A biblical theology of spiritual formation is not self-evident, because it is not natural, but it is taught by God Himself. Jesus, during his earthly ministry, brought spiritual formation into full view, but the concept and practice were around before the Son of God became flesh. Jesus was not teaching a new thing, but the correct version of an old thing. Since Jesus is the exact representation of God’s being, Christians are being shaped into Christ’s image (Hebrews 1:3). The reason for spiritual formation is not to make moral beings, but to make human sinful nature, conform to spiritual nature. Christ’s redemption of humanity exchanges the sinner’s consequences for Christ’s perfection and Jesus offers a full life now (John 10:10). Paul explains, “For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters” (Romans 9:29, NIV).

The mission Jesus gave the church was spiritual formation. Jesus told his followers, “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:19-20, ESV). Jesus gave three major areas to act as milestones of transformation. The power to accomplish the transformation and spiritual formation are by the Holy Spirit. “It is actually the Holy Spirit who does the transforming of a person’s spirit and life.”[1]

The Bible is the primary catalyst God uses in spiritual formation. “God’s revelation has come through the inspired writings of Moses and all the other prophets in the Old Testament and, most importantly, through God’s own divine Son, Jesus Christ, the ultimate prophet, priest, and king, and revealed in the New Testament.”[2] The foundation for the theology of spiritual formation is rooted in Scripture. In fact, Averbeck affirms, Psalm 119:105, where God’s word is described as “a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.”[3] The Scriptures are act as a lamp and a light. In one way, the lamp of Scripture gives the next step of spiritual guidance. On the other hand, Scripture is a light providing a long-term direction for how God will eventually shape the Christian.

The Scriptures are critical for spiritual formation because the path is illuminated by the correct things. God knows the way his children are meant to grow and He lays out the path in His Word. Averbeck cites events in the life of Saul and David to highlight the importance of correct biblical theology of spiritual formation to know what occurred. For example, “The Holy Spirit came upon one king and departed from the other, and was replaced in the latter by an “evil spirit from the LORD,” which, in turn, tormented him in his human spirit.”[4]

The Bible is needed for spiritual formation into the likeness of Christ, according to Averbeck. Spiritual truth is in the Bible about who God is and how a Christian ought to live. A person could not omit the Bible and gain correct information to grow. Transformation happens when a person understands and believes correct information about God to renew their mind (Romans 12:2). The importance of the Bible for spiritual formation is seen in 2 Timothy 3:15, as Paul tells Timothy “From infancy you have known the holy Scriptures.” In other words, Paul explained the Scriptures were the means God used, in partnership with Timothy, to form him spiritually. “The point is that, whether directly or indirectly, the whole of Scripture contributes to the understanding and practice of spirituality and spiritual formation.”[5] According to Averbeck, the Bible is necessary for spiritual formation. Averbeck states, “The Bible is God’s special revelation, so we need to rely on it and align with it as we study, practice, and teach spiritual formation.”[6] The Bible is not a supplement for spiritual formation, but the Bible is absolutely imperative for it. “The goal of spiritual formation as revealed in the Word of God is the (trans)formation of our hearts and lives into the very image of Jesus Christ Himself, which is the will of God the Father.”[7]

The Holy Spirit is the one who gives the revelation to understand the Scriptures and empowers the believer to live it out. The Holy Spirit develops Christians through individual understanding, but that is not all. God’s spirit draws Christians into a community, which is essential for full spiritual growth. “We do not appreciate ‘community’ as we should, and often we do not really understand how important it is to engage personally in fellowship and the building up of the local and universal community of faith.”[8]

[1] Richard Averbeck, “Spirit, Community, and Mission: A Biblical Theology for Spiritual Formation,” Journal of Spiritual Formation and Soul Care, Vol. 1, No. 1, 27-53, 2008.

[2] Richard Averbeck, “The Bible in Spiritual Formation,” in The Kingdom Life: A Practical Theology of Discipleship and Spiritual Formation, Allen Andrews (Ed.), NavPress, 2010.

[3] Ibid., 205.

[4] Richard E. Averbeck, “Spirit, Community, and Mission: A Biblical Theology for Spiritual Formation.” Journal of Spiritual Formation & Soul Care 1, no. 1 (Spr 2008): 31.

[5] Ibid., 30.

[6] Averbeck, Richard. The Kingdom Life : A Practical Theology of Discipleship and Spiritual Formation. Colorado Springs, CO: NavPress Publishing Group, 2010. Accessed October 26, 2022.198.

[7] Ibid., 199.

[8] Richard E. Averbeck, “Spirit, Community, and Mission: A Biblical Theology for Spiritual Formation.” Journal of Spiritual Formation & Soul Care 1, no. 1 (Spr 2008): 35.