Very few authors have had such a powerful influence on my thinking about a topic as Dr. Donald Whitney’s Spiritual Disciplines For The Christian Life. Few topics are as full of challenges on every side. We can often overemphasize grace to the neglect that we die to self. Often times the spiritual disciplines are taught as a list of do this and do that but that misses the point. Thankfully, Dr. Whitney avoids all these pitfalls while emphasizing the sovereign work of God’s grace in the life of the Christian. The spiritual disciplines as you’ll learn in Dr. Whitney’s book aren’t drudgery but designed to draw us closer to Christ.
Some people object entirely to the spiritual disciplines. Following the Reformers and Puritans, Dr. Whitney classic book Spiritual Disciplines For The Christian Life is the best book in this genre. The book emphasizes the old paths as the best paths for growth in the grace of God. This book is saturated in the Word, practical and full of help for your spiritual growth. I remember the first time I read this book in high school over a decade ago and how much I learned and benefited it. Reading it again after many years I was just as helped and instructed as when I read it for the first time..
The book covers reading, and meditating on the Word of God in chapters two and three. In chapter four through twelve, Dr. Whitney looks at prayer (chapter 4), worship (chapter 5), evangelism (chapter 6), serving (chapter 7), stewardship (chapter 8), fasting (chapter 9), silence and solitude (chapter 10), journaling (chapter 11), and learning (chapter 12). The final chapter concludes with a call to press in and persevere in using the spiritual disciplines.
Whether you’re a new or mature Christian, Spiritual Disciplines For the Christian Life is a must read book. This book will help you understand not only what the spiritual disciplines are but how to engage in them. I highly recommend this classic book on the spiritual disciplines and pray it will bless you as it has blessed me.
Title: Spiritual Disciplines For The Christian Life
Author: Donald Whitney
Publisher: NavPress (2014)
I received this book for free from NavPress for this review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
