Readability: 1
Length: 249 pgs
Author: Donald Whitney
Since the late 70’s Richard Foster’s Celebration of Discipline has probably been the bestselling book on spiritual disciplines (bible reading, prayer, evangelism, serving, fasting, etc.). I read it while I was still in seminary and benefited from it. There is truth in it, but there is much that is unhelpful, and unbiblical. I wish someone would have introduced me to Donald Whitney’s Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life instead. It is the book I will recommend to who are new to the Christian faith and need instruction in such areas. Biblically faithful, simple, and easily understood, it is far superior to Foster’s work.
Discipline without direction is drudgery.
Think of the Spiritual Disciplines as ways we can place ourselves in the path of God’s grace and seek Him as Bartimaeus and Zacchaeus placed themselves in Jesus’ path and sought Him.
The Spiritual Disciplines then are also like channels of God’s transforming grace. As we place ourselves in them to seek communion with Christ, His grace flows to us and we are changed.
Bible intake is the most important Spiritual Discipline, it is also the most broad. It actually consists of several subdisciplines. It is much like a university comprised of many colleges, each specializing in a different discipline, yet all united under the general name of the university.
