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Spiritual Formation: A Close Examination

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Feb 4, 2026

Guest

James Wood

James Wood, theologian and teacher who traces spiritual formation history, guides a lively tour of Foster, Willard, Comer, and others. They probe why disciplines attract amid digital distraction. Short takes on liturgy, set prayers, risks of self-optimization, communal vs private formation, and how suffering and pastoral guidance shape lasting practices.

01:14:40

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INSIGHT

Genealogy Of The Movement

Spiritual formation among evangelicals traces from Richard Foster to Dallas Willard to John Mark Comer and Jamie Smith, combining disciplines, liturgy, and habit.
This movement blends retrieval of ancient practices with modern concerns about attention, embodiment, and discipleship.

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ANECDOTE

A Book That Changed A Life

Brad recalls receiving Celebration of Discipline in college and immediately changing his daily rhythm to include silence and solitude.
That introduction opened him to practices like the Jesus Prayer and fasting that were previously missing.

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INSIGHT

Disciplines Counter Disembodied Faith

People drawn to disciplines seek embodied practices to counter cognitive or disembodied faith and cultural distraction.
Jamie Smith and Comer emphasize habits, imagination, and liturgies to shape love and attention, not merely beliefs.

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Tracing the Spiritual Formation Genealogy

00:47 • 2min

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Key Authors and Movements Explained

02:52 • 4min

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Comer, Smith, and Recent Critiques

07:11 • 2min

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Why Disciplines Resonate Today

09:11 • 2min

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Hauerwas, Schmemann, and Liturgical Appeal

10:55 • 5min

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Eclecticism and Mystagogy in Practice

16:21 • 3min

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Technology, Hurry, and the Rule of Life

19:50 • 4min

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Evangelical Formation Meets High-Church Practice

23:23 • 4min

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Theological Risks and Foundations

27:05 • 3min

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Defending Eclectic Renewal

29:53 • 1min

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Puritan Prayers to Modern Rules of Life

31:00 • 3min

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Value of Set Prayers and Liturgical Forms

33:39 • 52sec

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Formed vs Formalism and Inhabiting Forms

Private Rules vs. Ecclesial Formation

40:34 • 3min

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Doctrinal Drift and Theological Differences

43:33 • 4min

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Plural Streams Within Evangelical Formation

47:32 • 3min

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Defining Formation and The Role of Suffering

50:10 • 4min

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Pastoral Liturgical Theology and Training

54:39 • 6min

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Balancing Formal and Informal Spirituality

01:00:13 • 12min

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Parable of the Three Bricklayers

Introduction to liturgical theology

Alexander Schmemann

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#927

• Mentioned in 40 episodes

Celebration of discipline

the path to spiritual growth

Richard Foster

Celebration of Discipline explores the central spiritual practices of the Christian faith, dividing them into three categories: inward disciplines (meditation, prayer, fasting, and study), outward disciplines (simplicity, solitude, submission, and service), and corporate disciplines (confession, worship, guidance, and celebration). Foster argues that these disciplines are essential for spiritual growth and a balanced spiritual life. He provides practical insights and examples on how these disciplines can be integrated into daily life to bring about personal transformation and a deeper connection with God and others.

#2280

• Mentioned in 20 episodes

You Are What You Love

The Way to the Good Life

James KA Smith

#9949

• Mentioned in 5 episodes

Dynamics of spiritual life

Richard F. Lovelace

#530

• Mentioned in 59 episodes

The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry

John Mark Comer

In 'The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry', John Mark Comer argues that hurry and busyness are significant enemies of spiritual life. The book offers a roadmap for staying emotionally healthy and spiritually alive by adopting a slower, simpler way of life. Comer draws from his personal experiences and spiritual disciplines to provide practical advice on how to slow down and cultivate a deeper intimacy with God. He emphasizes the importance of practices such as prayer, fasting, and sabbath rest to overcome the challenges of modern life and find true fulfillment.

#967

• Mentioned in 38 episodes

The Divine Conspiracy

Rediscovering Our Hidden Life in God

Dallas Willard

In 'The Divine Conspiracy', Dallas Willard delves into the true meaning of Christian discipleship by examining Jesus' teachings, particularly the Sermon on the Mount. The book challenges contemporary Christian practices and encourages a deeper, more authentic faith. Willard argues for the relevance of God in every aspect of life, presenting a vision of discipleship that involves daily interaction with God and a transformation of one's life to become more like Jesus. The book is divided into sections that cover the kingdom of the heavens, the discourse on the hill, discipleship, and eschatology, providing a thorough and practical guide to living a Christ-centered life.

#660

• Mentioned in 50 episodes

Book of Common Prayer

Church of England Staff

The Book of Common Prayer is a foundational liturgical text of the Anglican Communion. First published in 1549 during the reign of Edward VI, it was compiled primarily by Thomas Cranmer, Archbishop of Canterbury. The book includes complete forms of service for daily and Sunday worship, such as Morning and Evening Prayer, the Litany, Holy Communion, and services for baptism, confirmation, marriage, visitation of the sick, and burial. It has undergone several revisions, notably in 1552, 1559, 1604, and 1662, with the 1662 version remaining the standard for most Anglican churches. The book is known for its beautiful language and its role in shaping Anglican doctrine and worship.

#17451

• Mentioned in 3 episodes

• Mentioned in 3 episodes

The great omission

Dallas Willard

#1712

• Mentioned in 25 episodes

Practicing the Way

John Mark Comer

John Mark Comer's "Practicing the Way" offers a practical guide to spiritual formation, emphasizing the importance of intentional discipleship. The book blends ancient wisdom with contemporary relevance, providing readers with tools to cultivate a deeper relationship with God. Comer explores the concepts of being with Jesus, becoming like Jesus, and doing as Jesus did, offering a holistic approach to spiritual growth. The book encourages readers to engage in spiritual disciplines and cultivate a life of purpose and meaning. It's a valuable resource for those seeking to deepen their faith and live a more intentional Christian life.

Derek Rishmawy, Alastair Roberts, Brad East, and James Wood trace the evangelical spiritual formation movement from Richard Foster through Dallas Willard to John Mark Comer. They explore why disciplines resonate today amid technological distraction and desire for embodied faith, while navigating tensions between individual and communal formation, liturgy's role, and concerns about practices becoming self-optimization divorced from gospel foundations.

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Chapters

00:00 – Introduction
01:06 – Tracing the Spiritual Formation Movement
08:35 – Why Spiritual Disciplines Resonate Today
19:45 – Technology, Attention, and the Appeal of Forms
25:00 – Critiques: Self-Optimization and Theological Drift
33:12 – The Role of Set Prayers and Liturgy
44:50 – Inhabiting Forms vs. Formalism
53:00 – Suffering as Spiritual Formation
58:47 – The Danger of Christian Elitism
01:12:54 – The Parable of the Three Bricklayers

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