Spiritual Formation: An Invitation to Drawing Near

In this conversation, Kyle is joined by John Whittaker, who does the weekly podcast Bible in Life as well as The Listeners Commentary (which is an audio commentary through scripture). This episode is a special episode while Kyle plans out “Season 2” of the podcast. In this, and hopefully other special episodes, Kyle invites people who disagree with him on various topics about discipleship and spiritual formation to engage in a discussion about areas of difference and agreement. Kyle and John engage in a dialogue about discipleship, spiritual formation, and the role of theology in the church. They explore the challenges of modern discipleship, the implications of the term “disciple” in the New Testament, and the importance of a robust theological framework for spiritual growth. Chapters00:00 Introduction to the Conversation01:37 Discipleship and Its Challenges04:36 John's Background and Perspectives08:26 The Role of Theology in Spiritual Growth Get full access to Kyle’s Formation Substack at kylestrobel.substack.com/subscribe

In this final episode of the mini-series on forgotten doctrines of spiritual formation, Kyle explores the doctrine of sanctification. He highlights that while sanctification is not forgotten in the same way as the previous “forgotten doctrines,” it is often misunderstood and not properly grounded in scripture. Kyle emphasizes that sanctification is not a self-help project, but a work of God in us. He discusses the distinction between definitive sanctification and progressive sanctification, and the importance of ordering our understanding of salvation around Christ. Kyle also addresses the misconception that sanctification is solely about growth and emphasizes the need for a proper theology of holiness.Books Mentioned: Don Payne, Already SanctifiedKyle Strobel, Jonathan Edwards’s Theology: A ReinterpretationKyle Strobel, Formed for the Glory of God: Learning from the Spiritual Practices of Jonathan EdwardsChapters00:00 Introduction to the Doctrine of Sanctification06:23 Taking Sanctification for Granted08:22 Reducing the Gospel to Justification13:16 Definitive Sanctification vs. Progressive Sanctification18:02 Sanctification as a Degreed Property20:38 The Importance of a Theology of Holiness22:36 Ordering Sanctification Around Christ26:28 Walking by Faith, Not by Sight29:16 Next Season: Spiritual Formation and the Church Get full access to Kyle’s Formation Substack at kylestrobel.substack.com/subscribe

The discussion brings attention to the often-overlooked doctrine of infusion in spiritual formation. It emphasizes that true virtue is infused by God through the Holy Spirit, distinguishing it from acquired virtue. The dangers of a Pelagian mindset are critiqued, highlighting the necessity of grace in true spiritual growth. Additionally, misconceptions about infusion are addressed, advocating for a deeper understanding that integrates theology with lived Christian experiences. This conversation revitalizes important connections between classical theology and contemporary spirituality.

In this conversation, Kyle explores the forgotten doctrine of the beatific vision and its role in spiritual formation. He emphasizes that the beatific vision is not just a Roman Catholic doctrine, but a biblical one that is often neglected (even though it was standard in the history of Protestant theology). The beatific vision refers to the idea that in eternity, we will see God face-to-face as we will share in his glory. Kyle discusses how this vision is linked to intimacy, knowledge, and love, and how it shapes our understanding of spiritual practices. He highlights the importance of contemplation as a practice that allows us to set our gaze on God and be transformed by his presence.Chapters00:00 Introduction and Series Overview02:58 The Beatific Vision as a Biblical Doctrine09:17 The Perfection of Humanity in the Beatific Vision15:24 Drawing Near to God in the Beatific Vision19:23 The Beatific Vision as an Act of Love in God24:10 The Role of Contemplation in Spiritual Formation27:58 The Neglect of the Beatific Vision in Biblical InterpretationIn the episode I mentioned a free article I’ve written on the beatific vision. You can find that here. I also mentioned the book Embracing Contemplation, edited by John Coe and myself. You can find that here.Finally, I mentioned my work on Jonathan Edwards’s understanding of spiritual formation that includes a discussion of the beatific vision and contemplation. You can find that here. Get full access to Kyle’s Formation Substack at kylestrobel.substack.com/subscribe

In this conversation, Kyle discusses the forgotten doctrines of spiritual formation and the importance of integrating theology into the conversation. He emphasizes that our beliefs are systematically integrated and cannot be isolated from one another. Kyle explores the doctrine of theosis, which is about sharing in the divine nature (2 Pet. 1:4), and how it relates to spiritual formation. He argues that spiritual formation should be centered around God and His action, rather than focusing solely on our own efforts. Kyle also highlights the need to ground the gospel in relational and familial language, such as adoption and marriage.The two articles I have written on this can be found here and here, and I talk about Edwards’s overarching view of salvation here. The article I mentioned where my friend Joanna Leidenhag criticizes me can be found here.Chapters00:00 Introduction and Overview02:28 The Systematic Integration of Beliefs08:10 The Bloated Doctrine of Justification13:19 Exploring the Doctrine of Theosis19:05 Centering Spiritual Formation Around God21:59 Grounding the Gospel in Relational Language25:29 The Temptation to Reduce the Gospel Get full access to Kyle’s Formation Substack at kylestrobel.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode, Kyle discusses the different waves that have occurred in evangelicalism over the past 50 years through Trevin Wax’s recent article. He explores the history and development of this movement and its potential impact on the church. Kyle emphasizes the need for a theologically rich understanding of spiritual formation that begins with the Gospel and centers around Christ and the church. He encourages listeners to consider their own participation in the church, their home life, and their individual spiritual formation.Trevin Wax’s Article can be found here.My own response to Trevin’s article can be found here.Steve Porter’s article about what is next in the spiritual formation conversation can be found here. If you are interested in the early evangelical account of these things as I have explained them, you can see my book Formed for the Glory of God: Learning from the Spiritual Practices of Jonathan Edwards.Chapters00:00 Introduction and Personal Updates06:25 The Three Waves of the Spiritual Formation Movement13:20 The Fourth Wave: Emerging Spiritual Formation18:24 The Need for Theological Spiritual Theology24:30 The Need for Theological Ecclesiology31:07 The Church as a Formative Community35:00 Opening Our Hearts to God and His People Get full access to Kyle’s Formation Substack at kylestrobel.substack.com/subscribe

In this conversation, Kyle continues his discussion of the importance discontinuity in articulating continuity in spiritual formation. He emphasizes the need to start with discontinuity, recognizing the radical transformation that occurs in spiritual formation, only then making the move to continuity. We should, in other words, articulate natural formation within a framework of the supernatural, to avoid the errors of demonizing nature or alienating grace. Kyle uses the tension between the goodness of creation and the completeness of the Fall to explore the errors that can be made when folks over-emphasize or reduce one side of this tension. This leads him into a discussion of spiritual formation and psychological approaches, to advance a distinctively Christian integration. Kyle mentioned “The Way of the Lamb” podcast, which can be found here. Chapters00:00 Introduction and the Need for Proper Language in Spiritual Formation06:18 The Theological Importance of the Fall09:41 Avoiding Errors in Discussing the Fall and Creation14:25 The Need for Integration of Psychology and Theology29:31 The Role of God's Work and Human Agency in Formation38:35 The Dangers of Worldliness and Reductionism in Formation41:03 Invitation to Draw Near and Reflect on Personal Calling Get full access to Kyle’s Formation Substack at kylestrobel.substack.com/subscribe

In this conversation, Kyle discusses the difference between natural and supernatural forms of formation. He introduces the concept of continuity versus discontinuity in spiritual formation and emphasizes the need to start with discontinuity. Kyle explains that starting with continuity often leads to a generic account of personhood, maturation, and the God-world relationship, which can result in a reductionist and Pelagian view of formation. On the other hand, starting with discontinuity allows for a distinctively Christian understanding of formation that is grounded in divine revelation and the unique work of the Spirit. Kyle highlights the importance of union with Christ and the doctrine of infusion in spiritual formation.Chapters00:00 Introduction: Natural vs Supernatural Formation05:50 The Infiltration of Naturalism in the Church13:31 The Dangers of a Generic Account of Formation27:18 Jesus' Focus on Reconciliation, not Formation35:34 Becoming Fully Ourselves by Imaging God Get full access to Kyle’s Formation Substack at kylestrobel.substack.com/subscribe

Kyle delves into the nature and task of spiritual formation, with a focus on the dangers of Pelagianism. It explores the distinction between grace and moralism, emphasizing the importance of faith and the work of the Spirit in Christian formation. Several books mentioned in this episode were: The Grace of Christ - AugustineLiving in Union with Christ - Grant MacaskillThe Life of God in the Soul of Man - Scougal Get full access to Kyle’s Formation Substack at kylestrobel.substack.com/subscribe

Kyle reflects on a special episode featuring Dallas Willard's lecture on spiritual formation and the VIM formula. He compares his approach to Willard's and discusses the dangers of self-help and Pelagianism. Kyle emphasizes the need for a theological grounding in Christ and the Spirit's work in transformation.In this episode, Kyle mentioned a book by Michael Stewart Robb called The Kingdom Among Us: The Gospel According to Dallas Willard. Get full access to Kyle’s Formation Substack at kylestrobel.substack.com/subscribe