Spiritual Formation: An Invitation to Drawing Near The Sanctification Gap
In this conversation, Kyle discusses the concept of the sanctification gap and its implications for the Christian life. Looking at Richard Lovelace’s account and well as John Coe’s development, Kyle attends to how we can utilize this category fruitfully in our own formation. Kyle emphasizes the importance of drawing near to God in the reality of who we are, rather than turning to oneself as a way to generate or mimic an ideal. He encourages a holistic approach to spiritual theology that incorporates insights from the broader Christian tradition.
00:00 Introduction and Background
05:21 The Rich Tradition of Spiritual Theology
07:20 The Experiential Gap and the Importance of Drawing Near
09:45 The Role of Spiritual Theology in the Christian Life
14:01 Embracing the Wisdom of the Christian Tradition
16:34 Moving from an Idealistic to an Evangelical Approach
21:48 Recognizing Our Need for Forgiveness
24:22 Navigating the Sanctification Gap in Prayer
Resources mentioned:
Richard Lovelace, Dynamics of Spiritual Life: An Evangelical Theology of Renewal.
Kyle Strobel, Formed for the Glory of God: Learning from the Spiritual Practices of Jonathan Edwards.
Kyle Strobel and John Coe, Where Prayer Becomes Real: How Honesty with God Transforms Your Soul.
Get full access to Kyle’s Formation Substack at kylestrobel.substack.com/subscribe