Soul Care is a “publishing and ministry vision” that promotes contemplative spirituality. Last week, under their events page, it gave information on Moody Bible Institute’s 2009 Pastors Conference, showing that one of the break out sessions would be presented by Soul Care (click here to view. Lighthouse Trails contacted Moody to inquire about this session. Lindsey Crystal, Associate Director of Public Relations at Moody left a phone message telling us that the break out sessions had not been finalized–no comment was given regarding the Soul Care session. Today, October 26th, on the Soul Care website, the Moody Bible Pastors Conference has been removed.
Lighthouse Trails continues to have serious concerns about Moody’s leanings toward contemplative spirituality. With regard to “soul care,” another term for contemplative, on January 10th 2008, Moody’s Mid-Day Connection radio program interviewed Soul Care’s founder Mindy Caliguire and contemplative advocate Adele Ahlberg Calhoun to “talk about practices that can transform us.” Ahlberg Calhoun has been the subject of Lighthouse Trails articles because of her book, Spiritual Disciplines Handbook.1 In the book, a book that emerging church proponent Rick Warren uses for Saddleback’s Spiritual Formation, Ahlberg Calhoun promotes mantra meditation, giving detailed instructions on several types of contemplative practices. In addition, she quotes from many New Age sympathizers and New Age contemplatives and encourages the use of centering prayer, breath prayers, contemplative prayer, labyrinths, palms-up, palms-down exercises, and recommends for further reading a who’s who of mystics. One of those she lists is Tilden Edwards (p. 62). Edwards, the founder of the Shalem Prayer Institute, said that contemplative prayer is the bridge between Christianity and Eastern religion.
The fact that Moody is doing a positive, favorable interview with Soul Care’s founder as well as Ahlberg Calhoun is further proof that Moody is indeed heading down the contemplative path. We hope those concerned about the future welfare of Moody will contact the school and encourage them to stop promoting contemplative spirituality, a panentheistic belief system that ultimately leads people away from the Cross, not to it.
Moody Contact Information:
Public Relations
Moody Bible Institute
312-329-4449
Related Stories:Moody Bible Institute Looks for New President
Comments are closed, but trackbacks and pingbacks are open.