TH 660 Exploring the ‘Dream Experience’ in Christian SpiritualityIntegrate dream interpretation? Say what? As the wisest man who ever lived said, "For in many dreams and in many words there is emptiness. Rather, fear God." (Ecc. 5:7) Actually, I like the KJV better for that one: "For in the multitude of dreams and many words [there are] also [divers] vanities: but fear thou God." In the meantime, they're not only teaching dream interpretation at this Bible seminary, but contemplative spirituality, and all that goes with it. See more here:
The course will survey the significance and understanding of the dream experience in both eastern and western traditions. Special attention will be given to the role of the dream in the spiritual journeys of prominent Christians, the dream and the death experience, as well as to developing a Christian approach to dream interpretation. Students will gain from the course an historical/theological appreciation for the value of the dream within a Christian worldview as well as a sense of how to integrate dream interpretation with an understanding of one’s own spiritual journey.
Ambrose Seminary teaches contemplative spirituality in 2009-2010
suspiciousberean.blogspot.com
[See also The Ambrose-contemplative connection at the same blog.]
This is only a small part of the trend we are seeing in so many of today's Christian colleges, universities and seminaries, but to point to another example (of many) at Ambrose, they are promoting something called Down Ancient Paths (downancientpaths.com). This takes students on the following journeys such as these...
- Holy Days and Holidays in Egypt: Experiencing an Ancient Christian Coptic Christmas
- Ancient Christian Traditions in North Africa and the Mediterranean
- Celtic Landscapes: An Exploration of Early Irish Christianity
These journeys are led by Ambrose's Professor of Christian History and Spirituality. Quite an ecumenical kind of fellow, Dr. Nienkirchen attends an Anglican church and serves on the faculty of the Pecos Benedictine School for Spiritual Direction (pecosmonastery.org). Interestingly, he was recently one of the signatories on The Call to an Ancient Evangelical Future (see here or here), an ecumenical movement to return to ancient-future practices as a “new way” for re-inventing Christianity. Just last month, Nienkirchen led a Suburban Monastery retreat at Mount St. Francis Retreat Center, a Fransiscan monastery in Cochrane, Alberta (www.wkc.org/spiritual-formation/lent-prayer-retreat).
Surprising? I was surprised to find that more than a few Christian & Missionary Alliance pastors say that he has had a major spiritual influence on them.
Check out this thing that Dr. Nienkirchen was quoted to say in a very strange article by Lorna Dueck of Crossroads (crossroads.ca):
"The excessive fragmentation of Western Christianity means people trying to recover authentic Christianity are going to have to go outside their own traditions. We need to bring the Christian East to Canada."Seriously?
-Lessons from the Dalai Lama
(by Lorna Dueck - May 2004)
http://www.listenuptv.com/lorna/dalailama.htm
Being an authentic Christian is not about religion or traditions or practices - those are all efforts of man. Being an authentic, true born again Christian means knowing and loving Jesus because of what He has done for us.
There's nothing wrong with learning history, but here's the thing. Christian colleges everywhere like Ambrose may be doing these same things - but in doing so they are digging up spiritual practices and traditions that are not supported or taught by the Bible. They even say it's 'ancient' and rediscovered, but instead of discovering and digging into the really ancient roots of our Christian heritage (in the inspired Holy Scriptures), this new "Christianity" only goes back to the first few centuries after Jesus - to the first monks in Egypt, to ancient Roman Catholicism, ancient Celtic Christians, and their writings and ancient religious and mystical practices.
This is what happens when spiritually hungry Christians are not satisfied with the meat of God's Word. They don't want to hear His words, so they go elsewhere, trying to fill themselves up with all these new things and experiences that make them feel very religious and spiritual...like learning to value dream interpretations, imagination contemplation, spiritual direction, contemplative prayer, ancient practices, pilgrimages, sacred spaces, monastic retreats, and the teachings of the desert 'fathers,' and so the list goes on - all religious rituals of man, and vain attempts to build a ladder to God.
I suppose we shouldn't be at all surprised, since these days were prophesied...
"Behold, days are coming," declares the Lord GOD,"When I will send a famine on the land, Not a famine for bread or a thirst for water, But rather for hearing the words of the LORD."
Amos 8:11
Amos 8:11
2 comments:
Ah me (((sigh))) I guess your post is good. It is, but at the same time it makes me weary and so very sad to read of "Christian" leaders who are so eager to add to the Gospel of Jesus. Open mindedness bordering on empty headedness -i.e., a willingness to accept any and all ideas because nothing of value resides within just makes me sigh.
Thank you - I guess :-)
I hear ya.
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