Comments on: deliver us from blinding prejudice

By: Debbie Robertson

Debbie Robertson — Wed, 26 May 2010 23:22:48 +0000

Your book sounds very intriguing and insightful. When I start feeling like I have it so figured out, I remind myself that much of my philosophy today is different than it was two years ago, five years ago, ten years ago, and will most likely be different as the years go on. If any of us have it all figured out, why do we keep “evolving” over time?

By: Michael

Michael — Tue, 25 May 2010 21:59:14 +0000

Ken, regarding “the account of the two on the road to Emmaus” and the rest of the passage you linked to, Luke 24:13-53:

We have insufficient evidence upon which to judge these stories as historical, therefore they must be judged as symbolic stories, not as accounts of historical events. This judgment, of course, is provisional and probable, not final or certain, since it is based upon the evidence and the lack of evidence that we currently have at hand.

By: Kim

Kim — Sun, 23 May 2010 18:24:22 +0000

Ah thats a hugely helpful way to express it, thank you!

By: ken

ken — Sat, 22 May 2010 12:02:49 +0000

kim and joao, yes it’s our tribal prejudices that add to the yo-yo effect. That plus the fact that for 500 years we’ve been in the wasteland of hyper-rationalism, with spiritual experience being suspect. So we’re rediscovering treasures one at a time, and each discovery provokes old tribal prejudice, adding to the herky-jerky effect. And Kim, to your point: I see charismatic experience as a kind of adrenaline (a short term surge for a momentary need) while contemplative is more like glucose (sustaining over time.) Both are needed. In movements that only mediate the adrenaline, there’s burnout over time, more crashing and burning.

By: Kim

Kim — Sat, 22 May 2010 10:51:30 +0000

Loved the post Ken and will be ordering the book, thank you.

I found it timely and useful and as ever these things do swing like a pendulum – the Charismatic movement can be an exhausting year round high paced, high energy place to be and if we look for some of the ‘ancient paths’ Jeremiah 6 speaks of they can point us to a more grounded and a healthier rhythm of life. I don’t think life in the Kingdom should feel this exhausting should it?

By: joao simoes

joao simoes — Fri, 21 May 2010 19:42:46 +0000

Isn’t it funny, how God is so much the contrarian to so many of our ‘common sense’ beliefs and practices?

The moment we think we have it figured out, He throws us a curve ball.

Much of the modern evangelical and charismatic movement was an attempt to inject some life into the old dusty ritualistic religious practices then considered acceptable. Now just as many of these more contemporary ways to approach God are becoming common place, the flow now seems to be back to the more ancient ‘dusty’ ways of connecting with God.

I feel like a yoyo.

By: Penny J

Penny J — Fri, 21 May 2010 14:35:35 +0000

Great book, Ken. I suppose this means I will have to face my own prejudices and work on my weakest spiritual style (sacramental). I don’t much like when God demands stretching.

By: Michael Abbaté

Michael Abbaté — Thu, 20 May 2010 16:06:11 +0000

Ken – I am looking forward to reading Mystically Wired. In the past year I have been challenged by the writings of Thomas Merton and Henri Nouwen. We have much to learn from the mystics and monks. Blessings!