In this
article, we want to look at contemplative spirituality’s subtle
promotion. In other words, we will examine how this error creeps in and
takes minds captive unawares. To illustrate the point, we will use the
document found at the Alabama Baptist Convention website.
In the very first paragraph, the document quotes Contemplative Mystic, Richard Foster:
“Superficiality is the curse of our age. The doctrine of instant satisfaction is a primary spiritual problem.”
That’s
actually a pretty good observation. I would agree with its fundamental
premise but I would disagree with the statement as a whole (but more on
my disagreement a little later). Most ministers, even most confessing
Christians, might look around and say, “Hey, he sure nailed that one.”
This basic agreement on a major observation automatically lends validity
and credibility to its spokesman. A powerful sentence draws us in, and
the following sentence illuminates more specifically the severity of the
problem. The unsuspecting, undiscerning Christian will read on
willingly because, after all, “It’s about time someone uttered the very
same thoughts I was thinking with regard to the Christian religion as we
know it today.” Those who are completely unfamiliar with Richard Foster
will buy into a whole lot more than the snake oil he’s selling because
Mr. Foster is one that has mastered quite readily, manipulation by and
through his words. In his form and format, he typically uses only one or
two power sentences (two in the case above), and then slithers beside
the slippery slope in order to catch the undiscerning in a fall. We will
see that in a moment because the specifics he mentioned in the second
sentence to reinforce the first, will be lost by the third or fourth
sentence. The hook was powerful enough to grab its reader, so once
apprehended, he can virtually say anything he wants. Keep Reading...
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