Relating Spiritual Formation and Character Formation
Feb
2
Written by:
Thursday, February 02, 2012
In our conversations around the new Renovare ministry Stepping Stones we have been talking about the differences between spiritual formation and character formation. This led me to outline the below non-linear process, which I think is a fair presentation of how a person moves towards Christlikeness over time and includes both the phrases “spiritual formation” and “character formation” as part of the process.
What do you think? Do you agree? How can or should it be tweaked?
1. Spiritual Formation – everyone gets one, but what do we want to do with it?
leads to
2. Life in the kingdom of God – Jesus’s message convinces us that life with God forever beginning now is the only sane response to human existence and is the end result of our formation in Christlikeness.
leads to
3. Repentance – we see that while we may mean well we do not grasp God’s vision for our lives and the world and we turn to God to become something different, to live with God in God’s real world.
leads to
4. Discipleship to Jesus – in response, we choose a specific type of spiritual formation that throughout the history of the Church has been called “discipleship.”
leads to
5. Spiritual practices (individual and corporate, intentional and sacramental) – participating in these is our part of making ourselves available to what God has for us.
leads to
6. Christlike character – over time God changes our inner life which manifests itself in a redeemed person that is more like Jesus.
leads to
7. Behavior – Christlike character leads to Christlike behavior; we cannot help but be the people that Jesus would have us be.
leads to
8. Reflection – we consider our ways of being in the world and consider how God would have us be different.
leads to
9. Repentance and beginning again – as Thomas Merton wrote, “We do not want to be beginners but let us be convinced of the fact that we will never be anything but beginners, all our life!”
leads to
10. Discipleship to Jesus (see 4. above) – knowing that our discipleship can be deeper and more compassionate than it was before, we rethink how we are participating with God in our discipleship.
Copyright ©2012
2 comment(s) so far...
Re: Relating Spiritual Formation and Character Formation
Character formation starts with aspiring to be as much like Christ our model as possible. This is not to be confused with spiritual disciplines.
Character formation progresses as we separate ourselves from the world’s values and devote ourselves to God’s values.
Character formation continues as we grow toward maturity and wholeness. Our belief system is based on who Christ is and what Christ has done for us. Behavior changes depend on our stage of spiritual development.
Spiritual discipline are behavioral. Character formation is based of Christ centered beliefs. Conduct follows character as behavior follows beliefs.
A desirable character is molded by God’s standards. Only God can see our inside and only He can accurately assess our growth as Christ centered people of high moral character. Only you and God know what your heart really looks like.
Character is developed through trials and test. Just as fire refines ore to extract precious metals, God refines our character through trials. God stretches us to develop our character. Romans 5:3-4.
This means we will experience challenges that help us grow. The challenges that we run into develop our perseverance, which in turn strengthens our character and deepen our trust in God.
We should not resent times of testing. Through them God strengthens us for greater works.
True Character formation is spiritual formation and is based on the character of Christ seeking to love others as completely as God loves us.
Our tendency to sin must never deter us from striving to be more like Christ. Christ calls all of his disciples to take on His character, to rise above secularism, and to mature in every area, becoming more like him. 1 John 3:2-3.
By Sterling Lands II on
Saturday, February 04, 2012
|
Re: Relating Spiritual Formation and Character Formation
God longs for us to be formed into the loving character of Christ. Godly character formation is all about obedience, practice, and choices that allow God’s Spirit to form the character and likeness of Jesus in us. It requires our effort—through individual choices, beliefs, attitudes, language, actions, and obedience—to cooperate with the work of God’s Spirit.
Beliefs drive behavior (what you really believe, not just what you know to be true)
Attitudes drive actions (manner of acting that shows one’s inward thoughts)
Character drives conduct (the practice of virtue or vice)
James Bryan Smith in his book, The Good and Beautiful Life makes the statement on page 14 that “Spiritual formation is ultimately character formation.”
Both spiritual formation and character require intentional, concrete, life long practice.
By Vernie Schorr Love on
Thursday, February 09, 2012
|