What did Henri Nouwen really believe?
Did
Nouwen believe Jesus was the only way to God? |
—From Sabbatical Journey, Henri Nouwen's last book
page 51, 1998 Hardcover Edition
Henri
Nouwen and Buddhism |
Henri Nouwen and His Buddhist
Sympathies
Seminaries, Bible-studies
and churches use his materials and quote from him. What did
he really believe?
by
Ray Yungen
An individual who has gained popularity and respect in Christian circles, akin to that of Thomas Merton, is the now deceased Catholic theologian Henri Nouwen. Like Merton, Nouwen combines a strong devotion to God with a poetic, comforting, yet distinctly intellectual style that strikes a strong and sympathetic chord with what could be called Christian intelligentsia. Many pastors and professors are greatly attracted to his deep thinking. In fact, one of his biographers revealed that in a 1994 survey of 3,400 U.S. Protestant church leaders, Nouwen ranked second only to Billy Graham in influence among them.
Nouwen also attracts many lay people who regard him as very inspirational. One person told me that Nouwen’s appeal could be compared to that of motherhood—a warm comforting embrace that leaves you feeling good. Despite these glowing attributes, several aspects of Nouwen’s spirituality have earned him a place in this book.
Unfortunately, this widely read and often-quoted author, at the end of his life, stated in clear terms that he approached God from a universalistic view. He proclaimed:
Today I personally believe that while Jesus came to open the door to God’s house, all human beings can walk through that door, whether they know about Jesus or not. Today I see it as my call to help every person claim his or her own way to God.
Nouwen’s
endorsement of a book by Hindu spiritual teacher Eknath Easwaran,
teaching mantra meditation, further illustrates his universalistic
sympathies. On the back cover, Nouwen stated, "This book has
helped me a great deal."—Read Entire Article, Henri
Nouwen and Buddhism
A
Time of Departing, by Ray Yungen, speaks on Henri Nouwen |
—
"The doctrines (instructions) of demons (no matter how nice, how charming, how devoted to God they sound) convey that everything has Divine Presence (all is One). This is clear heresy, for that would be saying Satan and God are one also. If what Henri Nouwen proclaimed is true when he said,'We can come to the full realization of the unity of all that is,' then Jesus Christ and Satan are also united. That, my friend, is something only a demonic spirit would teach!"
Did
Nouwen believe all is one? |
Prayer is soul work because our souls are those sacred centers where all is one, ... It is in the heart of God that we can come to the full realization of the unity of all that is. (From Bread for the Journey)
"a
place for everyone in heaven"
(Life of the Beloved - p. 53)
"to become the Beloved, we must claim it" Nouwen says we are all the chosen ones. (Life of the Beloved)
Did
Nouwen believe God dwells in all humans? |
"The God who dwells in our inner sanctuary is the same as the one who dwells in the inner sanctuary of each human being." Here and Now by Henri Nouwen; page 22
Is
Nouwen Accepted by Evangelicals? |
"Many pastors and professors are greatly attracted to his [Nouwen's} deep thinking. In fact, one of his biographers revealed that in a 1994 survey of 3,400 U.S. Protestant church leaders, Nouwen ranked second only to Billy Graham in influence among them." (A Time of Departing, p. 61)
Who
Did Nouwen Promote? |
Taoist Philosopher Chvang Tzu
Desert Fathers
Teilhard
de Chardin
(Catholic priest who believed Jesus would not return in
person but rather as a cosmic Christ)
Hindu
Spiritual Writer
Eknath Eswaran
