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What Is Spiritual Formation?

Spiritual Formation is a process of becoming more Christ-like. While this is a good objective Spiritual Formation is unfortunately accomplished in part through practicing certain ‘disciplines’ and involves Meditation, Centering Prayer and the emptying of external thoughts that would normally guide our moral judgment.

Spiritual Formation can also be defined as a movement that provides a platform and a channel through which “Contemplative Prayer” is entering the church. Wherever spiritual formation is being used, and in nearly every case you find “contemplative spirituality”.

 

Where did Spiritual Formation Originate?

The expression, “spiritual formation,” originated in Catholic seminaries and religious communities (including monasteries) it is the period of introduction to that community’s life, traditions, and ways of prayer. For Catholic seminaries, formation covers all that is involved in developing priestly spirituality—developing the whole person, nurturing the spiritual life, honing the intellect, as described by Pope John Paul II on Spiritual Formation Pastores Dabo Vobis

 

 

Is Spiritual Formation Biblical?

NO. While there is nothing wrong with forming a spiritual prayer life and setting aside regular quiet time for reflection and contemplation; it’s the methods used and taught in spiritual formation as a discipline that contradict true biblical prayer.

The practice of spiritual formation involves Christian Meditation and Contemplative Prayer (or often called Centering Prayer) and these disciplines and practices rely entirely on eastern and mystic teachings (that are also taught in the occult).

The goal of spiritual formation as with all meditation is to be in union with the divine. This is achieved through a variety of methods including ‘imaging’ or ‘centering’ during meditation.

 

What Does The Bible Say About Spiritual Formation?

Faith is based on God’s word rather then experiences (not by feelings or an ecstatic experience)

…Give attendance …to sound doctrine - 1 Timothy 4:13
So faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the word of God. - Romans 10:17
For we walk by faith not by sight. - 2 Corinthians 5:7

Spiritual Formation Names To Lookout For

  • Richard Foster – famous for the book “Celebration of Discipline"
  • Thomas Merton – This man was a Trappist Monk who became a Hindu/Buddist. He was a co-worker with the New Age leader of global power, Barbara Marx Hubbard, who formed the global New Age organization “Committee for the Future”.
  • Dallas Willard – Southern Baptist, Professor of Philosophy at the University of South California in Los Angeles. New Ager, Pro. Catholic, A Spiritualist.
Constance Cumby – author of “A planned Deception” and “The Hidden Dangers of the Rainbow” – dealing with the New Age delusions: “I have found Richard Foster’s books for sale in interesting locations. They are of course, in nearly every Christian book store… Why are his books ones that occultists feel comfortable reading and selling? Do they belong in Evangelical and Fundamental churches? – a Planned Deception p105”

More Spiritual Formation Info