I know very little about Richard Foster, who is an American theologian and pastor. His book with the apparently contradictory title ‘Celebration of Discipline’ is one of those often found in church bookcases, or the Christian shelves in many homes. Our copy is one which, according to the label on the front, we acquired somewhere for 25p. Or possibly someone else passed it on to us. I don’t remember when I last read it - it must have been over twenty years ago. I recalled that it was a little heavy in places, but surprisingly inspiring.
Published in 1980, this book now looks and feels rather old-fashioned, but the content is timeless. It outlines, in three main sections, different ways in which ordinary people can grow closer to God. It is written for Christian believers, or those who would like to explore the faith and develop helpful habits. It’s absolutely not prescriptive or coercive in any way: the book is written with Scriptural backing, and with suggestions rather than instructions.
The author is apparently from a Quaker tradition, and the book focuses more on solitude and personal journeys than might appeal to some in the 21st century. But, as when I read it before, almost everything he says resonated with me. I hope it won’t be such a long time before I re-read this book again.
The first section is what the author calls the ‘Inward Disciplines’: meditation, prayer, fasting and study. He describes in each one how he goes about them - including his struggles, and the difficulties of developing such habits. The emphasis on fasting was the one chapter that didn’t feel appropriate to me, although the idea of willingly forsaking something for a short period of time (as opposed to full fasting) certainly has merit.
In the second section, the ‘Outward Disciplines’, the author alliteratively writes about simplicity, solitude, submission and service. The first three are all somewhat controversial, particularly the third. But I found what he wrote very helpful. He certainly doesn’t see any authoritarianism or hierarchy in the concept of submission; instead he looks at the relevant Scripture verses in context, and stresses the importance of living day by day in willing submission to God.
The final section covers what Richard Foster terms the ‘Corporate Disciplines’ - confession, worship, guidance and celebration. He acknowledges that confession and guidance could be considered as private practices rather than corporate ones. But here he deliberately looks at them - again, with Biblical backing and some examples from his personal life and work - in terms of the community listening to God together, without judgement.
I did find the writing a little heavy-going when I started reading this, and put it aside for a few months, but when I picked it up again recently I found it once again inspiring and encouraging. Developing these ‘disciplines’ is a lifelong journey. Definitely recommended.
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