After reading Whitney's
Spiritual 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). b 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). b 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. b He made the statement "although God
will grant Christlikeness to us when Jesus returns, until then He intends for us to
grow toward it. " b 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. b
Whitney, Donald S. Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life. Colorado Springs.
NavPress b b b b b b b b b b b b b b b b b b b b b b b b b b b Publishing Group, 2014. Accessed May 30,
2021. ProQuest Ebook Central.
