This essay
is prompted by a paper entitled "Moving from Solitude to Ministry,"
by Henri Nouwen. (1)
In this paper he states:
"But in the spiritual life, the
word discipline means "the effort to create space in which God can
act." Discipline means to prevent
everything in your life from being filled up. Discipline means that somewhere
you're not occupied, and certainly not preoccupied. In the spiritual life discipline means to create
that space in which something important can happen that you hadn't planned or
counted on."
In this
essay we wish to examine what spiritual discipline is. Secondary, let determine whether Nouwen's
definition fits the biblical description. Henri Jozef Machiel Nouwen (1932 – 1996) was a Dutch-born Catholic
priest and writer who authored 40 books about spirituality. He
is one of several authors who have discussed the subject of Christian
Spirituality. A Google search reveals
over 2.3 Million "hits".
We begin by
examining the definition of "discipline" as used in the bible. The word translated discipline is used 53
times with only 11 times in the New Testament (NIV). There are shades of meaning in the Greek. The principle meaning and usage in the New
Testament for discipline is in the sense "to discipline" from
"paideuo" (παιδεύω) which is to teach or punish (See I
Cor11:32, Heb. 12:6-7, Heb. 12:10). The
second major use in the New Testament is paideia (παιδεία) which has the
connotation of instruction, training, and correction. (Heb 12:5, Heb. 12:8). In 2 Tim. 1:7, we find the term "self-discipline". This term (σωφρονισμός) means
“behave in a sensible manner, with the thoughtful awareness of what is
best." (2) From these definitions we can deduce the
discipline of God connotes correction, instruction, and training from God. Self-discipline is the use of good judgment
to do what is best for us.
Nouwen
states that “The word discipleship and discipline are the same word." Is this true?
The word disciple or disciples is used 297 times in the New Testament
(NT). Clearly, this word is used much
more frequently than "discipline." The Greek word for disciple is
"mathetes" (μαθητής). This
word means “to learn, to
be instructed. A person who learns from
another by instruction, whether formal or informal—‘disciple, pupil."
(2) To
be a disciple is to be a follower of a teacher in order to learn from
them. Clearly, then
"discipline" and discipleship are not the same thing. Though
discipline as used in the NT is usually given "by God", a disciple is
one who follows what is given in order to learn from His instruction. Self-discipline is having the good sense to
follow what God has instructed us to do.
What then is spiritual
discipline? We might observe that this term is not one explicitly used in the
bible. It is, rather, a term used to
describe a regular practice of activities leading to spiritual development in
one's life. Perhaps a more common term
today for this end result would "spiritual formation." Spiritual formation is defined as "the
process by which the human spirit or will is given a definite "form"
or character."(3)
In Christianity this character is the character of Christ. Christian Spirituality itself has a definite
history since the time of Christ. It has
taken various forms though out its 2000 year history. Some hint of this may be deduced from the
title chapters of one of its histories, "The Story of Christian
Spirituality."(4)
Some of the periods are: early church fathers, Celtic and Anglo-Saxon, the
Medieval West, the Eastern Tradition, Russian, Protestant Europe, Catholic and
Reformers, Anglican, Protestant American, and 20th Century Practices.
To more
clearly define what "spiritual discipline" is let us look at the
definition of "spiritual". The
word for "spiritual" in the NT is pneumatikos (πνευματικός). The essential meaning of “spiritual" is
"from the spirit" (2) . This word is derived from pneuma (πνεῦμα) meaning wind, breath, life or
vital force. In the NT it is used as the
power of God or God's life giving power.
In addition there are manifestations, works, and fruits of the spirit. (5) . Certainly that which is "spiritual"
is not "physical". It is
immortal. It is living a life without a
me-centered, materialist point of view, but with the perspective of God. Paul says it well in 2 Cor. 3:17-18 (NIV):
17 Now the Lord is the
Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. 18 And
we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being
transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the
Lord, who is the Spirit.
Spiritual disciplines are then those actions
which lead to the transformation of our character into that of Christ.
Since it is
the character or image of Christ we are to be transformed into, we should examine
the spiritual life of Jesus. However,
this is somewhat difficult as the gospels are not written to tell us in detail
about Jesus life of prayer or spiritual life.
Luke is writing a history. John is related the signs and miracles so we
might believe. Matt is writing from the
Jewish perspective of the Christ. Mark seems to concentrate on his acts. So... we are left with deducing the spiritual
life of Jesus primarily from his acts and teachings.
Nouwen
defines discipline as "creating a space in which God can act" or
"to prevent everything in your life from being filled up." This
strictly speaking is not the definition of discipline. Effective spiritual disciplines do however
allow the Spirit to transform your life into the image of Christ. In that sense they do “create a space in
which God can act”. In order to do this
one must not let one’s life be consumed by the material with the focus on one’s
self. One must not let one’s life be
filled up with only earthly things without a Godly focus.
The second
portion of his definition that is discipline is to “create that space in which
something important can happen that you hadn't planned or counted on” is more
problematical. Spiritual disciplines by
definition are performed to enable the transformation of one’s character into a
Christ-like image. Certainly one can
“count on” this happening if one has faith and the disciplines are
effective. But, the transformation is
one enabled by the Spirit, not one achieved strictly by human effort.
Nouwen then
moves towards advocating specific spiritual disciplines using the narration of
Luke 6:12=19. Here Luke relates Jesus
spending the night in prayer, next appointing his apostles, and then proceeding
down the mount to minister to the people.
Nouwen then formulates from this a process for a person to come to
ministry. The process is from solitude
to community to ministry. The first
discipline he formulates is solitude (from Jesus praying alone). Here he states one should recognize we are
“beloved.” This he states should come
before any other so that we will not expect others to feel we are “beloved” as
we already are. Next he proceeds to
community from the act of Jesus appointing his apostles. But, within this “discipline” of community he
adds the disciplines of forgiveness (for their not being God) and celebration
(of others gifts). To minister he says
one must trust that God will heal if we reach out to help us have gratitude
instead of resentment and to have compassion.
Though the
above has elements that may be very beneficial, one has to recognize this is
only one formulation of how
to let the Spirit lead us in Spiritual transformation. There is no “set formula” in scripture and
the elements he gives are certainly not explicitly stated as what one should do
to obtain spiritual transformation. One
can certainly to emulate Jesus by praying in solitude. But, we are also told to pray without
ceasing. The community deduced from his
appointing his apostles would seem more like an example of what leaders should
do to select and train others than defining this as a discipline from Jesus working
in community. As to his last point,
certainly in ministry one should trust God.
As indicated
there are many other paths that have been traveled to be able to accomplish
spiritual transformation. For example,
one could start with a “transformation of the mind.” This has the explicit
biblical admonition given below:
Romans 12:2 (NIV)
2 Do not conform to the
pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then
you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and
perfect will.
This is where Willard begins(3) . On the other hand, James Wilhoit enables
Spiritual Formation through the church community and a curriculum to that
effect. (6) “The
group of solitude disciplines might include those of Richard Foster's:
meditation, prayer, fasting, and study; i.e., the inner disciplines. What he
calls community is what Foster calls outer disciplines and corporate
disciplines (confession, celebration, worship, etc.). What he calls mission
would match Foster's "service" and "submission".”[1](7)
Though Willard is recognized for his writings
on Spiritual Formation, these three are referenced only to point out Nouwen’s
article is but one man’s interpretation of these issues. In
fact one can readily find various “lists” of spiritual disciplines. Some of these are:
Solitude, Silence, Fasting, Frugality,
Simplicity, Chastity, Secrecy, Sacrifice, Study, Worship, Celebration, Service,
Prayer, Fellowship, Confession, Submission, Meditation, Guidance, Journaling,
Learning, Evangelism, Stewardship, Restitution, Working with Sufferers. (8)
Dallas Willard
in "The Spirit of the Disciplines", defines Spiritual Disciplines
as”“Any activity within our power that we
engage to enable us to do what we cannot do by direct effort…They are
designed to help us withdraw from total dependence on the merely
human or natural…and to depend also on the ultimate reality, which is
God and his kingdom.” (9)
We must recognize that specific discipline may be more or less beneficial
depending on the personality type and personal needs of the individual. For example, the disciplines that might be
grouped around Solitude may be “just the ticket” for an introverted
individual. But the disciplines that
might be grouped around Community in some way might be better suited for an
extrovert. We should not get fixated on
a one size fits all method to
enable each person to draw closer to
God.
None of this
essay is intended to negate the benefit of exercising personal or communal
spiritual disciplines in any way.
The
discussion on what it means to be a “disciple” would take a much longer
essay. Suffice it to say that discussing
this subject would take a much deeper examination of what Jesus actually did
and what he taught than this essay can address.
1. Nouwen, Henri. Moving From Solitude to
Community. Leadership Journal . [Online] Christianity Today, Spring
1995. [Cited: April 7, 2013.] http://www.christianitytoday.com/le/1995/spring/5l280.html.
2. Nida, J.P. Louw
and E.A. Vol. 1 Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament Based on
semantic domains. New York : United Bible Societies, 1996.
3. Willard, Dallas.
Renovation of the Heart. Colorado Springs : NavPress, 2002.
978-1-57683-296-7.
4. Gordon Mursell,
General Editor. The Story of Christian Spirituality--TWo thousand years
from East to West. Minneapolis : Lion Publishing, Inc, 2001.
0-8006-3289-3.
5. G. Kittel, G.
Friedrich, G.W. Bromiley. Theological Dictionary of the New Testment. Grand
Rapids : Eerdmans, 1985.
6. Wilhoit, James C.
Spiritual Formation as if the Church Mattered. Grand Rapids : Baler
Academic, 2008. 978-0-8010-2776-5.
7. Foster, Richard.
The Path to Spiritual Growth. New York : Harper Collings, 1978.
0-06-062839.
8. Comparison of
Spiritual Disciplines. Achieving Balance in an Unbalanced World. [Online]
April 10, 2013. [Cited: April 10, 2013.]
http://achievebalance.com/twelve/disciplines.htm.
9. Willard, Dallas.
The Spirit of the Discipline. [e-boob] New York : Harper Collins,
1988. 0-06-069442-4.