To Lighthouse Trails:
The relationship Dallas Theological Seminary has with contemplative spirituality has been debated on Lighthouse Trails, and defended by DTS. As a current student, I can confirm some departments and professors do advocate explicitly for the contemplative brand of spirituality.
The school requires four semesters of spiritual formation. Students must engage with the curriculum as prescribed, but additional work is optional for those wishing to receive academic credit.
The first semester spiritual formation material encourages students to study Adele Calhoun, Marcia Ford, Richard Foster, Donald Whitney, Dallas Willard, PT Forsyth, Paul Pettit, James K.A. Smith, Gary Thomas, and others. “Silence” is listed as a discipline in the curriculum itself, and the workbook asks students to rate their own engagement with this and other practices.
Required readings in the “Practical Theology” course include Alexander Schmemann, James K.A. Smith, Dallas Willard, Gary Thomas, and Simon Chan. After reading Willard, Thomas, and Chan, students practice three of the spiritual disciplines for at least three weeks before reporting on their progress. Sacramentalism is a major focus, and an Episcopal priest was brought in to celebrate the Eucharist with the class and answer our questions on sacramentalism.
The DTS website states, “We do not promote or endorse any form of eastern mysticism, higher consciousness, divinity within the self, or any practice that promotes entering into an altered or transcendent state of consciousness. These dangerous and heterodox teachings often masquerade as Christian spirituality. We categorically reject these practices and their claims.”
I can confirm that at no point have I been personally guided in meditation, lectio divina, etc. Unfortunately, some at DTS are undeniably informed by eastern mysticism, and the school actively recommends further study in that direction.
Jacob (not real name)
Related Articles:
Dallas Theological Seminary Not Contemplative? – New Evidence Shows Otherwise
Kurt, we have used the utmost form of charity (love) in our work – and that form is “truth.” We have never sought to “demonize” people themselves but have rather tried to be Bereans and to point out teachings and practices that have come into the church that are not leading people to the Cross but rather away from it. Truth IS singular and narrow, but that is what Jesus taught – narrow is the way that leads to life.
In our work to warn about the contemplative prayer movement, we are not talking about the various differences within the scope of biblical Christianity – we are talking about a New Age spirituality that is completely contrary to the Gospel. There have to be some guidelines within our faith, and the Bible and doctrine provide those guidelines and are the framework of our faith. It can’t be that anything goes and everything is ok. That’s just not what the Bible teaches.
If you are willing to read it, we would be very happy to send you a free copy of A Time of Departing by Ray Yungen. It will help explain our concerns. Just email your address to us at editors@lighthousetrails.com. It will remain confidential.
This insistence on only one singular true form of Christian experience ignores the fact that Paul and Peter and Barnabas were at times in disagreement, as well as 2000 years of Christian leaders who often sharply varied in belief and practice. Orthodox faith includes 7 year olds as well as octogenarians, from very distinct and different faith cultures across the globe. I may not agree with every (true) Christian denomination or practice, but Scripture paints a vast diversity in those whom God calls His own. Demonizing those who sincerely believe in Jesus (as Scripture defines Him) and seek to follow Him, simply because their spiritual beliefs and practices are different than a singular, narrowly allowed system, is what Evil seeks. It also reveals pride (insecurity) and a lack of charity. Truth and love are inseparable, yet both are often misunderstood. To follow Christ does not exclude clearly defined orthodox beliefs, but it does allow humble, charitable unity amongst brethren. I don’t see much of that in some of these posts vilifying any/all suspected heretics. I’m sure this post will also be summarily attacked and denounced.
Dear Brother Jacob (NotYourRealName) Have you read about what “Bridgers” are? They are preachers in the pulpit, Sunday school instructors, professors of theology in Christian Universities and seminaries who absolutely teach the Word of God continually cutting it straight with impeccable reputations; who are known by their grace and love. They also quote false teachers who are well-known as the elite leaders feverishly forming the one world religion that is now invading every well-known former bastion of faith. Have you ever researched why DTS is using the term “Spiritual Formation?” If they are totally heart surrendered to the true Jesus, the Gospel and the Word of God, why would they lend spiritual credence by favorably using these terms clearly used by false teachers or quoting them as a good spiritual examples and not pointing out that this is a demonic delusion God is pouring out to finally give the world what they’ve always wanted-a counterfeit Christ? Jesus is the source of all truth (John 14:6.) Start asking Him about what is going on so you won’t get caught under the power of this delusion.
It is also accepted by the military, as this is the school I advised my son to go to, he is in the military. It was not initially on the listing of colleges, but he submitted it for approval and it met the requirements. Check out faith alone website to read foundational grace articles and viewpoint along the lines of the Grace School.
Go to Grace School of Theology website – totally grace teaching and no contemplative mystical garbage I put the link in here before but it said it was spam so would not post this reply.
There is only one God or deity, only one Godhead which is self-existent and unchangeable. In that one God, there are 3 Persons. Each of them are called God in scripture. God the Father, the Lord Jesus, and God the Holy Spirit. THE three are UNIFIED- ONE IN AGREEMENT – working in harmony in the creation and redemption of all men. Hear O Israel, the Lord is UNIFIED. There is no mystery to the trinity.. In the whole of God’s creation , there is only one Deity, and in that deity there are 3 called God.
Great. I left Grand Canyon University because of this dangerous doctrine and was set to go to Dallas Seminary. Where can I go?! In order to be a military chaplain you have to have a degree. Feel sorry for our armed forces.
Anne; yes, and the calvinist aspect is worse than anything else; believe me. Satan is doing handstands of joy; he and his philosopher kings.
Dallas is Calvinist as well. Calvinism has infiltrated just about all areas of Christianity.
Absolutely. 61 year old wife, mom, grandmother. 41 years a believer.
Explains why Beth Moore and Kanye West are being taken seriously. Same spirit. The question is why big name Baptists aren’t marking and separating themselves from more than a few of the figurehead symptoms & not exposing their alma maters & the root & source of the problems. Could it be 1 Tim 6, 2 Peter 2 and Jude? Revelation 1-3?
John 6:68
65And he said, Therefore said I unto you, that no man can come unto me, except it were given unto him of my Father. 66From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him. 67Then said Jesus unto the twelve, Will ye also go away? 68Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life. 69And we believe and are sure that thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God. 70Jesus answered them, Have not I chosen you twelve, and one of you is a devil? 71He spake of Judas Iscariot the son of Simon: for he it was that should betray him, being one of the twelve.
This is the truth. When lost souls find Jesus, for real, they stop looking elsewhere.
Leaders and teachers who keep on seeking through non biblical contemplative methods indicate they never found the real Jesus. if they had they would have stopped seeking some alleged deeper spiritual experience.
This is very bad news indeed.
What a disappointment, as one by one the institutions fall. As we have said many times over the last few years, God is exposing it all as the great apostasy and financial corruption spreads like a bad fungus.
Stand firm Lighthouse Trails. You are also one of the few last bastions of truth.
How many times in life do we see infiltrations of ideas and movements get denied as occurring at first, only to then be pointed to later as normal, approved, and not a big deal/not causing harm, which is used to argue for their continuance?
Caught with their hands in the contemplative cookie jar. What lies are going to follow?