After reading Whitney'sSpiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life,
what do you understand his main argument to be?
The author wrote, "God's eternal plan ensures that every Christian will
ultimately conform to Christlikeness." Whitney (2014).$ He then provided
the reader with a scripture that stated, "We will be changed "when he
appears" so that "we shall me like him." (1 John 3:2).$ This is an excellent
segway into what I call the predominate theme of this book which is
conformity in to a Believer who is like the Christ in nature from the heart,
speech, and deed(s). And this is lived through practicing a life of
righteousness and holiness which is also discussed in this awesome
writing. Whitney went through great length to explain the positive and
negative aspects of "Spiritual disciplines of the Christian life" and how
often it is misunderstood especially in terms of goals and direction.$
Do you agree with him or disagree? Why or why not?
Yes I agree wholeheartedly with Whitney.$ He made the statement
"although God will grant Christlikeness to us when Jesus returns, until then
He intends for us to grow toward it. "$ Whitney (2014). I could not have
put this any better. I do not believe that God forces us to become like
Christ but in my opinion He does have certain expectations of us to
become more effective Christians through growth, maturity, and
discipline. For without discipline how can we ever show the world what
Christianity is. Our behaviors, values, morals, and ethics must be pure and
show the love of Christ at all times at some point in our walk with Jesus.
What are three spiritual disciplines you need to strengthen and
how do you plan to implement them?
For me personally prayer, stewardship, and fasting are disciplines that I
could improve upon in the future. I would also say showing grace toward
others. Whitney stated in chapter 2, "no spiritual discipline is more
important than the intake of God's word. Nothing can substitute for it."
Whitney (2014). The Word of God is alive, infallible, and inherent for many
in the Body of Christ. And for every spiritual discipline that we have
trouble with attaining, executing, or understand there is an answer or a
scripture to meditate on. The bible is not just a book of stories or good
ideas, Jesus said "man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word
that proceeds out of the mouth of God." (Matthew 4:4). There is no getting
around this as a Believer. The Word of God gives us purpose, vision,
wisdom, fulfillment, and peace in the midst of the most difficult
circumstances. Not to mention the spiritual power and authority that is
rewarded to many of us in the area of gifts.$$
Whitney, Donald S. Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life. Colorado
Springs. NavPress$ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $Publishing Group, 2014. Accessed
May 30, 2021. ProQuest Ebook Central.
