| Book Review: Celebration of Discipline |
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| Phillip Goodchild | |||
| Friday, 06 June 2008 | |||
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Celebration of Discipline: The Path to Spiritual Growth
First Published: 1978 (Edition reviewed: 1998) The author's premise is a simple one; there are twelve disciplines to the Christian life. These can be subdivided into three groups – the inward disciplines, the outward disciplines and the corporate disciplines. The inward disciplines include meditation, prayer, fasting and study, and throughout the text, Foster drives home the point that these particular disciplines offer exciting avenues for the examination of self and positive change. The outward disciplines are simplicity, solitude, submission and service. They center on a desire to make the world a better place. The corporate disciplines of confession, worship, guidance, and celebration by their nature are essential in drawing us closer to God and to one another. The book is immensely practical and helpful. As an example, I had yet to understand, before reading it, the implications and applications of fasting. I had noted in my studies that all that was said on the subject is that one is to anoint one's head with oil and not draw attention to yourself. What was worse was noting that Jesus does not say if you fast, but when, which caused me some consternation – how do I fast? Foster is well aware of the modern lack of practical knowledge on these disciplines: In the first century and earlier, it was not necessary to give instruction on how to "do" the Disciplines of the spiritual life. The Bible called people to such Disciplines as fasting, prayer, worship, and celebration but gave almost no instruction about how to do them…Those Disciplines were so frequently practiced and such a part of the general culture that the "how to" was common knowledge. Fasting, for example, was so common that no one had to ask what to eat before a fast, or how to break a fast, or how to avoid dizziness while fasting – everyone already knew. - Celebration, p. 3 A lot of the book is admittedly common sense. However I, surely like many, am one of those people who benefit when it is spelled out on paper in plain terms, without being patronized in the process. The ability of the writer in achieving this is a deft skill in and of itself! Upon reading this book, I recently completed my first fast, grateful for the help this book had given me. The author's insight into this discipline helped my fast be a success in terms of spiritual growth and development. Foster blends earnestness with a gentle humor throughout, illustrating with helpful anecdotes, working through the disciplines one chapter at a time. I really enjoyed the chapters on fasting, prayer, simplicity and guidance. All of the twelve disciplines are important, yet Foster is at his most passionate as the book culminates in what he regards as one of the most neglected, yet vital, of the disciplines– celebration. Celebration is at the heart of the way to Christ. He entered the world on a high note of jubilation: "I bring you good news of a great joy," cried the angel, "which shall come to all the people" (Luke 2:10). He left the world bequeathing his joy to the disciples: "These things I have spoken to you that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full" (John 15:11) - Celebration, p.190 Joy is part of the fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 5:22). Often I am inclined to think that joy is the motor, the thing that keeps everything else going. Without joyous celebration to infuse the other Disciplines, we will sooner or later abandon them. Joy produces energy. Joy makes us strong. - Celebration, p.191 The book is an uplifting, practical work, guaranteeing with your spiritual walk deepening if you take the book to heart. With a solid biblical foundation, and an equally wise exhortation not to allow these Disciplines to become legalistic, this is a worthwhile and useful read.
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