Religious Affections

• Introduction
  • + - The Essence of True Spirituality (Ch. 1)

    • Question: What is the nature of true spirituality and those features in the human soul that are acceptable in the sight of God? (p. 37)

      + - Answer: 1 Peter 1:8

      • + - Context: vv. 6-7:

        • "[Trials and suffering] have a unique capacity to highlight the differences between what is true and sincere in the heart of a person as over against what is false and hypocritical.

          "Trials and pains purify and increase true spirituality."

          Our ability to rejoice amid anguish is based on two things

          • Duration of trials
            • "for a little while" (v. 6)
          • Design of trials
            • + - purify our faith (v. 7)

              • Sanctify us

                Conform us to the image of Christ

                Ps. 119:67, 71

                • Affliction > keeping law/statutes

                ~ When we are subjected to the heat of persecution and tribulation, hypocrisy, pride, and self-sufficiency are progressively (though never perfectly) destroyed (see Ps. 66:10; Mal. 3:3; Isa. 48:10).

            • God never wastes pain
      • ~ What remains (v. 8) is true Christianity
        • + - Illustrations (p. 39)

          • Block of granite under a master sculptor, chiseling "away everything that doesn't look like a man"

            Athlete recommitted "to a rigorous exercise program" ("The physical effect of exercise on his body is analogous to the spiritual effect of trials on our faith.")

        • + - True spirituality consists of ...
          • Love for Jesus

            • "Though [Peter's] readers did not see Christ with the physical eye, their spiritual vision was one of unashamed and extravagant affection for the Son of God," undiminished by "outward suffering."

          • Joy in Jesus (p. 40)

            • "Manner or means by which it rises in the human heart" : Belief ("faith, belief and trust in the Son of God")

              Nature of this joy

              • Inexpressible
              • Filled with glory

      + - Conclusion

      • "True spirituality or true religion consists in great measure in _holy affections_."
      • Questions re: "affection" (p. 41)

        • What does it mean?

          How does it differ, if at all, from our word "emotion"?

          Is it the same as the word "passion"?

          Does Peter really believe true spirituality to consist in holy affections?

          Are there other affections aside from love and joy that Scripture identifies as embodying the essence of authentic faith?

  • + - Spiritual Affections (Ch. 2)
    • + - Definition of "affection" as used here (p. 43)
      • Not romantic feelings between a man and a woman
      • "The more vigorous and sensible exercises of the inclination and will of the soul."
    • + - God created the soul with two faculties
      • Understanding ("mind")

        • "that by which [the soul] is capable of perception
          and speculation, or by which it discerns and views
          and judges of things"

      • + - Inclination ("will" or "heart")

        • "That by which the soul goes beyond mere
          perception or understanding and is in
          some way either inclined toward or averse
          to what it grasps."

          "Not indifferent"

          • "Either likes or dislikes"
          • "Is pleased or displeased"
          • "Approves or rejects"

          Inclination vis a vis "those actions that are governed by it" = "will" or "heart"

    • + - Observations
      • Inclination approves or disapproves of what the mind perceives
        • Varying degrees of both delight and disgust
      • Perceptions can affect the body (p. 44)

        • "The word 'affections,' therefore, describes the more 'vigorous and sensible exercises' of this faculty of soul by which we are either greatly drawn to or driven from some reality as perceived by the understanding."

          "Affections, then, are warm and fervid inclinations that reveal the fundamental orientation of the human heart."

          [Personal notes:]

          • + - Observations
            • There is reality.
            • There is perception.
            • There are degrees of response.
            • There is a fundamental orientation of the human heart that is revealed in the affections.
            • The way I respond to the reality around me reveals the orientation of my heart.
          • + - Questions

            • How comprehensive is my perception of reality?

              Do I consider the reality of the things around me in this world in the context of the reality that God reveals in His word? Or do I leave God out?

              What are the things that I respond to strongly? What do they reveal about my heart? [ongoing question to consider]

    • Difference between mind and body
    • Difference between "affections" and "passions"
    • Difference between "affections" and "emotions" or "feelings"
  • Biblical Foundations for Understanding the Affections (Ch. 3)
  • The Affections in Prayer, Praise, and Preaching (Ch. 4)
• Signs of Nothing
  • Ch. 5
  • Ch. 6
• Signs of Authentic Affections