In ‘Experience Jesus. Really,’ Eldredge addresses an important problem with discipleship, but he points readers in an unhelpful direction.
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In recent years, self-help and productivity gurus have increasingly turned to ancient wisdom to inspire modern audiences. Few have done so as successfully as Ryan Holiday, whose books, like Right Thing, Right Now, apply the philosophy of Stoicism to modern life. His books have sold tens of millions of copies. Following Holiday’s advice, many people, from Silicon Valley elites to ordinary podcast listeners, regularly consult the sayings of the Stoics to manage their lives, pursue virtue, and face hardship.
Many evangelicals seem interested in doing something similar with Christian mysticism. Spiritual formation gurus like John Mark Comer and other modern mystics might not be quoting Marcus Aurelius, but you’ll hear names such as Brother Lawrence, Julian of Norwich, and John of the Cross.
