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

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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