Mennonites and the Mystical Stream
Ruth Haley Barton was once the assistant director of spiritual formation at Willow Creek Community Church. Now she is the Co-Founder & President of The Transforming Centre (http://www.thetransformingcenter.org/ruthbio.php). There they teach that the “mystical stream [contemplative prayer] is the Western bridge to Far Eastern spirituality … It is no accident that the most active frontier between Christian and Eastern religions today is between contemplative Christian monks and their Eastern equivalents.” (—Tilden Edwards, Shalem Founder)
Read about this stream of contemplative spirituality and where it has taken Ruth Haley Barton here:
http://www.lighthousetrailsresearch.com/ruthhaleybarton.htm
Even though she has chosen the pathway to contemplative mysticism, the Mennonite Brethren Herald magazine promoted Ruth Haley Barton’s book Invitation to Solitude and Silence: Experiencing God’s Transforming Presence here:
Finding God in listening and living
http://www.mbherald.com/43/10/books-1.en.html
Mennonite Church Canada also promotes An Ordinary day with Jesus co-authored by John Ortberg and Ruth Haley Barton in their resources here:
http://www.mennonitechurch.ca/resourcecentre/ResourceView/33/5738
John Ortberg, who is often endorsed and used by the Mennonite Brethren (as can be seen here and here) also has contemplative connections. To learn about this, see here:
http://www.lighthousetrailsresearch.com/johnortberg.htm
By promoting these authors, ROM is wondering how many Mennonites have been placed in danger of falling into the same mystical stream?
ROM Index: High
