Celebration of Discipline

View other editions of Celebration of Discipline.
View books by Richard Foster.

Celebration of discipline - Rated
I would be very careful about this book, as Foster is s New Age author.He's got a connection with Brennan Manning and Thomas Merton and I have investigated all three very well, please go and do the same before buying this book.

Usless, unless you love Jesus and want to love him more ;) - Rated
This book is absoutely usless, unless you love Jesus and want to love him more ;) A great book, thats strength lies in its practicality. A book to read slowly and try to live as you go. If you want a packet of spiritual fast food this isnt for you, but if you are ready to try your hand at some good old fashion radical discipleship this is just what you want.

Health advice: not to be read with a legalistic religious spirit, but rather secure under grace. Not trying to change to justify oneself, but seeking to come alive in love for him.

Accurately described as a Quaker classic - Rated
Richard Foster is probably this age's best selling Quaker author and his books represent the best insights of the Quakerism that prevails in most of the world - not just the USA - although not in the UK.

This book, Celebration of Discipline, caught grief from both liberals and fundamentalists (within and outside Quakers). The liberals sometimes object to his biblical emphasis, and the fundamentalists sometimes object to his "political" advocacy of social concern as well as to his use of meditative disciplines. In fact, the inclusion of meditation in his writings (very congenial to Friends/Quakers) resulted in a brief campaign to have him excluded as a speaker from some evangelical events.

However, many of us appreciate his gracious, tender approach, his willingness to be self-disclosing, and his humor.

Rather fundamentalist - Rated
I bought this book because I read a review which described it as a Quaker classic, and I'm just reviewing it because I don't want anyone else to make the same mistake! The author describes himself as a Quaker but also says he is a trained minister. This is not a kind of Quakerism I've ever heard of - perhaps it's different in the US? It's a well-written book but very authoritarian in its approach, and definitely expresses a quite fundamentalist view of the Christian scriptures. One for the hard-core I think.

Personal Spiritual development in the Christian tradition - Rated
The Christian faith has become such a broad religion that many Christians have very vague ideas about 'how' to develop the spiritual side of their faith. Richard Foster concisely explores the rich traditional breadth of the faith and presents 12 different 'disciplines' which he believes all Christians should be learning how to practice and develop. Through the disciplines we allow ourselves to be open to receive God's presence and God's gracious mercy to help us become changed for the better.