Agency, freedom, and God's work

In this conversation, Kyle continues his discussion of the importance discontinuity in articulating continuity in spiritual formation. He emphasizes the need to start with discontinuity, recognizing the radical transformation that occurs in spiritual formation, only then making the move to continuity. We should, in other words, articulate natural formation within a framework of the supernatural, to avoid the errors of demonizing nature or alienating grace. Kyle uses the tension between the goodness of creation and the completeness of the Fall to explore the errors that can be made when folks over-emphasize or reduce one side of this tension. This leads him into a discussion of spiritual formation and psychological approaches, to advance a distinctively Christian integration.

Kyle mentioned “The Way of the Lamb” podcast, which can be found here.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and the Need for Proper Language in Spiritual Formation

06:18 The Theological Importance of the Fall

09:41 Avoiding Errors in Discussing the Fall and Creation

14:25 The Need for Integration of Psychology and Theology

29:31 The Role of God's Work and Human Agency in Formation

38:35 The Dangers of Worldliness and Reductionism in Formation

41:03 Invitation to Draw Near and Reflect on Personal Calling