Celebration Of Discipline (Richard Foster, 248.5 FOS)

Reviewed By Tay Mui Lan (16 Apr 08)

Spiritual disciplines may invoke in many people images of monk-like austerity. It is enough to put them off from picking up this book. But the word “celebration” hints of something more than just grim and grump. In fact, if you are yearning for a more fulfilling spiritual life, and wondering why your Christian life seems so weak and hollow, you will find this book a treasure trove.

“Superficiality,” says Foster, “is the curse of our age. The doctrine of instant satisfaction is a primary spiritual problem. The desperate need today is not for a greater number of intelligent people, or gifted people, but for deep people.”

Those of us who have been Christians a long time tend to think we know all there is to know about Christianity; a certain boredom sets in and cripples our faith. But we dare not think about it or even admit it. Reading this book, however, has helped me discover spiritual truths that I have heard perhaps, but never learnt them. Learning now has helped me climb on to higher ground. It is deeply satisfying.

For example, how do we deal with sin? We say we are saved by grace, not by works. Yet the minute someone falls into sin, we say, “Just try not to do it again.” Our ordinary method of dealing with ingrained sin is to launch a frontal attack. We rely on our willpower and determination. Whether the sin is anger, fear, bitterness, pride, lust, gluttony – we determine never to do it again. But the struggle is in vain. The harder we try, the harder the fall. Eventually, we give up trying and start to rationalize and compromise. This is not the way to deal with ingrained sin in our lives. Foster offers a more biblical way. It is practical, plausible, and restores us to a joyful relationship with God.

The disciplines, unlike what we may expect, are not another series of do’s and don’ts. It is not another technique to make us feel guilty for not trying harder or for not doing more. Foster is advocating spiritual disciplines as a means of restoring us to the life of grace, of setting us free from burdensome duties of life. The disciplines are “instruments of joy.” How that is possible requires an understanding of Christian spirituality. Many of us have lost a sense of what it means to confess our sins, to meditate, to pray, to fast, even to enjoy worship or solitude, simplicity or service. Some of us even forget what church is all about. Let Foster bring you back to the heart of the Christian life.

This is a classic book on Christian spirituality and “a must” for every believer. It is not hard to read the book; but you need to read it slowly to get the most out of it.

Librarian: more info on book at Amazon.com