The Screwtape Letters is a Christian apologetic novel written in a satirical, epistolary style. It consists of 31 letters from Screwtape, a highly placed assistant to 'Our Father Below' (the Devil), to his nephew Wormwood, a novice demon tasked with securing the damnation of an ordinary young man. The letters provide advice on various methods of undermining God's influence and promoting abandonment of God, while offering insights into human nature and the Bible. The book is a profound and striking narrative on spiritual warfare and the power of the devil, highlighting the subtle forms of sin such as vanity, pride, and distraction that can lead humans away from God[1][3][4].
Andrew Murray's "Humility" delves into the spiritual significance of humility, emphasizing its role in experiencing God's presence and power. Murray, a prominent figure in the spiritual life of South Africa, draws from his own experiences and biblical teachings to illustrate the transformative power of humility. He argues that true humility is not self-deprecation but rather a recognition of God's sovereignty and grace. The book encourages readers to embrace a life of selfless service and dependence on God, highlighting the importance of emptying oneself to make room for God's glory. Murray's insights continue to inspire Christians seeking a deeper relationship with God and a more authentic expression of faith.
In 'Streams of Living Water', Richard J. Foster examines the six great traditions of Christian spirituality: Contemplative, Holiness, Charismatic, Social Justice, Evangelical, and Incarnational. He highlights the enduring character of each tradition and offers inspiring stories of faithful individuals who embody these streams. The book provides a comprehensive guide to integrating these spiritual dimensions into daily life for authentic Christian experience.
Celebration of Discipline explores the central spiritual practices of the Christian faith, dividing them into three categories: inward disciplines (meditation, prayer, fasting, and study), outward disciplines (simplicity, solitude, submission, and service), and corporate disciplines (confession, worship, guidance, and celebration). Foster argues that these disciplines are essential for spiritual growth and a balanced spiritual life. He provides practical insights and examples on how these disciplines can be integrated into daily life to bring about personal transformation and a deeper connection with God and others.
Richard Foster's "Learning Humility" offers a unique approach to understanding and cultivating humility. The book uses a Lakota calendar as its framework, weaving together personal reflections, spiritual insights, and cultural perspectives. Foster explores the complexities of humility, distinguishing it from humiliation and self-deprecation. He emphasizes the importance of self-awareness and a right understanding of one's identity in relation to God. The book is a journey of self-discovery and spiritual growth, inviting readers to embrace humility as a transformative virtue.
Pursuing Humility, with Richard Foster and Brenda Quinn
Throughout the season of Lent, we're releasing weekly episodes focused on spiritual practices.
In an age when self-promotion is often celebrated as a sign of leadership and strength, humility may seem a lost virtue. In his work Learning Humility, theologian Richard Foster argues that humility is actually strength, releasing us from a preoccupation with self, and allowing us to live a life of freedom:
“One of the dangers among religious folks is that they can become stuffy bores. And it is hilarity that frees us from that. We don't take ourselves so seriously. We can laugh at our own foibles. If you look carefully… it's not hard to identify humble people. You'll find the freedom that they have to just enjoy life and enjoy other people, enjoy the successes of another person rather than being envious of it. Things like that. And so that's why humility, the most basic of the virtues, opens us up to a life of freedom.”
May Foster’s call to humility, and pastor and writer Brenda Quinn’s practical insights on living it out in leadership and community, inspire you this Lenten season to contemplate the humility of Jesus and the way of the cross.
This podcast is an edited version of a conversation recorded in 2022. Watch the full video of the conversation here, and learn more about Richard Foster and Brenda Quinn.
Authors and books mentioned in the conversation:
Learning Humility, by Richard Foster
Celebration of Discipline, by Richard Foster
Streams of Living Water, by Richard Foster
Sanctuary of the Soul, by Richard Foster
The Life With God Bible, contributed to by Richard Foster
C.S. Lewis
Timothy Keller
The Frenzy of Renown
Related Trinity Forum Readings:
The Long Loneliness, by Dorothy Day
Brave New World, by Aldous Huxley
Who Stands Fast, featuring Dietrich Bonhoeffer
Babette's Feast, by Isak Dinesen
Wrestling with God, by Simone Weil
Related Conversations:
A New Year With The Word with Malcolm Guite
Music, Creativity & Justice with Ruth Naomi Floyd
To listen to this or any of our episodes in full, visit ttf.org/podcast and to join the Trinity Forum Society and help make content like this possible, join the Trinity Forum Society
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