This is part of a discussion series on a 5 part Lecture Series presented by Dr. John Coe at the Institute for Spiritual Formation (click here for audio and

The Story of Mary and Martha gives us one look of a Christian moralist

notes of the lecture)

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In this first lecture, John Coe makes the case that true Christian Spiritual Formation is not simply about becoming a “good boy or girl”. Despite this fact, Christian spirituality often becomes just that – moral formation. He calls this the Moral Temptation:

Moral Temptation: the attempt of the hidden heart (not conscious) to try to perfect oneself in the power of the self, the attempt to use formation, the spiritual disciplines, being good etc, to relieve the burden of spiritual failure, lack of love and the guilt and shame that results. To try to relieve that burden that Christ alone can relieve.

When we try to use spirituality or spiritual activities for the purpose of either making us good or making us feel better about our hidden heart of sin, we are returning to the “law of sin and death” (Romans 8:2) – or in today’s terms moralism. It is very easy to slip into this mode of being, mainly because it is part of our nature. But, this is what Christ has set us free from!

Dr. Coe looks at Galatians 3:1-3 in which the Apostle Paul addresses this very problem.

You foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you? Before your very eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed as crucified. I would like to learn just one thing from you: Did you receive the Spirit by observing the law, or by believing what you heard? Are you so foolish? After beginning with the Spirit, are you now trying to attain your goal by human effort?

In this lecture, I think Dr. Coe touches on a foundational element of spiritual formation – the biblical balance (maybe balance isn’t the best word – interplay may be better) between our effort and God’s activity. We very often swing between two extremes of depending on our own effort or God’s when it comes to our formation. However, as Dallas Willard points out, the opposite of grace is not effort it is “works”. By “works” he means the human effort that is done in the mindset of “I can do this myself”.

Perhaps the most poignant thought is that when we become Christian Moralists, Christ becomes of no use to us.

Galatians 5:1-2 – It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.  Mark my words! I, Paul, tell you that if you let yourselves be circumcised, Christ will be of no value to you at all.

I would argue also that when we go the route of moral formation, the Holy Spirit also becomes of little benefit as well. Paul tells us in 2 Corinthians 3:18 that our spiritual formation into Christ’s likeness is the work of the Spirit. When we try to do it on our own through moralism, we basically push the Holy Spirit aside saying “I’ve got this one”.

So what are your thoughts from the lecture? Do you agree or disagree? How have you seen the temptation to moralism creep up in your own life?