What Is Contemplative Christianity?
Sometimes words or phrases pick up “baggage” along the way so a particular word may begin to mean one thing to one person or one group of people while the same word means something entirely different to someone else. The word “contemplative,” when associated with “Christianity” is one such word or phrase. The phrase “contemplative Christianity” has come to mean different things to different people. Because the phrase is now being used in the context of a church’s ministry to children, it seems appropriate to seek some clarity on the issue. So, what is contemplative Christianity and how should we understand it? Here are some thoughts to help us understand the phrase.
Contemplation Is Good
God has always challenged His people to be thoughtful, reflective, and “contemplative.” He has given each of us a brain and He expects us to use it for His honor and glory. Paul exhorted the Philippian church in saying, “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable–if there is any moral excellence and if there is any praise–dwell on these things” (Phil. 4:8 HCSB). The word rendered “dwell” in this translation (“think” in others) means to “make those things the subjects of your thoughtful consideration” (Vines, “Think”). “Thoughtful consideration” is contemplation.
God’s People Are a Contemplative People
In this sense, God’s people have always been a “contemplative” people. We contemplate our life in Christ, what God has done for us, and how we can grow in Him and serve Him (and others) more fully. We contemplate the Scriptures and give “thoughtful consideration” to how we should apply it to our lives. This was true in the Old Testament, in the New Testament, and throughout church history. At the most basic level, Christianity is and always has been contemplative. It can’t be anything else.
Contemplative Baggage
The problem comes when we associate the word “contemplative” with “Christianity” and then give the phrase “Contemplative Christianity” meanings that reflect certain movements or groups in history that may or may not be biblical. Sometimes the word “contemplative” by itself carries so much non-Christian baggage that it’s tempting not to use the word at all. The word “meditation” shares a similar fate. The Bible encourages us to “meditate,” but the word has, in some cases, come to be associated with eastern practices of meditation so many Christians avoid the biblical practice and exclude the word from normal usage. But such exclusions do not generally serve the Kingdom of God well. We should embrace biblical language and concepts regardless of how others may distort them.
For some, “contemplative,” like “meditation,” has become associated with eastern mysticism and a non-biblical practice of “emptying” the mind in order to allow outside forces to influence our minds. The Bible doesn’t encourage any such nonsense. God has revealed Himself in an objective way (through Jesus and through Scripture) and calls us to engage with the Bible through thoughtful reflection, study, and yes, meditation. It requires discipline and intentionality. It’s work to meditate biblically, but we should do it.
For others, the word “contemplative” reflects a monastic tradition that developed in the Catholic church during medieval times and earlier. Because it is associated with other monastic practices that may include a level of withdrawal or attention to the sacraments, many Christians today simply reject the notion entirely. That’s probably a mistake.
Rightly Dividing…
In more recent decades contemplative practices and disciplines have made their way into some evangelical circles in an effort to challenge Christians to reflect on their walk with Christ and integrate historic disciplines like prayer and Bible study into their lives in a very deliberate way. We all need such a challenge. As noted above, the Bible expects us to approach our faith thoughtfully and reasonably. Our walk with Christ should be “contemplative” and disciplined.
So, amidst the pitfalls and various traditions, we should approach all traditions and practices with a commitment to “rightly dividing the word of truth” (2 Tim. 2:15 KJV). We should remember John’s mandate to “test the spirits to determine if they are from God” (1 John 4:1 HCSB). Just because something is labeled “contemplative” doesn’t mean it should be rejected or embraced without due consideration.
Where We Stand
We believe God’s people should approach their walk with Christ thoughtfully, deliberately, and contemplatively. As with any author, book, web site, or other resource, we should approach those espousing contemplative practices with love, openness, and a determination to weigh their suggestions against Scripture. None of us is perfect, so we should evaluate all authors with humility. But, we also have an objective revelation from God (the Bible) by which we can measure all truth claims. We needn’t be timid.
As we work to provide our users with quality Bible worksheets and other content, we will seek to point you in a direction that is biblical. We will always challenge you to be “contemplative” in the best sense of the word. So, what is contemplative Christianity? It will depend on who you talk to, but for us, it is the thoughtful, disciplined, and deliberate pursuit of a life that honors Jesus. He deserves nothing less.
Rick Edwards
Author, Speaker, Bible Teacher
See a list of other articles by Rick Edwards.
