Roll Over Menno

In May 2004 a retreat for pastors in the BC MB Conference (Mennonite Brethren of British Columbia, Canada) took place at Silver Star Mountain Resort. It was a prayer retreat for pastors and their spouses, focusing on spiritual direction (www.bcmb.org/bclinks/feb04.doc).

Pastors and spouses meet
June 11, 2004
http://www.mbherald.com/43/08/news-2.en.html

Experiencing quiet time of affirmation

The B.C. Pastors and Spouses’ retreat, which followed the B.C. MB convention, was held at Silver Star resort near Vernon. B.C., a beautiful venue with breathtaking views of God’s creation. The speakers were brothers Steve and Jeff Imbach, spiritual directors. They educated us on what spiritual direction is – ”listening and attending to God and His ways for us, and being affirmed in who we are and how God sees us” – and what it isn’t – ”telling people what to do,” “the latest fad” or “cure-all.” They also said, “It’s a simple gift of offering to another gentle but tenacious encouragement to open fully to Jesus’ loving presence, and to co-discern the action of the Holy Spirit.”

…The Imbachs introduced the practice of imaginative or contemplative prayer originated by St Ignatius. “Scripture begs for the use of imagination,” they said. We also experienced the quiet beauty of a Taize service.

The leaders of this retreat were Steve and Jeff Imbach, the founders of a contemplative organization called Soulstream, where they draw heavily from the teachings of Thomas Merton.

ROM would like to remind readers that it was Thomas Merton who said the following:

“I’m deeply impregnated with Sufism.’” Thomas Merton, from The Springs of Contemplation, p. 266

“I see no contradiction between Buddhism and Christianity … I intend to become as good a Buddhist as I can.”
(David Steindl-Rast, “Recollection of Thomas Merton’s Last Days in the West” (Monastic Studies, 7:10, 1969)

The Imbachs have also been involved with the Thomas Merton Society of Canada (see speaking list here) as well as the Henri Nouwen society in Canada(see here). In fact, Jeff Imbach is the president:

Jeff Imbach, MDiv, is the current president of The Henri Nouwen society in Canada. He lived in Calgary for many years and is the author of two books: The Recovery of Love: Christian Mysticism and the Addictive Society and the award winning book, The River Within: Loving God, Living Passionately. Jeff has been in pastoral ministry and spiritual direction for more than twenty years…
-http://www.spiritualdirections.com/WhoAreWe.html

It was Henri Nouwen who said:

“Today I personally believe that while Jesus came to open the door to God’s house, all human beings can walk through that door, whether they know about Jesus or not. Today I see it as my call to help every person claim his or her own way to God.”
—From Sabbatical Journey, Henri Nouwen’s last book
page 51, 1998 Hardcover Edition
-http://www.lighthousetrailsresearch.com/nouwen.htm

Jeff Imbach also teaches a distance education course called NOU: A Theology of the Heart: The Life and Writings of Henri Nouwen at St. Francis Xavier University, a Diploma in Ministry Program which offers tradition studies based on Catholic theology.

In spite of their background in Catholic contemplative mystical tradition and Jesuit spirituality, the MB Conference thought it wise to invite Steve and Jeff Imbach to teach their pastors, even though they should have know better. The Imbachs had already been facilitators of the November 2003 contemplative prayer retreat for Mennonite Brethren worship leaders and youth workers. During that weekend the Imbachs introduced these leaders to various forms of Catholic prayer and contemplation, both new and ancient, such as encountering God through a Byzantine painting of Jesus and Mary and using their imaginations for Bible readings.

Read about this retreat here:

Come Away: Worship leaders and youth workers meet for contemplative prayer retreat
http://www.mbherald.com/43/01/comeaway.en.html

It should not be surprising when we see things like silent retreat centers, spiritual direction and contemplative prayer becoming so prevalent among Mennonite Brethren churches in the last few years. Sadly, the leaders who have been trained in spiritual formation and have accepted it (they do have a choice) are simply promoting to their congregations what they’ve been taught.

Beneficial reading:

The Evangelical Attraction to Mysticism (Berean Beacon)

ROM Index: High

“Let not many of you become teachers, my brethren, knowing that as such we will incur a stricter judgment.” James 3:1

The website of Mennonite Church Canada is promoting some books by Catholic priest Richard Rohr in their Resource Centre.

One of these is about the enneagram:

http://www.mennonitechurch.ca/resourcecentre/ResourceView/2/7032

The Enneagram: A Christian Perspective
by: Richard Rohr; Andreas Ebert

Many Christians feel uneasy about the Enneagram as a way of deepening self-awareness; this is mostly because the test has some connections to the Sufi religion and new age thought. That makes this book by Richard Rohr necessary and helpful to be able to gain the insight of the enneagram from a source that is operating from a Christian worldview. This book has sections on where the enneagram came from, what it is, what the 9 enneagram personality types are, and how Christians can benefit from it without adopting non-Christian ideas. Part II of the book looks at the 9 types from a Christian perspective. Rohr identifies the root sin of each type, and how God can redeem that sin into a beautiful gift. He also talks about what gifts the types naturally have, and how we can grow in those. This book is very helpful for understanding yourself and others, and for getting out of the boxes that are keeping you from living in a full and redeemed way.

An article by the Christian Research Institute Journal says this about the enneagram:

Tell Me Who I Am, O Enneagram
http://www.iclnet.org/pub/resources/text/cri/cri-jrnl/web/crj0146a.html

“The enneagram is particularly popular among Catholic groups, with parishes and retreat houses offering workshops across the country. Rarely are teachers or participants aware of its occultic origins, something that should be a source of real concern for the Christian church. Echoes of a false, Gnostic theology are heard in enneagram teachings, though its occult roots are masked. The lack of scientific research into the enneagram system is an additional cause for concern.”

Please read the rest of this informative article at the above link.

Here is another revealing link which shows Richard Rohr teaching about the enneagram:

Watch “Occultic Enneagram Lesson” here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7RNt0MH9dWA

This should be a grave concern. Not only is Mennonite Church Canada promoting the enneagream, they are also endorsing a Catholic priest whose belief system is akin to pantheism, and who has recently presented the Jesus and Buddha Awakening Seminar. (See Who is Richard Rohr? for details.)

In light of the deceptive times we are living in, it is also very revealing to note that among the books Richard Rohr promotes to peruse on his Center for Action and Contemplation website (bottom of Partners and Links page here) is The Power of Now, Eckhart Tolle (New World Library). As everyone knows, not only has Oprah praised this book on her show, she has recently been teaching a weekly on-line New Age course with Eckhart Tolle from his latest book, A New Earth, which she is heavily endorsing.

See here:

Oprah and Tolle fuel New Age revival
Blending East/West mysticism into A New Earth spirituality
By Berit Kjos - March 2008
http://www.crossroad.to/articles2/08/tolle.htm

If the spirituality of Eckhart Tolle is recommended by Richard Rohr, whose books Mennonite Church Canada promotes in their resources, does this mean they also endorse the same spirituality and New Age gospel of Oprah?

What on earth is Mennonite Church Canada thinking?

ROM Index: grave concern ***very high

*This would not be the first time that Mennonites have promoted Oprah’s gospel. See here:
Mennonites Promote Oprah’s Gospel

A new article called Celebrating the Resurrection, But Denying the Atonement from the Lighthouse Trails blog says:

….This weekend, people throughout the world will be celebrating Christ’s resurrection. Even people who don’t believe in the resurrection are celebrating the weekend and wishing Happy Easter to others. But while that seems odd to celebrate a day when you don’t even believe in its reason, what is more odd is that so many Christians are celebrating the resurrection but are throughout the year promoting a spirituality that ultimately denies the atonement….

One of the ways listed by this article in which the atonement is being denied is through a book called Stricken by God - NonViolent Identification & the Victory of Christ, which was mentioned in an earlier ROM post (see Mennonites and the New Paradigm). The book is a collection of essays which provide different perspectives on the sacrificial atonement. In fact, many of these essays even deny the atonement. To the embarrassment of Menno, as noted previously, some of the people who are involved with this book are Mennonites.

For example, Willard Swartley, Professor Emeritus of Associated Mennonite Biblical Seminary, wrote the Foreword in which he endorses these “alternative perceptions of atonement”. Another endorser is Ted Grimsrud of Eastern Mennonite University, who writes on the back cover of this book:

“It is difficult to overstate the importance of this collection. These essays proved that crucial work in articulating peaceable approaches to atonement is being done across the theological spectrum – and they further that work in powerful ways.”

However, if one takes the time to read the book review recommended by the Lighthouse article, it soon becomes apparent that this book denies the power of the sacrificial atonement of Christ.

The Preface of Stricken by God is written by the book’s co-editor, Michael Hardin of Preaching Peace, who attends Akron Mennonite Church. The other editor of this book is Brad Jersak (a graduate from Briercrest Bible College) who formerly worked at Bethel Mennonite Church in B.C., Canada.

Incidently, emerging church leader Brian McLaren is on the same page as these Mennonites. And no wonder, as he has already had a great influence on the Mennonites, as shown in last September’s post called Emerging Mennonites.

Here is what he says of this book:

“I am thrilled with Stricken by God?. It is a highly important contribution at a critical time. I will refer to it often and recommend it widely.” (See here.)

McLaren’s endorsement on the back cover of Stricken by God says:

“Stricken by God? is a highly important contribution at a critical time, bring together a range of thoughtful voices who raise important questions and pose needed and well-defined answers.”

How sad Menno would be to see that some Mennonites are among those who are celebrating the resurrection this weekend but denying the power of the atonement.

ROM Index: High

The following is a ROM warning:

Joint Mennonite Church Canada/Mennonite Church USA release
January 10, 2008
http://www.mennonitechurch.ca/news/releases/2008/01/Release01.htm

Winnipeg, Man. — Members of Mennonite Church USA and Mennonite Church Canada will meet together at a bi-national “People’s Summit for Faithful Living” on July 8-10, 2008 on the campus of Canadian Mennonite University in Winnipeg.

The speakers at this upcoming “People’s Summit” are Tom and Christine Sine of Seattle, Wash., April Yamasaki of Abbotsford, B.C., and Tom Yoder-Neufeld of Waterloo, Ont.

The Sines are promoters of Celtic Spirituality, monastic communities, the labyrinth and the Catholic spiritual disciplines (as seen in ‘Mennonites Promote Celtic Spirituality’). Tom Sine writes about the New Monasticism in an article called The New Conspirators - Modern Monasticism. He is also the author of a new book called The New Conspirators and recently participated in a conference by the same name, The New Conspirators Conference (thenewconspirators.wordpress.com) where the four streams of renewal discussed were mosaic, monastic, emerging and missional. There is more information about this here:

‘Conspirators’ Plot New Ways to Be Christian
Thu, Feb. 28 2008
http://www.christianpost.com/article/20080228/31351_’Conspirators’_Plot_New_Ways_to_Be_Christian.htm
Cutting-edge leaders of the emerging, missional, mosaic and monastic streams are convening Thursday evening in Washington state to re-imagine ways to express the Christian faith….

‘Conspirators’ Bring Together New Styles of Christianity
Fri, Mar. 07 2008
http://www.christianpost.com/article/20080307/31458_’Conspirators’_Bring_Together_New_Styles_of_Christianity.htm
More than 300 people participated in “The New Conspirators Conference” last week that brought together hip-hoppers, community workers, and mainline pastors who all were looking for new ways to connect the new generation with Jesus Christ….

It is alarming to see that both the Mennonite Church USA and the Mennonite Church Canada are going the way of the New Monastic conspirators.

ROM Index: High

A Mennonite poet who is featured quite regularly in Mennonite circles has two poems on the last page of the March issue of the Mennonite Brethren Herald. One of them is called for Lent, and goes like this:

For Lent
Jean Janzen

Press your palm against the Tree.
Feel its pull toward the center of the earth,
how roots drag through flesh like nails
as earth claims the crown.

Now let the Tree hold you in your
full weight of wrong and right,
your selfishness absorbed by flaming roots.
You have never been so light.

The picture below this poem is of a sliver barked tree trunk with entangled exposed roots (click here).

Could it be that this poem is a subtle indicator of how the current New Age phenomena of meditation and centering prayer has been infiltrating Mennonite denominations in the form of contemplative spiritual formation?

Compare this poem to the following:

Spiritual Chakra Meditations

How To Do A Spectroscopic Healing Meditation

Align all of your chakras by sitting with your back straight. Slow down your vibration by taking a few deep breaths, then bring white light down through your crown chakra, let it flow like a mountain waterfall into your heart chakra, then anchor yourself into the Earth.

This meditation carries the white light into your heart chakra at this point, at this point white light enters your heart chakra a major signal, is released which will circulate around the body. This creates a stabilising energy from the heart centre, if there are any problems in any of the lower chakra centres, the energy from the heart centre the full vibrational sequence of your body can be raised.

Drawing the black restorative energy up from the feminine essence of the mother Earth and into your roots, the roots of a large tree spreading deep underground, anchoring the tree into the earth, use your creative visualisation to imagine the roots, going down from your body plunging into the depths of the planet and spreading out, just like the roots of that tree. Envision the prominent bulky roots extending downwards below the surface, broadening from the base of your spine.

(http://healing.about.com/od/meditationadvice/a/chakra_meditate_4.htm)

OR the method from Medicine Garden called Finding your safe place, which describes visualizing silver tree roots winding gently around your ankles down through your foot and several hundred meters into Mother Earth that takes you toward a light.

OR the meditation from Healing of the World Soul that talks about focusing on a light flowing through your body like sap in a tree and down through the trunk of your body and rooting you in the earth. The light is the energy pouring down into your roots, giving you a sense of grounding and safety, flowing out through your hands…”as your arms are out-stretched through the top of your head…opening its light to combine with the light of all Creation.”

Are the parallels not obvious? The ‘crown’ is the first chakra (the head), the ‘roots’ are the grounding of centering prayer or meditation. The Seven Chakras are linked to the energy of the serpent power of Kundalini, the root chakra being the center of your existence, the seventh, or crown chakra, being your point of enlightenment.

Of course, some will say that Roll Over Menno is jumping to conclusions over such a benign poem that is simply about the cross and the crown of thorns. Perhaps they need to take a look at what else was written by the same author of this Lent poem (since when is Lent a Mennonite tradition?). Here is a song (based on the writings of Juliana of Norwich, an English Roman Catholic mystic who wrote about Jesus in terms of a mother) written by Jean Janzen, and is called Mothering God:

1.Mothering God, you gave me birth in the bright morning of this world.
Creator, source of every breath, you are my rain, my wind, my sun.
2. Mothering Christ, you took my form, offering me your food of light,
grain of life, and grape of love, your very body for my peace.
3. Mothering Spirit, nurturing one, in arms of patience hold me close,
so that in faith I root and grow until I flow’r, until I know.

It can be purchased (here) from Wild Goose Publications (of the Iona Abbey Community). One article about this song, called Her Hymns - The Faith We Sing, states:

“Jean Janzen, author of the song “Mothering God” and a poetry professor at Fresno Pacific University, says the hymn, based on the writings of Julian of Norwich, a 14th-century Christian mystic, is an attempt to balance the warrior image of God with a more nurturing one.”

The Bible always refers to all persons of the Godhead as ‘He’. What does this tell us about the beliefs of this author?

Do the editors of the Mennonite Brethren Herald show a lack of discernment by choosing this author’s poem for their magazine? Perhaps it is merely a case of being blissfully ignorant and they have no idea about the roots of centering prayer. If so, they may need to begin educating themselves with what is happening all around (and within) them in the movement towards contemplative spiritual formation. Or perhaps this poem actually is all about Jesus. I suppose we will never know. One can only hope the Mennonite Brethren are not following in the steps of the Mennonite Central Committee, who until very recently had Litanies of praise to Mother Earth on their website in the Creation Worship Resource section.

ROM Index: somewhere in the center of the earth