3/21/2017. Begin Session Ten

Transcription

1 Begin Session Ten 1

2 The Encroachment of Eastern Mysticism into the Church Spiritual ladder climbing and mystical illumination. The INITIATED ONES. Spiritual Ladder Climbing Mystical Illumination 2

3 Contemplative Prayer Spiritual Centering and Prayer Centering Spiritual Formation Spiritual Centering and Prayer Centering Today Contemplative Prayer Today Spiritual Formation Mindfulness Hindu and Buddhist Contemplative and Spiritual Techniques 3

4 Before beginning I want to point you to a related issue which is a celebrated book written by Rod Dreher, an ecumencist, called The Benedict Option. Before beginning I want to point you to a related issue which is a celebrated book written by Rod Dreher, an ecumencist, called The Benedict Option. It s subtitle is, A Strategy for Christians in a Post Christian Nation. 4

5 Rod Dreher was raised a Methodist, converted to Catholicism and then to the Eastern Orthodox church in 2006 and is a senior editor at, The American Conservative. 5

6 Can t we all just get along? Basically Dreher follows the concepts stemming from The Rule of Benedict of Nursia (St. Benedict): 6

7 Basically Dreher follows the concepts stemming from The Rule of Benedict of Nursia (St. Benedict): His Rule was written as a guide for individual, autonomous communities, and to this day all Benedictine Houses (and the Congregations in which they have grouped themselves) remain selfgoverning. Advantages seen in retaining this unique Benedictine emphasis on autonomy include cultivating models of tightly bonded communities and contemplative lifestyles. Essentially, Dreher seeks to develop cloistered communities using the church as a way to structure a highly idealistic world where an appeal is made to the ancient traditions, which is basically appealing to monasticism of Benedict. 7

8 Essentially, Dreher seeks to develop cloistered communities using the church as a way to structure a highly idealistic world where an appeal is made to the ancient traditions, which is basically appealing to monasticism of Benedict. Dreher does not genuinely appeal to the modern believer to live our in a modern context the spirit filled life which succeeds in its regular learning of God s Word, mixing it with faith or believing it and then applying it and maturing. God has a plan it s in the Bible; John 15 Abide in me and me in you. If you abide in me and my Word in you, ask whatever you wish and it will be done for you. What we have in Dreher, is what you will find for the remainder of this series which is the exposure of people who: 8

9 What we have in Dreher, is what you will find for the remainder of this series which will be the exposure of a great number of people who wish to create idealistic and mythological spiritual formulas in order to produce utopic spiritual conditions in the lives of the church, collectively, and its members, individually. Constantly emphasized will be themes of: Slowness Stillness Gentleness Calmness Serenity in one s expression Etc All products, however, of human construction and manipulation of the personality. 9

10 It is my opinion that these philosophers are very selfimpressed and believe they, unlike the unwashed masses, are the gurus of destiny placed here to enlighten us all. They write and speak in such a manner. It is my opinion that these philosophers are very selfimpressed and believe they, unlike the unwashed masses, are the gurus of destiny placed here to enlighten us all. They write and speak in such a manner. There is nothing wrong with God s plan which is the church. 10

11 There is nothing wrong with God s plan which is the church. You are the believer priest and the Temple of God. You are not only resurrected spiritually but unlike any believer of any age now have the Holy Spirit residing in you which spiritual gifts and the empowerment of the Holy Spirit to serve the living God and his body, the church. Contemplative and/or Centering Prayer The truth is there are a number of competing definitions of contemplative prayer. Generally, contemplative prayer means to choose something sacred but especially a sacred word or phrase and sit in an undisturbed environment and repeat the word/phrase over and over again until it begins to press upon you a value and meaning and then incorporate that into your thoughts and spiritual expression. 11

12 Some people distinguish centering prayer and Carm.org provides this information: Centering Prayer is a method of prayer, which prepares us to receive the gift of God's presence, traditionally called contemplative prayer. It consists of responding to the Spirit of Christ by consenting to God s presence and action within. It furthers the development of contemplative prayer by quieting our faculties to cooperate with the gift of God s presence. From contemplateiveoutreach.org: Choose a sacred word as the symbol of your intention to consent to God s presence and action within. Sitting comfortably and with eyes closed, settle briefly and silently introduce the sacred word as the symbol of your consent to God s presence and action within. When engaged with your thoughts, return ever sogently to the sacred word. At the end of the prayer period, remain in silence with eyes closed for a couple of minutes. 12

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14 None of what you have seen are formulas for being filled with God s Spirit, having his Word abide in you which is, essentially, learning and mixing it with faith (Hebrews 4:2b) but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it 14

15 Colossians 3:1 17 this is the Christian life. This is how you walk in the Spirit and mature through the application of the Word of God. Ephesians 1:3 22 Paul s prayer for the church. Christocentrism. Next week will be a lesson in critically evaluating very Christianized philosophical speech in looking at two videos featuring Dallas Willard. 15

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