Formed in His Image: A Guide for Christian Formation

by Coleman M. Ford, J.T. English (Foreword)

Every day, we are being formed by what we consume and engage. From social media to the latest Netflix binge, our minds are being led by what we ingest with our eyes. Yet, the call of the Christian is to be conformed to Christ.

The work of Christian formation is an exercise in surrender of the whole self, dwelling in God's Word and allowing Him to shape and mold His people. In this book, you'll    ·       A call to recover truth, goodness, and beauty in the work of formation 
·       A clear presentation of key doctrines and the work of "getting it right" for rich Christian formation 
·       Practical guidance on developing a culture of formation within your church 
·       A call to a deepened commitment to formation through embracing humility, cultivating friendship, and pursuing a vibrant spiritual life 

Genres: Discipleship

224 pages, Paperback

Published May 30, 2023

Reviews

[Tim Michiemo · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.6 Stars

It was not a bad book, it was just an OK book. Coleman Ford does a good job of covering the doctrine of spiritual formation (discipleship) and I agreed with everything he had to say. The issue was that the book got bogged down with external quotes/references and he often glanced over complex doctrinal points. I think the problem is that spiritual formation is too broad of a topic to fit into a short 170 page book. Yet I still appreciate Ford writing this book and do think it helpful, though I think other books on spiritual formation may serve Christians better.

[Eddie LaRow · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Formed in His Image" by Coleman Ford is a powerful and thought-provoking book that delves into the core of our identity and the transformative power of Christian spiritual formation. Ford explores how our identity, or rather the identity we long for, is often shaped by narratives and causes we embrace, whether in politics, social causes, or even through social media.

However, the author emphasizes that, as Christians, our true identity is not crafted by social media influencers or popular trends. Still, it is imparted to us through our faith in Christ and sealed in baptism. Ford beautifully highlights how our story as believers is grounded in the authoritative word of God, revealing the true story of creation, redemption, and the cosmic battle between good and evil.

The book is divided into two parts: Doctrinal Foundations for Christian Formation and Practical Foundations for Christian Formation, each chapter building upon the previous to provide a comprehensive exploration of the topic. In the first part, Ford emphasizes the importance of understanding concepts such as beauty, imagination, the Trinity, union with Christ, and the role of the Holy Spirit in shaping our formation as Christians. He skillfully weaves together theology and practical application, grounding the reader in a solid doctrinal foundation.

Moving into the second part, Ford examines the practical aspects of Christian formation, addressing the formation of the corporate body and the personal body. He delves into the significance of humility, friendship, and the pursuit of a life aligned with the principles of the Kingdom of God. Throughout these chapters, the author challenges readers to actively engage in the process of formation, both in the context of corporate worship and private devotion.

I highly recommend "Formed in His Image" to all believers who desire to deepen their understanding of Christian formation and its transformative impact on their lives. Coleman Ford's captivating writing style and his ability to seamlessly integrate theology and practical application make this book a valuable resource for individuals, small groups, and even church communities.

In a world filled with competing narratives and causes, "Formed in His Image" offers a refreshing and compelling reminder of our true identity in Christ and our calling to live out His story. It is a must-read for anyone seeking to embrace their role as ambassadors of a different kingdom, guided by different priorities and ruled by a different King.

[Joan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Spiritual formation has been an interest of mine for decades and I had high hopes for this book. I was particularly impressed by the authors realizing a kind of spiritual formation appealing to the intellect has not served us well. “Only when we see formation as an exercise in love, not information, will our Christian life begin to flourish.” (136/2118) They suggest the use of imagination. They say our aim should be “knowing and enjoying God in his manifest works in the world and salvation.” (319/2118) They appeal to the historic idea that the pinnacle of Christian life is beholding God in his infinite wonder and beauty. We are off to a good start, I thought.

However, when the authors write of the work of the Spirit, they suggest understanding that work, as act of the intellect, the accumulation of information, rather than a spiritual endeavor. While they do later write about meditating on the Word, there is no encouragement to learn how to sense the leading of the Spirit. In fact, they say we are not to depend on spiritual and emotional experiences but rather the “gospel fruit forged in the trials of everyday life.” (952/2118) We are not given any insights into living in the Spirit or walking in the Spirit as Paul commanded in Gal. 5:25, something I think is essential to being transformed in the inner being.

In the end, this book is typical to others on spiritual formation and does not add any new insights into means or methods. Go to church. Be in the Word. Have a spiritual friend. Learn through suffering.

I received a complimentary egalley of this book from the publisher. My comments are an independent and honest review.

[Eric · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good addition to the many titles on Spiritual Formation. While Ford does not add new insights to the topic, "Formed in His Image" is a great reminder on the subject and reaffirms the many ways we are called to undertake our discipleship. Go to church. Read your Bible. Develop relationships with other believers. Pray. Worship. Repeat.

Unless you are already hitting all the notes perfectly, Ford provides a text that is worth your time.

Copy of the book provided by the author as a giveaway on Twitter.

[Caleb Hallsten · Rating 3 out of 5]

Overall, Coleman Ford put forth a middling book. He made some good points, and introduced some good elements. However, His opening definition of spiritual formation only made brief cameos throughout the work, and the chapters, with topics that are inseparable, did little to build on each other. Furthermore, I kept feeling like he was headed in a great direction, only to find him stop before he got all of the way there. To be fair, I am pretty sure that I am not his target audience and that it will likely be a blessing for many.

[Andrea (andreareadsalot) · Rating 3 out of 5]

I did this on audio. Maybe paper or ebook would have been a better format? I’m not sure.

I didn’t love that every chapter had to have a movie or Hollywood tie-in especially because some of the references weren’t appropriate. A Stepbrothers reference does not belong in a book focusing on Christ and felt detracting.

The content overall was Biblical but the tone of the book sometimes felt more flippant than serious.

Overall Rating: 3/5