A Mystical Picture of Protestant & Catholic Convergence

The Charlotte News Observer reports on the pursuit of ancient Roman Catholic monasticism & mysticism by modern day Protestants.

Like the knights of old, Christian monks — berobed and chanting — have come to symbolize the Middle Ages (476-1453). These Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox men gathered in separate communities, renounced worldly goods and devoted their disciplined lives to a set of daily prayers.

Monks are still with us, but their ancient ways are no longer restricted to monasteries — or to Catholics and Orthodox Christians. In three new books, a trio of North Carolina authors — all Protestant — say these medieval traditions still have the power to rescue Christians who, in these multi-tasking times, often seem too busy to stop, get quiet and listen to God.

Listen to Ken Silva Discuss Contemplative Spirituality with New York's Iron Sharpens Iron Radio and hear how this movement is attempting to reverse the Reformation's call for Sola Scriptura.

See related articles: Evangelical Christians Combine Contemplative Mysticism with Catholic Eucharist , Roman Catholicism Spawned the Current Apostasy in Evangelicalism , Why Evangelicals are Returning to Rome , The Slippery Slope of Spiritual Formation , James Emery White's Purpose Driven Mysticism , The Two Witnesses Emerging: Saddleback & Willowcreek.

See all articles regarding the intersection of the Purpose Driven and the Emergent, articles on Evangelical Monasticism here and the classical forms of mysticism here.