“Spiritual formation with substance and depth! Alex Sosler gives a thick account of Christian growth in holiness and wholeness shaped by a biblical-theological-ecclesial vision of truth, goodness, beauty, and community. Anyone who’s sung the Augustinian cri de coeur of Bono’s ‘I still haven’t found what I’m looking for’ but found the modern spiritual formation literature too light and fluffy will be glad for this winsome retrieval of classical theology in service to a practice of discipleship that can take shape in real communities. This is one to read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest and then share with another pilgrim on the way of the restless heart.”
—Alex Fogleman, Institute for Studies of Religion, Baylor University; director, Catechesis Institute; author of Knowledge, Faith, and Early Christian Initiation
“A Short Guide to Spiritual Formation is a true retrieval, rooting Christian practice in the wider Christian tradition while remaining attentive to the needs and questions of the present moment. This fresh account of Christian spiritual formation will captivate students and seekers while reminding seasoned leaders of the many gifts that the Christian tradition offers to our weary souls.”
—Kaitlyn Schiess, author of The Ballot and the Bible: How Scripture Has Been Used and Abused in American Politics and Where We Go from Here
“This book will be a great help to anyone interested in personal and corporate spiritual formation. The rich traditions of the church are beneficial for modern-day disciples. It is important to know our spiritual history and some of the key foundations that Christian faith rests upon. Sosler does a masterful job of describing these historical, theological, and spiritual foundations, and in doing so he invites the reader into a deeper relationship with God. This text is well worth your time.”
—Donald Shepson, Grove City College
“Sosler provides readers with a theological, historical, contemplative, and applicable approach to living life from a formative perspective. He is passionate about the well-being of God’s creation and implementing practices designed to educate, empower, and equip the learner. Sosler takes his desire for ‘roots and tradition’ and writes about what he considers more crucial to Christianity than ‘just the way the pastor did it.’”
—Barbara L. Peacock, Peacock Soul Care
© 2024 by Alex Sosler
Published by Baker Academic
a division of Baker Publishing Group
Grand Rapids, Michigan
Ebook edition created 2024
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means—for example, electronic, photocopy, recording—without the prior written permission of the publisher. The only exception is brief quotations in printed reviews.
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data is on file at the Library of Congress, Washington, DC.
ISBN 978-1-4934-4635-3
Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® (ESV®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. ESV Text Edition: 2016
Cover design by Paula Gibson
Baker Publishing Group publications use paper produced from sustainable forestry practices and postconsumer waste whenever possible.
To Mariela, Auden, and Jude
While researching this book, I watched you play on the front porch. I read while I put you down for bed and as I waited in the school pickup line. I paused my work to break up your fights or console you. In my worst moments I viewed these interruptions as distractions that kept me from an otherwise happy, peaceful, and quiet life. But more and more, I’ve come to see the blessings of a loud, boisterous, and interrupted life. This book has my children’s handprints (and spills) all over it. You are blessed interruptions. I love being your dad.
Contents
Cover
Endorsements i
Title Page iii
Copyright Page iv
Dedication v
Foreword by Russell Moore ix
Introduction xi
PART 1: TRUTH: THE THEOLOGICAL LIFE 1
1. The Centrality of Biblical Truth: God Speaks 3
2. The Story-Shaped Life: From a Devotional Faith to a Deep Faith 17
3. Saint Augustine: Faith Seeking Understanding 31
PART 2: GOODNESS: THE VIRTUOUS LIFE 45
4. In Pursuit of the Good Life: Righteousness without Self-Righteousness 47
5. How Do We Become Virtuous? The Power of Habit 59
6. Dorothy Day: We Must Love One Another or Die 77
PART 3: BEAUTY: THE CONTEMPLATIVE LIFE 89
