“We are beggars; this is true.” (Martin Luther)
Martin Luther described the life of the Christian as “receptive”. The Latin phrase he used was “vita passiva” – the life that “accepts” or “receives” all of the good gifts of the Triune God.
According to the Scriptures, and confessed in the Creeds of the Church, this Triune God holds nothing back. Revealed in Christ Jesus, He gives Himself completely to us.
Luther noted …
“… here (in the Creed) we see that God gives Himself entire to us, with all that He has and is able to do, to aid and direct us in keeping the Ten Commandments – the Father, all creatures; the Son, His entire work; and the Holy Ghost, all His gifts.”
Martin Luther, The Large Catechism, Apostle’s Creed, paragraph 69
The Receptive Life Spiritual Formation Process
The Receptive Life is a digital resource that will help you develop a distinctly Lutheran spiritual formation process that is rooted in the Scriptures, anchored in the weekly Divine Service, and framed by the chief parts of Martin Luther’s Small Catechism.
Unlike most spiritual formation programs that focus on the work, performance, or effort of the individual, The Receptive Life emphasizes the work of the Triune God and directs us to all of the places and means by which the Word (in Scripture, the Sacraments, and in Jesus) does its work on us.
By the end of The Receptive Life spiritual formation process, you will have a simple framework that will help you daily and weekly go to all of the places where the Triune God has promised to do His work and give His gifts.
The daily and weekly practices that you will learn will help you …
- fight against the attacks of the “unholy trinity” (devil, world and sinful flesh)
- defend yourselves with the promises of the person and work of Jesus
- and receive all of the gifts that only can come from the Triune God .
Thus the worship and divine service of the Gospel is to receive from God gifts; on the contrary, the worship of the Law is to offer and present our gifts to God. We can, however, offer nothing to God unless we have first been reconciled and born again … the chief worship of the Gospel is to wish to receive remission of sins, grace, and righteousness.
Apology of the Augsburg Confession V (III) 189
Lent 2023 – Beginning Ash Wednesday, February 22nd
The plan is to start on Ash Wednesday, February 22nd.
During Lent you will receive …
- receive daily emails that will give you access to The Receptive Life video content
- resources and materials to implement the daily/weekly spiritual practices
- a recorded ZOOM conversation with Dr. Gregory Schulz (of Lutheran Philosopher) that will review and spark some thoughts about that week’s daily practice
Here is a preview of some of the materials that I have created …
- Step By Step Guide
- 90 Day Spiritual Journal
- Video Study Guide
- access to the private Lutheran Spirituality community platform so that individuals can ask their questions, comment, or connect with others
If you would like access to the full digital curriculum you can go to … The Receptive Life Video Course (here).
Video Overview
If you would like the videos and all of the resources delivered directly to your inbox, you can sign up below.
The devil is called the master of a thousand arts. But what shall we call God’s Word, which drives away and brings to naught this master of a thousand arts with all his arts and power? It must indeed be the master of more than a hundred thousand arts.
Martin Luther, Large Catechism, Introduction, paragraph 12