Six Biblical Characters, Six Streams of Faith—Introduction An Advent/Christmas Series Based on Richard Foster’s Streams of Living Water

This is part of the worship series, 
"Six Biblical Characters, Six Traditions of Faith”

Series Introduction 
 Advent 1  | Advent 2 | Advent 3 | Advent 4  
 Christmas Eve/Day | Christmas 1 

Introduction

Some time ago, while reading Richard Foster’s book Streams of Living Water (New York: HarperCollins Publishers, 1998), it occurred to me that it would be a good idea to plan a series of worship services based on this book. I was also beginning to plan for the upcoming Advent and Christmas services. As I began to explore the possibilities of combining the two ideas, I was struck by how nicely the two fit together.    

In his book, Foster contends that the Christian religion is comprised of six great traditions of faith:

Using the image of a river that swells as its tributaries flow into it, Foster refers to these traditions as “streams of spiritual life” that combine to produce a community of life and faith which he calls “a mighty river of the Spirit.” He notes that each of these streams developed independently from the others and was characterized by specific historical, cultural, and geographical features, but that “the astonishing new reality in this mighty flow of the Spirit is how sovereignly God is bringing together streams of life that have been isolated from one another for a very long time” (p. xv).

The best of the Reformed tradition incorporates all of these streams in its worship and witness. Perhaps the Evangelical stream, or the “Word-centered life,” as Foster also identifies it, comes closest to the Reformed tradition, since it affirms the primacy of God’s self-revelation in creation, Scripture, and Jesus Christ as the guide for thoughtful Christian witness. But certainly faithful Reformed worship will address such things as the need for personal renewal and social justice—issues which, historically at least, have frequently received more emphasis in Christian traditions other than our own. Could it be that each of these six streams beckons Reformed Christians to rediscover the best of their own tradition?

In his book, Foster identifies one biblical character who he believes best represents each of the streams. In my service planning I was especially intrigued by the discovery of how individuals associated with the Christmas story in the gospels also represent each of these streams. Another way that this series reflected these streams was the inclusion of a prayer written by a historical representative of each particular stream, as identified by Foster. The prayers are from The Complete Book of Christian Prayer (see review on p. 39).

I was able to use this series to plan for the four Sundays of Advent, Christmas Day, and the Sunday after Christmas. (In 2002, all six of these services fall in the month of December.) I used the assigned lectionary readings for Year B as the scripture readings that informed the liturgy and candle lighting. However, for the gospel lesson, which was also the sermon text, I chose a passage related to the person who exemplified the particular stream.

The series helped us to see the big picture of the Christian faith. Many people appreciated the emphasis on the diversity of the Christian faith. 

They also expressed appreciation for the opportunity to discover how Reformed Christians could benefit from the contributions other Christians have made to the broader family of Christianity, and how Reformed folks have contributions to make as well.

While believers often focus on the differences between faith traditions, this series called us to remember the one thing that binds Christians of all time, places, and doctrinal distinctiveness together: the worship of the Child of Bethlehem. Preparing for the birth of Jesus in this context also stimulated our Advent hope for his return—when the one church of Jesus Christ will be cleansed of all that has divided it, and when those who have gathered around the throne of the Lamb, from which the river of the water of life flows (Rev. 22:1), will be eternally united in their worship of God.

Series Image

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Series Outline

Revised Common Lectionary

Year B: Advent