Why so much about the body in the spiritual disciplines (Spiritual Formation)? One reasonable conclusion is that since prayer (and many of the disciplines) are elaborate practices involving the body in Contemplative teachings, a theology around the body is constructed to hold up the Contemplative edifice (since this edifice is not held up by Scripture). The attempt at scanctification via methods from men includes the attempt at sanctifying the body. But the fallen body is not sanctified nor can it be in this life for the Christian. That is why it will be made into a new glorified body, as was the body of Jesus upon his resurrection, in a future time.
For the past two decades, the popularity of what are called the “spiritual disciplines” has grown at a breathless rate. Some in-depth responses are already on this website, so this […]
What can we say to the claims made by Contemplative proponents? Are their arguments sound and biblical?
This article gives an overview of the background and teachings of the Contemplative movement, also known as Contemplative Spirituality, the Spiritual Disciplines, Spiritual Formation, and mysticism.
Tradition and Wisdom This is from the Shalem Institute for Spiritual Formation website: “Shalem is grounded in Christian contemplative spirituality and, at the same time, draws on the wisdom […]
Scazzero has a habit of imposing his own experiences and feelings on Scripture as well on all Christians. In this book, he makes broad generalizations, such as all Christians “wear masks,” Christians do not know how to deal with their emotions, and most Christians were not raised in healthy families. It was hard not to write, “speak for yourself!” in the margins of many pages in this book.
There are so many serious issues with this book, it is quite distressing that it is being recommended by many pastors and church leaders. I am not addressing all content of the book, only points related to my areas of my ministry or of obvious concern. Scazzero does offer some good insights in the book, but they are overshadowed by too many troubling statements.
There is nothing wrong with choosing to treat Sunday as a day of rest or selecting a day of rest and withdrawal from the usual activities. This article is not about that.
The issue is that this teaching on Sabbath is part of Contemplative teachings and Spiritual Disciplines, and these teachings do not have biblical support as I have shown in many articles on this website, as well as discussing the topic in online interviews. The so-called discipline of Sabbath, like the other disciplines, tends to take over and dominate what Scripture teaches on living the Christian life. But “Sabbath” sounds so biblical, therefore, people assume any teaching about it must be good. However, this article will attempt to demonstrate why the teaching in these videos is not based on the Bible….
Contemplative teachings use ordinary words or words from the Bible but have layers of hidden meaning in them…Translating Contemplative teachings is like peeling an onion and sometimes the layers seem to never end but only lead to other onion-like words with their multi-layers of meaning.
Comer’s theme in this book is that Christians must pursue the “practices of Jesus,” or the “Way of Jesus,” which are the spiritual disciplines. However, there is no evidence that the spiritual disciplines as taught by Comer and others are taught in Scripture, nor are meditation and prayer modeled in Scripture anything like what is taught by Contemplatives.
Most of the book, Praying Like Monks, Living Like Fools, by Tyler Staton, is not about Contemplative practices. Staton uses what is often called the Lord’s Prayer as a template […]
What this adds up to is mysticism, and a mystical view is a natural result of contemplative practices that apparently have captivated Mackie. Mysticism is not a matter of transcending logic or thought; it is actually contra logic and thought. This is why all contemplative teachings downgrade the mind . It is always found in esoteric teachings that there is something profound beyond words and reason that one can experience – a hidden or secret experience and/or wisdom. This is exactly how I thought for over 20 years.
Mackie is planting not only the idea that gaining perception of “another reality” or a “super reality” is positive, but he is offering the means for it through the contemplative practices, which will alter perceptions over time.