Jews and Muslims are well known for their various spiritual disciplines. Judaism is filled with traditions and feasts that keep the body busy. Islam is also a religion filled with daily prayers and required fasts and other such things.
These are spiritual disciplines, and they bring the thoughts of religion back to the body. They are designed to keep religions from becoming nothing more than a series of intellectual propositions that a person gives assent to.
Protestant Christians in America are less known for these kind of disciplines. It is hard to find any discipline outside of corporate worship that we all share in common. When you think of faith and daily living, what Christian practices come to your mind?
Thomas Turner of Everyday Liturgy writes about this in a piece he calls, “Why aren’t Christians known for that?”
When you think of a practicing Muslim, what is one of the first things that comes to mind?
* They recite an oath/creed.
* They pray five times a day.
* They keep certain strict rules regarding eating and socializing.
* There are moral codes of modesty.
When you think of someone practicing Judaism, what is one of the first things that comes to mind?
* They say the Shema.
* They memorize the Torah.
* They keep kosher.
* They live a strict liturgical week with Shabbat.
When you think of someone practicing Christianity, what is one of the first things that comes to mind? …READ MORE.
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
Good thoughts Gordon. It is so true that today’s Christians aren’t known for being disciplines in their faith. Unfortunately, I think this is part of the reason why so many Christians aren’t experiencing the full life that God has for them. While the Christian understanding is slightly different from the Jewish or Muslim view, spiritual discipline is a core component of true Christian living.
Peace!
I grew up as a Muslim and the daily practices or spiritual disciplines, for me, were much of a requirement than habits which helped me to grow in my relationship with God. As a Christian, I have been practicing the spiritual disciplines for the past ten years.
I see the spiritual disciplines as life habits gifted to us by God to grow us into fruit-bearing disciples. For me they are life patterns to guide us into a prayerful journey of nurturing a deeper, more conscious relationship with Jesus Christ. They invite me to develop a rhythm of life so that I may intentionally seek all things Christ. One key in practicing the disciplines is that they are to take one into the midst of the community of faith as they are intimately woven into fabric of communion of the Kingdom of God. They continually bring us back to share our stories with one another and take part in our common Story as the people of God.
I personally practice these disciplines: rule of life, daily liturgy, reading and meditating on the Scripture, sabbath keeping, worship, fasting, silence and solitude, hospitality, intercession, spiritual direction, tending the body, and creativity.
I hope we can continue exploring the spiritual disciplines at High Calling Blogs. We need to teach and nurture the spiritual disciplines in the Church.
Thanks for your thoughts!