LIBERTY BAPTIST THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY A STRATEGIC SPIRITUAL FORMATION STUDY BASED ON THE BOOK OF MALACHI A Thesis Proposal Submitted to Dr. Dennis McDonald and Dr. Chet Roden in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree DOCTOR OF MINISTRY By Rand Michael Muender Lynchburg, Virginia February 7, 2018 i Copyright © 2018 Rand Michael Muender All Rights Reserve ii LIBERTY BAPTIST THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY THESIS PROJECT APPROVAL SHEET ______________________________________ GRADE ______________________________________ MENTOR ______________________________________ READER iii ABSTRACT A STRATEGIC SPIRITUAL FORMATION STUDY BASED ON THE BOOK OF MALACHI Rand Michael Muender Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary, 2018 Mentor: Dr. Dennis McDonald, Assistant Professor of Theology Reader: Dr. Chet Roden, Chair, Biblical Studies A review of current literature on spiritual disciplines demonstrates the need for a pastor to successfully implement an exegetical preaching methodology toward spiritual formation. The goal of this project is to answer: “What impact would a strategic spiritual formation study based upon the Book of Malachi implemented by a pastor have on a local church that is below 200 in attendance?” Incorporating the results of surveys sent to pastors within The Southern Baptist Conservatives of Virginia having below 200 in attendance, this project will review theological, historical, and exegetical, perspectives and principles for a biblical methodology for spiritual formation. Abstract length: 99 words. iv ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS It is with great joy to be able to thank those who have been both patient and supportive of my thesis project, as I sought to work out my own strategy for discovering biblical formation principles by expository preaching through whole books of the Bible for the benefit of my own spiritual maturity and the congregation and community in which I pastor. To my family: Melissa, thank you for believing in me and motivating me to finish what I have started. Thank you Alyssa and Andrew for asking me always: “Dad, are you finished yet?” Yes. I have finished (and also feel that I have also just begun). To my church: I am so gratful for your prayers and for giving me time and more time to research and meditate and write over the years. To Dr. Frank Schmitt my initial mentor and Charlie Davidson my initial director of the Doctor of Ministry at Liberty University, for their constant help and direction; both who have gone on to meet the Lord, but their tutorage is remembered still. To Dr. Gary Yates my initial reader, your comments in my initial chapters were greatly appreciated. To Dr. Dennis McDonald my mentor and Dr. Chet Roden my reader I am so very appreciative for your investment in my project and helping me to its completion. Most of all, may God and His word continue to teach me and draw me into a much closer and deeper personal relationship with my Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ till His work of sanctification is complete: “. until Christ be formed in you” (Galatians 4:19, KJV). v TABLE OF CONTENTS TITLE PAGE ………………………………………………………………….................. i COPYRIGHT PAGE …………………………………………………………………….. ii SIGNATURE PAGE …………………………………………………………………….. iii ABSTRACT ……………………………………………………………………………… iv ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ………………………………………………………. …….. v TABLE OF CONTENTS ………………………………………………………………… vi CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION…….…….……………………………………… …….. 1 Statement of the Problem and Purpose ………………………………………….... 4 Statement of Scope and Limitations of Research……………………..…………… 5 Biblical, Theological, and Historical Basis ……………………………………….. 6 Statement of Methodology ……………………………………………………….. 8 Summary of Literature Review …………………………………………………… 15 Research Instruments …………………………………………………………....... 16 CHAPTER 2: REVIEW OF LITERATURE ON SPIRITUAL FORMATION ………… 17 Historical Synopsis of Major Works on Spiritual Formation …………………….. 18 Patristic Fathers ………………………………………………………….... 19 Patristic Fathers and Richard J. Foster ……………………………. 19 Patristic Fathers and Dallas Willard ………………………………. 21 Patristic Fathers and Donald S. Whitney ………………………….. 24 vi vii Patristic Fathers and David G. Benner ……………………………. 25 Medieval Age ……………………………………………………………... 28 Medieval Age and Richard J. Foster ……………………………… 28 Medieval Age and Dallas Willard ………………………………… 33 Medieval Age and David G. Benner ……………………………… 36 Protestant Reformation ……………………………………………………. 36 Protestant Reformation and Richard J. Foster …………………….. 37 Protestant Reformation and Dallas Willard ……………………….. 41 Protestant Reformation and Donald S. Whitney …………………... 44 Modern Period …………………………………………………………….. 47 Modern Period and Richard J. Foster ……………………………... 48 Modern Period and Dallas Willard ………………………………... 52 Modern Period and Donald S. Whitney …………………………… 56 Modern Period and David G. Benner ……………………………... 60 Terminology Relating to Spiritual Formation …………………………………….. 63 Theories Shaping Spiritual Formation …………………………………………...... 69 Principles Causing Spiritual Formation …………………………………………… 71 Objections Concerning Spiritual Formation ……………………………………..... 73 First Objection: Spiritual Formation is just another Fad. …………………. 74 Second Objection: Spiritual Formation is Catholic. ………………………. 74 Third Objection: Spiritual Formation is New Age. ……………………….. 75 Fourth Objection: Spiritual Formation is Contrary to the Sufficiency of Scripture. ………………………………………………………………….. 76 Fifth Objection: What Ever Happened to Good Old-Fashioned Obedience? 76 viii Sixth Obedience: Spiritual Formation Encourages Works Righteousness. .. 77 Seventh Objection: Spiritual Formation is Overly Experiential. ………….. 77 Eighth Objection: Spiritual Formation Neglects Missions/Evangelism. …. 78 Ninth Objection: Spiritual Formation can be Assimilated by Postmodern Spirituality. ………………………………………………………………... 78 Tenth Objection: Spiritual Formation cannot be Defined. ………………... 79 Eleventh Objection: Spiritual Formation is leading Evangelicals toward Mysticism. ………………………………………………………………… 80 Twelfth Objection: Spiritual Formation is a Path to Syncretism. ………… 81 SUMMARY …………………………………………………………………….... 82 CHAPTER 3: SPIRITUAL FORMATION PRINCIPLES FROM MALACHI ……….. 84 Importance of Malachi as a Strategy for Spiritual Formation ……………………. 84 Compositional Analysis of Malachi as a Strategy toward Spiritual Formation ….. 87 Introduction: Spiritual Formation through Trusting God’s Word (Mal 1:1)….. 91 Body: Exegetical Principles for Spiritual Formation (Mal 1:2–4:3) …………. 95 Spiritual Formation through Trusting God’s Choice (1:2–5) ….……… 98 Biblical Text ………………………………………………………. 98 Biblical Theology …………………………………………………. 102 Biblical Formation ………………………………………………… 103 Spiritual Formation through Trusting God’s Name (1:6) ………........... 103 Biblical Text ………………………………………………………. 103 Biblical Theology …………………………………………………. 107 Biblical Formation ………………………………………………… 107 Spiritual Formation through Trusting God’s Presence (1:7–11) ……… 108 ix Biblical Text …………………………………………………….… 108 Biblical Theology …………………………………………………. 110 Biblical Formation ……………………………………………….... 111 Spiritual Formation through Trusting God’s Calling (1:12–2:8) ……… 112 Biblical Text …………………………………………………….… 112 Biblical Theology ……………………………………………….… 116 Biblical Formation ……………………………………………….... 117 Spiritual Formation through Trusting God’s Covenant (2:9–16b) ……. 117 Biblical Text ………………………………………………………. 117 Biblical Theology …………………………………………………. 122 Biblical Formation ………………………………………………… 123 Spiritual Formation through Trusting God’s Judgment (2:16c–3:5)…... 124 Biblical Text ………………………………………………………. 124 Biblical Theology …………………………………………………. 128 Biblical Formation ………………………………………………… 128 Spiritual Formation through Trusting God’s Sanctification (3:6–7) ...... 129 Biblical Text ………………………………………………………. 129 Biblical Theology …………………………………………………. 132 Biblical Formation ………………………………………………… 133 Spiritual Formation through Trusting God’s Benevolence (3:8–12) ….. 134 Biblical Text ………………………………………………………. 134 Biblical Theology …………………………………………………. 137 Biblical Formation ………………………………………………… 139 x Spiritual Formation through Trusting God’s Remembrance (3:13–4:3) 140 Biblical Text …………………………………………………….… 140 Biblical Theology …………………………………………………. 144 Biblical Formation …………………………………………...……. 145 Conclusion: Spiritual Formation through Trusting God’s Law (Mal 4:4–6 [Mal 3:22–24 Hebrew Text]) …………………………………………………. 145 SUMMARY ………………………………………………………………………. 147 CHAPTER 4: COMPARISON OF LITERARY REVIEW AND MALACHI ……….... 148 Similarities: Formulating Boundaries in Spiritual Formation …………………….. 148 Differences: Avoiding Dangers of Spiritual Formation …………………………... 156 Expectations: A New Strategy for Spiritual Formation …………………………… 162 SUMMARY ………………………………………………………………………. 163 CHAPTER 5: SBCV PASTOR SURVEY RESULTS …………………………………… 164 Discussion 1: What are the factors in studying spiritual formation? ……………… 173 Discussion 2: How is spiritual formation communicated in the local church? ….... 175 Discussion 3: Who is implementing spiritual formation in the local church? ……. 175 Discussion 4: Where is spiritual formation directed? …………………………….. 176 Discussion 5: What are the challenges in facilitating spiritual formation? ……….. 177 SUMMARY ………………………………………………………………………. 177 CHAPTER 6: STRATEGIC ROLE OF PASTOR IN SPIRITUAL FORMATION ……. 179 Strategic Implementation of Spiritual Formation in the Life of the Christian ……. 179 Strategic Implementation of Spiritual Formation in the Life of the Church …….... 183 Strategic Implementation of Spiritual Formation in the Life of the Community…. 193 SUMMARY ……………………………………………………………………….