The latest spiritual fad creeping into the evangelical church has been described as "contemplative spirituality." This spirituality is associated with the writings of Dallas Willard, Richard Foster, Thomas Merton, and the Renovare movement which claims to be simply reviving an ancient form of piety long found in Roman Catholic monastic tradition. As such these practices are not new - not even to mainstream Protestantism - but are just growing in popularity on the evangelical scene.
It is particularly among the so-called "emergent" churches of evangelicalism that contemplative spirituality is gaining ground. This postmodern movement seems to be in full reaction to both traditional evangelical orthodoxy (albeit an orthodoxy so-called, disconnected as it is form its historic reformation roots) and the shallow consumer/entertainment culture of seeker driven churches. Their flight seems to be in search of something of substance; something ancient, mysterious, transcendent. And - to the extent that evangelicalism is devoid of these awe inspiring elements I would join them in their search.
Take meditation for example. Where biblical meditation is simply to think deeply, consistently, and at length on the scriptures (Psalm 1:2) wherever you happen to be and while you are about your daily routine, contemplatives advocate body position and breathing technique.
Richard Foster, in his influential book, Celebration of Discipline, begins his section on meditation by disclaiming that he is teaching eastern practices but then proceeds to introduce them. Though he rebuts the need for posture - "There is no 'law' that prescribes a correct posture...," he proceeds to do just that saying for instance, "To slouch indicates inattention and to cross the legs restricts the circulation," p.21. So apparently these are not productive of the state he envisions and presumably we should abandon them and strive for correct position.
When we begin focusing on things like body position in meditation we may not be sinning, but we're beyond what the Bible teaches on it. On the other hand, Hinduism is very concerned with body position for mediation. The discipline of yoga is all about body position and its influence on one's inward state.
Foster then proceeds to matters of breathing, "Another meditation aimed at centering oneself begins by concentration on breathing." For what purpose? He says, "This will help you to get in touch with your body..." And with the breathing further body posturing is involved: "Inhale deeply, slowly tilting your head back... Then exhale, allowing your head slowly to come forward until your chin nearly rests on your chest." I think this takes us further away from thinking about God and closer - as Foster states - to thinking about our body. It takes us further away from Biblical practices and closer to those of Hinduism.
It should raise eyebrows to know that Foster's brand of meditation can be practiced apart from deep thought on the scriptures. On p.25 he says, "Having practiced for some weeks with the... meditation list above, you will want to add the meditation upon Scripture." Wow! It's good to know the Bible gets thrown in there some time - even if it's after "some weeks." The scriptures, he says, are "the hub of a wheel, the meditation upon [which] becomes the central reference point by which all other meditations are kept in proper perspective." Page 26. Now when he says "other mediations" he means "other than meditating on the scriptures;" and it's plain that he's advocating techniques of meditation that are not found in the scriptures - techniques that have to do with one's state of consciousness rather than communion with God.
American evangelicalism should heed the warnings of Isaiah the prophet who explained to Israel why they were suffering as they did - "You have abandoned your people, the house of Jacob. They are full of superstitions from the East; they practice divination like the Philistines and clasp hands with pagans." Isa.2:6.
