I guess I’m a little naïve, but my last post was apparently a lot more controversial than I thought. Because a certain book was used in a certain class it now seems that our school has been "blacklisted." Check out Something’s Definitely Not Right with New Orleans Seminary and see for yourself. I don’t know how much the author knows about NOBTS or the Spiritual Formation classes that are offered, or about me, but as they say, “don’t let the facts get in the way of a good story.”
I guess in my original post I should have stated that in my class we discussed the problems with Foster’s theology. I did mention it in the comment in which I speculated about why we might have used Foster’s book in class. The problem is that when that comment was quoted in the “Something’s Not Right” blog, the part where I mention Foster’s bad theology is absent. So when you see this statement:
“This isn’t the place to unpack all of this because the point I am making is that under no circumstances should an evangelical Protestant Southern Baptist seminary ever turn to a teacher of counterfeit Christianity and attempt to pass it off as orthodox theology—period.”
you wouldn’t realize that right before this I said:
“First of all, I am aware of the problems with Foster's theology. But just because he doesn't hold to the same theological convictions that I do, doesn't mean that I should write off everything he has to say. I am willing to fight for orthodoxy as much as anyone else, but if I only read books written by people who I agree with then my reading list would be very short indeed.”
So to claim that our school is trying to pass off Foster’ theology as orthodox is just plain wrong.
BTW, here are examples of books that some might find 'questionable' that have either been required or suggested by a professor :
The God Delusion - Richard Dawkins
Letter to a Christian Nation - Sam Harris
Plato's Complete Works
Metaphysics - E. J. Lowe
Arguing for Atheism - Robin Le Poidevin
The Practice of the Presence of God - Brother Lawrence
Misquoting Jesus - Bart Ehrman
Summa Theologica - Thomas Aquinas
Thursday, May 8, 2008
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11 comments:
Some who obviously don't read a wide enough variety of books think that everything in every book should be something with which the reader agrees. In my opinion, though, that doesn't stimulate thinking, but rather is a bad tool for creating fundamentalist drones. In the process of engaging our culture, what is our success rate going to be if we can't at least see where the other guy is coming from philosophically? In Silva's type of argumentation, the winner is the loudest screamer.
While at NOBTS, I was in a Church History class where a student, on the first day of class, asked why the teacher was endorsing Bettenson's documents book, which toward the end had documents addressing the homosexuality issue. Really? Is reading another's opinion an endorsement of that opinion? Fortunately, the teacher shut down that student pretty quickly.
Good response brother.
We must avoid getting in the habit of throwing out everything just because of one thing we disagree with. If that were the case my library would be empty.
I hope we hear from Mr. Silva.
“don’t let the facts get in the way of a good story.”
The fact is you originally said: "we used Foster’s book as our textbook in the first Spiritual Formation class that I took."
And the below link to "DISC5170, SPIRITUAL FORMATION I, and
DISC5171, SPIRITUAL FORMATION II" Spiritual Formation courses at NOBTS appears to indicate using both Foster and his CSM partner Willard's musings as textbooks.
http://jacksbuzz.com/resources/
DISC5170-5171_2007-8.pdf
"4. Read one chapter per week of Foster during the fall semester and one chapter per week of
Willard during the Spring semester."
"[Course] might include specific
assignments in the Christian devotional classics." One assumes he means this book from his bibliography - "Richard Foster, ed. Devotional Classics. Selected Readings for Individuals and Groups. Harper San Francisco, 1993"
I have this book and it is chock full of CSM and heresy. Looks like a bit more, at least in these classes, than simply talking about "the problems with Foster's theology."
So maybe now you can see why I would be led to the conclusion thus professor is kind of into the messed up mysticism of Quaker Roshi wannabe Richard Foster and his spiritual formation sidekick deluded Dallas Willard.
Ken....
It seems obvious to me and others in the blog world that you are more than happy to argue, debate, fight, complain, and/or attempt to put on display your superiority with anybody you do not totally agree with. I am sure there are a lot of fence post that would enjoy your type of banter. You should consider all the people that you would discount in the history of the church. These classes use several different books. Some professors use books by Donald Witney (highly Calvinistic) others use books by John Ortberg and as you know some use books from guys that it seems you would like to hang as a heretic. These books are read as a starting point for people to think of the 'Spiritual' nature of Christianity. As the old adage goes..."Don't throw the baby out with the bath water."
Honestly, we should probably be concerned with ministering to the people in our charge rather than spending a majority of our precious time picking on every little disagreement we can find.
I understand that you have come to a "conclusion." But, honestly your conclusion is incorrect. There is nothing wrong with NOBTS in general. You may have some legitimate concern about "CSM" invading portions of thought in the SBC. However, people often are more willing to listen to your concerns when you begin the conversation with the attitude of Christ and not start by throwing pebbles.
Both Matt and I appreciate your thoughts and they have been considered. I think we have to avoid extremes and peer reviews are the reason we have comments on this blog. We like to hear from other people who are concerned with the defense of orthodoxy. Comments are our way of keeping the words of Prov. 12.15 in our mind-- "The way of a fool seems right to him, but a wise man listens to advise." This is a good case for peer review.
There is no seminary or denomination that is totally right and we all should struggle in our search for wisdom. I will defend NOBTS and academic freedom on this Yet, this is not a hill that I will die on. Pick your hills wisely.
You are welcome to say that we are afraid and can't defend this but there are much bigger problems and I will not risk being an offense to the cross by fighting on this small mound of dirt.
If you believe that God wants you to fight any use of books that you consider to be filled with "CSM" then I wish you luck.
"I will not risk being an offense to the cross by fighting on this small mound of dirt."
You can fight wherever you want and I would never have stopped by if your partner hadn't decided to write about me.
If you don't want a repeat then it will be wise not to draw me in by commenting about my labors in the Lord.
"If you don't want a repeat then it will be wise not to draw me in by commenting about my labors in the Lord."
You have got to be kidding! Too bad no one takes you serious enough to really take you to task on your arrogance.
Ok people let's be nice to Ken.
Yeah, Ken! Your feet stink and I bet you smell funny, too! (Sorry that I couldn't come up with my own argument against Ken and just summarized the other ones posted here.)
"We like to hear from other people who are concerned with the defense of orthodoxy..."
In your search for wisdom, I hope you take the time to read and listen to the following:
The Abandonment of Sola Scriptura as a Formal Principle
http://cicministry.org/commentary/issue105.htm
The Dangers of Spiritual Formation, Part 1
http://cicministry.org/audio/radio/20080324_cic_radio.mp3
Presented by Bob DeWaay and Dick Kuffel
Broadcast Monday, March 24, 2008
Many Christian colleges are adopting a course of study called "Spiritual Formation" that introduces students to "spiritual disciplines." We warn about the unbiblical nature of these ascetic and mystical practices by critiquing Dallas Willard's teachings.
Part II here
http://cicministry.org/audio/radio/20080331_cic_radio.mp3
Lighthouse Trails Publishing
http://www.lighthousetrailsresearch.com/
Watcher's Lamp
http://watcherslamp.blogspot.com/search/label/Mysticism
Reinventing Jesus
http://www.reinventingjesuschrist.com/
Former New Ager's Warning about Mysticsm
http://onetruthministries.com/articles.html
While you are waiting to hear more from others, I encourage you to search the scriptures daily to see if these things are true
My spiritual formation class did not use any books. What type of heretic am I?
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