Christ Church Studies

We conclude Foster's book with a discussion of guidance and celebration, two disciplines that bookend the occasional and continuous Christian life. Some disciplines, like guidance, are needed at specific times of decision, and others, like celebration, ought to characterize the whole of our spiritual life at all times.

We conclude Foster’s book with a discussion of guidance and celebration, two disciplines that bookend the occasional and continuous Christian life. Some disciplines, like guidance, are needed at specific times of decision, and others, like celebration, ought to characterize the whole of our spiritual life at all times.

Theologians agree that humans are worshiping creatures. Men and women were created so that, in the words of James Torrance, “through human lips the heavens might declare the glory of God.” Worship is vital to Christian life, but what does it mean to be a good worshiper, and how can we become better worshipers?

Theologians agree that humans are worshiping creatures. Men and women were created so that, in the words of James Torrance, “through human lips the heavens might declare the glory of God.” Worship is vital to Christian life, but what does it mean to be a good worshiper, and how can we become better worshipers?

Bonhoeffer once described the practice of confession as "the most profound kind of humiliation." Foster agrees and calls confession one of the essential disciplines of the spiritual life. In this session, we discuss why and how we should confess our sins to one another.

Bonhoeffer once described the practice of confession as “the most profound kind of humiliation.” Foster agrees and calls confession one of the essential disciplines of the spiritual life. In this session, we discuss why and how we should confess our sins to one another.

“Don’t insist on your own opinions. Submit yourself to the wishes of others. Don’t think about your own needs but how you can serve the needs of others.” These ideals are easy to approve, but difficult to live by. Hence why Foster leads us to the disciplines of submission and service, for therein we experience great freedom.

"Don't insist on your own opinions. Submit yourself to the wishes of others. Don't think about your own needs but how you can serve the needs of others." These ideals are easy to approve, but difficult to live by. Hence why Foster leads us to the disciplines of submission and service, for therein we experience great freedom.

Is it true that we ought to delight in God's law and commandments? To answer that, we must first know what the law is for. Fr. Jonathan explores how God's law sets a communal expectation for goodness and restrains our personal pride, and more so, reminds us of our continual need for mercy and grace.

All around us, people feel lonely and isolated, which they seek to cure by surrounding themselves with more people and more activity. Foster suggests a different solution. What we really need, he claims, is solitude and silence, and this week we examine how cultivating this discipline changes us.