Diane J. Chandler - Christian Spiritual Formation: An Integrated Approach for Personal and Relational Wholeness

InterVarsity Press
P.O. Box 1400,
Downers Grove, IL 60515-1426
World Wide Web: www.ivpress.com
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2014 by Diane J. Chandler

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form without written permission from InterVarsity Press.

InterVarsity Pressis the book-publishing division of InterVarsity Christian Fellowship/USA, a movement of students and faculty active on campus at hundreds of universities, colleges and schools of nursing in the United States of America, and a member movement of the International Fellowship of Evangelical Students. For information about local and regional activities, write Public Relations Dept., InterVarsity Christian Fellowship/USA, 6400 Schroeder Rd., P.O. Box 7895, Madison, WI 53707-7895, or visit the IVCF website at < www.intervarsity.org >.

Scripture quotations, unless otherwise noted, are from the New Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright 1989 by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

While all stories in this book are true, some names and identifying information in this book have been changed to protect the privacy of the individuals involved.

Cover design: Cindy Kiple

Images:
blank paper: Tolga_TEZCAN/iStockphoto
flames: sbayram/iStockphoto

ISBN 978-0-8308-8024-9 (digital)
ISBN 978-0-8308-4042-7 (print)

To my husband, Doug,
who continues to teach me much about Christian spiritual formation.
And to all those who desire to become more like Jesus

in all dimensions of life.

Over the past nine years, I have collaborated in developing and teaching an approach to Christian spiritual formation that is holistic in nature. I have explored how the human person develops in seven primary dimensions, including the spirit (the most critical), emotions, relationships, intellect, vocation, physical health and stewardship of our resourcesreferring to how we handle Gods creation, money, possessions and timeand how these seven dimensions interrelate as we mature as followers of Jesus. Since we are created in the image of God, I could think of no better starting place than creation for addressing why and how these seven dimensions characterize the human fabric across time, regardless of gender, ethnicity or culture. Further, my study confirmed that from creation to our eternal home and from Genesis to Revelation God creates, interacts and moves in peoples lives through lovea love that is stronger than death.

From the onset of this research initiative, I have anchored the Christian spiritual formation approach from the perspective of divine love in solid biblical and theological scholarship, while at the same time drawing on other disciplines that bear on these seven formation dimensions. Few other publications explore human formation from a multidisciplinary approach that is both biblically and theologically grounded. Thus, various dialogue partners appearing in this book include not only biblical scholars and theologians but also ministry practitioners and leaders, historians, educators, psychologists, sociologists, medical doctors, nutritionists, other health care professionals, neuroscientists, environmentalists, philosophers, and ethicists. Sifting through their perspectives has enriched my understanding of how God fashions persons as integrated beings. Although we will never fully understand the mystery of God in creation, we are beginning to understand what it means to be made in the image and likeness of God, and how we are to live in order to reflect divine glory.

This book also offers a resource for deepening ones life in God, punctuated through real-world examples and personal vignettes. Those who desire academic challenge will find this book full of helpful resources that ground the work in relevant scholarship. Others will find this book anchored in biblical principles that prompt practical steps for growth in each of the seven formation dimensions. A blend of theory and praxis, this book encourages readers to deepen their relationship with God and others and become healthier, whole and fulfilled in the process. At the same time, this book becomes a guide in learning how to love God, others and oneself through the faithful stewardship of ones God-given resources, as demonstrated through godly character and ethical living.

Many people have played a significant role in this books development. To those who reviewed the initial book proposal or one or a few sample chapters, I owe a debt of gratitude. Their constructive input has served to challenge my thinking and strengthen the respective chapters. They include Richard E. Averbeck, Dorothy C. Bass, Cornelius J. Bekker, Craig L. Blomberg, Steven Bouma-Prediger, James P. Bowers, Simon Chan, M. Gail Derrick, Elizabeth Lewis Hall, Lee Hardy, Antipas L. Harris, Lynne Marie Kohm, Vickey Macklin, J. Robert Mulholland, Gary W. Moon, Glendon L. Moriarty, Stephen E. Parker, Stephen G. Post, Jennifer S. Ripley, Magda Serrano, Caroline J. Simon, J. Lyle Story, Wolfgang Vondey, Jo Williams and Amos Yong. One anonymous reviewer likewise provided invaluable input for which I am grateful. For the final product, however, I take full responsibility.

I wish to thank Michael Palmer, the former dean of the Regent University School of Divinity, for supporting a one-semester sabbatical leave, which enabled me to complete the manuscript. I am humbled to be a member of such a fine divinity faculty and am especially grateful to Mara Crabtree and Kristina Chalfin, with whom Ive collaborated in implementing an integrated approach to Christian formation within a masters- level curriculum. My sincere thanks likewise extend to interlibrary loan supervisor extraordinaire Patty Hughson and her staff, who have facilitated delivery of scores of books needed for this research initiative. Further, I appreciate graduate assistants Kellie Nitz Iseman, LaShawne Thomas, Stephanie Holt, Beverly Lepski Taylor, Crystal Fleeger Wray and Grace Park, who have helped in various phases of this project. Furthermore, I am profoundly grateful to my current and former students who have helped me to anchor Christian spiritual formation in real-life application.

As for the terrific editorial, copyediting and production team at InterVarsity Press Academic, I extend sincere thanks. Sincere appreciation goes to my editor, Brannon Ellis, whose wisdom, expertise and sensibilities were rivaled only by his consistent support throughout this project.

I am grateful for friends and family members who have provided ongoing encouragement in both tangible and intangible ways. They include Maureen DAmelio, Emily Duenke, Cheryl Fisher, Anita Foged, Marcie Thomas, Vanja Bule, Gladys Chandler, Sharon Masters, Scott McAfee, Uta Milewski, Linda D. Miller, Towera Nyirenda, Lisa Marie Otto, Cathy Reagan, Kevin Turpin, Graham and Barbara Twelftree, and Leta Van Meter.

Finally, I offer immense gratitude to my husband and best friend, Doug, whose loving support and many sacrifices have made this writing adventure possible.

To God be the glory.

We are Gods handiwork,
created in Christ Jesus to do good works,
which God prepared in advance for us to do.

Ephesians 2:10 NIV