Rachel Whisman

There is much noise in Christianity today on what to do to love God more. There are different “practices” or “disciplines” that pastors and influencers have inundated Christians with. So much noise that it is challenging for Christians to decipher what is helpful. The more options given, the faster it seems that people are quick to desert the means of grace that God has already given for us to grow in sanctification. That is why reading Dr. Matthew Bingham’s new release, A Heart Aflame: A Reformed Approach to Spiritual Formation, was a breath of fresh air. 

 Dr. Matthew Bingham set out to go back in history to the 16th and 17th centuries to learn from a group of people who had a vibrant, passionate, and zealous relationship with the Lord, the Puritans. Inquiring from them, “What did they do to foster a devotion to the Lord? What can we learn from them?” These were answered in the balance of an interconnected triangle of prayer, meditation, and scripture. Bingham states, “We hear from God through His word, we reflect on what we’ve heard in meditation, and we then respond to God in prayer.” A simple answer, but one that has stood the test of time and keeps the focus on God. At the beginning of his book, he leads the reader by building on a sturdy foundation of who we are in Christ. Then, he meticulously navigates the reader through an exposition on the themes of scripture, meditation, and prayer, with the voices of the Puritans woven throughout. 

While reading, it was as if I had a front row seat in one of his seminary classes, gleaning much knowledge through the academic discourse as well as receiving touches of pastoral care from his insights, as well as the Puritans. At the end of his book, Bingham directs the reader to consider different scopes in which the triangle is used, as well as the challenges and arguments posed by others. With this tone throughout the book, seminary students, pastors, and those in leadership at Church would find this book stimulating, thought-provoking, as well as nourishing for the soul. 

From this book, the “reformation triangle: prayer, meditation, scripture” has been an invaluable tool that I have already gotten to use personally, as well as share with my friends and those that I mentor. Bingham brings to light a balance, which I have often neglected, in approaching communion with God. I am either too heady with just reading scripture and neglecting prayer, or just praying without returning to scripture or meditating on His word. Having this visual of the three means of grace working together has helped me to slow down during my “quiet times”, made me more mindful when praying with others, as well as when I go for a walk. Bingham set out to provide clarity on the means of spiritual formation, and he achieved that. With these means of grace, when working together, by the Spirit and our participation, will kindle a fire in our hearts that is aflame for God.

Notable Quotes

“We must be free to give ourselves to the real work of keeping the heart for God without worrying that our imperfect efforts to that end will result in eternal damnation.” -Matthew Bingham, pg.65

“It is the slipperiness of our hearts in reference to the Word that causes so many slips in our lives…We never lose our hearts til they have first lost efficacious and powerful impression of the Word.” -John Flavel, pg.90-91

“If I want to be ‘like a tree planted/ by streams of water/ that yields its fruits in its season,’ then the answer is not to create an individualized pastiche of attractive disciplines from a list limited only by my imagination. Rather, the God-given means at my disposal is clear and is universally applicable: I need to take “delight in the law of the Lord” and meditate on it “day and night”  (Ps. 1:2-3).” – Matthew Bingham, pg.93-94

“Meditate upon the word; do not study the word in cursory manner, or content yourselves with a slight taste, or a little volatile affection; but ponder it seriously so it may enter into your very heart. Hasty and perfunctory work nothing.” Manton, pg.146

In hearing the word we receive the Will of God, but in prayer we offer our will to God, that it may be received by Him.” William Ames, pg. 171

“God can pick sense out of a confused prayer. These desires cry louder in his ears than your sins.” -Richard Sibbes, A Heart Aflame, pg. 181

“In that measure that any known sin is cherished, delight in God will certainly decay.” -Richard Baxter, pg.314