A Heart Aflame for God: Rediscovering Puritan Wisdom for Spiritual Formation
- Amber Thiessen
- Jul 30
- 5 min read
What does it really mean to keep your heart aflame for God?
In A Heart Aflame for God, Matthew Bingham takes us back to the Puritans—a people deeply committed to this very question. Drawing from their wisdom and practices, he shows how cultivating a heart passionate for God isn’t just for a bygone era but is still the center of the Christian life today.
A Heart Aflame for God | Book Review
Content
Content
Purpose of the Book
In A Heart Aflame for God, Matthew C. Bingham invites readers to rediscover what it really means to pursue spiritual growth—not by chasing the latest trend but by leaning into the rich, biblical practices of the Reformed tradition.
He reminds us that the depth of spiritual life we often long for isn’t found in something new or flashy but in faithfully “keeping the heart,” as the Puritans called it. Through practices like prayer, meditation, and self-examination, Bingham points us back to the simple yet profound work of tending our hearts before the Lord, showing that this is truly “the most important business of a Christian’s life.”
Table of Contents
Introduction
Part 1: Foundations
Chapter 1: Spiritual Formation: A Simple Concept with a Complicated History
Chapter 2: Spiritual Formation in a Reformation Key: Five Solas for Head and Heart
Part 2: The Reformation Triangle
Chapter 3: Scripture: Hearing from God
Chapter 4: Meditation: Reflecting on God
Chapter 5: Prayer: Responding to God
Part 3: Widening Our Scope
Chapter 6: Self-Examination: Looking Inward
Chapter 7: The Natural World: Looking Outward
Chapter 8: Christian Relationships: Looking to One Another
Part 4: Challenges
Chapter 9: But What about the Body?: Connecting the Spiritual and the Physical
Chapter 10: When Things Go Wrong: Wrestling with Spiritual Weakness
Epilogue
Summary
Bingham begins by introducing the Puritan concept of “keeping the heart”—cultivating and maintaining a heart aflame for God—as central to Christian living. He explores how this inward work is rooted in Scripture and forms the foundation for growth in grace. From there, he examines key spiritual disciplines practiced by the Reformers, including meditation, prayer, and self-examination, unpacking how these means of grace both reflect sound Reformed theology and foster an ever-growing relationship with Christ.
In the later chapters, Bingham widens the lens, considering how our spiritual formation is shaped not only by our personal practices but also by our engagement with the world and with others. He addresses the value of self-examination, seeing God’s hand in the natural world, and the role of Christian community in encouraging and sharpening our faith. He also reflects on the connection between our physical bodies and spiritual life, reminding readers that God’s Word should guide how we live out our faith in our everyday, embodied lives. Finally, he offers encouragement for those walking through seasons of spiritual weakness, reassuring us that even in difficulty, God is at work.
Blending historical insight with practical application, Bingham helps readers see how the Puritan model of spiritual formation speaks powerfully into our modern context, offering encouragement and concrete steps for pursuing maturity in Christ.
My Take
Perhaps it’s because I read this book while spending time at our cabin by the lake, but the chapter on nature struck a deep chord with me.
It brought back memories of my childhood, when a friend and I built a fort high in the treeline behind our country home—a wide platform overlooking wheat and corn fields that seemed to stretch forever. I’d bring my Bible and journal out there, and sometimes even my guitar, sitting in the stillness with an open view of God’s creation, communing with Him in the quiet. Other times, I’d ride our three-wheeler down dusty roads to sit by the creek or bike out to the dugout, letting the wide-open skies and stillness invite me into contemplation.
Scripture tells us, “his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse” (Romans 1:20). As we take in the endless horizon, the majesty of towering mountains, or the roar of crashing waves, we can’t help but be moved by the beauty and grandeur of creation.
Bingham quotes the Belgic Confession, which beautifully states that “the universe is before our eyes like a beautiful book in which all creatures, great and small, are as letters to make us ponder the invisible things of God: his eternal power and his divinity, as the apostle Paul says in Romans 1:20.”
Creation truly does speak—a living picture book of God’s power, goodness, and beauty. It draws us into awe, reminding us of our smallness and His greatness, His purposeful creativity in all things. Yet, as Bingham helpfully reminds us, as wondrous as creation is, it is Scripture that gives us the whole truth of the gospel. Nature stirs our hearts, but the Word shapes and grounds our faith.
Reading A Heart Aflame for God reminded me that spiritual formation isn’t about chasing the newest method or trend—it’s about faithfully tending our hearts through the means God has already given us. Whether in prayer, meditation on Scripture, honest self-examination, or simply pausing to behold His glory in creation, Bingham points us back to practices that have shaped believers for centuries. It’s a call to slow down, to look to God with intention, and to keep our hearts aflame for Him.
My Recommendation
If you’re longing for a deeper walk with God and want to see how spiritual growth has been understood in the Reformed tradition, this book is worth your time. It’s especially helpful if you’re curious about how these practices differ from many modern approaches or if you enjoy learning from the rich history of the Puritans.
Quick Stats
# of Pages: 368
Level of Difficulty: Moderate — because Bingham writes with an academic tone, weaving history and theology into his reflections on spiritual formation.
My Rating: 4 stars
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Scriptures About Keeping the Heart
“Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life.”(Prov.4:23)
“Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!” (Ps. 139:23-24)
“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Matt. 6:21)
“If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.” (Col.3:1-2)
“Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.” (James 4:8)
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*A big thanks to Crossway for the complimentary copy of this book and for the opportunity to post an honest review
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