Does Jesus show up if Bhudda is speaking?

Please help out here. I totally understand the experience that Matt had. I really do. But I suppose if I was there I would have had this thought; As truthful sounding as Hahn might be, he and all the other monks there will never see Heaven. Unless of course he puts his faith in Christ. On top of that they are leading 1000's of people astray.

If that is some how my modern worldview blinding me to something please show me how to remove that blinder. What am I missing?

Spencer Burke :: Weblog: Hahn - Church This Week

Being a Christian, this teaching was amazing. So many times in my life I think of how fast I eat, walk, breath and consume without first thinking of how precious it really is. All of the situations I am in can be either a heaven or hell, not by other people, but by me. Was this teaching from a prominent Christian evangelist seizing the moment to convert, no. This was a man who is very small, soft spoken and has shaken the world in very significant ways, just by teaching others to be mindful. Some would wonder if this was “church” or if it was simply a cultural experience? Does this “count” for my attendance to a church gathering for the week. I would say that it was deeply spiritual, and touched me on so many levels that I have not gotten in a traditional church setting ever.

Comments

[Spencer Burke]

It is fascinating to me that we will allow a business “guru” to come into our church and teach our leaders how to become CEOs (BTW many of these heroes of the 80s and 90s are now in federal prison for their part in swindling America).

But when a simple person of faith, shares from their own story of spiritual journey, we put up red flags and cover the children’s eyes. Why?

Who are your allies? Who will you and your church call on to help lead you closer to Christ? The power hungry, consumer driven, worldly success role model, who wants you to believe Jesus is best represented as the CEO of your company/church? OR the quite monk, who has taken a vow of poverty, was nominated by Dr. Martian Luther King jr. for the Nobel Peace Prize, embraced by Fr. Thomas Merton as a close spiritual brother, who wants you to believe Jesus is best represented as the servant and example of humility for the church.

As we move into the coming age of the church my prayer is that we will be wise as serpents and harmless as doves as we contemplate who we will call our allies and who will be considered adversaries.

[Chris McElwee]

Here is my response that I also put on spencers blog:

First,

Thanks for interacting with me on these issues as I try to learn more about all of "this".

Spencer,

I too find it odd that we allow business guru's into churches to train our leaders. (It is true some of our business heroes are in jail, but many are faithfully serving Christ in the marketplace and praise God for that.)

I hope I did not offend Matt or anyone by what I said. I was not trying to impugn him or judge him in any way. I hope I do not come across as pejorative. In fact I thought I had validated his experience. I really do understand what it is he experienced. I am sorry if I came across like that. Nor was I trying to be judgmental towards the monks or Hahn. My intent was to questions who it is the new church is going to listen to for spiritual direction and truth and not to bring into question what Matt said or wrote. While listening to a business "guru" teach us spirituality seems odd to you (and myself) , listening to anyone who does not claim to have the Holy Spirit for insight seems odd to me. I guess I am uncomfortable with that. I was asking if that is a part of the modern me that needs to be shed. Your answer was not convincing.

Someone commented that there are many like me who are worried about this. I assume that is correct. I for one want to move ahead with this postmodernemergent “movement” but certainly want to hold to historic Christian creeds and doctrine.

Having said that; Yes there are "flags" that go up. Is that wrong? Are we not to think critically any longer? Or do we just judge each experience on its own without the counsel of scripture?

Of course we can learn some interesting ascetics from people from another faith, but where do we draw the line? Is it only my heart that breaks for Buddhists that don’t know the truth of the Holy Trinity?

Who are my allies? I guess I am still trying to figure that out. The old and current way for me is to find out who a potential ally really is or is not. While I may not count a business professional as an ally, (although there are many that I do) I am very sure I would not count someone who is void the Holy Spirit as one, regardless of their credentials. (Having MLK, the Nobel and Merton on the resume is impressive, but it won’t land anyone in heaven. I am sure Paul said he counted his resume as animal crap.)

Who are my adversaries? I don’t have any.

I have never thought of people as allies and adversaries before. I tend to think of people as brothers and sisters and potential brothers and sisters.

I am not advocating the covering of anyone eyes. I would rather people have their eyes wide open, and be able to see the truth from a lie.

And yes shrewd as serpents is my prayer as well.

Thanks again. I have much to learn from you. I hope that my tone comes across as gracious as I want it to be.

[John Sergeant]

Hello

I am a practising Buddhist from the uk, and I think it is great that your church has shown such an open mind by visiting a teaching by Thich Nhat Hahn,

In respect of the question of whether it is appropriate for a Christian to heed the views of someone who does not follow the teachings of Christ, I would you refer you to the story of the good Samaritan, help can come to us in surprising and unusual ways, and if we choose to refuse help given in a spirit of love and charity due to the helpers credentials then we are really denying ourselves the opportunity of spiritual improvement.

I feel it is the duty of any truly spiritual person to look at the teachings of others in a rational way, compare those teachings with our own beliefs and if we find them to be good and helpful and in line with our own beliefs then we should use those teachings or if we feel they are not helpful and opposing to our beliefs then they should be discarded.