A Heart Aflame for God: A Reformed Approach to Spiritual Formation

How 21st-Century Evangelicals Can Pursue Spiritual Growth through Early Modern Puritan Piety

“Keep your heart” (Proverbs 4:23) . “Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling” (Philippians 2:12) . “Grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 3:18) . Scripture beckons Christians toward obedience and maturity, but many modern approaches to spiritual formation are less than biblical. In A Heart Aflame for God , Matthew C. Bingham studies God-ordained spiritual practices modeled by the 16th- and 17th-century Reformers.

Primarily drawing from Puritan tradition, Bingham shows readers how to balance belief in salvation through faith with a responsibility for one’s personal spiritual growth. He studies biblical practices—including meditation, prayer, and self-examination—from a Protestant perspective. Blending historical analysis and practical application, this edifying study cultivates a greater understanding of Reformed theology and an ever-growing relationship with God.

Puritan Tradition for Modern Evangelicals: Shows readers how classic Protestant traditions—including prayer, meditation, and appreciation for the natural world—steer wayward hearts toward Christ Rich Reformed Perspective: Presents spiritual formation practices that are consistent with the 5 solas of the Protestant Reformation Intermediate-Level Study: Written for theological students, pastors, and Christians interested in early modern Reformed theologians