THE PURSUIT OF HOLINESSWhat does holiness look like? How do we actually become like Jesus? Do we have to do anything? Or is it all up to God? Although many books can be found on spiritual formation, few focus on the transformation of the human self (mind, heart, body, soul and relationships). Philosopher Dallas Willard, a pioneer in the field of modern Christian discipleship, described it as a three-part process including: 1) a vision of God's kingdom rooted in imagination 2) an intention to be fully renewed in Christ and 3) practices that position us to receive the transforming grace of the Holy Spirit. As we pursue our own spiritual formation journeys, it's helpful to have examples of people who dedicated their lives to the pursuit of holiness. Toward that end, Becoming Like Jesus: The Formation of 7 Saints explores the spiritual growth of 1) Sundar Singh, a Christian mystic and missionary in India 2) Benjamin Lay, a Quaker dwarf and one of the first abolitionists in North America 3) Dorothy Day, a Catholic advocate for social justice 4) Eugene Peterson, a Presbyterian pastor who translated the Bible into contemporary language 5) C.S. Lewis, an Anglican who moved from atheism to proclaiming the gospel 6) Dietrich Bonhoeffer, a Lutheran pastor who was martyred during World War II and 7) Susanna Wesley, the "mother of Methodism," who raised a large family almost single-handedly while mentoring all of her 10 children. Notice the practices each of the 7 saints engaged in and the fruit they bore. These stories will inspire and motivate any youth or adult who seriously intends to become an apprentice of Jesus.
