{"id":1452,"date":"2008-10-11T21:31:16","date_gmt":"2008-10-12T01:31:16","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.lighthousetrailsresearch.com\/blog\/?p=1452"},"modified":"2026-07-19T14:38:01","modified_gmt":"2026-07-19T21:38:01","slug":"ambrose-university-cma-nazarene-full-speed-into-contemplativeemergent","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.lighthousetrailsresearch.com\/blog\/ambrose-university-cma-nazarene-full-speed-into-contemplativeemergent\/","title":{"rendered":"Ambrose University (CMA & Nazarene) Full Speed into Contemplative\/Emergent"},"content":{"rendered":"

LTRP Note: <\/strong>The following is a letter we received about Ambrose University<\/span><\/strong><\/a> in Canada. More proof that contemplative spirituality is sweeping across North American’s Christian colleges, seminaries, and universities and overtaking the hearts, minds, and souls of countless young (and older) people. Because of this letter and our research on the school that followed, we have added Ambrose University to the list of Christian colleges that are becoming contemplative. (click here<\/span><\/strong><\/a> to see list)<\/p>\n

As just one example of how Ambrose is going contemplative\/emergent, in a course title Spiritual Companions, the instructor is using a book titled Holy Listening: The Art of Spiritual Direction<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/a> by Episcopal priest and spiritual director Margaret Guenther. Atonement rejecter Alan Jones wrote the forward to this primer on contemplative mysticism. We could give many more examples of where Ambrose University is drawing from the mystics to teach their students.<\/p>\n

The Letter:<\/strong><\/p>\n

As a recent graduate of an Alliance college in Canada, I have to state my agreement with your conclusions concerning contemplative spiritualities effect upon the Alliance denomination. In particular, there is a school in Calgary called Ambrose University that is dangerously headed into the waters of contemplative spirituality, ecumenicalism and emerging church doctrine. This new college came to Calgary from Saskatchewan where it was predominately a Canadian Bible College and Seminary….<\/p>\n

Recently, these two colleges have finished building a new college called Ambrose – the name is based upon a early church father, but the doctrines of the church have little to do with the simple theological formations of that age of the person of Ambrose [see our info below on early church fathers<\/em>]….<\/p>\n

Specifically, the college now is promoting books like the Shack<\/em> as part of its course curriculum, and in addition, the college is an hybrid college that seeks to combine the sacred and secular: in particular, the college tries to mix secular training programs with theological training. Also, Richard Foster, and Rick Warren are held up as prime examples of sound church ministry within its various offered courses. As much as I hate to say this, I would say that Ambrose College should be added to your websites list of colleges that promote contemplative spirituality.<\/p>\n

For related information<\/strong>:<\/p>\n

Our database of articles on Christian schools going contemplative\/emergent<\/span><\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

Regarding early “church fathers,” see:<\/strong><\/p>\n

Lee Strobel Makes Case for Early Church Father <\/strong><\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

Information on the Desert Fathers<\/span><\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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