Here is a photo of a Taize service…..I finally remembered that i had found information about Taize on the Lighthouse Trails Research website. Taize is a prime example of how contemplative spirituality is compromising the church. It appeals to the youth and is Buddist oriented with a Catholic flavoring.
Taize – Another Avenue Through Which Contemplative is Entering the Church
Taize Community is an international, ecumenical communityin France. Taize Worship is practicing the silence with icons, candles, incense and prayer stations, and is a very contemplative/Buddist oriented community attracting young people from around the world.
As an article on Taize worship explains:
Short chants, repeated again and again, give it a meditative character,” the brothers explain in a brief introduction printed in the paperback songbook. “Using just a few words, [the chants] express a basic reality of faith, quickly grasped by the mind. As the words are sung over many times, this reality gradually penetrates the whole being.
While it is apparent that Taize is rooted in Eastern mysticism, it is equally apparent that it is being incorporated more and more into Christendom. Below are some examples of Christian ministries and schools that are introducing people to Taize worship.
Columbia Bible College (BC, Canada)
Eastern Mennonite University (Virginia)
Calvin Institute of Christian Worship
Seattle Pacific University (Washington)
Renovare (Richard Foster) – page 2
Here is a link to the newsletter containing this article
http://www.lighthousetrailsresearch.com/newsletter020507.htm
Here is the link to my orginal article about Taize
https://kimolsen.wordpress.com/2007/07/30/crisis-in-the-church-taize-what-is-it/
DiscernIt 
17 comments
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August 4, 2007 at 8:12 am
Peg
Hi, just surfing through on a Friday night. I really like the new look of your blog!
This latest info is interesting. I have to admit I know next to nothing about the Taize community in France. I only know how Taize is practiced locally, and the local Lutherans do nothing like what’s pictured or described above! Maybe it has gone through some changes on its way across the Atlantic?
I checked out the website you were talking about too. One thing I’m really confused on: how do they define “contemplative”? I was really surprised at some of the things and people on their list. It almost seems like any ideas or experiences that can’t be defined rationally fall into the contemplative category……?
FWIW here’s a sampling of my reactions to the list:
Dallas Willard – contemplative. I’ve read “The Divine Conspiracy”. Lots of good things to say if you take it with a grain of salt.
Alpha Course – not contemplative. Too evangelical/charismatic to fit the description. The Alpha Course (I helped lead one this past spring) is basically a combination evangelistic outreach & church growth tool.
Julian of Norwich – CLASSIC contemplative. Another set of writings where there’s great stuff in it but take a fair number of grains of salt with you.
Tony Campolo – I don’t know quite how to categorize him, but “contemplative” is not the word, LOL! (I’ve met the man.)
Henri Nouwen – traditional Catholic contemplative and scholar, nothing radical about him. Agree with some of his stuff, disagree with other stuff.
“Purpose Driven” stuff – not contemplative but it’s just the latest Christian fad. Remember the “Prayer of Jabez” a few years back? Wait a couple years and it will pass. 😉
JMHO….
August 4, 2007 at 9:24 am
Kim
Well i believe that there is hardly any difference between contemplative and meditative. Pretty much interchangeable. Contemplative spirituality is a deceptive term that will invite Christians into a practice that is really eastern mysticism.
I don’t know much about Dallas Willard, and the Alpha Course? i know about the Alpha State which is allowing yourself to fall into an altered state of consciousness, necessary for the enlightenment of the NewAge philosophies.
Henri Nouwen….
Unfortunately, this widely read and often-quoted author, at the end of his life, stated in clear terms that he approached God from a universalistic view. He proclaimed:
“Today I personally believe that while Jesus came to open the door to Gods 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.”
That is radical enough for me.
August 4, 2007 at 10:50 am
Peg
The Alpha Course was started by Holy Trinity Brompton in London (an Anglican charismatic church) and has been successful worldwide in bringing people to the faith and into local churches. “Alpha states” are a totally different thing, thank goodness!
I had to read Nouwen in a seminary course a couple decades ago. (Haven’t read his stuff since… sorry to hear he ended up in universalism.)The professor wasn’t pushing Nouwen’s teachings… he was exposing us to a number of different approaches to thinking about Christian spirituality, and our job as students was to agree or disagree with the assigned readings and say why.
At the time I was doing a good bit of writing in apologetics (very similar to what you’re working on) so I was pretty much on my guard with the stuff.
My biggest problem with Nouwen — and many of the other “contemplative” writers — is that a steady diet of it eventually devolves into navel-gazing, or to put it another way, it’s a head trip. Very easy to become self-involved and puffed up with knowledge. My professor told me later Nouwen himself admitted his greatest sin was pride.
That said, I still don’t see a problem with contemplation as guided by the Spirit, unless we’re talking about two different things, which is why I was asking for definitions. As I understand it, in the Christian world, they go something like this: meditation = to think about something deeply, to ponder. To meditate on scripture is to “read, mark, and inwardly digest” it. contemplation = similar to meditation but usually includes some kind of revelation from God like a dream, a prophecy, or a teaching. It’s touched with a little bit of mystery, it’s a little beyond the everyday in the same way that miracles are. “Contemplative” writers are people who have experienced these kinds of things.
In my understanding the benefits and pitfalls are very similar to the charismatic gifts, in fact (now that the words are all on the screen) the thought occurs: Christian contemplation might be considered a form of the charismatic gifts, maybe? Which, like we said before, can be done scripturally or can be counterfeited. Neither of us is ready to say speaking in tongues is unChristian, even though neither of us does it. I don’t see visions like Julian of Norwich did (!) but I can’t quite write her off as a heretic either.
Sorry to be so long-winded! My hope is to encourage you rather than debate… keep on digging, and don’t be afraid to look at the original source materials (that is, the Alpha course itself, or one of Nouwen’s books). God protects those who serve Him, you won’t be misled if you read the sources with the Holy Spirit’s guidance.
August 4, 2007 at 8:47 pm
Kim
I like this definition you give….
“contemplation = similar to meditation but usually includes some kind of revelation from God like a dream, a prophecy, or a teaching. It’s touched with a little bit of mystery, it’s a little beyond the everyday in the same way that miracles are. “Contemplative” writers are people who have experienced these kinds of things.”
It is the “method” one uses or promotes, to create their own experience that worries me. It is a step into the occult. Occult is defined as things hidden or secret. Any method used to tap into these resources is divination which is forbidden in the Bible.
Biblically, we are to approach God by coming to Him by faith through Jesus Christ.
Peg, i appreciate your comments and i always need encouragement. Thank you so much!!!
August 5, 2007 at 7:33 am
Peg
Ah! I think I see where you’re coming from now. Does this make sense…
The difference between Christian contemplation and dabbling in the occult is who initiates the process…? In other words, if a Christian in the course of everyday prayer and/or meditation is unexpectedly touched in a special way by God, then that’s from God…….. BUT if a person attempts to manufacture an out-of-the-ordinary spiritual experience, or in some way make it happen, that’s an attempt to force God’s hand, which is a sin (divination? sorcery? maybe both?). Does that sound about right?
(I should quickly add… contemplative Christians down through the ages have often practiced fasting, celibacy, poverty, and other disciplines to draw nearer to Christ by minimizing worldly distractions. New Agers typically misinterpret this and teach using physical disciplines to help produce spiritual revelations. Nonsense. Disciplines may help but not for the reasons New Agers think.)
Anyway… rock on!
August 5, 2007 at 8:16 am
Peg
PS – If you’d like to take a closer look at Christian contemplative teachings, I attended a Quiet Day at my church a few months ago led by one of the leading Christian contemplative teachers. Can’t remember his name offhand but he’s a friend of Dallas Willard’s. My notes can be found here:
http://getstarted.wordpress.com/tag/main-areas/faith-chat/page/2/
…and scroll down a little past halfway.
There are 6 posts total — “Quiet Day” parts 1, 2, and 3 (notes on the talks) and “Meditations” 1, 2, and 3 (my responses to the lessons). Feel free to ask questions if you like!
August 5, 2007 at 8:52 am
Kim
Yes, this makes sense, although i would like to clarify something. If the Christian tries to manufacture a spiritual experience using occult methods the experience probably will be occult. No matter how beautiful it may seem.
August 5, 2007 at 10:16 pm
Peg
That sounds about right to me too. I think it goes without saying that using occult methods is not a good idea, anytime, anywhere, period. All we need now is a definition of what “occult methods” are (keeping in mind sooo much of the occult is a counterfeiting of what’s true and right).
I’m off for a few days to visit my folks… will catch up with you when I get back! 🙂
August 6, 2007 at 5:19 am
carla
Hey there, sorry to interupt your fine conversation. So far I’ve just had time to read the first comment, so hope I don’t repeat anything that’s been said…
Regarding Tony Campolo being contemplative, did you know that he says he was born again by centering prayer, uses a mantra, and gets into that thin place? I would say that’s a wee bit contemplative…
Check it out:
http://www.understandthetimes.org/commentary/c58_pf.shtml
I think anyone who practices or promotes contemplative spirituality, whether it be the spiritual disciplines, spiritual direction, or a meditation practice that invovles being very still, breathing excercises, and finding that silent space within…would be classified as a contemplative in my books.
August 6, 2007 at 5:48 am
Kim
Hi Carla,
Even though i have Roger Oakland on my Blogroll, Understand the Times, i had not read this article. It is very good. I like this comment from Roger because it really sums up Contemplative Spirituality.
“I have searched the Scriptures! You can do the same. Centering prayer and using the name of Jesus as a “mantra” is just not there. In fact the idea of using a mantra (that is mindlessly repeating a word over and over again) is used by the Buddhists and the Hindus in their attempts to focus on the spiritual realm and contact higher beings that the Bible calls demons.”
See Carla @ http://morebooksandthings.blogspot.com
August 8, 2007 at 6:53 am
Peg
Interesting… looks like Tony’s gotten into Catholic history & spirituality a bit more since the last time I heard him (about 20 years ago).
I just read the chapter Oakland quotes, which can be found here:
Click to access Letter_to_a_Young_Evangelical_28-41.pdf
A lot of Oakland’s objections are a matter of semantics IMO, plus a bit of chain-pulling on Campolo’s part (he is deliberately using terms that will upset the apple cart… could easily express his ideas in other ways. He’s not above goading us conservative evangelicals. 😉 )
Tony’s positions are too liberal for my tastes and always have been, but I can understand where he’s coming from and I think his liberal positions are why people don’t like him. If it wasn’t “centering prayer” it would be something else, like his stance on homosexuality (which I totally disagree with…)
August 14, 2007 at 9:49 pm
James
As a former United Church of Canada pastor, I can attest to some of the kookie feminist sophia stuff happening in the denomination. It has gotten so bad that a bunch of “progressives” walked out of a worship service because there “was too much Lord language”. You are a pariah if you use Father language in prayer at leadership events.
I am working on a project to help UCCers to leave for a Christian denomination. If anyone wants to help find examples of United Church of Canada heresy for my UCC Watch section, that would be appreciated.
In the past year many conservatives have acknowledged that the battle within the denomination has been lost to the liberals and neo-pagans. Now it is time to help the faithful leave for more faithful pastures.
August 21, 2007 at 6:43 am
Peg
Re: James’ post:
Interesting… it seems that all the Protestant denominations are going through the exact same thing at the exact same time. Coincidence? I think not…
re: “time to help the faithful leave for more faithful pastures” — it would be interesting if all the faithful exiting the various denominations end up in the same pastures…!
October 13, 2011 at 4:23 am
Nic Patterson
Hello. I just came across your post and wanted to share my experiences with you. Taize is a wonderful place and there I met evangelicals as well as agnostics. There, there is real dialogue between ALL people – however most people who go there are seeking something – and in Taize they are pointed to Christ. Not everyone believes the same thing, but in the classes (which each person is required to attend) we learned strictly from the Gospels. People pray in silence because with the variety of languages spoken, it would be difficult to comprehend what was being said. Some people pray out loud there. Many people judge the brothers of Taize and their methods because they do not know. I had lunch with the leader of the community and brothers as well as several one-on-one discussions with brothers. They really have no other motive other than reconciliation.
I wanted to clarify something else as well. There is no offering taken, nor does the community accept donations (unless you are staying in one of the dormitories – then they ask for a contribution.) They work to provide their income by selling things they make. For me to go and stay there for 2 weeks was only $150 USD – and that was their highest donation for someone from the U.S. – so $75 per week for room, board, meals, and everything else. When I was there, most songs were sung in German, English, and French – because those were the people who were there that week. They select the music based on the people who have made reservations to be there. However, the music – regardless of the language – is all scripture.
I am a United Methodist minister and am very conservative. I have a passion for making disciples of Jesus Christ.
There will be the first Taize meeting in the United States since 1993 in 2012. It will be in Chicago Memorial Day Weekend. Maybe you could attend.
May God bless you and your ministry, Kim. May we all love the Lord our God with all our soul, mind, and strength as we love our neighbor as ourselves..
Nic Patterson
October 13, 2011 at 7:43 am
Kim
The purpose of the clergy is indeed to point people to faith in Jesus Christ. John the Baptist perfectly pointed people to Christ by telling them they needed to repent. Which of course means to turn away from sin and false gods, and to turn to Jesus Christ. This means a 180….and this is where discipleship comes in if one wants to make disciples. The Gospel is the good news indeed, and when people realize their sinful condition as Romans 1-3 demonstrates, they actually begin to see the need for a Savior.
Jesus told Nicodemus that one has to be born again. This is the transformation that occurs when one truly turns to Jesus and is willing to pick up a cross and die to self. Dying to our own wills and living for Jesus becomes our purpose. In John 14 Jesus says three times that love for Him is demonstrated by obedience to His commands. We will be hated by the world for our truthful testimony about Jesus according to John 15.
Is this sounding similar to the “real dialogue” you said was taking place at Taize?
November 14, 2018 at 4:20 am
Shirley G. Platt
Even the very elect will be deceived. Not good to play with fire. Let’s stick to scripture.
November 14, 2018 at 4:24 am
Shirley G. Platt
It is always SAFE to stick with scripture. Jesus is our example. Where, in the scriptures, is there a record of JESUS chanting??