Customer Reviews

Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life

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2 star:		(1)
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I almost always carry a journal or notebook with me so I can scribble down thoughts as they come to me during the day. Some of these turn into articles and others turn into devotional material. More often than not I look at them weeks or months later and have absolutely no idea what they mean or what I was thinking when I scribbled them down. Recently I saw a comment in a notebook that did make sense to me. I had written about the difference between my friend Jason and myself when we sit down with a guitar on our laps and a sheet of music in front of us. I can read the music and strum those strings and make nothing but awful, painful sounds that bear little resemblance to music. Jason, on the other hand, can sit down and make music at will, even with no sheet music in front of him. The difference between Jason and myself is not necessarily inate musical ability or the quality of our guitars. The difference is in disciplined practice. Jason has dedicated thousands of hours to honing his skills so that it seems to require little effort to play the music. The freedom to play with this skill has come only at the expense of dedicated, disciplined effort.

Don Whitney uses this same metaphor to show the importance of being disciplined in the pursuit of godliness, for there is freedom in discipline. The freedom to grow in godliness - "to naturally express Christ's character through your own personality - is in large part dependent on a deliberate cultivation of the spiritual disciplines." (From the back cover)

And so this book is an examination of spiritual disciplines - disciplines provided by God which are designed to help us grow in godliness, allowing us to become more and more conformed to the image of Christ. The disciplines Whitney writes about are:

* Bible intake
* Prayer
* Worship
* Evangelism
* Serving
* Stewardship
* Fasting
* Silence and solitude
* Journalling
* Learning

The book is prefaced with an examination of the reason for disciplining ourselves in the spiritual disciplines and Whitney teaches here that we are to do all things for God's glory. Because God requires each of these disciplines of us, there is danger in neglecting any of them. Each of the disciplines is then examined in the light of bringing glory to God through them. The book closes with encouragment in persevering in the disciplines, even in the inevitable times of spiritual dryness.

Each of the disciplines is drawn from and examined in the light of Scripture. The author shows how the Biblical basis for each discipline, explains how it will help the Christian grow in godliness and provides practical suggestions for beginning the practice. Each chapter closes with a section entitled "More Application" where the reader is challenged to put these practices info effect in his life.

One of my favorite aspects about Whitney's writings, in this book and his others, is that he draws heavily from the Puritans and from other great Christians of the past. This is especially important in a discussion of spiritual disciplines as these are practices that were regarded more highly in the past than they are today. When we examine such practices, there is much to learn from these great believers.

While the vast majority of sources cited in this book are from Puritan and other Reformed authors, there were several references to Richard Foster. I questioned Whitney about this and he replied as follows: "...since it was not an academic book, I didn't want the emphasis to be critical (in the academic sense), but rather simply to set forth in practical ways what I thought the Biblical teaching on the subjects to be, and to find good supportive quotations. Occasionally it served my purposes to quote Foster. But I never tried to sound as approvingly of him when I quoted him as I did with most other writers. For instance, I never said something like, 'As the GREAT Richard Foster said,'...it was before Foster had started Renovare and before he had tipped his hand on some other matters." He also referred me to a couple of article he has written which show his thoughts on Christian mysticism (link and link 2). Lest I make a mountain of a molehill, I was completely satisfied with Whitney's answer and in no way do I feel that his references to Foster's work detracts from the powerful message in Spiritual Disciplines For The Christian Life. I merely did not wish to have people see the references to Foster in the bibliography and be scared away from a wonderful book.

I found this book powerful and above all, convicting. Because it is so Biblical, continually returning to the Word of God, it allowed the Spirit to act and convict me in areas of my life where I have become lax. While I rejoice that God has allowed me to become disciplined in some areas of life, I know now that there are many others where I must make changes, lest I stunt my spiritual growth. I highly recommend this book for private or group study (Please note that there is an associated study guide which can be purchased seperately).

Donald Whitney is now a professor at a large midwestern seminary but was a local pastor when he wrote this excellent book. I mention that to say this was written out of practical experience and not as some thesis or doctoral work with no bearing on reality.

It is extremely readable, practical and applicable. An individual can read it alone and benefit wonderfully from it, or can also use the book in a discussion book and find it equally rewarding.

The Disciplines are ancient as avenues to express one's Christian life, but for modern audiences Richard Foster's Celebration of Discipline was the hearkening call back to their practice. Dallas Willard's book followed several years later called The Spirit of the Disciplines, a "why" and rationale for the Disciplines. Whitney's book is the practical way to incorporate the Disciplines into one's everyday life, to escape the discuss and do nothing mode of many so called believers, and actually change one's life.

I heartily recommend the book. I have used it in training student leaders on the college campus and find its advice timeless yet contemporary.

Donald Whitney writes in the spirit of Richard Foster and Dallas Willard. He unites the best of both of these fine authors--the bold practicality of Foster and the theological precision of Willard.

In "Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life," Whitney develops the classical Protestant teaching on the means for tapping into Christ's resurrection power. Like an experienced athletic coach, Whitney offers a spiritual workout routine that each reader can format into a personalized plan for growth in grace.

Integrating scriptural wisdom, historic practice, Puritan theology, and relevant illustrations, Whitney weaves together a mosaic of "the habits of devotion and experiential Christianity that have been practiced by the people of God since biblical times" (p. 15, "Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life").

After anchoring his theory in theology (chapter one), Whitney explains ten classic spiritual disciplines: Bible intake, prayer, worship, evangelism, serving, stewardship, fasting, silence/solitude, journaling, and learning. Wisely, he emphasizes the core purpose of each discipline: godliness, Christlikeness. Knowing human nature well, he concludes his study with exhortations to perseverance in the disciplines.

Written a decade-and-a-half ago, "Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life" remains relevant and required reading for anyone wanting to know how and why to practice the spiritual disciplines. One could only hope that Willard might now write a companion volume teaching how to practice some of the less frequently practiced historic disciplines such as Sabbath rest, holy listening, confession, secrecy, chastity, and submission.

Reviewer: Dr. Robert W. Kellemen is the author of "Spiritual Friends: A Methodology of Soul Care and Spiritual Direction," "Soul Physicians: A Theology of Soul Care and Spiritual Direction," and the forthcoming "Sacred Companions: A History of Soul Care and Spiritual Direction."

In short, this book is a highly concencentrated dosage for strengthening us to "discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness" (1 Tim 4:7). It's well written with good picks of scriptures, stories/sayings from spiritual leaders, and smooth flow of why and how on eleven disciplines. Relatively short with 235 content pages but really heavy in quality. Highly recommended! in particular Chapter Ten Silence and Solitude with the opening story "The Bet" by Anton Checkhov.

Below please find some copy and paste I like most for your reference.

Discipline without direction is drudgery. pg 15
Godly people are disciplined people. It has always been so.... Augustine, Martin Luther, John Calvin...Charles Spurgeon, George Muller...As "Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another. Proverbs 27:17" pg 17
We have not advanced very far in our spiritual livs if we have not encountered the basic paradox of freedom...that we are most free when we are bound...The one who would be an athlete, ut who is unwilling to discipline his body by regular exercise and abstinence, is not free to excel on the field or the track. His failure to train rigorously denies him the freedom to run with the desired speed and endurance...Disicpline is the price of freedom. - Elton Trueblood pg 23

This book is a simple and practical help toward Christian growth. Each chapter is full of the "how-to" aspect of living a life of spiritual discipline. But even more than that, Whitney displays a pastor's heart on these pages, urging his brothers and sisters onward toward the Christian life to which we are called in Scripture. This is not a difficult book to read by any means, but what it calls us to do is a lifetime mission. Buy this book, read it over and over - maybe once a year - and pursue spiritual discipline! Doing so will help you grow more and more like Christ, slowly but surely.

Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life is absolutely one of the very best books that I have read in my own personal spiritual journey of 36 years. I would probably rate it in the top three that I have read during this time and I am a very avid reader.

This book is about change. We can live our day to day lives and never experience any growth, but this book will definitely include change and growth in a believer's life.

I am going to recommend it to my pastor, minister of education and music minister and any other believer I come in contact with that is serious about growing in their Christian life.

The only reason I came across this book was I was cleaning and found it and it looked interesting. I think I got it when my aunt passed away. But, it was definitely a "I can't put this book down," type of book in my life.

I would really like to see my entire church go through the study guide. I believe it would make so much difference in all of our lives.

Forgive me for rating a respected book so poorly. If your quest is to discover why certain disciplines are needed, then ignore what I have to say. This book delivers. If, on the otherhand, you are going to buy this book with the expectation that it will move beyond expressing the need, you will be disapointed. If you are looking for help in developing these disciplines in your life, you will not find it here. This book is not about "how", only "why". Which question are you asking?

Whitney's book meets a need that is not met by any of the other books on the disciplines. I found this book to be a valuable companion and balance to Celebration of Discipline by Richard Foster and to similar works by Dallas Willard on the classic disciplines. Like the others, Whitney writes clearly and his insights are very motivating. But his many illustrations by early Puritan practitioners of the disciplines stands apart and makes it very clear that practicing the disciplines was a mainstay for believers in more than the Mystic or other Christian traditions. Make no mistake, I deeply appreciate Celebration by Foster and am greatly appreciative of Willard's writings. But I feel much more confident in recommending Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life by Whitney to new believers because all of the references are from those with which I have much closer theological affinity. Whitney's work is an excellent primer and very accessible to readers of all levels.

Whitney's approach is very practical. His insights are profound and it is clear that his understanding of the disciplines has grown out of many years of practice and ongoing study of others who have labored to live them. This book is a rich feast and encouragement to all who would walk the path Jesus walked. I am already promoting it in my conferences on the disciplines. Get it. You won't be disappointed.

I cannot help but give this book 5 stars. I have read it once and am currently reading it again. As I page through it and gaze over the applicable lessons, the pointed truths, the relevance to life, the personal illustrations and more, I am driven with desire to conform my life to Jesus all the more! Dr. Whitney is completely without apology in presenting several disciplines that all Christians should follow, backing up each with several Scriptures to demonstrate the authority of what it is he is writing.
I attended Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary where Dr. Whitney serves as Professor of Spiritual Formation. He is what he makes himself out to be in his book. He is a humble man, desiring that God be honored and glorified and that men and women grown in Christ-likeness. He is truly one of the most Godly men I have ever met and I am honored and priviliged to have sat under his teaching. God blessed me through him and his teaching tremendously.
Why do I say this? This book is the foundation of everything he teaches, for his desire is indeed Godliness for himself and those he teaches, either in person or in absentia through the books he writes.
If you indeed have desire to grow in Jesus Christ, no matter how long you have been a Christian, my strong recommendation is to buy this book and read it carefully. You indeed will be blessed!!

In the past I have not been too thrilled to read or hear about spiritual disciplines. It made me feel guilty for falling so far short - I always felt overwhelmed. But this book presents the spiritual disciplines (Bible reading and meditation, Scripture memorization, prayer, stewardship, evangelism, etc.) in such a way that not only do I have a clear understanding of why they're so necessary to Christian growth, but I also am so tremendously inspired to do them! They've changed in my perspective from being things I *ought* to do to being things I *want* to do (and *can* do). I frequently read Christian books and have taken a lot of discipleship courses, but I don't know when I've learned so much in such a short period of time. This man is an incredible teacher. If it's your desire to grow as a Christian, please don't miss this one.