Free Downloads
Celebration Of Discipline: The Path To Spiritual Growth

Richard J. Foster’s Celebration of Discipline: The Path to Spiritual Growth is hailed by many as the best modern book on Christian spirituality with millions of copies sold since its original publication in 1978.In Celebration of Discipline, Foster explores the "classic Disciplines," or central spiritual practices, of the Christian faith to show how each of these areas contribute to a balanced spiritual life.Foster, the bestselling author of several books (Prayer and Streams of Living Water) and intrachurch movement founder of Renovaré, helps motivate Christians everywhere to embark on a journey of prayer and spiritual growth.

Series: 10th Anniversary edition (Book 988)

Hardcover: 228 pages

Publisher: HarperSanFrancisco; 3rd edition (October 1, 1998)

Language: English

ISBN-10: 0060628391

ISBN-13: 978-0060628390

Product Dimensions: 5.8 x 0.8 x 8.6 inches

Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)

Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (621 customer reviews)

Best Sellers Rank: #2,367 in Books (See Top 100 in Books) #12 in Books > Religion & Spirituality > Worship & Devotion > Inspirational #67 in Books > Christian Books & Bibles > Christian Living > Spiritual Growth

This is a Christian classic. Foster has written a comprehensive guide to spiritual disciplines. It is deep, yet accessible. Most of the reviews here agree with that.I've read this book 5 times in 8 years. I've been in churches where multiple people were reading it at the same time. I've been in small groups where everyone read it together. I've seen mature Christians read it. I've seen new Christians read it. And I've concluded that THIS BOOK CAN BE DANGEROUS.The reason I say that is that even in the most non-legalistic churches I've ever seen, I've seen immature Christians stumble in part because they are overwhelmed by everything in this book. And when I say "stumble", I'm talking about people going back into severely addictive lifestyles. And the pressure they felt from feeling like they have to do all these disciplines contributed to that.Unfortunately, it's easy for any of us to filter even the most well-intentioned, well-written book through our false self, that part of us that is performance- and fear-oriented. Spiritual disciplines do not change us; they open our hearts to the change that the Spirit of God wants to bring.Again, I think this is a phenomenal book. But lest we feed our heads instead of our hearts and lest we frustrate ourselves with a standard of righteousness that Foster never intended, I'd like to humbly, humbly suggest some things:* I personally recommend that people start with Henri Nouwen's "Way of the Heart" for a primer on spiritual discipline. It is just much simpler. The big stuff can come later. (Other books by Merton, Nouwen, Keating, etc., will work just as well.

I first discovered "Celebration of Discipline" through Terry Glaspey's "Great Books of the Christian Tradition." Glaspey listed Foster's book as one of the top ten (cream-of-the-crop) books that every Christian ought to read and know. His opinion is obviously shared by many others as shown in Christianity Today's listing of "Celebration of Discipline" as one of the top twenty most influential books of the 20th century. Why is the book so influential? Because it gives Christians important and practical details regarding the scriptural key (self-discipline) to living a holy life which is the door to true liberty in all its facets. The 12 spiritual disciplines he expounds on, if faithfully practiced, will lead to inward and outward harmony (wholeness; holiness) with oneself as well as social harmony with others both within and without (as an evangelistic light) the corporate body of Christ. Four disciplines are allotted to each one of the spheres (inward, outward, and corporate) and valuable insights from the spiritual masters within Christian history are provided as supplements to the biblical foundation that grounds the book.Another book that makes a nice companion to this one is Dallas Willard's "The Spirit of the Disciplines." Willard's book is highly recommended by Foster who considered it the book of the decade (1980s) and now considers Willard's new book "The Divine Conspiracy" as the one he has been searching for all his life because of its biblically comprehensive, holistic and practical nature. Both Foster and Willard value the deep, spiritual insights of the older Christian classics (including those penned by so-called Christian "mystics") as seen by their many references and quotes.

Celebration of Discipline: The Path to Spiritual Growth Positive Discipline for Preschoolers: 10 Tips on Making Your Child Responsible and Confident (Positive Discipline, Positive Discipline for Preschoolers, Positive Discipline In The Classroom) Child Discipline Made Easy: Effective Strategies Proven to Change Your Child's Behavior While Maintaining A Healthy Relationship (Child discipline, toddler discipline, parenting) 10 Days To Lifetime Self-Discipline: The Fastest Path To Motivation And Willpower (Self-Confidence, Self-Belief, Strategies, Develop Discipline, Achieve your Dreams) Mudhouse Sabbath: An Invitation to a Life of Spiritual Discipline: An Invitation to a Life of Spiritual Disciplines (Pocket Classics) Awakening Spirits: A Native American Path to Inner Peace, Healing, and Spiritual Growth (Religion and Spirituality) Meditation within Eternity: The Modern Mystics Guide to Gaining Unlimited Spiritual Energy, Accessing Higher Consciousness and Meditation Techniques for Spiritual Growth Self-Discipline: Achieve Unbreakable Self-Discipline: How To Build Confidence, Willpower, Motivation, Self-Belief And Master Your Life!: Self control, ... Self-Confidence, Self-esteem, Organizing) Self-Discipline: Become A Greek Spartan: Everything You Need to Know to Transform Your Life into A Modern Day Spartan & Gain More Confidence, Hunger and ... (Greek Spartan Mindset, Spartan Discipline) Discipline Ranch: Domestic Discipline Romance Rereading the Fossil Record: The Growth of Paleobiology as an Evolutionary Discipline Why Growth Matters: How Economic Growth in India Reduced Poverty and the Lessons for Other Developing Countries Stretch and Pray: A Daily Discipline for Physical and Spiritual Wellness Mudhouse Sabbath: An Invitation to a Life of Spiritual Discipline (Pocket Classics) Abitare il futuro: Competenze per vivere da cittadini responsabili (Growth Path) (Italian Edition) The Wisdom of the Enneagram: The Complete Guide to Psychological and Spiritual Growth for the Nine Personality Types Spiritual Growth: Being Your Higher Self The Road Less Traveled: A New Psychology of Love, Traditional Values and Spiritual Growth God Is My Broker : A Monk-Tycoon Reveals the 7 1/2 Laws of Spiritual and Financial Growth Reclaiming Your Story: Family History and Spiritual Growth