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In
Rick Warren's Ministry Toolbox, Issue 226,
September 28th, 2005, (his
weekly e-newsletter to nearly 150,000 pastors around the world),
his feature article is titled: De-Mystify Spiritual
Growth. He begins the article with: "Mention
the term 'spirituality' today and many people will conjure up
images of wearing white robes, sitting in a yoga
lotus position, burning incense, and chanting
'ommmmm' with their eyes closed." This
opening sentence gives the reader the impression that the article
is going to condemn Eastern or New Age mysticism. It is, however,
a misleading introduction, for Warren goes on to say that spiritual
maturity can be obtained through various "practical, everyday
habits" or "certain exercises" or disciplines that
"Saddleback places a great deal of emphasis on." While
the article itself does not say what these disciplines are, information
that Rick Warren has provided throughout his newsletter does indeed
show that these disciplines are none other than Eastern or New
Age mysticism.
In
the Book Look section of the newsletter, Rick Warren features
Dallas Willard's book, Renovation of the Heart. In this
book, Willard tells readers they must apply "spiritual disciplines"
to their lives.
Dallas Willard
and contemplative Richard Foster,
author of Celebration of Discipline,
believe those disciplines to include the teachings of Thomas Merton
who said he wanted to be the best Buddhist he could be and likened
contemplative prayer
to an LSD trip. Willard not only agrees with Richard Foster on
these "spiritual disciplines" but also Sue Monk Kidd,
whose endorsement sits on the back cover of Willard's book, The
Spirit of the Disciplines. Sue Monk Kidd, author of several
contemplative books said the following:
"I
am speaking of recognizing the hidden truth that we are one with
all people. We are part of them and they are part of us ... When
we encounter another person, ... we should
walk as if we were upon holy ground. We should respond as if God
dwells there."
Monk
Kidd, once a conservative Baptist Sunday School teacher, is now
a strong advocate for the spiritual disciplines as described by
Willard and Richard Foster. She promotes and teaches about
the feminine goddess within, mantra meditation and more.
Rick Warren continues (in this same
newsletter) promoting the contemplative disciplines by making
mention of a recent conference put on by the Spiritual
Formation Forum that features Dallas Willard, Richard Foster,
Larry Crabb and Todd Hunter (North American president
of the Alpha Course
and a supporter of the emerging church
and Renovare). Warren then proceeds to quote Brennan Manning
and Rob Bell, both believers in incorporating Eastern mystical
prayer practices into Christianity.
"We're rediscovering Christianity
as an Eastern religion, as a way of life."- Rob Bell, Teaching Pastor Mars Hill Bible
Church from The Emergent Mystique,
CT
"Contemplative
prayer is nothing other than coming into consciousness of what
is already there." Brennan Manning, Signature
of Jesus
According to Ray Yungen, author of A Time of Departing,
Rick Warren is going to do with contemplative prayer what Richard
Foster could not ... take it and spread it throughout the world
on a massive level. We are watching it happen with our very eyes.
Rick Warren is a contemplative—perhaps he too wonders how
he has gotten away with so much and been able to promote such
a spirituality as this virtually unopposed.
In view of the fact that the premise of contemplative spirituality
is all paths lead to God, this blatant promotion is a tragedy.
Related
Links on Rick Warren's Promotion of Contemplative Spirituality
Rick
Warren and Yoga
Kay
Warren Endorses contemplative,
universalist Henri Nouwen
Rick
Warren Teams Up with New Age sympathizer
and futurist Leonard Sweet
Rick
Warren and Contemplative Spirituality
Rick
Warren and the New Age
Rick
Warren's Pastors.com - Leading Pastors into Interspirituality
via Contemplative Spirituality
Purpose
Driven Youth Ministry Goes Global, Taking Contemplative Prayer
With Them
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