Christian Spiritual Formation
A Confessional, Ecumenical, and Theological Approach
Keywords:
singing, praying, anthropology, John Calvin, justification, TrinitarianAbstract
Spiritual formation as a practical subject in a Christian's life is often not thought reflectively, if not altogether ignored, even by those who claim within the Reformed tradition. This paper argues for the uniqueness of Christianity's spiritual formation from the other Abrahamic religions based on scriptural arguments and religious-social phenomena. The Reformation contributed to Christian spiritual formation based on general principles and Calvin's anthropological insights. The article concludes that Christian spiritual formation is none other than living a Triune life, that is, to be Christ-formed and Spirit-filled in our lives as children of God.
References
Armando, Ade. “Shamsi Ali, Felix Siauw, Mengeroyok Saya Soal Syariah.” Video, 11:37, YouTube, November 1, 2021. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jYWs6EPTMIY.
Bartholomew, Craig. “Spiritual Formation, Mysticism and Ethics: An Engagement with Herman Bavinck.” Lecture at Theological University Kampen, February 4, 2020. https://en.tukampen.nl/discover/hermanbavinck2019/.
Battles, Ford Lewis. Analysis of the Institutes of the Christian Religion of John Calvin. Assisted by John R. Walchenbach. Philipsburg: P&R, 1980.
______, “True Piety According to Calvin.” In Readings in Calvin’s Theology, edited by Donald K. McKim, 192-211. Grand Rapids: Baker, 1984.
Burger, J.M. “Receiving the Mind of Christ: Epistemological and Hermeneutical Implications of Participation in Christ according to Oliver O’Donovan.” Journal of Reformed Theology 10 (2016): 52-71. https://doi.org/10.1163/15697312-01001013.
Calvin, John. Institutes of the Christian Religion (1559). Edited by John T. McNeill and translated by Ford Lewis Battles. The Library of Christian Classics. Louisville: Westminster John Knox, 1960.
______, Commentaries on the Epistles of Paul to the Galatians and Ephesians (1548). Translated by William Pringle. Bellingham: Logos, 2010.
DetikNews. “Ade Armando: Perintah Salat 5 Waktu Tidak Ada dalam Al-Qur’an.” November 3, 2021. https://news.detik.com/berita/d-5795034/ade-armando-perintah-salat-5-waktu-tidak-ada-dalam-al-quran/2.
Foster, Richard. Celebration of Discipline: The Path to Spiritual Growth. London: Hodder & Stoughton, 1980.
Guinness World Records. “First Hymn.” Accessed October 20, 2021. https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/first-hymn.
Haight, Roger. “Calvin’s Contribution to a Common Ecclesial Spirituality” in Restoration through Redemption: John Calvin Revisited, edited by Henk van den Belt, 159-170. Leiden, Boston: Brill, 2013.
Hall, Christopher A. “Historical Theology and Spiritual Formation: A Response.” Journal of Spiritual Formation & Soul Care 7, no. 2 (Fall 2014): 210–19. https://doi.org/10.1177/193979091400700205.
Heinrici, G. “Encyclopedia, Theological.” In The New Schaff-Herzog Encyclopedia of Religious Knowledge. Edited by Samuel Macauley Jackson, 125-128. London: Funk & Wagnalls, 1908.
Huijgen, Arnold. Divine Accommodation in John Calvin’s Theology: Analysis and Assessment, Reformed Historical Theology 16. Göttingen: V&R, 2011.
______, “Childlike Reverence and Trust: Calvin and the Heidelberg Catechism on Prayer”. Verbum Christi: Journal of Reformed Evangelical Theology 7, no. 1 (April 20, 2020): 55–68. https://doi.org/10.51688/vc7.1.2020.art4.
Jenson, Robert. Systematic Theology, vol. 1: The Triune God. New York: Oxford University Press, 1997.
Lucas, Sean Michael. “’Divine Light, Holy Heat’: Jonathan Edwards, the Ministry of the Word, and Spiritual Formation.” Presbyterion 34, no. 1 (Spr 2008): 1–11.
Moffitt, Jon. “The Biblical and Historical Problems with Spiritual Disciplines, part 1–3”. Theocast. Accessed November 1, 2021. https://theocast.org/the-biblical-and-historical-problems-with-spiritual-disciplines-part-1-notes/.
Mohler Jr., R. Albert. “Church Discipline: The Missing Mark.” In The Compromised Church: The Present Evangelical Crisis, edited by John H. Armstrong. Wheaton: Crossway Books, 1998. https://www.the-highway.com/discipline_Mohler.html.
Muller, Richard A. Christ and the Decree: Christology and Predestination in Reformed Theology From Calvin to Perkins. Grand Rapids: Baker, 1986.
My Jewish Learning. “The Written Torah and the Oral Torah.” Accessed October 19, 2021. https://www.myjewishlearning.com/article/the-formation-of-the-oral-torah/.
Neusner, Jacob. A Rabbi Talks with Jesus. Revised and edited. London: McGill-Queen’s University Press, 2000.
O’Donovan, Oliver. “Prayer and Morality in the Sermon on the Mount.” Studies in Christian Ethics 22, no. 1 (2000): 21–33. https://doi.org/10.1177/0953946808100224.
Parker, T. H. L. Calvin’s Preaching. © T&T Clark, 1992; Louisville: WJK, 1992.
Peters, Greg. “Historical Theology and Spiritual Formation: A Call.” Journal of Spiritual Formation & Soul Care 7, no. 2 (Fall 2014): 203–9. https://doi.org/10.1177/193979091400700204.
Santoso, Audy. Union with God: An Assessment of Deification (Theosis) in the Theologies of Robert Jenson and John Calvin, Reformed Historical Theology 69. Göttingen: V&R,
Sefaria. Mishnah, Berakhot 1.3. accessed October 19, 2021. https://www.sefaria.org/Mishnah_Berakhot.1.3?lang=bi.
Smith, Huston. The World’s Religions. Revised and updated. San Francisco: HarperOne, 2009.
Smith, James K. A. Desiring the Kingdom: Worship, Worldview, and Cultural Formation, vol.1 of Cultural Liturgies. Grand Rapids: Baker Academics, 2009.
Steinmetz, David C. Reformers in the Wings: From Geisler von Kaysersberg to Theodore Beza, 2nd edition. New York: Oxford University Press, 2001.
Strobel, Kyle. “The Christian Doctrine of Sanctification: A Review Essay.” Journal of Spiritual Formation & Soul Care 12, no. 2 (2019): 260–68. https://doi.org/10.1177/1939790919869526.
Tjen, Anwar. “Mengenal Mazmur.” Accessed October 21, 2021, site inactive on December 11, 2023. https://selisip.com/slp16/2018/04/mengenal-mazmur-2/.
Wahid, Abdurrahman, editor. Ilusi Negara Islam: Ekspansi Gerakan Islam Transnasional di Indonesia. Jakarta: Desantara Utama Media, 2009.
Warren, Rick. The Purpose Driven Life. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2002.
Woznicki, Christopher. “What Are We Doing When We Pray?: Rekindling a Reformation Theology of Petitionary Prayer.” Calvin Theological Journal 53, no. 2 (November 2018): 319–43.
Yaningsi, Helmi. “Tanggapi Pernyataan Ade Armando Terkait Salat 5 Waktu, NU: Tidak Salah Tapi Kurang Lengkap.” Terkini, November 5th, 2021. https://makassar.terkini.id/tanggapipernyataan-ade-armando-terkait-salat-5-waktu-nu-tidak-salah-tapi-kurang-lengkap/.
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
This article follows the terms of Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.
Copyright (c) 2023 Verbum Christi: Journal of Reformed Evangelical Theology. It is held by the journal with the author's consent.