Jeff, your review of Practicing the Way is thoughtful and pastorally sensitive, and I deeply appreciate your concerns about theological clarity and practical application. These are valid points that deserve careful consideration. However, I would suggest that Comer’s work can be seen as an attempt to recover ancient spiritual practices t…
Jeff, your review of Practicing the Way is thoughtful and pastorally sensitive, and I deeply appreciate your concerns about theological clarity and practical application. These are valid points that deserve careful consideration. However, I would suggest that Comer’s work can be seen as an attempt to recover ancient spiritual practices that have often been neglected in modern evangelicalism. By engaging with the patristic tradition and supplementing Comer’s work with deeper theological reading, young Christians can benefit from both his insights and the rich heritage of the Church.
In the spirit of your pastoral approach, I would encourage young Christians to read Comer both critically and charitably, pairing his work with the writings of the early church fathers and Reformers. This would provide a balanced framework for spiritual formation—one that is deeply rooted in Scripture while also attentive to the transformative power of Christ’s presence. As Augustine so beautifully wrote, “You have made us for yourself, and our hearts are restless until they rest in you.” Comer’s call to “be with Jesus” is, at its core, an invitation to that rest. It’s an invitation worth pursuing, but as you rightly emphasize, it must be done with discernment and in community. Thanks for shepherding young believers so well in this conversation. Love you, brother.
Jeff, your review of Practicing the Way is thoughtful and pastorally sensitive, and I deeply appreciate your concerns about theological clarity and practical application. These are valid points that deserve careful consideration. However, I would suggest that Comer’s work can be seen as an attempt to recover ancient spiritual practices that have often been neglected in modern evangelicalism. By engaging with the patristic tradition and supplementing Comer’s work with deeper theological reading, young Christians can benefit from both his insights and the rich heritage of the Church.
In the spirit of your pastoral approach, I would encourage young Christians to read Comer both critically and charitably, pairing his work with the writings of the early church fathers and Reformers. This would provide a balanced framework for spiritual formation—one that is deeply rooted in Scripture while also attentive to the transformative power of Christ’s presence. As Augustine so beautifully wrote, “You have made us for yourself, and our hearts are restless until they rest in you.” Comer’s call to “be with Jesus” is, at its core, an invitation to that rest. It’s an invitation worth pursuing, but as you rightly emphasize, it must be done with discernment and in community. Thanks for shepherding young believers so well in this conversation. Love you, brother.