Erosion of Spiritual Foundations in Christian Life
The erosion of spiritual foundations in Christian life refers to the gradual decline or corruption of the fundamental principles and practices that undergird a believer's relationship with God. This concept is rooted in biblical teachings, such as Ephesians 4:18, which describes those who are "darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the hardening of their hearts" [1].
The New Testament emphasizes the importance of maintaining a strong spiritual foundation, warning against the dangers of departing from the fundamental teachings of Christ (Galatians 3:3, [7]). The apostle Paul cautions against building on the foundation of Christ with "wood, hay, stubble" rather than "gold, silver, precious stones" (1 Corinthians 3:12-15), highlighting the need for a robust and enduring spiritual edifice [5].
Reformed theologians like Charles Hodge and John Calvin stress that a genuine Christian life is characterized by a supernatural work of regeneration, which involves the implanting of a new principle or form of life [2, 4]. However, this new life is not immune to the influences of sin and corruption. Hodge notes that believers can "relapse into their wonted state of insensibility" if they do not continue to cultivate their spiritual lives [8].
The erosion of spiritual foundations can occur through various means, including a lack of attention to spiritual growth, exposure to false teachings, or a failure to maintain a vibrant prayer life. According to Jamieson, Fausset & Brown, those who "began in the Spirit" but then turn to "fleshly ordinances" are seeking to be "made perfect" through human means rather than relying on the power of the Holy Spirit [7].
The consequences of eroding spiritual foundations can be severe. Paul warns that those who "defile" the temple of God (the Church) will be destroyed by God (1 Corinthians 3:17, [5]). Matthew Henry emphasizes that Jesus Christ is the only foundation on which believers can build their hopes of heaven, and that any other foundation is shifting sand [6].
In the view of Reformed theology, the restoration of spiritual vitality requires a return to the fundamental principles of the Christian life, including a deepening reliance on the Holy Spirit and a commitment to living a life conformed to Christ [9]. As Calvin notes, the Christian life involves a love of righteousness and a conformity to Christ, which is achieved through the power of the Spirit [9].
The early Church Fathers also recognized the importance of maintaining a strong spiritual foundation. Hermas, for example, is cited by some as warning against the dangers of spiritual complacency and the need for ongoing spiritual vigilance [3].
Sources
- Ephesians “being darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the hardening of their hearts; -- Ephesians 4:18”
- CCEL (Reformed (Old Princeton)) “Charles Hodge, Systematic Theology, Vol. 3, section 5: the cause. Doctrine of Delitzsch. Delitzsch devotes one division of his “Biblical Psychology” to the subject of regeneration. He begins the discussion with a discourse on Christ’s person. “When we wish to consider the new spiritual life of the redeemed man, we proceed from the divine human archetype, the person of the Redeemer.” 53 53 A System of Biblical Psychology, by Franz Delitzsch, D. D., translated by R. R. Wallis, Ph. D.; Edinburgh, 1867, p. 381. Man was, as to his spirit and soul, originally constituted in the image of God; the spi”
- Schaff ANF/NPNF (Patristic) “ANF Vol 2: Hermas, Tatian, Theophilus, Athenagoras, Clement of Alexandria — ELUCIDATIONS. (part 3): poem. (3) And hence it must be credited to the later Hermas, whose name and authorship are alone supported by external testimony, as well as internal evidence. II. (Similitude Ninth, cap. xi. p. 47, note 1.) Westcott is undoubtedly correct in connecting this strange passage with one of the least defensible experiments of early Christian living. Gibbon finds in this experiment nothing but an opportunity for his scurrility.[4] A true philosopher will regard it very differently; and here, once and ”
- CCEL (Reformed (Old Princeton)) “Charles Hodge, Systematic Theology, Vol. 3, section 5: ), spirit, soul, and body, up to the standard of the life of Christ, in whom the divine and human are merged into one, or rather appear in their original oneness. The communication of the theanthropic life to the soul is an act of the divine Spirit in which we have neither agency nor consciousness. Delitzsch infers from what our Lord said to Nicodemus, John iii. that “The operation of the Spirit of regeneration is, therefore, (1.) A free one, withdrawn from the power of human volition, of human special agency. (2.) A mysterious one, lying ”
- 1 Corinthians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 Corinthians 3:17: If any . . . defile . . . destroy--rather as the Greek verb is the same in both cases, "destroy . . . destroy." God repays in kind by a righteous retaliation. The destroyer shall himself be destroyed. As temporal death was the penalty of marring the material temple (Lev 16:2; Dan 5:2-3, Dan 5:30), so eternal death is the penalty of marring the spiritual temple--the Church. The destroyers here (Co1 3:16-17), are distinct from the unwise or unskilful builders (Co1 3:12, Co1 3:15); the latter held fast the "foundation" (Co1 3:11), and, therefore, t”
- 1 Corinthians (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on 1 Corinthians 3:11: Here the apostle informs us what foundation he had laid at the bottom of all his labours among them - even Jesus Christ, the chief corner-stone, Eph 2:20. Upon this foundation all the faithful ministers of Christ build. Upon this rock all the Christians found their hopes. Those that build their hopes of heaven on any other foundation build upon the sand. Other foundation can no man lay besides what is laid - even Jesus Christ. Note, The doctrine of our Saviour and his mediation is the principal doctrine of Christianity. It lies at the bottom, and is the fou”
- Galatians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Galatians 3:3: begun--the Christian life (Phi 1:6). in the Spirit--Not merely was Christ crucified "graphically set forth" in my preaching, but also "the Spirit" confirmed the word preached, by imparting His spiritual gifts. "Having thus begun" with the receiving His spiritual gifts, "are ye now being made perfect" (so the Greek), that is, are ye seeking to be made perfect with "fleshly" ordinances of the law? [ESTIUS]. Compare Rom 2:28; Phi 3:3; Heb 9:10. Having begun in the Spirit, that is, the Holy Spirit ruling your spiritual life as its "essence and active p”
- CCEL (Reformed (Old Princeton)) “Charles Hodge, Systematic Theology, Vol. 2, section 138: and the sinner relapses into his wonted state of insensibility, his faith disappears. To this class of persons our Saviour refers when He speaks of those who receive the Word in stony places or among thorns. Of such examples of temporary faith there are numerous instances given in the Scriptures, and they are constantly occurring within our daily observation. In the third place, the state of mind induced by these common operations of the Spirit, often leads to reformation, and to an externally religious life. The sense of the truth and i”
- CCEL (Reformed) “John Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion, section 106: Contrition of the Sophists, and auricular Confession (as they call it), and the Satisfaction of actual performance, are opposed to the free forgiveness of sins. 49. The two parts of a Christian life are laid down: 1. The love of righteousness; that we may be holy, because God is holy, and because we are united to him, and are reckoned among his people; 2. That a rule may be prescribed to us, which does not permit us to wander in the course of righteousness, and that we may be conformed to Christ. A model of this is laid down to us”