The Ancient Ladder: A Journey to the Fullness of Life with God

By Scott MacLellan

For all of us longing to find purpose beyond suffering and faith beyond despair, The Ancient Ladder explores the biblically based three-step spiritual passage that ancient mystics saw as the way to follow Jesus toward Christian maturity.
 
What causes faith to transform from an intellectual knowing about God to a passionate love story with God? Scott MacLellan asked this question as his daughter battled cancer and he looked for purpose in his family’s suffering. He couldn’t believe that God was uninterested, but he also rejected trite reassurances.
 
He finally found a satisfying answer in the three-step passage—based on the writings of Solomon—that Christian mystics identified as a path through pain to true spiritual devotion. In The Ancient Ladder, Scott helps us apply the wisdom of past centuries to our challenges today as we:
 

• Move through Proverbs (fearing the Lord) to Ecclesiastes (honoring the Lord) to Song of Solomon (loving the Lord).
• Journey from stale spirituality to a robust and meaningful faith that enriches our relationships, self-awareness, and enjoyment of God.
• See with fresh eyes the big picture of the Christian life.

 
Scott helps us understand Solomon’s writings, the spiritual fruit that can come from our suffering, and our seasons of unbelief so we can let go of the people we were and become who we were meant to be.
 

• Language: English
• Publisher: David C Cook
• Release date: Nov 14, 2023
• ISBN: 9780830785506

Book preview

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What people are saying about …

The Ancient Ladder

"Great mystics of the past like Bernard of Clairvaux or Teresa of Ávila offer Christians today so much wisdom about prayer and drawing closer to Christ—but their centuries-old writings can be difficult to read and comprehend. Thank heaven for writers like Scott MacLellan, whose clarity of style and keen understanding of the spiritual life make timeless mystical teachings accessible and relevant for today. The Ancient Ladder is not some dry history book; it’s an exciting invitation into deeper intimacy with God—right here and now."

Carl McColman, author of Eternal Heart and The New Big Book of Christian Mysticism

"Many Christians are unaware of the path that leads to a full faith experience, and most are unwilling to accept the difficulties that come with being a faithful follower of Christ. But the prize is more glorious than we can imagine, and worth any price we might have to pay. The Ancient Ladder shows us what the earliest believers came to know, and their works have stood the test of time. Scott MacLellan distills thousands of pages of ancient text in a way that is easy to understand and exciting to contemplate."

Horst Schulze, cofounder and former president of the Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company

If you’ve ever wondered what it means to ‘work out your salvation,’ this collection of insights will help you do just that. Exploring the role that suffering and challenges play in quickening the spirit, the authors reveal truths that are often missed by a world that promotes superficial faith. If you want to deepen your faith to face and embrace all that God has for you, please read these pages.

Dr. Randy Ross, founder of Remarkable! and bestselling author of multiple books, including Fireproof Happiness

"The Ancient Ladder will answer the deepest personal questions that are tied to your faith. It is the only spiritual ‘blueprint’ I’ve ever read that pulls wisdom from 4,000+ years of faith leaders to explain the frustrations and failures tied to our real-life experiences today (including our biggest failures). Bottom line, I had one word to describe my personal conclusion upon finishing the book—HOPE! GOD has a plan, and my transformation is guaranteed by HIM! Go get some HOPE for yourself today … YOU are about to be transformed by The Ancient Ladder."

Dr. Jim Bechtold, chief innovation officer of CEO Forum, cofounder of Crossroads Church (Cincinnati, OH), vice chair of World Vision US

Scott MacLellan does a brilliant job of weaving Scripture, ancient mystics, his life experiences, and wonderful insights into the journey of faith. He provides a road map to intimacy with GOD by explaining the three rungs on the ancient ladder that we all must travel to experience GOD’s love. I highly recommend this book for anyone who wants to more completely understand life’s meaning, purpose, and journey and experience a deeper and more intimate relationship with GOD.

Ross Mason, founder of HINRI.org

Leaders in the marketplace believe they do not have time for stillness, silence, and solitude. It may be this false belief that keeps them from the life they desire the most. As a CEO, Scott knows this challenge very well. He also knows from experience the transformation and salvation of the soul tethered to a rhythm of life marked with contemplation and action. Rooted in the life and teachings of Jesus, spiritual guides in the early church, and saints like Gregory, Bernard, and Teresa of Ávila, Scott offers the ladder metaphor to illustrate various stages of our spiritual formation journey. He describes the terrain, normalizes our life experiences, and provides inspiration to discover a deeper meaning to our pain, suffering, disappointments, unbelief, and trauma. Through this journey you will discover life that is truly life: a deep, rich, renewing, and transforming life centered in the very heart and love of God. Don’t just read this book. Seek to experience the journey it shows. Accept the invitation to a life of freedom, hope, joy, and contentment.

Will Herring, MDiv, Abilene Christian University and senior vice president of The CEO Forum

"‘For the scribe tells us what he has read, and the prophet tells us what he has seen’ (A. W. Tozer). Thank you, Scott, for this beautifully written and insight-filled invitation to leave the land of the cold or lukewarm believer and fully engage with and experience the ‘heat’ of being embraced as one deeply loved by God. Scott paints for us a picture of devotion, fidelity, and passion through scripture, story, and many trustworthy spiritual travelers that words alone could never convey. As Scott shares what he sees, our hearts are wooed to come alive to the journey others have also seen and traveled ahead of us. We will recommend The Ancient Ladder enthusiastically and wholeheartedly to everyone we encounter desiring a deeper personal relationship with God and wondering how to begin. In this book, we believe, you will find the ‘secret treasure’ to all that is eternal and without end. We are so grateful for Scott’s new and refreshing guide to help us take an even deeper dive into the three-step spiritual progression we are all invited to choose, transforming our relationship with the Divine described as Martha becoming Peter becoming Mary, child becoming young man, or woman becoming mature adult and servant becoming friend becoming one with and completely loved by God."

Larry and Jody Green, cofounders of Cloudwalk, Atlanta, GA, www.cloudwalk.org

Having read one of Scott’s previous books, I approached this work devotionally. The experience soon crescendoed until I was led to the throne room of heaven, and into the presence of the Bridegroom. My faith walk will never be the same.

Thomas J. Manenti, retired chairman and chief executive officer of MiTek, Inc., a Berkshire Hathaway Company

I have read almost all of MacLellan’s books and this is without a doubt his best work yet. I have been stuck on the second step of the ancient ladder for years, and this book provoked two visceral responses in me. The first was a sustained inspiration for desiring and making progress toward step three. The next response was possibly of equal importance: discovering my lost compassion for all who are stuck on step one.

Shan Gastineau, senior vice president of Northmarq Commercial

THE ANCIENT LADDER

Published by David C Cook

4050 Lee Vance Drive

Colorado Springs, CO 80918 U.S.A.

Integrity Music Limited, a Division of David C Cook

Brighton, East Sussex BN1 2RE, England

The graphic circle C logo is a registered trademark of David C Cook.

All rights reserved. Except for brief excerpts for review purposes,

no part of this book may be reproduced or used in any form

without written permission from the publisher.

The website addresses recommended throughout this book are offered as a resource to you. These websites are not intended in any way to be or imply an endorsement on the part of David C Cook, nor do we vouch for their content.

Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture quotations are taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Scripture quotations marked MSG are taken from THE MESSAGE, copyright © 1993, 2018 by Eugene H. Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, represented by Tyndale House Publishers. All rights reserved.

Library of Congress Control Number 2023935150

ISBN 978-0-8307-8549-0

eISBN 978-0-8307-8550-6

© 2023 Scott MacLellan

The Team: Michael Covington, Jeff Gerke, Jack Campbell, Angela Messinger

Cover Design: James Hershberger

Cover Bio Photo: Sarah Schmitt

Dedication

For Deborah, my amazing wife and best friend, who has patiently endured my journey as I worked out my salvation over the years. You’ve loved and nurtured our family through so much difficulty. For my daughters, Sarah and Amanda, who have shown me so much of what persistence in faith looks like. We’ve experienced so many miracles together. For their sons—Caiden, Thatcher, and Dominic—who will continue on as those in our family who love the Lord. For my daughters’ husbands, Justin and Terence: I am grateful for your loving presence in our family. For my mother, father, and sister, who raised and cared for me in such a loving way. I have always counted on your unconditional love and grace.

And to my friends, family, and coworkers, who have suffered through my many failures and shortcomings: I am so very grateful for your loving presence, patience, and guidance.

For those who are in the midst of suffering and confusion, I am with you. Please know you are doing better than you think and you are closer to victory than you know.

Contents

Acknowledgments

Foreword

Introduction: Setting the Stage

1 See Ladder, Climb Ladder

2 The Off-Ladder Crowd

3 Step 1: Our Religious Experience

4 Step 2: Our Faith Is Tested … a Lot!

5 Step 3: We Fall in Love

6 The Circle—Reimagining the Ancient Ladder

Conclusion: The Enduring Journey

Notes

For more works by Scott MacLellan, visit www.awarenessofgod.org.

He spoke of the second birth of man, and of the opening of the gates of the heavens; and of angels descending and bringing peace and good cheer to all men, and of the angels ascending to the throne bearing the longings of men to the Lord God. ¹

Kahlil Gibran

Acknowledgments

Three years ago, some friends of mine, who had been patiently introducing me to contemplation, invited me to a silent retreat. I had no time for this retreat, but because they asked, I went. And my life has never been the same.

It was at this retreat that the Lord reached down and plucked me out of my complacency and blindness. It was there that The Ancient Ladder began. Had they not extended this invitation, I would have missed so very much. Thank you, thank you, Larry and Jody!

I am also very thankful to my many friends at Blackaby Ministries International, Cloudwalk Ministries, Souly Business, and the CEO Forum. It was your love, your lives, and your examples that caused me to notice, and later desire, your faith. I am eternally grateful that you showed me the way. I am forever thankful for your faith that has moved mountains … including stubborn mountains like me.

I’d like to thank Richard Blackaby for his gracious foreword and for his active presence in my life. His wisdom, his counsel, and his teaching have been a very big part of my own personal ladder. To have had the chance to know, and learn from, the Blackaby family has been one of the greatest honors of my life.

This book would not be possible were it not for the amazing team at David C Cook. In particular, I’d like to thank John Aden and Michael Covington for believing in the project, and their enthusiastic encouragement along the way. And for Jeff Gerke, my editor, who patiently guided and directed this work until it reached its own maturity and readiness to share it with the world. This book climbed its own ladder, and Jeff was there keeping me from falling off. Thank you, thank you! Thank you also to James Hershberger, Stephanie Bennett, Angela Messinger, Annette Brickbealer, and Jack Campbell. I am so very grateful to you all!

Foreword

My father, Henry Blackaby, was a mystery to many people. Some viewed him as a beloved pastor. Others saw him as an influential leader. Many called him a modern-day prophet. Some believed there was an unmistakable sense of God’s presence about him. Still others referred to him as a mystic. I was never sure if they intended that description to be a compliment or a gentle critique.

In today’s pragmatic and harried culture, leaders are praised for what they achieve. Mystics, however, seem too heavenly minded to accomplish any earthly good. They appear to have lost interest in the here and now. They prefer to focus on a reality that is far different from the one occupying most people’s attention. When we think of mystics, we think of hermits who embrace solitude in a desolate desert cave.

I can certainly see how one could view my father as a mystic. He often had an other-world-ness about him. I recall rising early on numerous occasions to discover that he had been awake for hours, spending time with his beloved Lord. I have many memories of my dad being filled with wonder or having a heavy heart after entering God’s awesome presence.

At times, he behaved like a stereotypical mystic. He was far more motivated to read his Bible than to do house or car repairs. I recall an incident when a car crashed into his garage, and someone had to persuade him to put down his book and go see what had just happened! Yet I also observed that stuff always happened where Dad was. Wherever Dad was a pastor, God worked powerfully in people’s lives. Mission churches were started. A Bible college was launched. Young people felt called into the ministry by the score. Donors and volunteers were drawn to him like moths to