Week 02 - Door to Liberation

Summary (pp. 1-11)

Okay here is the summary. Though it is disjointed, lacking flow and refinement, it is fairly thorough. Still, if at all possible, don't use this as a substitute for the original material. You will gain much more from that than you will from this. On that note, here it is . . .

The problem with our world is superficiality. We need more deep people, not more smart people. The spiritual disciplines are a means for us to develop this spiritual depth. These spiritual disciplines are for everyone, not just "spiritual giants." Neither are they dull or dry. Rather they are full of deep emotion. The only requirement to practice these disciplines is a longing for God and spiritual depth. Any beginner in there faith can practice them. In truth all of us are, and always will be, beginners.

Two main problems seem to face us in our journey into the heart of the spiritual realm. The first problem is scientific. Unfortunately, the majority of our culture is affected by the popular scientific notion that nothing exists beyond the physical. Therefore, to talk about spiritual depth may seem largely absurd to most.

The second problem we face is our culture. That is, we have no idea how to begin seeking out inner life through the spiritual disciplines. To the early church these things were natural but to us they are foreign. We must also remember that just because we go through the motions of the spiritual disciplines does not mean we are actually performing them. What matters is not the mechanics but the heart.

Sin is more than just individual acts of disobedience. It pervades our nature. It is our nature. It is who we are. Most people attempt to change this nature through their willpower. They make a list of right and wrong and use their willpower to try and accomplish inner change. This does not work. Why? Because our will, just like the rest of us, is corrupted by sin. The will can only deal with changing external actions - it cannot change our nature. It cannot change who we are.

We understand that righteousness is a gift from God. We cannot earn it. So the logical thing to do is nothing and wait for God to make us righteous, right? Surprisingly, no. It is true that we cannot demand righteousness, however, there is path we can follow that will take us to a place where God freely transforms our evil nature. That path is the spiritual disciplines. Understand, that the disciplines do not cause growth, they simply put us in a position to grow. They are a way of sowing to the spirit. Just as a farmer plants seed. His planting of the seed does not cause it to grow - that is not within his power. However, his planting of the seed puts it in a place where it is able to grow. So it is with the spiritual disciplines. We sow ourselves into the ground with the disciplines - God causes the growth at his choosing.

We must be cautious that the spiritual disciplines to not degenerate into externalism. It is easy to use these disciplines in such a way that they bring about death rather than life. For when we make the spiritual disciplines laws we are in danger of becoming like the Pharisees. In danger of judging ourselves and others by a set list of external practices. What we must rely on God to always bring to mind is this: what matters is not solely the external change - what matters is the inner transformation of the heart.

Okay, there it is. Remember, I only summarize what I believe to be central to Foster's message. I am certain my summary lacks phrases or ideas from his writing that you may find deeply meaningful . . .

Peace.