New Title and Introduction
[Disclaimer: What follows is a work in progress. Feedback and discussion are encouraged.]
One of the overt tasks of the Army Chaplaincy is this thing called "Spiritual Fitness." There's some obscure Army Pamphlet out there that describes what that is but, practically speaking, what it boils down to is the occassional Prayer Breakfast or Special Worship Service. It's a term that was probably coined by some chaplain long ago, hoping to cash in on the physical fitness "boon." "Spiritual Fitness" is nothing more than a catch phrase for the most part.
Still, one of the things that I have spent a lot of time doing here in Iraq is physical fitness. Since I have been here, I have run over 350 miles and I have swum 65,400 meters, which is just over 40 miles. In my efforts, I have been reading a lot about techniques in training to improve my abilities at these sports. I've read about such things as periodization, specificity in training, work/ recovery cycles, balancing multiple disciplines (as in triathlon training), the effects of physical stress on the physiological system, and so much more. These are all techniques and knowledge that can help one to greatly improve their physical fitness and performance at particular sports as well as increase general fitness. I find it all quite fascinating.
One morning, while I was in the middle of a 5k race, I had a thought occur to me: A race is a physical test for which one is able to prepare. Can one prepare for spiritual tests as well? Is there a way to train one's "faith" so that it is more resilient when the tests come about?
And, I wonder if there is a cross-over. Over the next few weeks or months or so, I am going to post some of my thoughts and feelings about this just to put them out there and see if what I am thinking makes sense and isn't too heretical. (I can already hear my conservative Lutheran brethren rolling their eyes at the thought. While I haven't been able to check yet, I'm pretty sure that Luther is silent on the matter.)
So, just to get things started, here's the premise that I am working under: Can physical training techniques and practices be used as a template for spiritual "training?" Can the generalities and principles of physical fitness program be adapted for a spiritual one? My initial answer is "yes" with the understanding that it's not universal. I think there are some things from the physical fitness realm that can be used in the area of spiritual fitness.
One of the overt tasks of the Army Chaplaincy is this thing called "Spiritual Fitness." There's some obscure Army Pamphlet out there that describes what that is but, practically speaking, what it boils down to is the occassional Prayer Breakfast or Special Worship Service. It's a term that was probably coined by some chaplain long ago, hoping to cash in on the physical fitness "boon." "Spiritual Fitness" is nothing more than a catch phrase for the most part.
Still, one of the things that I have spent a lot of time doing here in Iraq is physical fitness. Since I have been here, I have run over 350 miles and I have swum 65,400 meters, which is just over 40 miles. In my efforts, I have been reading a lot about techniques in training to improve my abilities at these sports. I've read about such things as periodization, specificity in training, work/ recovery cycles, balancing multiple disciplines (as in triathlon training), the effects of physical stress on the physiological system, and so much more. These are all techniques and knowledge that can help one to greatly improve their physical fitness and performance at particular sports as well as increase general fitness. I find it all quite fascinating.
One morning, while I was in the middle of a 5k race, I had a thought occur to me: A race is a physical test for which one is able to prepare. Can one prepare for spiritual tests as well? Is there a way to train one's "faith" so that it is more resilient when the tests come about?
And, I wonder if there is a cross-over. Over the next few weeks or months or so, I am going to post some of my thoughts and feelings about this just to put them out there and see if what I am thinking makes sense and isn't too heretical. (I can already hear my conservative Lutheran brethren rolling their eyes at the thought. While I haven't been able to check yet, I'm pretty sure that Luther is silent on the matter.)
So, just to get things started, here's the premise that I am working under: Can physical training techniques and practices be used as a template for spiritual "training?" Can the generalities and principles of physical fitness program be adapted for a spiritual one? My initial answer is "yes" with the understanding that it's not universal. I think there are some things from the physical fitness realm that can be used in the area of spiritual fitness.