Richard J. Foster

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Articles & Essays by Richard J. Foster

Article

Straight from the Pit

Featured August 29, 2017

Richard Foster reminds us that ​“the gospel of Jesus Christ is diametrically opposed to all expressions of racism and bigotry and hatred” — and that we are called to work with God towards a more excellent way.

Article

The Jesus Way of Life

Featured August 8, 2017

“Jesus Christ calls all peoples everywhere to be his disciples. And disciples are those who intend to live their lives as Jesus would live them if Jesus were them.” Richard Foster examines this Jesus Way in terms of relevance, patterns, and grace.

Journal/Magazine Article

The Kingdom is God's

Featured June 11, 2017

“Give me a position so I may exercise power,” we demand. ​“You shall receive power without a position,” Jesus replies. Richard Foster guides us into a better understanding of where true power resides and why there is no place for status and position in the Kingdom of God in today’s vintage piece.

Article

Are You Swimming in All the Streams?

Featured May 31, 2017

Richard Foster’s Streams of Living Water has influenced so many Christians over the years to live in the fullness of our faith. Here we offer this reminder of why all the great Christian traditions matter. Also, learn more about a course Chris Hall and Carolyn Arends are teaching summer 2017!

Book Excerpt from Life with God

The Quiet Power of a Transformed Life

Published May, 2010 • Featured May 25, 2017

Richard Foster gives us a glimpse of John Woolman, a life shaped by scripture and attuned to the divine promptings of the Spirit.

Journal/Magazine Article

How Significant Books Become Good Friends

Published November, 1983 • Featured April 30, 2017

A 1983 article in which Richard Foster recalls the books that were faithful guides on his ​“pilgrimage of mind and soul.”

Article

A Life More Abundant

Published February, 2005 • Featured April 16, 2017

Richard Foster delineates the difference between physical life (bios) and spiritual life (zoë) in Scripture. This spiritual life in Christ is not only more abundant, it is indestructible.

Article

Practical Ideas for Experiencing the Renewal of Worship

Published October, 1997 • Featured February 26, 2017

“Worship is critical to exercising ourselves unto Godliness,” Richard Foster writes in this classic piece. Here he offers practical advice for God’s people to experience anew the complete joy of worshiping our Creator in thought, word, song, and deed.

Interview

An Interview with Eugene Peterson by Richard J. Foster

Featured February 23, 2017

As we look at luminaries of the faith who steady us and guide us in the way of Jesus, Richard Foster and Eugene Peterson shine brightly. Here we get a glimpse behind the scenes of Eugene’s writing and his incarnational outlook on life.

Book Excerpt from Life with God

Freedom From Taking Ourselves Too Seriously

Featured February 13, 2017

Richard Foster helps us travel light by laying down the weight of our own religious solemnity.

Article

Deep-Rooted in Christ: A Conversation Between Richard Foster and Chris Webb

Published January, 2008 • Featured February 12, 2017

Listen in on a conversation between Richard Foster and Chris Webb as they discuss Joshua Choonmin Kang’s book Deep-Rooted in Christ: The Way of Transformation.

Book Excerpt from The Challenge of the Disciplined Life

The Grace of Giving

Featured January 10, 2017

Looking at one of the most practical ways to experience the ​“blessing of blessing,” Richard Foster prescribes a ​“lavish and joyful giving” as the antidote to low spiritual vitality, dusty words, and hollow, empty prayers.

Article

In Search of Those Bright Red Kettles

Published November, 1993 • Featured December 18, 2016

Richard Foster shares this gentle reminder to take a moment (or several) to remember the poor during the Christmas season bustle by seeking out those Salvation Army bell-ringers.

Article

A Season of Simplicity

Featured December 4, 2016

We are always delighted to welcome Renovaré Board and Ministry Team member Richella Parham back as guest editor. She looks at the antidote to holiday season stress and excess by introducing us to a piece by Richard Foster on Simplicity.

Journal/Magazine Article

Ten Counsels in Spiritual Formation

Published March, 2008 • Featured November 15, 2016

Originally published in Reformed Worship, this article gives a radiant vision of formation in the likeness of Jesus Christ — what it is, what ​“utterly defeats” it, and what will help us abide in grace.

Journal/Magazine Article

Ready, Set . . . Wait?

Published February, 1972 • Featured October 30, 2016

Receiving the ongoing guidance and power of the Holy Spirit requires regular times of prayer and study, worship and silence. Richard Foster explains how Christian people today need our own version of ​“the Jerusalem wait” that preceded Pentecost.

Journal/Magazine Article

Salvation as a Life

Published September, 2004 • Featured July 17, 2016

Richard Foster writes, ​“The goal of salvation is not to get us into heaven. Properly understood, heaven is not a goal at all, but a destination.” Salvation that is not only for life yet to come, but for life here and now.

Journal/Magazine Article

Discipline: We Can Live By It

Published August, 1982 • Featured July 7, 2016

“The disciplined person is the free person,” writes Richard Foster. In this 1982 essay, Richard explains how God uses disciplines not to bind us to a set of rules, but to release us from controlling habits and unhealthy desires.

Book Excerpt from The Prayer God Answers

The Prayer God Answers: A Reflection

Featured June 15, 2016

Richard Foster wrote a reflection on Eberhard Arnold’s classic The Prayer God Answers in a new edition from Plough Publishing. We are delighted to offer some of his thoughts to you in this excerpted piece.

Essay

Simple Words of Gratitude

Published October, 1977 • Featured June 5, 2016

Forty years ago, Richard Foster wrote a reflection upon an afternoon with his son, Nathan. It is a timeless offering on the importance of gratitude.