Christian Spirituality

Spirituality is a subject that is much in vogue today. Often, we hear someone described as being very "spiritual," yet we do not know exactly what that means. Quite commonly, we hear some say that they are "spiritual," but they are not "religious." Again, we are never quite sure what they mean.

In many cases, such statements mean that the person speaking has developed his or her own personal, idiosyncratic approach to God. They have found the spiritual path that "feels right" to them. Often, they have chosen a "path to God" that is nothing more than a compilation of spiritual practices based on their personal tastes and preferences. This type of spirituality is very attractive to many because it allows self, not God, to remain in charge of one's life.

(For more on today's privatized approaches to "spirituality," review "Questions & Answers", 6-8, by clicking here.)

For many Christians, on the other hand, spirituality is reduced to mere externals. The spiritual life is measured in terms of duties done, rules obeyed, and effort expended to gain the approval of God and others. I refer, of course, to the many forms of legalism that plague today's Christianity. All too often we are told that if we pray harder, read the Bible more, strive for greater obedience, and increase our giving, we will find the path to God. While each of these things may be commendable (when motivated by love), many of us fail to realize that we serve a God who longs not for the effort of our duty, but for our love freely given (to paraphrase George MacDonald). Sadly, modern Christianity, rather than encouraging a mature relationship with God based on reciprocal love, has reduced spirituality to rules, not relationship, with the implication that spirituality is measured by performance.

Today there is much confusion about the nature of spirituality. The new age movement, pop psychology, and the influx of eastern religions into western society have led many down false paths that lead away from the realm of true spirituality as demonstrated in the lives of the great saints of Christian history. Likewise, popular Christianity, with its emphasis on health, wealth, and other externals has lead many away from the realm of authentic Christian spirituality.

My book, The Gospel and the Twelve Steps: Following Jesus on the Path of Recovery, introduces the foundational principles of Christian spirituality to those who struggle to overcome addiction. This book uses the familiar language of the Twelve Steps to convey essential Christian truths to those in recovery. My book, Ashes into Gold: The Journey of Spirituality, goes deeper into the subject of Christian spirituality to show what a life lived in relationship to God may be like. And, make no mistake, living in relationship with God is not always a pleasant walk in the park! Like any relationship, a relationship with God has its fair share of difficulties as well as joys. (Ashes into Gold develops these ideas in detail).

I hope that you will read one or both these books and will find therein the means to grow in your relationship with God and to live a life characterized by authentic Christian spirituality.

Martin M. Davis, author & counselor