Research Paper Part 2:
My Emerging Model of Spiritual Formation
Brittany L. Thompson
Liberty University – CLED 715
Dr. Michael Pardue
April 4, 2023
MY EMERGING MODEL OF SPIRITUAL FORMATION 2
My Emerging Model of Spiritual Formation
Part 1
From dial-up to wireless internet connection, technology has been advancing at a rapid
pace of connecting individuals together from across the globe. This discovery has made it easier
to conduct business, return to school, and quickly check up on a friend or family member who is
at a geographical distance. The internet has shown its proven capabilities to connect and create
online communities at the click of a button. Universities and colleges have implemented the use
of online education and thus has seen a tremendous enrollment spike. In what manner, does this
impact faith-based institutions? As we know, God is a God of “relationship”. It is his desire and
longing to have a pure relationship with mankind as metaphorically spoken in Revelation 3:20.
“In God’s ecology, individual things and people do not grow alone. They grow when they
connect to and interact with the ultimate Source of Life and other growing people” (Lowe, 2018,
p.4). Faith and the internet both require a connection, but one presents an obstacle to the other.
Spiritual formation is significant to every believers’ life. The meaning of the term
spiritual formation and a biblical understanding of what it is and how it works is best taken from
passages in the Bible that refer to the Holy Spirit in the context of forming, transforming, or
conforming a person’s life toward Christlikeness ("until Christ is formed in you," Gal. 4:19b)
(Petitt, 2018, p. 52). If one is not growing in the ways and statues of Jesus Christ, then they are
simply being stagnated and pose a greater risk at becoming a lukewarm Christian as referenced
in Revelation 3:16. Each person is responsible for developing their relationship with Christ
Jesus. James 4:8 states, “Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you.” This is an indicator
that God is not forceful and gives us free will; though He longs for a relationship with you, He
allows you to choose Him. If one is willing to accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior and initiate
MY EMERGING MODEL OF SPIRITUAL FORMATION 3
a relationship with God, He come closer to and began a good work within that individual. One
must interact with each other to build relationship.
Issues and Concepts Development of Spiritual Growth for Christians
With the knowledge of ecologies of spiritual formation, it is negligence to not address the
issues that can possibly threaten spiritual formation through the internet. The Bible is the
foundational resource to draw from when embarking upon a relationship with God. It is the only
way to get to know Him intimately and began to develop a relationship.
The fact of the matter is that in spiritual formation we do not provide the driving force.
Only God can provide the wind. And he does it through his Holy Spirit, his own divine
wind. That is one of the main biblical reasons for calling it spiritual formation (Petitt,
2018, p.62).
However, the internet has made it so relaxed and prevalent today for others to rashly post their
opinions and perspectives of the Bible without it being surveyed as creditable or not. This can be
harmful to the individual who is seeking a relationship with Christ and decides that the first point
of contact will be through the internet. Most of society just “google” and call it research without
researching the topic. This can lead to one receiving erroneous teachings and being led astray.
This research will examine further relationships in the digital world, the disruption technology
has caused to spiritual formation, and tracing the theme throughout the Bible.
Relationships in a Digital World
As mentioned previously, the internet has made relating to others convenient and relaxed.
With a username and password, you can literally connect to thousands, even millions of
individuals in a day. Physical proximity and direct face-to-face contact are becoming less
prevalent in day to day interpersonal interactions with close individuals (Lomanowska &
MY EMERGING MODEL OF SPIRITUAL FORMATION 4
Guitton, 2018). Behind the screen and keyboard, one can form the personality of whomever they
would like to portray. There is a greater inherent risk of encountering dishonesty, deceit, and
exploitation in such anonymous interactions (Lomanowska & Guitton, 2018). This is common in
online dating. One meets online and seem to fulfill all the requirements the other is looking for
until they meet in person, then a disappointment from one party or both may occur. In-person
interactions are a bit harder to façade who you really are.
How is the internet challenging spiritual formation today? It simply is causing humans to
gradually lose the art of human connectiveness and sensitivity to read body language, tone, and
the way comfort is offered to another. Typing out comforting words does not equate or hold the
same sentiments as being present in the moment to offer a hug, allow the individual to express
the emotions that reciprocate offering a shoulder to lean on or wiping one’s tears. 1
Thessalonians 5:11 reads Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as
also ye do (KJV). Persons often expand their social networks through various forms of social
media, fostered by interactions, emotional support, frequency of contact, and other
developmental features. The advent of the Internet changed the landscape of how we understood
the concept of community devoid of physical proximity (Lowe, 2018, p.122). Being in a digital
world robs one the intimacy of in-person interaction. Sherry Turkle stated in the book
Reclaiming Conversations, In-person, we have access to the messages carried in the face, the
voice, and the body. Online we settle for simpler fare: We get our efficiency and our change to
edit, but we learn to ask questions that a return email can answer…It is when we see each other’s
faces and hear each other’s voices that we become most human to each other (p. 22). Technology
is good in its rightful place and time. This research is in no way to diminish the positive
contribution that the internet has made society, but rather identify the disruptions it caused to
MY EMERGING MODEL OF SPIRITUAL FORMATION 5
spiritual formation. We live in a highly interconnected, spider-like web of interlocking elements
at every level of human existence (biological, economic, electronic, digital, political, molecular,
sociological, physical, and spiritual). All this evidence tells us that God created a world where
things grow, develop, and are sustained through ecological connections and interactions (Lowe,
2018, p.11). The next concentration will be exploring biblical examples and evidence of
relationships and its importance to spiritual formation.
Part 2
Biblical Support
The Bible is the foundational basis on which spiritual formation is birthed and cannot be
avoided or abandoned when giving credence to the way God intended for relationships to be. As
we construct our view of spiritual formation through the lens of ecology, we must begin by
considering the original and perfect ecosystem God created in the Garden of Eden… (Lowe,
2018, p. 18). Please note, God spoke everything into existence except man. God deemed it
befitting to create a being with the likeness of Himself to care for the earthly creation that exist
(Geneis 1:26-27; 2:7). There is a significance in the fact that the Almighty God did not use
words to bring man’s existence about, yet He took time to form man and give Him a measure of
Himself (the breath of life ‘God’). The process of creation was different for mankind and to
demonstrate how God wanted to be in communion with the being (Revelation 3:20; 4:11). The
Bible presents robust and substantiated examples for relationships.
God and Mankind
Before there was Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, or David, there was Adam. When tracing
relationships and spiritual formation throughout the Word of God, one must start at the
beginning. Adam, the first man to ever know God and receive instructions of the Lord. The first
MY EMERGING MODEL OF SPIRITUAL FORMATION 6
man to experience what it was like to be the total image of God and commune with God without
the interference of sin. Adam was the first human CEO and farmer because he was in charge of
the earth and had the ability to make what one would specify today as “executive decisions”
(Genesis 2:19); farmer because Adam had to cultivate the ground and ensure that everything was
fruitful and multiplied. As we can see in Genesis 2:5, …for the Lord God had not caused it to
rain upon the earth, and there was not a man to till the ground.
Precisely, by what means does God and Adam demonstrate relationship? Connectiveness.
In God’s ecology, individual things and people do not grow alone. They grow when they connect
to and interact with the ultimate Source of Life and other growing people (Lowe, 2018, p.4).
Adam was connected to God as everyone today is because He possess the ruach (Hebrew for
breath) of God which gave him life. In addition, he was formed from the earth, which was
another creation of the Lord. After God saw man alone, He created a suitable mate for Him
which was Eve. This evidence can be found in scripture Genesis 2:20-21. From creating the
formation of the earth, God kept everything intertwined and connected to one another. Out of the
earth was Adam made, out of Adam was Eve created, and from Eve evolved all of mankind
(Genesis 3:20). One cannot escape that the mere existence of life begins and ends with God. And
I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he
will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be
their God (Revelation 21:3, KJV).
Reconciliation to God
Sin, the biggest disruptor in history. When sin (disobedience) occurred in the Garden of
Eden, this disconnected God from man (Genesis 3:24). God is so holy and sovereign that He
cannot behold sin. Thou art of purer eyes than to behold evil, and canst not look on iniquity
MY EMERGING MODEL OF SPIRITUAL FORMATION 7
(Habakkuk 1:13, KJV). God transformed Himself into human form (Jesus) to come down and
save the world. God gives us a way back to Him through faith and salvation. For humans are
bought with a price according to 1 Corinthians 6:20. God has always sought to give mankind a
way to reconnect and stay in relationship with Him. Through the works of Salvation, individuals
have received the Spirit of adoption referenced in Romans 8:15. God’s program of redemptive
covenants restores community between the faithful and God, and with one another. If nothing
else, the epic history of salvation unfolds the restoration of community between God and
humanity, and between the individual and the rest of human society. (Petitt, 2018, p.75). After
being adopted into the Kingdom of God, as a believer one is made heir to the benefits and
resources that the Kingdom of God has to offer. The Lord Almighty wanted us to feel His love
and closeness. As we can examine in scriptures, mankind transitions from being a created being
with a name to being family through the doctrine of being called sons and daughters of God (2
Corinthians 6:18). God is shown as a Creator and parent in scripture.
Technology removes the sentimental unspoken feelings and connection that being in the
presence of one another holds. We are connected through the Spirit of God and when individuals
come together in the presence of one another, there is a divine experience that takes place and
cannot be reproduced through online. Believers enjoy a deep sense of connection as they
participate with one another in ministry, especially meeting the needs of their poor (2 Cor. 8:4)
and proclaiming the gospel (2 Cor. 8:23; Gal. 2:9) (Petitt, 2018, p. 80). For an example, when
Elisabeth (Mother of John the Baptist) heard Mary, the babe leaped for joy, and she was filled
with the Holy Ghost (Luke 1:41-44). The mere presence of Mary, the sound of her voice, and the
Spirit they both embodied caused a supernatural reaction in the atmosphere in which they were
in. Technology can and may make one miss out on divine impartations and experiences.
MY EMERGING MODEL OF SPIRITUAL FORMATION 8
Christian Communities
Drawing from the introduction, the internet has rapidly advanced and has the capabilities
to connect individuals from across the globe. Online education has become a growing method of
education within society as it allows one the flexibility to attain further education and maintain
their personal life. The flexibility option that online learning offers is a positive and outstanding
attribute, however, the line in the sand is drawn when it comes to institutions that advertise as
“faith-based” institutions that implement the Word of God in the curriculum. As one examines
the scripture thoroughly, we can see Jesus as a great teacher to His disciples. The method and
learning approach Jesus took with the disciples was hands on training. They followed Him
around everywhere. Of course, in society today, individuals are not presented the time to be on
the heels of educators/professors. With the daily interaction and connection, a deeper
relationship was formed between Jesus and His disciples. John the Baptist was referenced as
“the Beloved disciple” (John 21:7). This love came about through relationship. Just as one grow
in the knowledge and ways God, they began to develop an insatiable hunger, love, and thirst for
Him because a relationship is formed which will be examined later in this paper.
In what manner can online education reproduce a similar or more intimate setting where
individuals can feel the connectiveness? It simply cannot compete with the in-person
interactions that take place. Technology may allow one to interact using cameras, WebEx,
facetime, and other communication methods but there is no denying that the connection is not the
same as in-person. The screen of the computer will always serve as a reminder that the educator
and student is at a distance from one another and distance is a space in which certain things
cannot be obtained. For example, the sun is a distance from earth, though one can still see it
shining, the individual cannot grasp and/or appreciate the form and other characteristics about
MY EMERGING MODEL OF SPIRITUAL FORMATION 9
how it thrives in its environment. This can be related to online education; taking the on-campus
experience, engagement in classroom settings, and enjoying the unspoken culture that the place
has to offer. Since community is a central feature of spiritual formation, it is particularly
important to develop on the campus of the Christian college and seminary, which function as the
training ground for future Christian leadership (Petitt, 2018, p.85). Therefore, one must be
careful when engaging in online research/education for spiritual formation reasonings. Which
transitions to the next phase of exploration in understanding the necessary ingredients for
spiritual growth.
MY EMERGING MODEL OF SPIRITUAL FORMATION
10
References
KJV Word Study Bible. (2017). Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson
Lomanowska, A. M., & Guitton, M. J. (2016). Online intimacy and well-being in the digital
age. Internet interventions, 4, 138–144. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.invent.2016.06.005
Lowe, S. D., & Lowe, M. E. (2018). Ecologies of faith in a digital age: Spiritual growth through
online education. Downers Grove, IL, IVP Academic.
Merriam-Webster & Inc. (2019). Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary, 11th Edition,
Jacketed Hardcover, Indexed, 2020 Copyright (11th ed.). MERRIAM-WEBSTER INC.
Pettit, P. (2008). Foundations of spiritual formation: A community approach to becoming like
Christ. Grand Rapids, MI: Kregel Publications.
Turkle, S. (2016). Reclaiming Conversation: The Power of Talk in a Digital Age (Reprint ed.).
Penguin Books.
