We are "EVANGELICALS" on the Ignatian Way

At the start of this new year, I'll share a bit of my story and some of my core convictions as an Evangelical on the Ignatian Way.

First, a bit of my story . . .

Of the six great spiritual traditions Richard Foster describes in Streams of Living Water, my original and core tradition is that of the Evangelical, Word-Centered Pathway.

I have journeyed for many years in other streams and my life, my story and my journey are better, richer, fuller, deeper and more glorifying to God because of that... but the Evangelical Way is the fertile soil in which my life and minsitry are rooted.

While it is many things, above all, the Evangelical way is a passionate commitment to the truth of the Gospel and the full integrity, beauty, majesty and transformative power of the Holy Scriptures of Old and New Testament.

I became a follower of Jesus through the ministry of Campus Crusade for Christ. Even though I do not like the name of the organization, I am joyfully grateful for their presence in my life in shaping the experience of my conversion and the early years of discipleship.

I learned to treasure the Scriptures from the very beginning. The first year I was a Christian, I read the Living Bible in four months. I then bought the New American Standard Bible and read it in eight months. For many years after that (at least 10-12) my practice was to read through the Bible once a year. Each time I would use a different translation.

I learned to do inductive Bible study. I did this for two reasons. One, because I wanted to more fully understand the Scriptures. Two, because from early in my Christian life, I had opportunities to teach the Bible to others. I was invovled in discipleship ministries and all discipleship was shaped by the teaching of the Bible (and for me, the teaching of the master Discipler - Jesus).

Eventually I would pursue an M.A. in New Testament at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary (minored in theology while there) and then a Th.M. in theology at Westminster Theological Seminary. Now I learned to do the more serious work of exegesis and hermeneutics, as well as theologizing. A careful study of the Scriptures and thoughtful theological reflection on the Scripture was and is a passion and a commitment.

Now a few of my convictions . . .

As an Evangelical I deeply believe:

• That Scriptures are the normative words of truth.
• That we are responsible for a careful and sustained study of the Scriptures.
• That we have tools of study and interpretation to help us in this.
• That we also need the guiding, teaching work of the Holy Spirit to lead us into truth.
• That our minds need truth, but the eyes of our heart must be enlightened about that truth.
• That we must not merely be excited about biblical ideas, but we must relish and delight in the truth and even more, of the Living Word who has taught us the ways of God.

I also believe:

*  That many of us have a mainly intellectual apprehension of biblical ideas with hearts that are not passionate, nor wills that are subdued, nor lives that are reordered by the truth. 

*  That somewhere along the line, the powerful, cutting, piercing word of truth has become blunted for many of those who have specialized in the study of the Bible.

*  That there is such a thing as dry orthodoxy, in fact, dead orthodoxy is possible as well.

*  That there are legalistic ways of approaching the Bible and learning it and wielding it.

*  That for some (perhaps many) the Bible is more important than Christ and we have forgotten that the Scriptures are the Word of Christ and the Scriptures are the signposts to Christ and the steppign stones to deepening intimacy with the living God. 

*  That it is much easier to study the Bible than to be friends with Jesus. It is far easier to handle the Word which we can see than it is to pray to the invisible God.

I know this because I was one to whom this happened and I work with many evangelical leaders who have had the same experience. I also know this because I work with communities of Christ followers and I know the pain of"un-transformation" in their lives and I know how much so many struggle to be "friends with the Most High." 

That is why, while I remain a passionate Evangelical, I also needed the resources and the ways of the other spiritual traditions of the Christian faith. 

In particular, I have found Ignatius to be a mentor who affirms what I affirm (as an Evangelical) about the importance of Scripture... and who shows me a way for a deeper relational and transforming engagement with the living words of the Gospel. 

Ignatius (and others) teach me how to prayerfully reflect through lectio divina readings of the Word.

Ignatius teaches me how to prayerfully converse with the One True God about the great things that matter the most (which have been learned from his Word).

Ignatius teaches me how to be discerning of the teaching, guiding work of the Holy Spirit who illumines the truth to my heart, while at the same time, warming my heart to receive that word implanted as a seed.

Ignatius also teaches me how to be alert to the presence, work and Word of God that is with me throughout the day. While the Word is preeminently clear and normative as the Holy Scripture, God communicates in many other ways as well (the inner witness, through the voice of a restored conscience, through the words of others, via written words of good authors, through the events of the day, in nature, in my experiences, desires and affection . . . and more). But all these other ways are assessed, interpreted and  received in light of the Old and New Testaments.

As I am an Evangelical on the Ignatian Way, I find that the Bible has become more clear, more powerful, more compelling and more received into my life. I find that truth is more transformative than ever, because my heart capacity for truth is wider open than ever. I find that Jesus has become more precious, more real, more of a friend and even more exalted as my God and my Savior. 

For all this, I can only say as did Ignatius . . . 
 

Ad majorem Dei gloriam
For the greater glory of God
 

Brian K. Rice  
Evangelicals on the Ignatian Way  
Leadership ConneXtions International  
www.lci.typepad.com 

 

 

Comments

[Randy Reimold]

I recently learned that Campus Crusade for Christ is indeed changing its name to "Cru". Not sure how much I like that one either, but here's a link to the press release: http://www.ccci.org/about-us/donor-relations/our-new-name/press.htm

[Leadership Connextions International]

Hi Randy:
A friend told me that as well. I agree, I am not sure I like the new name... but... on the other hand I havent led millions to Christ around the world or gotten them started on discipleship as a follower of Jesus... :-)  -bkr-