The Upward Call: Spiritual Formation and the Holy Life

The Upward Call: Spiritual Formation and the Holy Life, cooperatively written by Wesley Tracy, Dee Freeborn, Janine Tartaglia, and Morris Weigelt (Kansas City: Beacon Hiss Press of Kansas City, c. 1994), provides a fine introduction to the spiritual life. In brief, the book develops this thesis: "The essence of the Wesleyan doctrine of holiness has to do with the restoration of the image of God in humanity expressed in Christlikeness, and the goal of spiritual formation is to bring the believer to such Christlikeness that it is appropriate to speak of Christ being formed in the believer's heart" (p. 9). The book divides into four sections: 1) finding the path, preeminently the points where one encounters God in His sanctifying fullness; 2) finding resources for the journey: solitude--"generally the most fundamental in the beginning of the spiritual life" (p. 97}); worship--recognizing bona fide differences in style; sacraments; scripture; prayer; simplicity--"the urge to acquire is the besetting sin of this age" (p. 102); 3) finding companions on the way--living life in communion, participating in the koinonia of the ecclesia; and 4) finding ways to serve others on our journey through self-surrender, love and service. Though the book focuses on what disciples can do to closely follow Christ, it's predicated upon a preliminary change of heart. Importantly, Tracy insists the spiritual journey must begin with cleansing from sin. "Many who write and speak in the field of spiritual development give no evidence that they are aware of the devastating consequences of sin" (p. 26). Yet, as John Wesley taught, there is a gracious remedy: God's Holy Spirit will free us from sin's bondage and enable us to enter into a cleansed communion with Him. "While some traditions talk about the 'whitewash job' the Atonement accomplishes, Wesley takes the biblical promises of sanctification literally" (p. 39). It's Grace, not cultivating the spiritual disciplines, which frees us to follow the Upward Call. The writers certainly have their distinctive visions and styles, but the volume is well-edited and reads as a coherent whole. The chapters are short, well-crafted, often graced with powerful citations, ending with study questions suitable for use in group discussions. Upward Call is designed to introduce believers to the spiritual disciplines, those ancient exercises which have forever enabled folks to develop intimacy with God. Rightly read and followed, it would lead to drinking ever more deeply of the mystical fountains available in the works of Thomas Merton, Thomas Traherne, Evelyn Underhill, Teresa of Avila, et al.

With so much emphasis on self-help books, "The Upward Call" targets the true purpose for our lives. Spiritual development is not a matter of self-achievement, self-help, or self-discipline, according to this book, but strictly a matter of a relationship with God. This book clearly points out a path, with strong Weslyan foundations, to a meaningful, fulfilling relationship with God. It directs us to become "the whole person in relationship with God, with-in the community of belivevers, growing in Christlikeness, reflected in a Spirit-directed, disciplined lifestyle, and demonstrated in actions that lead others to redemption."A life-changing read.