1. A WQ response to LightHouse Trails’ and Edwards' perspective of utilizing Eastern Mystical practices comes from someone who finds these practices very new, at least with a title. I can honestly say that contemplative prayer is a new method for me. Now, based upon Wesleyan Quadrilateral my response is as follows…
If utilizing Eastern Mystical practices that have its foundation based in Scripture, (the Old and New Testament) and the tradition that is practiced is based upon the Scripture for the reason that God is the central focus of the practice, which leads to experiencing God then perhaps it is worth looking into. Simply put, if what we do is based on Scripture, then our traditions, our reason and our experiences will have God at the center.
I remember as a child looking at a rainbow and thinking of the children’s story of a leprechaun and the pot of gold at the end of a rainbow. There was nothing biblical but yet mystical. Now, after reading the story about Noah’s Ark and the rainbow appearing indicating the end of a flood and the beginning of a new life, I no longer looked at rainbows the same. Yes, the rainbow remained mystical but with a biblical base. The rainbow became a means of connecting with God. Explaining the rainbow to my children, I focused their attention on the ark and not the pot of gold. (tradition). The reason behind this was I wanted them to share in the mysticism that I did. I wanted them to experience cognitively the awesomeness of a God who could produce this rainbow. I sometimes wonder if we are complicating more than contemplating. Seeking the presence of God, rooted in Scripture, is our goal, everything else, I feel, is just an empty ritual.
2. To respond to the statement “I believe what makes a practice Christian is not its form but its intent.” I must respond by saying, “It depends.” In practicing meditation, it may be described as therapy— a means to relax. But if it is done as a means to center on God, then it becomes Christian therapy. When I think of crossing faith lines I look to my family. I am Baptist and my husband, children and grandson are Catholic. Their ritualistic practices are very different from the Baptist and yet, when I attend their mass, I feel the presence of God in their worship. We have different ways of arriving at the location of the same God. The relevant question for me is “what about the practice?” Interpretation of the Bible has produced many different meanings leading to many practices. Growing up in the segregated south, the Klu Klux Klan’s practices were based upon their interpretation of the Bible. They felt that they were a Christian based organization doing the will of God. Their form was shaped by superiority to all non whites and destruction to all others. They felt it was their Christian duty. “Bringing a message of hope and deliverance to white Christian America! A message of love not hate!” is the heading on one of their websites. Using this as an example, Edwards’ statement of intent does not hold water, at least for me. Overall, my response is still, “It Depends.”
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3 comments:
Ruby your leprechaun/Noah stories helped me to see a rainbow of secular stories that helped me transition from the secular to the spiritual rather easily. For example there is the little wooden boy who was encouraged by his father to tell the truth or his nose would grow very long in length, and Cinderella who after experiencing sibling rivalry as well as child abuse was delivered by a prince, or Chicken little the pessimist who kept prophesying that the sky was falling, or Popeye the sailor man who stood up for the helpless and the list goes on and on. I sat here thinking about your story and how it made you look at the rainbow differently and realized that similar experiences have happened to me along the way. The only difference is that I cannot tell you when I transitioned from the secular story and embraced the religious implications of it but I know that I have.
I love children's books and am realizing that each author relates a given story, in their own perspective or relates to the reader what values they want transmitted even in commics or simple children's stories. In these end times, though, I do think that we need to be as wise as sepents and as gentle as doves. How does a Christian do that in an age of telerance. This is a tight rope to walk. Descernemet, praying for God's spirit to reveal truth from half truth, and reveal what is of God and what is not of God is so much needed. Mau God's spirit give each one of us this discerning spirit to know what is good, valuable, profitable, scriptural and real truth, and what are lies covered in "sheep clothing". Thanks Ben and Ruby for sharing
Thanks Ruby for diving into the theology pool. The water gets deep here with no touching bottom. Your reflection upon Edwards' statement about intent was insightful. People may have a good, noble intent with a spiritual practice, but be inaccurate and unbiblical in substance, theology, and praxis. We need to have these discussions and develop a biblical/theological grid to support our praxis. Critical thinking is not being critical but seeking the truth while holding various perspectives in tension which is not the same as tolerance.
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