Is Rick Warren Promoting Contemplative Prayer?
Is Rick Warren promoting contemplative spirituality (i.e.,spiritual formation)? We believe the answer to that is a wholehearted “yes.” The first clue came many years ago in Warren’s first book, The Purpose Driven Church, where he said that the Spiritual Formation movement had a “vital message for the church,” and has “given the body of Christ a wake up call” (p. 127). Since then, a continued promotion of contemplative prayer has taken place through Rick Warren’s ministries. In an article written by Saddleback pastor, Lance Witt, titled “Enjoying God’s Presence in Solitude,” Witt says we are “designed to enjoy the presence of God, but that’s easier said than done.” In the article, Witt uses Thomas Merton as an example of someone who knew about solitude. But Merton’s solitude was connected to his Buddhist sympathies. Merton likened contemplative prayer to an LSD trip. Witt finishes his article with: The goal of solitude is not so much to unplug from my crazy world, as it is to change fre
