216. Overcoming 'Puny' Spirituality, with Warren Brown and Brad Strawn, authors of Enhancing Christian Life

Spiritual Life and Leadership

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In this episode, Warren Brown and Brad Strawn, authors of Enhancing Christian Life, explain how contemporary Christian practices can often lead to what they call a 'puny' experience of Christianity that elevates personal feelings of closeness to God over outward expressions of faith. They argue for a robust, 'supersized' form of Christian life, where followers of Jesus are deeply connected with their church community, contributing to and drawing from a shared life that reflects the teachings of Jesus in tangible and embodied ways.
THIS EPISODE'S HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE:

• Warren Brown and Brad Strawn discuss the premise of their book addressing the problem of individualism in Christian life.
• They elaborate on how this individualism leads to a disembodied Christian life, where the body is given lower status compared to the soul.
• The concept of "supersizing" Christian life is introduced, suggesting that a communal approach to faith and acknowledging the physical nature of human existence can enhance one’s spiritual experience.
• Warren Brown stresses that humans are not separate entities of bodies and souls, but fundamentally bodies, which challenges traditional dualistic views.
• Brad Strawn emphasizes the importance of community and visible actions as markers of a genuine Christian life.
• The problem of Christian life being treated as a private, individualistic experience is critiqued, promoting a more communal and outward-focused practice.
• Both guests discuss the transformative power of living out Christian faith in communal and practical ways, such as through church congregations actively engaging in charitable acts.
• The conversation shifts towards the errors of mind-body dualism, reinforcing the idea that spiritual experiences should not be isolated from physical and communal contexts.
• Brad Strawn argues that even solitary spiritual practices like meditation are enriched and informed by communal and historical church practices.
• The dialogue covers how internal spiritual states (often considered private) should ideally reflect and be influenced by one's external actions and community engagements.
• The discussion concludes by considering the broader implications of their ideas on church practices, emphasizing an active, outward-looking approach to faith that integrates personal reflection with communal action.

RELEVANT RESOURCES AND LINKS:

• Books mentioned:
  • Enhancing Christian Life, by Warren Brown and Brad Strawn
  • The Physical Nature of Christian Life, by Warren Brown
  • Did My Neurons Make Me Do It? by Warren Brown and Nancy Murphy
  • The Extended Mind, by Annie Murphy-Paul
• Fuller Studio - Brad Strawn lectures
• Related episodes:
  • A Crisis of Adult Discipleship, with Brian Wallace
  • Spiritual Leadership in the Digital Space, with Laura Murray
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