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4.2 AVERAGE
4.2 AVERAGE
Overall, I liked this book as a decent book on Christian spiritual formation. Within his chapters on sexual wholeness, how he approached sexuality as both genital sexuality and social sexuality bothered me. He uses ideas from Ron Rolheiser on mature sexuality and terminology that theologian Marva Dawn used in her book, Sexual Character: Beyond Technique to Intimacy.
It seems to me that this particular take on sexuality is almost saying that everything stems from our sexuality.
Examples of laughter and joy, making peace, saving a life, etc. point to aspects of our created, whole selves rather than our sexuality when it has matured. We display these aspects not only in the bedroom but in the world and in union with the Trinity. For example, when we experience ecstatic joy, peace, when we put another person's life before our own, etc., these are all aspects of how we, as sexual creatures among other aspects, interact in healthy, Christ-filled ways with our world. Also in healthy and Christ-filled ways, we interact in the same way in our intimate, sexual relationships. Likewise, as we grow in union with the Trinity, we will experience ecstatic joy, peace, and will lay down our life for God just as Jesus laid down His life for us. So, whether I am single or married, I bring these aspects of my whole self (of which sexuality is a part) into any relationship in which I engage.
While I didn't agree with the terminology used—"social sexuality," I think he could get at what I "think" he was trying to get at in a similar manner as I did above. His evocative terminology did cause me to think more deeply, and I do think it is important to read and explore things with which we don't agree (or fully agree) because it helps us to explore why we do think and believe what we do. I do wish he had used different terminology though and expanded on the fact that everyone is a sexual being, whether we are engaging in the sexual act or not.
But really, this was only a small part of the book (a few pages), and I thought what he did bring up in the other sections of these two chapters was okay. I also acknowledge that there is so much more that could be said.
I have a lot of highlights in my book, and he had a lot of good insight. I especially loved his chapters on mission and how the Evangelical church's past approach has been to coerce, incite guilt and fear, and/or to approach people as projects to fix. I love that he says, "When our lives are fixated on a particular outcome [i.e., getting someone saved], we lose our ability to be truly present." He also says that we can be on mission by creating space for presence and that we need to "discern God's presence rather than assuming his absence." I love that.
It seems to me that this particular take on sexuality is almost saying that everything stems from our sexuality.
Examples of laughter and joy, making peace, saving a life, etc. point to aspects of our created, whole selves rather than our sexuality when it has matured. We display these aspects not only in the bedroom but in the world and in union with the Trinity. For example, when we experience ecstatic joy, peace, when we put another person's life before our own, etc., these are all aspects of how we, as sexual creatures among other aspects, interact in healthy, Christ-filled ways with our world. Also in healthy and Christ-filled ways, we interact in the same way in our intimate, sexual relationships. Likewise, as we grow in union with the Trinity, we will experience ecstatic joy, peace, and will lay down our life for God just as Jesus laid down His life for us. So, whether I am single or married, I bring these aspects of my whole self (of which sexuality is a part) into any relationship in which I engage.
While I didn't agree with the terminology used—"social sexuality," I think he could get at what I "think" he was trying to get at in a similar manner as I did above. His evocative terminology did cause me to think more deeply, and I do think it is important to read and explore things with which we don't agree (or fully agree) because it helps us to explore why we do think and believe what we do. I do wish he had used different terminology though and expanded on the fact that everyone is a sexual being, whether we are engaging in the sexual act or not.
But really, this was only a small part of the book (a few pages), and I thought what he did bring up in the other sections of these two chapters was okay. I also acknowledge that there is so much more that could be said.
I have a lot of highlights in my book, and he had a lot of good insight. I especially loved his chapters on mission and how the Evangelical church's past approach has been to coerce, incite guilt and fear, and/or to approach people as projects to fix. I love that he says, "When our lives are fixated on a particular outcome [i.e., getting someone saved], we lose our ability to be truly present." He also says that we can be on mission by creating space for presence and that we need to "discern God's presence rather than assuming his absence." I love that.
I follow Rich Villados on social media and find his posts both encouraging and challenging. I recognized some of the same content in this book, so I would say the book is both challenging and encouraging. Here walls is through five values that contribute to a deeply further life and gives practical ideas for moving towards those values. His writing is engaging and encouraging.
challenging
informative
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
Because the fans (i.e. my sister) request a review:
This book provides an introduction to principles that shape healthy disciples of Christ who are committed to integrating their entire lives and characters into their faith. I appreciated seeing values included that I haven't always seen prioritized in communities where growth in Christ is merely becoming more countercultural and knowledgeable. This book emphasizes practices (contemplative prayer, sabbath, justice, emotional integration, sexual wholeness, and a healthy missional presence) that are rooted in the traditions of church history and less influenced by the habits and values of the moral majority and cultural Christianity. I appreciated the practicality of this book to show how to actually implement these concepts in personal and communal contexts. A lot of the chapters were really just a brief summary of topics that other books explore deeper (especially on concepts like rest, sexuality and justice). The section on being a missional presence was my favorite because I loved the perspective of seeing all of life and work missionally through an integrated view of the often divided sacred and secular spheres while resisting manipulative, transactional evangelism methods.
Would recommend this book to guide small group discussions or for those needing an introduction to a more integrated and embodied discipleship where following Christ is more than just knowing all the answers on Sunday mornings, trying to be a "good person", and being "countercultural". 4 stars because although helpful and accessible for the average Christian, it was somewhat unoriginal and reads like a sermon more than a book (pretty much an expected pitfall of books written by pastors).
This book provides an introduction to principles that shape healthy disciples of Christ who are committed to integrating their entire lives and characters into their faith. I appreciated seeing values included that I haven't always seen prioritized in communities where growth in Christ is merely becoming more countercultural and knowledgeable. This book emphasizes practices (contemplative prayer, sabbath, justice, emotional integration, sexual wholeness, and a healthy missional presence) that are rooted in the traditions of church history and less influenced by the habits and values of the moral majority and cultural Christianity. I appreciated the practicality of this book to show how to actually implement these concepts in personal and communal contexts. A lot of the chapters were really just a brief summary of topics that other books explore deeper (especially on concepts like rest, sexuality and justice). The section on being a missional presence was my favorite because I loved the perspective of seeing all of life and work missionally through an integrated view of the often divided sacred and secular spheres while resisting manipulative, transactional evangelism methods.
Would recommend this book to guide small group discussions or for those needing an introduction to a more integrated and embodied discipleship where following Christ is more than just knowing all the answers on Sunday mornings, trying to be a "good person", and being "countercultural". 4 stars because although helpful and accessible for the average Christian, it was somewhat unoriginal and reads like a sermon more than a book (pretty much an expected pitfall of books written by pastors).
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
reflective
fast-paced
informative
medium-paced
In The Deeply Formed Life, pastor Villodas makes the argument that most Christians are only being shallowly formed. He names 5 practices as the keys to being formed more fully into the image of Jesus: contemplative practices, racial reconciliation, interior examination, sexual wholeness, and missional presence. I appreciated the structure of this book. Villodas dedicates 2 chapters to each of the 5 practices: The first chapter provides the big-picture, theological foundation, while the second chapter provides practical, specific action steps and practices for individuals and communities. I think this book has some notable gaps. I was troubled by a section about examining our anxieties (in the chapters about interior self-examination) that makes no mention of diagnosable anxiety disorders, and I also questioned whether the chapters on sexual wholeness dedicated enough time and space to the implications of sexual trauma and abuse. On the other hand, I was pleased that the chapters on sexual wholeness don’t prescribe a heteronormative view. The book is a helpful guide to considering the value and implications of these 5 practices, but I wouldn’t call it essential reading.
hopeful
informative
fast-paced
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
I thought this was an interesting, refreshing take on spiritual disciplines. Good practical stuff in here, as well as personal experience that showed the author's humility, self-reflection, and growth. I follow Rich Villodas on social media and really appreciated hearing more from him in long-form. Definitely would recommend.