Journal: Conspectus
Volume: CONSPECTUS 36:1 (Oct 2023)
Article: Book Review: "Spiritual Formation For The Global Church: A Multi- Denominational, Multi- Ethnic Approach"
Author: Anonymous

Conspectus 36:1 (October 2023) p. 101

Book Review: Spiritual Formation For The Global Church: A Multi- Denominational, Multi- Ethnic Approach

Brandt, Ryan A., and Frederick John eds. 2021. Spiritual Formation for the Global Church: A Multi-Denominational, Multi-Ethnic Approach. Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press. x, 238 pp. ISBN: 978–0–8308–5518–6. Approx. 514.67 ZAR (27.99 USD). Paperback.

1. Introduction

Although the world has become more interconnected, evangelicals remain absorbed in their “narrow regional, national and denominational, and racial/ethnic boundaries” (p. 1). As a result, Ryan A. Brandt and John Frederick brought together in one volume the work of a truly diverse group of scholars to focus on exploring spiritual formation for the global church. The editors carry significant academic credibility with Ryan A. Brandt (Ph.D.) serving as Associate Professor of Christian history and theology at Grand Canyon University. Furthermore, he acts as the managing editor of the Journal of Biblical and Theological Studies. His co-editor, John Frederick (Ph.D.) serves as a Lecturer in New Testament and Greek at Trinity College Queensland, Australia. He has authored two other works and is ordained as a priest in the Anglican Church in North America. The selected contributors are duly equipped and experienced to fulfill the bold ambition, outlined in the book’s introduction, to pursue a “cohesive yet diverse constructive theology and praxis for spiritual formation for the global church in the twenty-first century” (p. 1).

2. Overview

Interest in the topic of spiritual formation has increased amongst evangelicals in recent decades, which has paved the way for more academic attention to be given to the subject. However, the various academic endeavors each explore the topic from a unique vantage point and contextual background. The editors, aiming to establish a general starting premise, outline the basic definition of spiritual formation for the purposes of this book as “the process by which personal change takes place in Christ by the power of the Spirit” (p. 2). To bring a degree of coherence to the diverse cultural and theological backgrounds of the contributors, as well as to allow them the freedom to express their unique global perspectives, the book is divided into three thematic sections, each containing four chapters. The sections explore 1) biblical and theological study as spiritual formation, 2) acts and elements of worship as spiritual formation, and 3) Christ, contemporary culture, and spiritual formation. These thematic overtures act as riverbanks to what sometimes, especially initially, feels like disjointed arguments. Maintaining an awareness of the broader theme each chapter forms a part of equips the reader with the necessary orientation to maintain...