John Mark Comer, pastor at Bridgetown Church and author of "The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry," joins James Bryan Smith for a deep dive into spiritual growth. They discuss the impact of secular culture on faith, emphasizing the importance of community and a neo-monastic approach. Comer shares insights on overcoming modern distractions and nurturing spiritual practices in daily life. They also explore the transformative power of grace and the ancient concept of a 'rule of life' as a framework for deepening one’s relationship with Jesus.
Comer emphasizes the necessity of integrating spiritual practices into daily life to foster genuine transformation and personal growth.
In modern secular environments, building counter-cultural communities is critical for spiritual formation among Millennials and Gen Z.
The shifting conversation on human sexuality presents an opportunity for traditional Christian sexual ethics to resonate with today's cultural challenges.
Deep dives
Understanding Integration through Prayer
Integration in Jungian psychology involves bridging the gap between one’s ego, the ideal self they project, and the shadow, which represents unacknowledged traits and behaviors. Engaging in prayer is proposed as an effective way to reconcile these aspects of oneself. By receiving love and acceptance from the divine, individuals can move towards authentic transformation, allowing them to become the person they are meant to be. This process highlights prayer not just as a spiritual practice, but as a pathway to deep personal integration.
Navigating Christian Formation in Secular Urban Contexts
In urban settings like Portland, where cultural Christianity is minimal, followers of Jesus face unique challenges in their spiritual formation. John Mark Comer emphasizes the importance of building strong, counter-cultural communities that are deeply committed to spiritual practices and teachings. This is particularly crucial for Millennials and Gen Z who are influenced largely by secular society. The necessity of counter-formation is outlined, acknowledging that individuals are already being shaped by the world around them.
Rebuilding Social Trust in a Divided Society
Post-2020, the social fabric has been hugely affected, with isolation and division reaching alarming levels. The need for rebuilding social trust and community is highlighted as a significant focus going forward. This entails not only physical reconnection but also creating spaces for honest dialogue and reconciliation amidst societal divisions. Comer's insights suggest that Christians must strive to function as peacemakers, potentially aiding in mending the fractures within society.
The Evolution of Christian Sexual Ethics
The conversation surrounding human sexuality has shifted dramatically, placing traditional Christian sexual ethics in a challenging spotlight. As society increasingly normalizes diverse sexual behaviors, Christianity is positioned as the moral underdog, leading to significant misunderstandings about its teachings. Comer reflects on how the early Christian sexual ethics were compelling to a culture that often disregarded the value of human dignity. The potential for these ethics to resonate with future generations who face modern issues such as abuse and consent is a topic of interest, suggesting a return to Christian teachings as a radical alternative.
Effort and Transformation in Spiritual Life
Comer speaks to the complexity of transformation in the spiritual realm, arguing that genuine change involves more than just information and willpower. He advocates for a deeper understanding of the collaborative effort between human initiative and divine grace. By actively practicing spiritual disciplines, individuals open themselves to transformation by the Holy Spirit but must also acknowledge that their will is not sufficient to change deeply ingrained behaviors alone. This highlights the need for both rigorous expectations and grace in the journey of following Christ.
James Bryan Smith and John Mark Comer have a Things Above conversation! In this episode James and John talk about a multitude of topics including; sexuality, theology, spiritual formation and more. Smith and Comer both explain the impact and importance of spiritual practices and how we can integrate them into our daily lives. Both James […]