July 19, 2025
Several years ago, my friend Joe Crider recommended a book on discipleship by Eugene Peterson called A Long Obedience in the Same Direction. Interestingly, the title is taken from a statement that Friederic Nietzsche had made. Knowing that Nietzsche was not only not a Christian, but a philosopher who was antireligious, the title is intriguing. Anyway, I finally got around to reading Peterson’s book and found it to be both helpful and interesting.
Peterson begins the book by noting two terms that describe Christ followers – Disciples and Pilgrims. We are those who are learning and growing to be like Jesus. We are also people who are headed somewhere, as Peterson states: “we are going to God” (11). Peterson develops the idea of pilgrims based on the Psalms of Ascent (Psalms 120-134). These are the psalms that were sung by pilgrims as they made their way to Jerusalem to worship God.
From these psalms, Peterson identifies characteristics and realities that describe (or should describe) followers of Jesus. His list includes repentance, trust in God’s providence, worship, service, help, security, joy, work, happiness, perseverance, hope, humility, obedience, community, and blessing. Each chapter holds several gold nuggets to be found. And while there is not time to identify the nuggets from each chapter, I will comment on a few chapters.
In Psalm 120, Peterson focuses on repentance. While daily repentance ought to be a reality for Christians, Peterson’s focus is more on the initial aspect of repentance when a sinner recognizes the emptiness of pursuing life apart from God and thus begins to follow Jesus Christ. He suggests that repentance is about deciding that we have been wrong about managing our own life and being our own god. Repentance is concluding that we can’t make it on our own and deciding that God in Jesus Christ is telling the truth (24). Repentance (and I would argue, the faith that accompanies it) is the first step of discipleship – the path to true peace with God.
Peterson identifies worship as the characteristic in Psalm 124, calling it one of the most important acts in the life of the disciple (43). He goes on to say, “worship is an act that develops feelings for God, not a feeling for God that is expressed in an act of worship” (48). I find this to be a profound statement. Worship includes feelings but ought not be driven by feelings. He goes on to say, “when we obey the command to praise God in worship, our deep, essential need to be in relationship with God is nurtured” (48). As I’ve contemplated this chapter, I might suggest that worship is the MOST important priority in the life of the disciple.
In Psalm 126, Peterson focuses on joy, saying that it is a characteristic of Christian pilgrimage (90). The topic of joy can be hard for Christians as some want to identify it with happiness or with personality types. But what Peterson wants us to see is that "joy is not a requirement of Christian discipleship, but a consequence of it. It is not what we have to acquire in order to experience life in Christ; it is what comes to us when we are walking the way of faith and obedience” (90). When we focus not on our circumstances or on ourselves, but on God, then we find that He is dependable, and His promises are sure. This leads to joy!
The last chapter I will comment on is chapter 15. Peterson identifies community as the characteristic that stands out in psalm 133. This is perhaps my favorite chapter in the book. Peterson makes pertinent observations and comments that challenge modern day thinking when it comes to church community. As it relates to faith, Peterson states that “God never makes private, secret salvation deals with people. His relationships with us are personal, true; intimate, yes; but private, no” (169). Peterson challenges the thinking that the Christian life can be lived apart from others. He writes, “the Bible knows nothing of a religion defined by what a person does inwardly in the privacy of thought or feeling (171). I appreciate that Peterson notes that relationships are not always easy. Christians do not always get along, just as siblings do not always get along. He notes that selfishness is often the culprit for disunity (173) and emphasizes that living together in unity requires the utmost attention and energy (173). How important is it for us to humble ourselves, seek the good of others, and pray for grace to maintain Christian community that pleases God.
Eugene Peterson (author of The Message, a paraphrased rendition of Scripture) has a unique way of wording things. He is a good storyteller and illustrator of spiritual truth. I would encourage you to consider reading this book, as I know of no other books on Christian Discipleship like it.
Pastor Nate