplines, the particular spiritual practices that help lead us to Christ and stay connected to Him.
"Celebration of Discipline" is largely responsible for Christians knowing about and taking the spiritual disciplines more seriously. The title itself is aptly named, for practicing the spiritual disciplines leads ultimately not to oppression but to joy. Foster presents 12 key spiritual disciplines which are grouped into 3 sections: The Inward Disciplines - meditation, prayer, fasting, study The Outward Disciplines - simplicity, solitude, submission, service The Corporate Disciplines - confession, worship, guidance, celebration In each chapter, Foster explains the nature of each of the disciplines, as well as giving some good advice about how to profitably practice each. He draws upon writers from many Christian traditions, and usually his advice is very good. If this book did nothing but introduce Christians to the spiritual disciplines and help them begin to practice them, then it is a work well worth reading and calling a classic. It's not a book without its problems, however. Some of the negative reviews are wildly off the mark (Foster is not a Roman Catholic), and yet some of the negative criticism is justified. It seems contrary to the Incarnation and rather Gnostic to advise Christians, when preparing for meditation, to "allow your spiritual body, shining with light, to rise out of your physical body." While Foster does include "the corporate disciplines," it's too easy to get the idea from this book that Christianity is primarily an individual religion and relationship to God. He's separated the spiritual disciplines out of the only context in which they make sense: the Church, and not the solitary individual. Even in the chapter on "Celebration," which Foster includes as a corporate discipline, he fails to put celebration in the context of the Eucharist or "thanksgiving" of corporate worship. In spite of these and other important limitations, this work has been of such value to the church that I give it 4 stars.
2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
helpful for spiritual growth,
By Martha Washington (Huntsville, AL) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Celebration of Discipline (Paperback)
This is a very good book for anyone who wants to deepen their spiritual life. I am studying it in a small group and am very pleased with the book.
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