Opus 2011-112, New Terms: Spirituality

Here is another word that is not really new but has a definition which is being changed.  The word “spirituality” is showing up frequently.  When I was growing up, to talk about someone’s spirituality would be to talk about how much they were in contact with Jesus.  They lived as if they were in contact with the Holy Spirit and were examples of righteousness.  Not so much any more.  The word has been coopted by the New Age religions and the Emergent Church. 

Spirituality today means being in contact with your inner person, your spiritual side.  It has nothing to do with an objective reality centered in God.  It is all about how you feel about being above the rat race.  It may involve some contact with spirits in seances or occult practices but that is just another example of how empowered you are.

Another term I am seeing related to this is “Spiritual Formation”.  Again, this could be interpreted to mean that you are growing in grace and wisdom under the direction of the Holy Spirit.  It could be a wonderful concept.  My fear is that it is a matter of setting aside the Bible and studying gurus from the past and other religions. 

We need to be careful when we see terms that sound good but can be used to deceive.  Discernment is called for.  Knowing the word is a necessity.  Don’t be seduced into paths that God has clearly marked as evil just because someone who seems really nice says it is the way to go.  Always use the Bible as your standard whether you are reading Wesley, Calvin, Augustine, Lucado, Bell, McClaren, Dawkins or Marx.  They have opinions.  It has truth.

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