Peter Adam wrote that when it comes to spirituality there is a curious phenomena in Protestant Christianity. In our bookshops we can find much on the subject from Catholic, Celtic and Orthodox sources. But strangely there is often very little that addresses the Bible as a source of spirituality. He notes that for many, a good evangelical grounding in the scriptures is considered a solid first-step in life, but then people must pursue spiritual maturity in a different context – catholic, celtic, orthodox, charismatic or whatever. Surely something isn’t right when people don’t look to the Bible as the resource for spirituality?

God has spoken. We are to have open ears to hear and a heart to obey. We are transformed by trust in His Word. We respond to Him using His Word, we praise Him according to it and we speak it to others. We have life now and hope for forever, all because of His Word. As Jesus said, “Sanctify them in the truth . . . Your Word is truth.” (Jn.17) The Bible is the preeminent tool in the Holy Spirit’s repertoire for our growth in spirituality.

As John Donne once wrote, “The Scriptures are God’s Voyce; The Church is his Echo.” If we as preachers of the Word are not absolutely clear that the Bible is central and critical for spirituality, then how will our listeners pick up on it? Certainly not from the bookshelves in bookstores, either secular or Christian. Let us preach with a clear perspective that the Scriptures must not be ignored in any quest for spirituality.

Peter Adam’s book is Hearing God’s Word: Exploring Biblical Spirituality. IVP, 2004.

Peter has responded to comments on this post.

In a world that is highly charged, energized and empowered, somehow life can be such a draining experience. In the busy-ness of life it is easy to lose track of the space necessary for thinking, for communing, for dreaming. I’ve written about the critical importance of our personal walk with Christ. I’d like to consider a related concept. Over time we too easily lose the capacity to dream. What I mean by that is “sanctified big praying.”

At the end of Ephesians 3 Paul tells us that God is able to do immeasurably abundantly more than we ask or even imagine. I suspect that with many Christians, God is not feeling stretched. If we don’t imagine big, then we don’t ask big. God can do more than we ask or imagine, but too often we make fulfilling that Scripture far too straightforward for our Lord. Let’s not only approach the throne of grace with the jaded requests of a tired minister. As preachers who seek to stir the faith of others, let’s take some time and dare to dream big dreams.

Perhaps you dream of bigger crowds in your church, large numbers of local folk captivated and drawn in by the power of the gospel? Perhaps you dream of bigger life change in your listeners – John who sits in the second to last row over to the left and seems to be going through the motions year after year . . . imagine his life set on fire by the truth of God’s Word. Perhaps you dream of specific situations transformed for the glory of God? That family breakdown still under wraps but known to you. How about your own ministry? While holding on to humility is it possible to dream of your own ministry breaking into new areas, utilizing different media to reach more people, doors opening that would really mean a lot to you? Perhaps your imagination moves toward key relationships that could help your ministry – a mentor, someone to mentor, a support team who would diligently pray and help your preaching in practical ways?

The great thing about turning on our imagination is that God can filter what actually wouldn’t help, or what we couldn’t handle. But praying bigger prayers is ultimately a statement of absolute dependence on the power of God in your ministry. Perhaps we should make sure we incorporate prayers as big as we can imagine . . . not that they will cause our infinitely powerful God any stress or sweat, but they may well stir a smile from Him.

One more thought from the life and ministry of Jonathan Edwards. Piper states that Edwards probed the workings of the human heart and gained a profound understanding of it. He did not achieve this by “hobnobbing with the Northampton parishioners,” but by three things:

1. Diligent reading and contemplation of his own heart. Perhaps this was typical Puritan introspection, but he knew that his own heart was the one human heart he could inspect most closely. He sought out all the “subtle subterfuges” of his heart, appetites and thoughts.

2. The necessary sorting of the wheat and chaff in the religious experiences of his people. While it may be tempting for us to bemoan the lack of a great awakening in our day, perhaps we would do well to give serious thought to the experience of religion among our people anyway. In Edwards’ time there was both the genuinely Spiritual and deeply discouraging self-deception. Perhaps if we look we will see the same today, and in doing so we might get a fuller understanding of the workings of human hearts and affections.

3. Passionate pursuit of the teaching of God’s Word. This is not last in importance, but last for emphasis. To be a genuine “surgeon of souls” like Edwards, we must pursue years of serious study in God’s Word. The heart and affections of humanity, and their primary role in spirituality are foundational aspects of biblical teaching. With our eyes open we will discover that the heart is one of the most neglected, overlooked and yet prevalent teachings in the canon.

As preachers we are often more aware of our inadequacies than any sense of expertise. Yet with all the aspects of ministry clamoring for our focus, perhaps we should give thought to striving for greater understanding, perhaps even expertise, in the workings of the human heart. If we don’t, who will?

Yesterday we considered spiritual gifting and learned skill. I would like to add two more elements into the mix today. Two things we should dwell on in regard to preaching:

Spiritual Element of Preaching – In the old days this slightly intangible element was called “unction.” Today many tend to refer to “anointing.” Effective preaching takes more than gifting and training. There is that intangible aspect closely tied to personal spirituality, prayer, and the mystery of divine enabling. Personal holiness should be above reproach. There are various factors in this, but no guaranteed recipe.

Personal Passion for Preaching – This is not a passion for personal glory or attention. Vanity and pride should be abhorred in pulpit ministry. But I refer to that burning in the bones, that deeply felt desire to study and communicate God’s Word. Perhaps this is partially a gift issue, or an anointing issue, but it is an issue worthy of consideration.

These four elements all beg further thought. Should you preach this Sunday? Should I? Can we not? Why?