SESSION #6

My apology for not being part of the discussion for a while. This was a hard weekend for me as I had to fly to California for my uncle's funeral.. Before I left however I did read and re-read the article and would like to respond to that first, then to Calhone's as to how our group is going, but I will have to pase myself and do the Edwards book at another time.
In the article I must admit I was a little confused, the auther was quoting some of the authers that I respect, Henri Nouwen, Richard Forest, and Brennan Manning, yet at the end I tended to agree with Ray Yungen's conclusions to a point. Yes man's heart is wicked, and sinful, but I also do believe that every human being has a divine center that is an image for me an empty whole that only God can fill- No money, sex, sucess, or power, drugs, or any other substitute can fill that God hole but God. The denial of the atonment is one I have already been confunted with at my other seminary and at first this confrontation shock my faith- How can real Christians, born again seminary students or teachers not believe in the work that Jesus did on the cross for us- yet the atonment theory was being questioned and I had to come to terms that there are people who just can't believe that God is so harsh that he needed Christ's death and blood shed on the cross to atone for my sins and the sins of the world. The third one is not as it seems, chanting, repeating a word over and over again is a denial of God's nature. The tzania community shows that to be not true. They believe in a simple fraze, sung as a prayer over and over again, bring worship to God. Here is my analogy to all of you from the WEst. I am a Palestinain Arab, born in Bethelehm who grow up as a Christian in an Arab home. As a teenager, my famiy immigrated to America, and believe it or not, my family thought all American behavior, dating, freedom for boys and girls alike, going out etc, was all wrong. They tried to protect me from the American culture that surrounded our home in New Jersey. At some point, I learned a lesson, that different does not mean bad. My parents didn not at first understand the American culture and since it was different than thier way of raising children or dating, or any of the other social behaviors, since it was different, it must be bad. I see some of Evangelical Christians who have never dealt with mystism or Eastern way of doing things as being so forign that it must be bad. but different does not mean bad. Now having said all that I do want to give you all a warning, and a challenge, be wise as serpents, study hard, both God's word and the 4 ways or revelation that the methodist use, know what is truth and what is half truth. What is a lie that comes to you in sheep's clothing, yet don't be so dogmatic that you offend others of other faith. This is the day of tolerance, how do you also be gentle as doves when witnessing to others who do not believe like you do , and yet some also are seeking God? Prayer, asking for guidance, discussion with one another as we will have at retreat adn on the way there and back. More to be said, later. Thanks for listening, I am not sure I was clear, so feel free to throw questions my way. My niece at the Quaker college is studying Buddizm. I will be sharing this article with her.

Sessions #6, "Spiritual Direction" [Reflections on the Edwards text, posted by Dr. Nissley. Posts are due by 2/25 for this session.]Background: Tilden Edwards, an Episcopal priest who founded the Shalem Institute in 1979 for Spiritual Formation in Washington, D.C., and served as the Executive Director until 2000. He defines spirituality as, "It has to do with the way we probe and respond to that deepest yearning in us for the infinite, for that which is more than all the finite things that life gives us, It is, I think, part of our intrinsic human nature to have this longing for something more."Issue:
Please read the following article which critiques the contemplative spirituality from a biased perspective: http://www.lighthousetrailsresearch.com/researchpaper.pdf but the article warrants our read. The conclusions are faulty. We can discuss and process this implortant dimension of grounding spirituality in the Triune God as revealed in the 1) Scriptures, 2) Church Tradition, 3)Reason, and 4) Reflection of our personal experience. This is a variant of the Wesleyan Quadrilateral (WQ) which provides wholistic approach to doing theology. I have added some additional guardrails to keep us on the Kingdom Path and avoid crashing on the high-speed curves.
This textbook and author are foundational reference points for spiritual direction in the 21st century. Edwards provides an abundance of helpful models, terms, and tips that are invaluable. There is an issue that we need to discuss at this point in the course, which can be further elaborated upon at the Retreat and during our travels to & from. The issue is syncretism or inclusive pluralism of ideas, methods, and insights from other world religions. The Salem Institute is "the place" for training in spiritual direction, but as part of the broader "Spiritual Direction Movement", there is sometimes accomodations or inclusion of non-Christian concepts or practices. This is a blinking red light, in other words approach with caution. This has always been the case with Mystical Christianity or Spiritual Theology, which has been personified as more "emotional, touchy feely, or quishy".

1) Develop a WQ response to LightHouse Trails' and Edwards' perspective of utilizing Eastern Mystical practices.
2) Chapter 3, "How do we know? The Nature of Spiritual Experince" This is an epistemological question. To keep us from melting down, consider Edwards' statement on page 79, "I believe what makes a practice Christian is not its form but its intent." This is saying the end justifies the means. Please respond with as much clarity as possible, again we will process this big issue at the Retreat. Respond to Edwards' statement.

Calhoun: Part 4, "Small Group"*Brief reflections on your small group experiences and how you are applying those insights in your K-Group process.*Describe new insights from the Spiritual Direction Movement that will impact your K-Group.

Tonight we met and again the question was both How was your week? and or How is it with your Soul? Members shared as they were comfortable. WE are all realizing that we are pilgrims on this journey called life, and that we are pilgrims together with one another. We are studying the Psalms and the paryer for tongiht was a trusting prayer. Members are learning to slow down and read the scripture with the prayer, Lord show me something I need to hear. There is a lot more quietness, and even silence. Much of our discussion is about imegry, How do you see God as strong? etc. The scripture was read Lectio Divinia, and the session was ended with a time or prayer, silence and a concluding prayer. Sometimes we are small, olny 4, but that is OK. More sharing happens then, and the sharing is more volunerable. we are praying for one another and for ourselves as well as for others who missed our group. PTL.