CS 501 Introduction to Christian SpiritualityA Philosophy of Christian SpiritualityThe Rule of Life
PHILOSOPHY OF CHRISTIAN SPIRITUALITY – THE DEFINITIONBecky Towne
Christian spirituality is a way of connecting the finite with the eternal through interactions and
intersections of relationship as a follower of Christ Jesus
PHILOSOPHY OF CHRISTIAN SPIRITUALITY – BUILDING THE PHILOSOPHYBecky Towne
Christian spirituality is a way of connecting the finite with the eternal through interactions and
intersections of relationship as a follower of Christ JesusRelationship
with God – study,
responsiveness,
attentiveness, spiritual practices
PHILOSOPHY OF CHRISTIAN SPIRITUALITY – BUILDING THE PHILOSOPHYBecky Towne
Christian spirituality is a way of connecting the finite with the eternal through interactions and
intersections of relationship as a follower of Christ JesusRelationship
with God – study,
responsiveness,
attentiveness, spiritual practices
Relationship with others –biblical love, community-
building, corporate spirituality
PHILOSOPHY OF CHRISTIAN SPIRITUALITY – BUILDING THE PHILOSOPHYBecky Towne
Christian spirituality is a way of connecting the finite with the eternal through interactions and
intersections of relationship as a follower of Christ JesusRelationship
with God – study,
responsiveness,
attentiveness, spiritual practices
Relationship with others –biblical love, community-
building, corporate spirituality
Relationship with self – spiritual balance,
removal of barriers, rest,
reflection, integrity
PHILOSOPHY OF CHRISTIAN SPIRITUALITYBecky Towne 2012
Christian spirituality involves living a life in balance relationally, transformationally, and
vocationally.
Connecting with God,
others, and self (relational)
Becoming more like Christ
(transformational)
Doing the will of God
(vocational)
RULE OF LIFE – ITS NATUREChan, 190ff
Patterns of
Disciplines
•Not a set of rules to make oneself good and acceptable before God
RULE OF LIFE – ITS NATUREChan, 190ff
Patterns of
Disciplines
•Not a set of rules to make oneself good and acceptable before God
•A new or renewed pattern of discipline to achieve ascetical proficiency as a participant within the Kingdom of God
RULE OF LIFE – ITS NATUREChan, 190ff
Patterns of
Disciplines
•Not a set of rules to make oneself good and acceptable before God
•A new or renewed pattern of discipline to achieve ascetical proficiency as a participant within the Kingdom of God
Spiritual Rhythms •Fits secular work into a spiritual rule rather than the other way
around
RULE OF LIFE – ITS NATUREChan, 190ff
Patterns of
Disciplines
•Not a set of rules to make oneself good and acceptable before God
•A new or renewed pattern of discipline to achieve ascetical proficiency as a participant within the Kingdom of God
Spiritual Rhythms
•Fits secular work into a spiritual rule rather than the other way around
•Establishes a rhythm to maintain spiritual focus
RULE OF LIFE – ITS NATUREChan, 190ff
Patterns of
Disciplines
•Not a set of rules to make oneself good and acceptable before God
•A new or renewed pattern of discipline to achieve ascetical proficiency as a participant within the Kingdom of God
Spiritual Rhythms
•Fits secular work into a spiritual rule rather than the other way around
•Establishes a rhythm to maintain spiritual focus
Status of a Rule •Rules lack benefit when viewed as ends unto themselves
RULE OF LIFE – ITS NATUREChan, 190ff
Patterns of
Disciplines
•Not a set of rules to make oneself good and acceptable before God
•A new or renewed pattern of discipline to achieve ascetical proficiency as a participant within the Kingdom of God
Spiritual Rhythms
•Fits secular work into a spiritual rule rather than the other way around
•Establishes a rhythm to maintain spiritual focus
Status of a Rule
•Rules lack benefit when viewed as ends unto themselves•Embracing a rule reorders life according to one’s philosophy of
Christian spirituality
RULE OF LIFE - PURPOSES
Reinforces holy habits•Becomes
second nature•Reaches a
degree of proficiency
RULE OF LIFE - PURPOSES
Reinforces holy habits•Becomes second
nature•Reaches a
degree of proficiency
Views spiritual life as holistic integration•Spiritual
disciplines•Spiritual
exercises
RULE OF LIFE - PURPOSES
Reinforces holy habits•Becomes second
nature•Reaches a degree
of proficiency
Views spiritual life as holistic integration•Spiritual disciplines•Spiritual exercises
Functions as a standard of measurement•Individual and
corporate dimensions
•Personal and social dimensions
RULE OF LIFE – INDIVIDUAL AND CORPORATEPrayerfully covers the whole of life
• Should strike a balance between flexibility and perseverancePersona
l Rule
RULE OF LIFE – INDIVIDUAL AND CORPORATEPrayerfully covers the whole of life
• Should strike a balance between flexibility and perseverance
• Should be simple, easy to remember, and within reasonable reach
Personal Rule
RULE OF LIFE – INDIVIDUAL AND CORPORATEPrayerfully covers the whole of life
• Should strike a balance between flexibility and perseverance
• Should be simple, easy to remember, and within reasonable reach
Personal Rule
• Can be used as a guide for the personal rule, when a common rule is already adopted
Common Rule
RULE OF LIFE – INDIVIDUAL AND CORPORATEPrayerfully covers the whole of life
• Should strike a balance between flexibility and perseverance
• Should be simple, easy to remember, and within reasonable reach
Personal Rule
• Can be used as a guide for the personal rule, when a common rule is already adopted
• Involves placing oneself under some kind of external accountability, often embraced publicly
Common Rule
WEBSITES OF INTEREST
http://www.mustardseedorder.com/cm/home/9 (Definition of a Rule of Life)
http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/source/rul-benedict.html (Rule of St. Benedict)