The Disciplined Life: Studies in the fine art of Christian discipline [Paperback]

Richard S. Taylor (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 1, 1962

Here are studies in the fine art of Christian discipleship -- the key to spiritual power and maturity. The 14 suggestions on how to become a disciplined person are of great practical value. Paper.

Product Details

• Paperback: 112 pages
• Publisher: Beacon Hill Press of Kansas City (January 1, 1962)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0834102722
• ISBN-13: 978-0834102729
• Product Dimensions: 7.5 x 5.3 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #695,491 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Valuable Guide to Christian Discipline, March 26, 2001

By 

Cameron B. Clark (Bristow, Virginia United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: The Disciplined Life: Studies in the fine art of Christian discipline (Paperback)

Richard Taylor writes from the Nazarene perspective which is rooted in Wesleyan Arminianism and the Holiness Movement. I have yet to find one book by Mr. Taylor that I haven't enjoyed and learned from. He has a style of writing that I like. Taylor's book is divided into two parts: 1) The Place of Discipline in Christian Living, and 2) The Path to Discipline in Christian Living. The first part contains five chapters the first of which covers the value of discipline in general for the attainment of power, national as well as personal. Chapter two discusses the marks of maturity in one's appetites, emotions, moods, speech, and priorities, and shows how we can adjust to authority. Chapter three covers the perils of discipline such as the danger of extremes and unchristian asceticism. Also included is an interesting discussion of "undisciplined discipline". Chapter four properly distinguishes and relates discipline and holiness and chapter five provides a defense of, and valuable insights into, imposed discipline. Part Two is the whole of chapter six which tells us "How to Become a Disciplined Person" and provides many words of wisdom. If I had to highlight one bit of wisdom from the book that sticks in my mind, it would be the importance of selection as the law of life (pg. 36). Taylor says, in effect, that we cannot join everything, we cannot participate in every good cause, we cannot give to everything, we cannot go to every interesting concert or lecture or meeting, we cannot read everything,... therefore, we must select! That last part about reading really hit home, especially since I LOVE to read and don't have alot of time to do it. Taylor expounds on this principle of selection as it relates to priorities and makes his points stick.

Other popular books on discipleship and the spiritual disciplines include the following: Celebration of Discipline by Richard Foster, The Spirit of the Disciplines by Dallas Willard, The Cost of Discipleship by Dietrich Bonhoeffer, The Discipline of Grace by Jerry Bridges, Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life by Donald Whitney, A Long Obedience in the Same Direction by Eugene Peterson, The Complete Green Letters by Miles Stanford, and, for those who like workbooks, the Navpress Colossians 2:7 Series on discipleship.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good Reading, April 10, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: The Disciplined Life: Studies in the fine art of Christian discipline (Paperback)

Richard Taylor writes 6 chapters on the true meaning of discipline in the Christian's life and does a thorough job of defining, theorizing, and giving practical advice on how it should be applied. He gives lots of detailed and vivid examples of people from all walks of life, from the blue-collar worker to the successful CEO and Olympic athlete, and how the practice of discipline makes them better people. He covers many different areas: athletics, musical talent, childhood rearing, knitting, and others. He also includes quotes from famous people. In the back of the book are study questions for further discussion or personal study. (It can be used as a group study guide). Overall comment: The author does a good job of pointing out what true discipline and maturity is and is not. It is however, somewhat dated, especially the language.