Spiritual Disciplines
Whitney’s Main Argument
After reading Whitney’s , I Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life
understand his main argument to be that we need to practice certain
disciplines in order to achieve “Christlikeness”. Whitney states, “Although
God will grant Christlikeness to us when Jesus returns, until then He
intends for us to grow toward it. We aren’t merely to wait for holiness;
we’re to pursue it. “Strive for peace with everyone,” we’re commanded in
Hebrews 12:14, “and for the holiness without which no one will see the
Lord.”[1]Though I had not thought about this assertion in these terms
before reading this book, I have since come to agree with Whitney’s
position.
The reason I agree is because of what is written earlier in the book of
Hebrews. “Therefore let us move beyond the elementary teachings about
Christ and be taken forward to maturity…” (Heb 6:1, NIV). To me, this
Scripture speaks of spiritual growth and maturity. Furthermore, growing in
