I'm interested in truth & what it means for individuals & humanity. This re-vamped blog is dedicated to truth and honest questions about faith in Jesus Christ. It is an effort to engage in authentic dialogue among Christians, Atheists and all points in between. Posts that do not honor legitimate discussion may be removed at my discretion. That doesn't mean that you can't disagree, but it DOES mean that you can't be a jerk. Welcome to the discussion.
I read this book by M. Robert Mulholland Jr. because a friend suggested it to me. I'd give it 3 out of 5 stars. This review is from one I posted on another site awhile back. -CL
I feel a little gruff in only giving this book three stars, but that is largely due to the fact that if someone were to ask me what the book was about, I would scratch my head and be able to say little more than, "Spiritual Formation" and hope that the other person knew what that was. Mulholland's book was well written enough, but I found that the book did not hold my attention very well, even amidst a quiet environment. I re-read page after page trying to glean something that would stick with me after I set the book down.
These "sticking points" were few and far between. However, some of its more salient features included the idea that Christians are not converted in one, fell swoop going from zero to 60 in nothing flat, but that they undergo multiple conversions as God increases in their lives (and as they seek to let him do so).
I liked Mulholland's urging contemporary Christians to try and measure themselves as God sees them (both better and worse) and not by what spiritual disciplines THEY are doing. I also appreciated his insights on how to read for "formation" (not just for information) and every Christian's need for a community of believers. Many of us neglect these important aspects.
What hit closest to home for me was just a few, brief sections on doubt and the mystery we encounter with God. Mulholland says that, "If there is no mystery, there is no room for God, because God is the ultimate mystery" (P. 148). I appreciate this honesty in a sea of Christians who would otherwise have us believe that they have it all figured out.
In a related section labeled "The Dark Night of the Senses," he paints an authentic picture of what every believer will eventually encounter: "Not a cloudless summer sky, but a spring morning after a night of violent storms; there are still dark clouds in the sky, downed trees and the occasional live-wire" (paraphrased). At those moments in life when we can no longer sense God's presence we usually doubt our faith or relationship with him, but Mulholland says that this is to place God in a box and relegate his role to one of simply maintaining a feedback loop for his followers. He stresses many times that Christians must give God free reign to be who he is and do what he will do, especially when it doesn't match their expectations and when they are confused or frustrated by him. That kind of wisdom is priceless.
Overall, this book has a few key points that I found quite helpful and insightful. I was mildly disappointed that I had to search so heavily for them among so much other chaff, yet I know that I tend to be a very linear thinker and most spiritual formation books don't fall into that category. I think the whole book could be read in about 3 hours, but it took me close to 5 due to the need for re-reading and lack of registering in my mind. If you know that you track well with this kind of reading then I would alter my rating to 4 stars. There are far worse books on spiritual formation out there, after all.
Please keep in mind that comments which do not honor the spirit of legitimate dialogue may be removed at any time and without notification. You are free to disagree passionately, but not inappropriately. -CL
I feel a little gruff in only giving this book three stars, but that is largely due to the fact that if someone were to ask me what the book was about, I would scratch my head and be able to say little more than, "Spiritual Formation" and hope that the other person knew what that was. Mulholland's book was well written enough, but I found that the book did not hold my attention very well, even amidst a quiet environment. I re-read page after page trying to glean something that would stick with me after I set the book down.
ReplyDeleteThese "sticking points" were few and far between. However, some of its more salient features included the idea that Christians are not converted in one, fell swoop going from zero to 60 in nothing flat, but that they undergo multiple conversions as God increases in their lives (and as they seek to let him do so).
I liked Mulholland's urging contemporary Christians to try and measure themselves as God sees them (both better and worse) and not by what spiritual disciplines THEY are doing. I also appreciated his insights on how to read for "formation" (not just for information) and every Christian's need for a community of believers. Many of us neglect these important aspects.
What hit closest to home for me was just a few, brief sections on doubt and the mystery we encounter with God. Mulholland says that, "If there is no mystery, there is no room for God, because God is the ultimate mystery" (P. 148). I appreciate this honesty in a sea of Christians who would otherwise have us believe that they have it all figured out.
In a related section labeled "The Dark Night of the Senses," he paints an authentic picture of what every believer will eventually encounter: "Not a cloudless summer sky, but a spring morning after a night of violent storms; there are still dark clouds in the sky, downed trees and the occasional live-wire" (paraphrased). At those moments in life when we can no longer sense God's presence we usually doubt our faith or relationship with him, but Mulholland says that this is to place God in a box and relegate his role to one of simply maintaining a feedback loop for his followers. He stresses many times that Christians must give God free reign to be who he is and do what he will do, especially when it doesn't match their expectations and when they are confused or frustrated by him. That kind of wisdom is priceless.
Overall, this book has a few key points that I found quite helpful and insightful. I was mildly disappointed that I had to search so heavily for them among so much other chaff, yet I know that I tend to be a very linear thinker and most spiritual formation books don't fall into that category. I think the whole book could be read in about 3 hours, but it took me close to 5 due to the need for re-reading and lack of registering in my mind. If you know that you track well with this kind of reading then I would alter my rating to 4 stars. There are far worse books on spiritual formation out there, after all.