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Evangelical mysticism

2011-02-12T05:09:16Z

71.77.47.70: /* External Links */

'''Evangelical mysticism''' is considered a branch of [[Christianity]], but not of [[Christian mysticism]]. [[Differences between Christian mysticism and Evangelical mysticism]] had been identified that is fundamental and significant. Unlike “[[Christian mysticism]],” which supports [[Liberal Christianity|liberal Christians]] and agrees with [[mystical theology]], “Evangelical mysticism” is a phrase that narrows down the definition to only those denominations or Christian groups with conservative [[Evangelical]] beliefs who also practice [[contemplative prayer]].<ref>Bruce Demarest, ''Satisfy Your Soul: Renewing the Heart of Christian Spirituality'' (Colorado Springs, CO: NavPress, 1999), p. 114.</ref> The [[National Association of Evangelicals]]’ statement of faith is more or less held to,<ref>http://www.nae.net/about-us/statement-of-faith</ref> but so also is the practice of [[Soaking Music|soaking prayer]] or [[contemplative prayer]].

In the 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s, the [[New Age movement]] popularized the Eastern [[meditation]] practices of [[Transcendental Meditation]] (TM),<ref>Paul Heelas, ''The New Age Movement: The Celebration of the Self and the Sacralization of Modernity'' (Cambridge, MA: Blackwell Publishers, 1999), p. 112.</ref> [[Yoga]], and [[Zen]].<ref>Ibid., p. 101.</ref> [[Liberal Christianity|Liberal]] Catholics and Protestants<ref>Morton Kelsey, ''The Other Side of Silence: Meditation for the Twenty-First Century'' (Mahwah, NJ: Paulist Press, 1997), p. 154. This is a popular “[[Christian meditation]]” book written by an [[Episcopalian]] author that borrows from [[New Age]] practices.</ref> began to follow the lead of these [[meditation|New Age meditation]] practices by incorporating them into [[Christian meditation]]. In reaction to this, the [[Roman Catholic Church]] issued an official rebuke of New Age meditation practices: ''Letter to the Bishops of the Catholic Church on Some Aspects of Christian Meditation'' (1989).<ref>http://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/congregations/cfaith/documents/rc_con_cfaith_doc_19891015_meditazione-cristiana_en.html</ref>

[[Thomas Merton]], a [[Liberal Christianity|liberal]] [[Trappist]] monk, was one of the first to borrow from Eastern [[meditation]] practices, such as [[Zen]], mixing them with [[Christian meditation]] and [[contemplative prayer|contemplation]].<ref>William Shannon, ''Thomas Merton: An Introduction'' (Cincinnati, OH: St. Anthony Messenger Press, 2005), p. 153. This shows that it was as early as the 1950s that Merton started borrowing from “Eastern thought.”</ref> Later, [[Basil Pennington|M. Basil Pennington]],<ref>M. Basil Pennington, ''Centering Prayer: Renewing an Ancient Christian Prayer Form'' (New York: Image Books, 1980), p. 55.</ref> [[Thomas Keating]], and [[William Meninger]]<ref>Ibid., p. 14.</ref> would follow Merton’s lead, and become the founders of the [[centering prayer]] movement.

In reaction to these [[Liberal Christianity|liberal Christians]]’ borrowing from [[meditation|New Age meditative techniques]], there has progressively been a move among [[Evangelicals]]—especially [[Third Wave of the Holy Spirit|Third Wave]] [[Charismatics]] (or [[Neocharismatics]])—to return to the ancient practice of [[contemplative prayer]].<ref>Jim Goll, ''Wasted on Jesus'' (Shippensburg, PA: Destiny Image, 2000), pp. 35-38.</ref> And that without any mixture of [[New Age]] practices or beliefs, which essentially originate in [[India]] from the Hindu [[gurus]]. The Evangelical mystics turn to the founders of [[Christian monasticism]] for guidance concerning [[contemplative prayer|contemplation]]: the [[Desert Fathers]]. Also, other [[Catholic]] contemplative writers are referred to, such as [[Teresa of Avila]], [[John of the Cross]], [[Miguel de Molinos|Michael Molinos]], [[Madame Guyon]], and [[François Fénelon]].<ref>Richard Foster, ''Streams of Living Water: Celebrating the Great Traditions of Christian Faith'' (New York: HarperCollins Publishers, 1998), p. 24.</ref> These are the classic teachers of Christian [[contemplative prayer]], and have no association whatsoever with the Hindu [[gurus]] of India. Christian contemplation means “being still and knowing that God is God” (Psalm 46:10). It is quieting oneself, closing the eyes, and concentrating on Christ for a prolonged period of time, with the goal of hearing the [[direct revelation|voice of God]], seeing [[vision (spirituality)|visions]], and feeling [[Shekhinah|God’s presence]]. This is also called [[Listening Prayer|listening prayer]].<ref>Leanne Payne, ''Listening Prayer: Learning to Hear God’s Voice and Keep a Prayer Journal'' (Grand Rapids, MI: Hamewith Books, 1994), pp. 179-181.</ref>

The usage of the phrase “Evangelical mysticism” or “Evangelical mystic” goes as far back as the 18th century and the early [[Methodism|Methodists]].<ref>John Fletcher, ''The Works of the Reverend John Fletcher'', vol. 4 (New York: T. Mason and G. Lane, 1836), p. 7. The article “On Evangelical Mysticism.”</ref> [[Evangelicalism]] started as a [[missionary]] movement that came out of the [[Great Awakenings]] with [[Jonathan Edwards (theologian)|Jonathan Edwards]], [[George Whitefield]], and [[John Wesley]] (the founder of the [[Methodist Episcopal Church]]).<ref>Mark Noll, ''The Rise of Evangelicalism: The Age of Edwards, Whitefield and the Wesleys'' (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 2003), pp. 19-20.</ref> [[John Wesley]], an avid reader with a mystical appetite, was not only one of the founders of [[Evangelicalism]], but was also deeply impressed by [[Catholic]] mystical writers such as [[Thomas à Kempis]], [[Francis de Sales]],<ref>John Wesley, ''The Works of the Rev. John Wesley'', vol. 10 (New York: J. & J. Harper, 1827), p. 85.</ref> and [[Madame Guyon]].<ref>, ''The Journal of the Rev. John Wesley'', vol. 3, edited by Nehemiah Curnock (Whitefish, MT: Kessinger Publishing, 2007), p. 18, see note 1.</ref> In Wesley’s shadow, other teachers that were influenced by the Methodist [[Holiness movement]], were familiarized with [[Madame Guyon]]’s writings. [[Thomas Cogswell Upham|T. C. Upham]], a prominent Holiness leader, translated ''The Life of Madame Guyon''.<ref>William Crosby, ''The Christian Examiner'', vol. 43 (Boston, MA: William Crosby, 1847), pp. 317-324.</ref>

[[William Seymour]], a [[Holiness movement|Holiness]] preacher and major leader of the [[Pentecostal]] movement, practiced [[contemplative prayer|contemplation]] during his meetings at [[Azusa Street]]. These early [[Pentecostals]] had group “tarrying” meetings, or contemplation meetings, for receiving the power of the Holy Spirit. “Through tarrying, a form of [[contemplative prayer]], black Pentecostals experienced [[Religious conversion|conversion]], [[sanctification]], and [[Baptism in the Holy Spirit|Spirit baptism]] by the sovereignty of God.”<ref>David Daniels III, ''The Century of the Holy Spirit'', edited by Vinson Synan (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson, 2001), p. 280.</ref> [[John G. Lake]], a prominent early [[Pentecostal]] [[faith healing|healer]], was influenced by [[Francis of Assisi]], [[John of the Cross]], [[Madame Guyon]],<ref>John G. Lake, ''John G. Lake: The Complete Collection of His Life Teachings'', edited by Roberts Liardon (New Kensington, PA: Whitaker House, 1999), p. 526.</ref> the [[Quakers]], and practiced [[contemplative prayer|contemplation]].<ref>Ibid., p. 419.</ref>

[[A. W. Tozer]], a major leader in the [[Christian & Missionary Alliance]], is in a sense a father of “Evangelical mysticism,” and wrote ''The Pursuit of God'' (1948), which deals with contemplative topics. In 1975, [[Gene Edwards]] translated [[Madame Guyon]]’s ''A Short and Easy Method of Prayer'' into a popular modern version under the new title of ''Experiencing the Depths of Jesus Christ''. This book became popular in the [[Charismatic movement]]. In 1978, [[Richard Foster]]’s ''Celebration of Discipline'' came out, and had a profound impact on [[Evangelicalism]]. Foster is an Evangelical Friend ([[Evangelical Friends International|conservative Quaker]]). Through his book he re-introduced [[Christian meditation]] and [[contemplative prayer|contemplation]] to [[Evangelicals]], as it became a bestseller. It also had a profound influence on [[John Wimber]], founder of the [[Vineyard churches]].<ref>John Wimber’s endorsement of Richard Foster’s ''Celebration of Discipline: The Path to Spiritual Growth'', 3rd ed., 25th Anniversary (New York: HarperCollins Publishers, 1998), p. 210.</ref> Out of these [[Vineyard churches]], came the [[International House of Prayer|International House of Prayer-Kansas City]] (IHOP-KC),<ref>Bill Jackson, ''The Quest for the Radical Middle'' (Cape Town, South Africa: Vineyard International Publishing, 1999), p. 186.</ref> and [[Toronto Airport Christian Fellowship]] (Catch the Fire Toronto).<ref>Ibid., p. 276.</ref> These last two churches are very influential in the current [[Third Wave of the Holy Spirit|Third Wave]] movement; and are open proponents of what they call [[Soaking Music|soaking prayer]] or [[contemplative prayer]].<ref>http://www.catchthefire.com/soaking</ref> The [[International House of Prayer]] has already rediscovered the works of [[Teresa of Avila]]<ref>http://store.ihop.org/store/product/19/The-Way-of-Perfection/</ref> and [[John of the Cross]].<ref>http://store.ihop.org/store/product/181/The-Collected-Works-of-St.-John-of-the-Cross/</ref> There are three influential [[Third Wave of the Holy Spirit|Third Wave]] books that have come out in recent years on Christian [[contemplative prayer]] that openly reject [[meditation|New Age meditation]]: Mark and Patti Virkler’s ''Communion with God'' (1983), [[James Goll]]’s ''Wasted on Jesus'' (2000), and John Crowder’s ''The Ecstasy of Loving God'' (2009).

==References==
{{reflist}}

{{refbegin}}
*Daniels III, David. ''The Century of the Holy Spirit'', edited by Vinson Synan. Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson, 2001.
*Demarest, Bruce. ''Satisfy Your Soul: Renewing the Heart of Christian Spirituality.'' Colorado Springs, CO: NavPress, 1999.
*Foster, Richard. ''Streams of Living Water: Celebrating the Great Traditions of Christian Faith.'' New York: HarperCollins Publishers, 1998.
*Goll, Jim. ''Wasted on Jesus.'' Shippensburg, PA: Destiny Image, 2000.
*Heelas, Paul. ''The New Age Movement: The Celebration of the Self and the Sacralization of Modernity.'' Cambridge, MA: Blackwell Publishers, 1999.
*Jackson, Bill. ''The Quest for the Radical Middle.'' Cape Town, South Africa: Vineyard International Publishing, 1999.
*Noll, Mark. ''The Rise of Evangelicalism: The Age of Edwards, Whitefield and the Wesleys.'' Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 2003.
*Shannon, William. ''Thomas Merton: An Introduction.'' Cincinnati, OH: St. Anthony Messenger Press, 2005.
{{refend}}

==External Links==

* [http://www.catchthefire.com/ Catch the Fire Ministries]
* [http://www.ihop.org/ International House of Prayer]
* [http://www.cwgministries.org/ Communion with God Ministries]
* [http://www.encountersnetwork.com/ Encounters Network]
* [http://www.thenewmystics.com/ Sons of Thunder]
* [http://www.evangelicalmystics.wordpress.com True Life Ministries]

[[Category:Christian mysticism]] [[Category:Christian prayer]] [[Category:Mysticism]] [[Category:Meditation]] [[Category:Charismatic and Pentecostal Christianity]] [[Category:Christian evangelicalism]]

Evangelical mysticism

2011-02-12T05:08:30Z

71.77.47.70: /* External Links */

'''Evangelical mysticism''' is considered a branch of [[Christianity]], but not of [[Christian mysticism]]. [[Differences between Christian mysticism and Evangelical mysticism]] had been identified that is fundamental and significant. Unlike “[[Christian mysticism]],” which supports [[Liberal Christianity|liberal Christians]] and agrees with [[mystical theology]], “Evangelical mysticism” is a phrase that narrows down the definition to only those denominations or Christian groups with conservative [[Evangelical]] beliefs who also practice [[contemplative prayer]].<ref>Bruce Demarest, ''Satisfy Your Soul: Renewing the Heart of Christian Spirituality'' (Colorado Springs, CO: NavPress, 1999), p. 114.</ref> The [[National Association of Evangelicals]]’ statement of faith is more or less held to,<ref>http://www.nae.net/about-us/statement-of-faith</ref> but so also is the practice of [[Soaking Music|soaking prayer]] or [[contemplative prayer]].

In the 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s, the [[New Age movement]] popularized the Eastern [[meditation]] practices of [[Transcendental Meditation]] (TM),<ref>Paul Heelas, ''The New Age Movement: The Celebration of the Self and the Sacralization of Modernity'' (Cambridge, MA: Blackwell Publishers, 1999), p. 112.</ref> [[Yoga]], and [[Zen]].<ref>Ibid., p. 101.</ref> [[Liberal Christianity|Liberal]] Catholics and Protestants<ref>Morton Kelsey, ''The Other Side of Silence: Meditation for the Twenty-First Century'' (Mahwah, NJ: Paulist Press, 1997), p. 154. This is a popular “[[Christian meditation]]” book written by an [[Episcopalian]] author that borrows from [[New Age]] practices.</ref> began to follow the lead of these [[meditation|New Age meditation]] practices by incorporating them into [[Christian meditation]]. In reaction to this, the [[Roman Catholic Church]] issued an official rebuke of New Age meditation practices: ''Letter to the Bishops of the Catholic Church on Some Aspects of Christian Meditation'' (1989).<ref>http://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/congregations/cfaith/documents/rc_con_cfaith_doc_19891015_meditazione-cristiana_en.html</ref>

[[Thomas Merton]], a [[Liberal Christianity|liberal]] [[Trappist]] monk, was one of the first to borrow from Eastern [[meditation]] practices, such as [[Zen]], mixing them with [[Christian meditation]] and [[contemplative prayer|contemplation]].<ref>William Shannon, ''Thomas Merton: An Introduction'' (Cincinnati, OH: St. Anthony Messenger Press, 2005), p. 153. This shows that it was as early as the 1950s that Merton started borrowing from “Eastern thought.”</ref> Later, [[Basil Pennington|M. Basil Pennington]],<ref>M. Basil Pennington, ''Centering Prayer: Renewing an Ancient Christian Prayer Form'' (New York: Image Books, 1980), p. 55.</ref> [[Thomas Keating]], and [[William Meninger]]<ref>Ibid., p. 14.</ref> would follow Merton’s lead, and become the founders of the [[centering prayer]] movement.

In reaction to these [[Liberal Christianity|liberal Christians]]’ borrowing from [[meditation|New Age meditative techniques]], there has progressively been a move among [[Evangelicals]]—especially [[Third Wave of the Holy Spirit|Third Wave]] [[Charismatics]] (or [[Neocharismatics]])—to return to the ancient practice of [[contemplative prayer]].<ref>Jim Goll, ''Wasted on Jesus'' (Shippensburg, PA: Destiny Image, 2000), pp. 35-38.</ref> And that without any mixture of [[New Age]] practices or beliefs, which essentially originate in [[India]] from the Hindu [[gurus]]. The Evangelical mystics turn to the founders of [[Christian monasticism]] for guidance concerning [[contemplative prayer|contemplation]]: the [[Desert Fathers]]. Also, other [[Catholic]] contemplative writers are referred to, such as [[Teresa of Avila]], [[John of the Cross]], [[Miguel de Molinos|Michael Molinos]], [[Madame Guyon]], and [[François Fénelon]].<ref>Richard Foster, ''Streams of Living Water: Celebrating the Great Traditions of Christian Faith'' (New York: HarperCollins Publishers, 1998), p. 24.</ref> These are the classic teachers of Christian [[contemplative prayer]], and have no association whatsoever with the Hindu [[gurus]] of India. Christian contemplation means “being still and knowing that God is God” (Psalm 46:10). It is quieting oneself, closing the eyes, and concentrating on Christ for a prolonged period of time, with the goal of hearing the [[direct revelation|voice of God]], seeing [[vision (spirituality)|visions]], and feeling [[Shekhinah|God’s presence]]. This is also called [[Listening Prayer|listening prayer]].<ref>Leanne Payne, ''Listening Prayer: Learning to Hear God’s Voice and Keep a Prayer Journal'' (Grand Rapids, MI: Hamewith Books, 1994), pp. 179-181.</ref>

The usage of the phrase “Evangelical mysticism” or “Evangelical mystic” goes as far back as the 18th century and the early [[Methodism|Methodists]].<ref>John Fletcher, ''The Works of the Reverend John Fletcher'', vol. 4 (New York: T. Mason and G. Lane, 1836), p. 7. The article “On Evangelical Mysticism.”</ref> [[Evangelicalism]] started as a [[missionary]] movement that came out of the [[Great Awakenings]] with [[Jonathan Edwards (theologian)|Jonathan Edwards]], [[George Whitefield]], and [[John Wesley]] (the founder of the [[Methodist Episcopal Church]]).<ref>Mark Noll, ''The Rise of Evangelicalism: The Age of Edwards, Whitefield and the Wesleys'' (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 2003), pp. 19-20.</ref> [[John Wesley]], an avid reader with a mystical appetite, was not only one of the founders of [[Evangelicalism]], but was also deeply impressed by [[Catholic]] mystical writers such as [[Thomas à Kempis]], [[Francis de Sales]],<ref>John Wesley, ''The Works of the Rev. John Wesley'', vol. 10 (New York: J. & J. Harper, 1827), p. 85.</ref> and [[Madame Guyon]].<ref>, ''The Journal of the Rev. John Wesley'', vol. 3, edited by Nehemiah Curnock (Whitefish, MT: Kessinger Publishing, 2007), p. 18, see note 1.</ref> In Wesley’s shadow, other teachers that were influenced by the Methodist [[Holiness movement]], were familiarized with [[Madame Guyon]]’s writings. [[Thomas Cogswell Upham|T. C. Upham]], a prominent Holiness leader, translated ''The Life of Madame Guyon''.<ref>William Crosby, ''The Christian Examiner'', vol. 43 (Boston, MA: William Crosby, 1847), pp. 317-324.</ref>

[[William Seymour]], a [[Holiness movement|Holiness]] preacher and major leader of the [[Pentecostal]] movement, practiced [[contemplative prayer|contemplation]] during his meetings at [[Azusa Street]]. These early [[Pentecostals]] had group “tarrying” meetings, or contemplation meetings, for receiving the power of the Holy Spirit. “Through tarrying, a form of [[contemplative prayer]], black Pentecostals experienced [[Religious conversion|conversion]], [[sanctification]], and [[Baptism in the Holy Spirit|Spirit baptism]] by the sovereignty of God.”<ref>David Daniels III, ''The Century of the Holy Spirit'', edited by Vinson Synan (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson, 2001), p. 280.</ref> [[John G. Lake]], a prominent early [[Pentecostal]] [[faith healing|healer]], was influenced by [[Francis of Assisi]], [[John of the Cross]], [[Madame Guyon]],<ref>John G. Lake, ''John G. Lake: The Complete Collection of His Life Teachings'', edited by Roberts Liardon (New Kensington, PA: Whitaker House, 1999), p. 526.</ref> the [[Quakers]], and practiced [[contemplative prayer|contemplation]].<ref>Ibid., p. 419.</ref>

[[A. W. Tozer]], a major leader in the [[Christian & Missionary Alliance]], is in a sense a father of “Evangelical mysticism,” and wrote ''The Pursuit of God'' (1948), which deals with contemplative topics. In 1975, [[Gene Edwards]] translated [[Madame Guyon]]’s ''A Short and Easy Method of Prayer'' into a popular modern version under the new title of ''Experiencing the Depths of Jesus Christ''. This book became popular in the [[Charismatic movement]]. In 1978, [[Richard Foster]]’s ''Celebration of Discipline'' came out, and had a profound impact on [[Evangelicalism]]. Foster is an Evangelical Friend ([[Evangelical Friends International|conservative Quaker]]). Through his book he re-introduced [[Christian meditation]] and [[contemplative prayer|contemplation]] to [[Evangelicals]], as it became a bestseller. It also had a profound influence on [[John Wimber]], founder of the [[Vineyard churches]].<ref>John Wimber’s endorsement of Richard Foster’s ''Celebration of Discipline: The Path to Spiritual Growth'', 3rd ed., 25th Anniversary (New York: HarperCollins Publishers, 1998), p. 210.</ref> Out of these [[Vineyard churches]], came the [[International House of Prayer|International House of Prayer-Kansas City]] (IHOP-KC),<ref>Bill Jackson, ''The Quest for the Radical Middle'' (Cape Town, South Africa: Vineyard International Publishing, 1999), p. 186.</ref> and [[Toronto Airport Christian Fellowship]] (Catch the Fire Toronto).<ref>Ibid., p. 276.</ref> These last two churches are very influential in the current [[Third Wave of the Holy Spirit|Third Wave]] movement; and are open proponents of what they call [[Soaking Music|soaking prayer]] or [[contemplative prayer]].<ref>http://www.catchthefire.com/soaking</ref> The [[International House of Prayer]] has already rediscovered the works of [[Teresa of Avila]]<ref>http://store.ihop.org/store/product/19/The-Way-of-Perfection/</ref> and [[John of the Cross]].<ref>http://store.ihop.org/store/product/181/The-Collected-Works-of-St.-John-of-the-Cross/</ref> There are three influential [[Third Wave of the Holy Spirit|Third Wave]] books that have come out in recent years on Christian [[contemplative prayer]] that openly reject [[meditation|New Age meditation]]: Mark and Patti Virkler’s ''Communion with God'' (1983), [[James Goll]]’s ''Wasted on Jesus'' (2000), and John Crowder’s ''The Ecstasy of Loving God'' (2009).

==References==
{{reflist}}

{{refbegin}}
*Daniels III, David. ''The Century of the Holy Spirit'', edited by Vinson Synan. Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson, 2001.
*Demarest, Bruce. ''Satisfy Your Soul: Renewing the Heart of Christian Spirituality.'' Colorado Springs, CO: NavPress, 1999.
*Foster, Richard. ''Streams of Living Water: Celebrating the Great Traditions of Christian Faith.'' New York: HarperCollins Publishers, 1998.
*Goll, Jim. ''Wasted on Jesus.'' Shippensburg, PA: Destiny Image, 2000.
*Heelas, Paul. ''The New Age Movement: The Celebration of the Self and the Sacralization of Modernity.'' Cambridge, MA: Blackwell Publishers, 1999.
*Jackson, Bill. ''The Quest for the Radical Middle.'' Cape Town, South Africa: Vineyard International Publishing, 1999.
*Noll, Mark. ''The Rise of Evangelicalism: The Age of Edwards, Whitefield and the Wesleys.'' Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 2003.
*Shannon, William. ''Thomas Merton: An Introduction.'' Cincinnati, OH: St. Anthony Messenger Press, 2005.
{{refend}}

==External Links==

* [http://www.catchthefire.com/ Catch the Fire Ministries]
* [http://www.ihop.org/ International House of Prayer]
* [http://www.cwgministries.org/ Communion with God Ministries]
* [http://www.encountersnetwork.com/ Encounters Network]
* [http://www.thenewmystics.com/ The New Mystics]
* [http://www.evangelicalmystics.wordpress.com True Life Ministries]

[[Category:Christian mysticism]] [[Category:Christian prayer]] [[Category:Mysticism]] [[Category:Meditation]] [[Category:Charismatic and Pentecostal Christianity]] [[Category:Christian evangelicalism]]