More
on Rick Warren and
Contemplative Spirituality
Rick
Warren and contemplative Gary Thomas
Purpose
Driven Life: Worship that pleases God
by Rick Warren
(talks about Gary Thomas and Benedictine monks, also talks about
Breath Prayers in this article, Brother Lawrence and Frank Laubach)
Rick
Warren speaking at
Youth Specialties events
where yoga, labyrinths, emerging church and contemplative prayer
are promoted. The connection is there.
This
book (Purpose Driven) by Rick Warren is a picture of Contemplative
Religion, not "Experimental Christianity." There is a world
of difference ...
more ...
Book Review by Paw Creek Ministries
Rick
Warren's Pastors at Saddleback - Whom Do They Endorse?
"Your
life is full of pressures, distractions and fast-paced living.
According to Thomas Merton, it is reflection
and wonder (solitude) that scoops these invaders out of your
life. Through solitude, there is finally
room in your soul to meet God and for him to do the work in
you that He longs to do."—Pastor Lance Witt, Saddleback
on Pastors.com
Rick
Warren, the Benedictine Order and universalism
The
Benedictine Order is a Catholic order that includes contemplative
prayer/meditation as part of their spirituality, and universalism
is woven through their teachings. And yet Rick Warren has no
problem using Benedictine monks as examples of
how we should live:
Rick
Warren: p. 88 PDL "Benedictine monks use the hourly
chimes of a clock to remind them to pause and pray 'the hour
of prayer.:' If you have a watch or cell phone with an alarm,
you could do the same."
"Benedict's utter faith in the divine Son of God casts into
even sharper relief his insight that this divine Christ is to
be found and even adored in other human beings (RB 53.7). His
incarnate presence is not limited to Jesus of Nazareth, but
remains among us in the monastic leaders, the sick, the guest,
the poor, a list so inclusive as to signify Christ's presence
in all whom one meets."
