Christian Authors--Henri Nouwen, Richard Foster, Dallas Willard, Thomas Merton

[Mark1970]

Hello All,

Since I have been learning about contemplative spirituality, contemplative prayer, the emergent church, and various other terms that could be fit into this discussion, it has caused me to ask more questions--

In asking questions, I have brought up several quotes from the above writers that state their view against the gospel--

I brought these statements up for example to a friend that had suggested Henri Nouwen as a good christian writer:

"Here and Now by Henri Nouwen; page 22 – “the God who dwells in our inner sanctuary is the same as the one who dwells in the inner sanctuary of each human being.” "

" Disciplines For Christian Living by Thomas Ryan 1993; This excerpt written in the Foreword by Henri Nouwen; Page 2 - “… the author shows a wonderful openness to the gifts of Buddhism, Hinduism and Moslem religion. He discovers their great wisdom for the spiritual life of the Christian and does not hesitate to bring that wisdom home.” "

I was asking specifically how this incorporates into Christianity--I have received no response, and sense that some are avoiding this discussion.

**Does anyone have any direct to the point comments about these writers that would help in explaining why the writers are off in what they teach?

I have been hearing that you can't throw out the baby with the bathwater responses in a matter for words.

In comments like this for instance by Henri Nouwen, my question is how can you not throw anything that this person states--the basis for which he writes is off--so in my mind it is black and white...not just because I am a technical person either...LOL

Any comments would be greatly appreciated!

Best Regards,

Mark

[mattfivefour]

Mark, from what I have read I believe people have been quite forthright in their answers here. Cerainly I have tried to be. The issue is one of a substitution of a man-designed gospel of global inclusionism that does away with the need for a personal relationship with God through Jesus Christ; that substitutes works for faith, that substitutes the principles of psychology, sociology and human dynamics for those given in the Word of God; and substitutes contemplative meditation practices for true communion with God. To call its theologians—such as Nouwen—"Christian" is to bastardize the word.

One example: in Henri Nouwen's last book Sabbatical Journey he writes: "Today I personally believe that while Jesus came to open the door to God's house, all human beings can walk through that door, whether they know about Jesus or not. Today I see it as my call to help every person claim his or her own way to God."

I highly recommend Roger Oakland's book Faith Undone. It is an excellent dissertation on the theological errors and heresies that underlie the emergent church, primarily in the area that concerns you: emergent spirituality.

[soteria]

Another good book is A time of departing by Ray Yungen

[billiefan2000]

calling

Merton or Nouwen or Foster or Willard "christian authors" is insulting

they are pushing new-age mysticism and sadly the church having little to no discernment has accepted the new age garbage these guys peddle


================================================

Ray Yungen on what is Contemplative Prayer and Centering Prayer and who promotes it