They are called the "Spiritual Disciplines." Actually a better translation of the Latin would be Spiritual "Exercises." Prayer. Meditation. Study. Worship. Confession. They have been with the church for 2,000 years - and we learned many of them from Israel - our spiritual forebearer.One of the lessons we can learn from Israel is that meaningless disciplines can lead us into legalism. And I want no part of legalism - I have been set free and I have every intention of staying that way. But we must also keep in mind that the absence of ritual can cause us to lapse into apostasy. In fact, Israel made both errors. Some turned the rituals God gave them into their religion and lost their love for God, while others abandoned ritual altogether and turned completely away from God.
We must avoid both errors. I think ritual needs to be taken more seriously. I personally think we are too flippant with some of the "ancient practices" like corporate worship, reading scripture and intercessory prayer. We have other rituals in our lives (eating, sleeping, working out) and we usually assign times and places for these to occur. Have some of us been too reactionary about ritual because of the way we grew up? I think so - I know I have been. (I'm still struggling with my disdain for rules!)
I also think that the church has failed by allowing ritual to lapse into legalism thereby causing people who want authenticity and freedom to abandon ritual altogether. I think that what is needed is a recovery of meaningful ritual. Starting with church leaders (like me, the staff and others) we need people who are committed to helping Christians recover what it means to enjoy God through authentic, meaningful ritual.
No doubt some will call me a legalist because I have some spiritual practices in my life - while others will continue to maintain I'm a libertine because I don't follow THEIR rules. But I'm ready to do battle with the Galatians (the legalists) as well as the Corinthians (the libertines). Both are in dangerous theological error.
How do we maintain a commitment to ritual without becoming legalists?
2 comments:
I once read a book entitled "Disciplines of Grace" by T.M. Moore that addressed the issue of rituals and their role in our lives. His warning was that they often become routines- dead, meaningless, effortless, and something that we come to dread. It is a change of mentality to regard these rituals (fasting, Bible study, quiet prayer times) as disciplines- time investments, but life giving and renewing. Sometimes it means re-thinking or adding variations to our normal spiritual practices to free them from dead, legalistic routines.
Is it possible to know whether or not someone else is regarding their practices as legalistic routines or as renewing disciplines? Absolutely not, because we cannot judge another person's relationship with God. However, we have to continue to encourage these practices among our brothers and sisters, because they are essential to the growth of our Christian lives and our relationship with God. Yet, we also need to hold each other accountable for the "ritual idolatry" that can occur.
Moore offers 4 questions to ask one's self to try to discern the relationship with spiritual disciplines: 1) what are my motives in pursuing these rituals/disciplines? 2) How well do I understand them? 3)What is my experience in these rituals? 4)What is happening in my life as a result of the disciplines?
Kristin: I love your expression "ritual idolatry." That is exactly what we are trying to avoid. Thanks for your comments. Lionel
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