Willard really challenges how we orientate our lives.
"Stand up for your rights" sounds so good. How about "All I ever needed to know I learned in kindergarten?" And "Practice random kindness and senseless acts of beauty?" And so forth. Such saying contain a tiny element of truth. But if you try to actually plan your life using them you are immediately in deep, deep trouble. They will head you 180 degrees in the wrong direction. You might as well model your life on Bart Simpson or Seinfeld. But try instead "Stand up for your responsibilities or "I don't know what I need to know and must now devote my full attention and strength to finding out" (consider Prov. 3:7 or 4:7) or "Practice routinely purposeful kindnesses and intelligent acts of beauty." (page 9-10)
15 comments:
What do you think of the movement that Willard is involved in?
What "movement" are you referring to?
Emerging Church
The Emerging Church. I find some of the issues and questions they raise thought provoking and challenging. Things we need to wrestle with. On the other hand some things are just crazy.
Usually I would personally rather just deal with things issue by issue. Especially with something like emerging church which is hard to define.
So for example I look at the quote that I posted and ask, "Is this true?" "Does this reflect Jesus?"
How do you respond to their view of contemplative prayer?
"Their view" is really vague. The emerging church is all over the map on every issue. So I will focus on two people whose teachings on contemplative prayer I have read. Brad Jersak and Richard Foster.
I have learned a lot about prayer from them, have a lot to still learn. And I do not have any major concerns or flags.
I find it hard to really engage in this format. So I would love to sit down and talk or possibly even discuss this over email.
Which of Jersaks' and Fosters' books do you suggest I read?
Brad Jersak "Can you hear me?". For Richard Foster "Celebration of Discipline" is good.
So by those suggestions I presume that you agree with the Contemplative Spirituality/Mysticism that Foster and Williard teach.
From the things I have read written by Foster and Willard I do not have any major issues with their understanding of contemplative spirituality.
Do you differ from them on any of their theological views? If so which ones?
I feel that you have a concern about Foster and Willard. Do you know where I work? I am at Altona EMMC (204-324-8432). Why don't you stop by or give me a call and we can discuss your concerns?
There are a couple books dealing with contemplative spirituality/mysticism I recommend you read,"The Truth War" by John MacArthur and "Faith Undone" by Roger Oakland.
Are you going to consider reading either of these books?
Not right now (have a lot of books on go). But I might check them out some time. Thanks for the suggestion.
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