⏱️ Estimated Reading Time: 3 min read
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In this episode of Contending for the Word, host Dave Jenkins sits down with Dr. Gary Gilley, pastor of Southern View Chapel and author of Out of Formation: The Infiltration of the Spiritual Formation Movement and Its Impact on Evangelicalism. Together, they uncover the history, growth, and theological dangers of the Spiritual Formation Movement in Evangelical churches, offering a clear biblical critique.
Dr. Gilley examines the influence of figures like Richard Foster, Dallas Willard, and John Mark Comer, while addressing popular practices such as contemplative prayer and Lectio Divina. This conversation helps believers understand how these trends deviate from Scripture-centered spirituality and offers practical guidance for guarding against unbiblical mysticism.
If you want to grow in biblical discernment and remain anchored in the sufficiency of Scripture, this episode is essential listening.
📝 What You’ll Learn in This Episode
- The Origins of the Spiritual Formation Movement: How it developed and took root in modern Evangelicalism.
- Influence of Richard Foster, Dallas Willard, and John Mark Comer: Examining their teachings and their impact on Christian spiritual disciplines.
- Contemplative Prayer and Lectio Divina Evaluated: Why these practices conflict with biblical spirituality.
- Theological Concerns with Subjective Spirituality: How experience-driven approaches undermine the authority of God’s Word.
- Practical Discernment Tips: How to protect your church and personal walk from mystical influences.
- How to Discern Biblical Practices: Tools to evaluate spiritual practices through the lens of Scripture.
In this episode of Contending for the Word, host Dave Jenkins sits down with Dr. Gary Gilley, pastor of Southern View Chapel and author of Out of Formation: The Infiltration of the Spiritual Formation Movement and Its Impact on Evangelicalism. Together, they uncover the history, growth, and theological dangers of the Spiritual Formation Movement in Evangelical churches, offering a clear biblical critique.
Dr. Gilley examines the influence of figures like Richard Foster, Dallas Willard, and John Mark Comer, while addressing popular practices such as contemplative prayer and Lectio Divina. This conversation helps believers understand how these trends deviate from Scripture-centered spirituality and offers practical guidance for guarding against unbiblical mysticism.
If you want to grow in biblical discernment and remain anchored in the sufficiency of Scripture, this episode is essential listening.
📝 What You’ll Learn in This Episode
- The Origins of the Spiritual Formation Movement: How it developed and took root in modern Evangelicalism.
- Influence of Richard Foster, Dallas Willard, and John Mark Comer: Examining their teachings and their impact on Christian spiritual disciplines.
- Contemplative Prayer and Lectio Divina Evaluated: Why these practices conflict with biblical spirituality.
- Theological Concerns with Subjective Spirituality: How experience-driven approaches undermine the authority of God’s Word.
- Practical Discernment Tips: How to protect your church and personal walk from mystical influences.
- How to Discern Biblical Practices: Tools to evaluate spiritual practices through the lens of Scripture.
📚 Resources and Links
- Book: Out of Formation by Gary Gilley
👉 Purchase here - Gary Gilley’s Website: Think on These Things Ministries
- Related Episodes:
🔹 Exposing the Theology of Dallas Willard
🔹 Exposing the Dangerous Contemplative Teachings of Richard Foster
🔹 Why Christians Should Avoid John Mark Comer
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Thank you for listening or watching this episode of Contending for the Word.
Dave Jenkins is happily married to his wife, Sarah. He is a writer, editor, and speaker living in beautiful Southern Oregon. Dave is a lover of Christ, His people, the Church, and sound theology. He serves as the Executive Director of Servants of Grace Ministries, the Executive Editor of Theology for Life Magazine, the Host and Producer of Equipping You in Grace Podcast, and is a contributor to and producer of Contending for the Word. He is the author of The Word Explored: The Problem of Biblical Illiteracy and What To Do About It (House to House, 2021), The Word Matters: Defending Biblical Authority Against the Spirit of the Age (G3 Press, 2022), and Contentment: The Journey of a Lifetime (Theology for Life, 2024). You can find him on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Youtube, or read his newsletter. Dave loves to spend time with his wife, going to movies, eating at a nice restaurant, or going out for a round of golf with a good friend. He is also a voracious reader, in particular of Reformed theology, and the Puritans. You will often find him when he’s not busy with ministry reading a pile of the latest books from a wide variety of Christian publishers. Dave received his M.A.R. and M.Div through Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary.
