Discussion Thread_God Who Draws Near_Kion Bolden
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Tuesday, March 26, 2024
Discussion Thread: God Who Draws Near
Reading Preparation:
As part of my preparation for the discussion, I read the entire book. Thus, I believe I am sufficiently prepared to contribute significantly to the discussion. I look forward to hearing the perspectives of my colleagues and to providing my own insights. I am eager to contribute to the conversation and to learn from each other.
Haykin's Definition of True Spirituality:
Haykin describes "true spirituality" in his introduction as the believer's transformation into the image of Christ through the power of the Holy Spirit. He writes, “it is he who stands at the threshold of the Christian life, for only he can enable us to embrace Christ as Saviour and Lord—
‘no one can say “Jesus is Lord” except in the Holy Spirit.’
1
Therefore, he argues that true spirituality requires a strong connection with God, resulting in a life characterized by holiness, love, and reverence for His Word. In support of this definition, Haykin highlights how it is consistent with biblical teachings, citing specific verses that highlight the significance of spiritual
transformation and the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit in Christians. Since Haykin's view is consistent with the biblical focus on the importance of a connection with God and the transformational power of the Holy Spirit in the lives of believers, I personally agree with his description.
Christ-Centeredness of the Holy Spirit:
According to Haykin (chapter 3), the centrality of Christ in the work and ministry of the Holy Spirit is what distinguishes it most. Haykin asserts that the Spirit's mission, dispatched by God the Father, is to direct our focus towards Christ, ignite an enduring affection for Christ and His mission within us, and empower us to faithfully mirror His essence and attributes. The Spirit's primary objective is not self-promotion but rather to exalt Christ and His divine purposes.
2
Jesus informs His disciples, "
But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is
yet to come. He will glorify me because it is from me that he will receive what he will make known to you" (John 16:13-14 KJV
). Consequently, Haykin asserts that the Spirit's primary function is to elevate and honor Christ, leading believers into a deeper comprehension and admiration of His character and accomplishments. A similar statement was made by Jesus when he said, "But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and remind you of everything I have said to you" (John 14:26 KJV), which emphasizes the role of the Holy Spirit in guiding and instructing believers. It indicates that the Holy Spirit will act as a divine counselor, helping the disciples understand the teachings of Jesus and empowering them to live according to His teachings even in His physical absence. I wholeheartedly agree with Haykin's development of this argument, as it finds strong support in 1
Michael Haykin, The God Who Draws Near: An Introduction to Biblical Spirituality
(Darlington, England: Evangelical Press, 2007), xix.
2
Ibid, 22–23.
Tuesday, March 26, 2024
Scripture. Throughout the New Testament, particularly in the writings of the apostles, we see the Holy Spirit consistently directing attention to Christ, empowering believers to bear witness to Him and conforming them to His image. The Apostle Paul wrote to the church at Ephesus saying: “In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, in order that we, who were the first to put our hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory. And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory” (Ephesians 1:11-14 NIV
)
Definitive Statement:
One definitive statement in the book that strongly resonated with me was Richard Lovelace's assertion that "the goal of authentic spirituality is a life which escapes from the closed
circle of self-indulgence, or even self-improvement, to become absorbed in the love of God and other persons."
3
This sentiment aligns closely with the apostle Paul's exhortation to the church at Philippi, where he urges them to embody unity, humility, and selflessness. Paul implores them to be like-minded, sharing a common love and purpose, and to prioritize the interests of others above their own, mirroring the essence of authentic spirituality (Philippians 2:2-4 NIV
). The teachings of Christianity emphasize the importance of loving others. Jesus emphasized the commandment to love one another multiple times in the Bible, elevating it to one of the greatest commandments alongside loving God. According to Matthew 22:37-39, Jesus says, "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.”
Haykin's asserts that true spirituality is evidenced by a life characterized by sacrificial love for others.
4
This resonates deeply with the teachings of Jesus Himself, who emphasized the paramount importance of love in the life of a believer. In John 13:34-35, Jesus commands His disciples to love one another as He has loved them, declaring that their love for one another would be the distinguishing mark of their discipleship. Therefore, I firmly believe that sacrificial love, rooted in the example of Christ, is indeed the defining trait of true spirituality. Through His selfless sacrifice on the cross, Jesus exemplifies the ultimate act of selflessness and instructs Christians in the art of divine love in the New Testament. His earthly mission was marked by acts of selfless compassion, such as stopping what He was doing to cast out demons or relieve suffering and healing thousands of people even in the late hours of the day. Paul tells the church at Corinth, “And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love” (1 Corinthians 13:13 NIV
).
Bibliography
3
Ibid, 11.
4
Ibid, 27.
Tuesday, March 26, 2024
Haykin, Michael. The God Who Draws Near: An Introduction to Biblical Spirituality
. Darlington, England: Evangelical Press, 2007.
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