Hans, Henri Nouwen says in his book

[BobHunt]

called Sabbatical Journey, (which I havent read, but have been told this) that he fels uncomfortable with those who have said that Jesus is the only way to Savation, and he wanted to help people find their own way to God.
I have enjoyed Henry Nouwens writings, but I dont think I can go along with this statement.

[Ryan Scott]

called Sabbatical Journey, (which I havent read, but have been told this) that he fels uncomfortable with those who have said that Jesus is the only way to Savation, and he wanted to help people find their own way to God.


I can't speak for Henry, but I often feel uncomfortable with the way some people use those words.

[Joanne Vergin]

How so?

[Mark Woodward]

I am a Henri fan and have read the Sabattic journey - don't remember this idea expressed - will read again soon to see if I "hear" it. Henri wrote about 64 books and I have read most of them - and would see a theme of his own struggles and his quest to have more of a relationship with Jesus pouring out of the pages. I even made a pilgramage journey to the Genesee Abbey. I would suggest reading the book - before passing along any supposed comments of the book. I have been fond of his books and his journey - I would be interested if this is said to see and hear the spirit behind what is being said.

[Hans Deventer]

called Sabbatical Journey, (which I havent read, but have been told this) that he fels uncomfortable with those who have said that Jesus is the only way to Savation, and he wanted to help people find their own way to God.
I have enjoyed Henry Nouwens writings, but I dont think I can go along with this statement.

Bob, I haven't read this book and I'd generally be very cautious to post such a statement without having verified it. I've also been told Obama is actually a muslim, by a NazNetter even. There you go.........

[Barbara Moulton]

Here's the quote:

http://www.lighthousetrailsresearch.com/nouwen.htm

[Hans Deventer]

Here's the quote:

http://www.lighthousetrailsresearch.com/nouwen.htm

Well, that's quite a different story. Nouwen says what some have been saying here as well. Jesus opened the door, but there will be people in heaven who never heard of Him in their lifetime.

[Jeremy D. Scott]

Here's the quote:

http://www.lighthousetrailsresearch.com/nouwen.htm

Thanks Barbara.

I'll go ahead and post the quote as given on the link. I'm pretty sure with the source, that's okay, no?

"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."
—From Sabbatical Journey, Henri Nouwen's last book
page 51, 1998 Hardcover Edition

We had a discussion similar to this in our Adult Bible Study on Sunday morning.

When we say that "Jesus is the only way to God" we are assuming a number of things, one of which is a vocabulary, and faith has little to do with vocabulary.

[Russell Metcalfe]

What I "hear" Henri Nouwen say is that thereis no door but the one Jesus opened, and even though people may not know the name "Jesus" (or Yeshua, or what ever language), they will not get to God except through the door Jesus opened, or more properly the door that Jesus Himself IS.

Far more people have never heard that name than have-- all the Old Testament saints did not know the Jesus we know except by faith in anticipation. This is not a simple question that has been raised.

This, as I try to grasp it, is NOT simply "Universalism"-- but in God's grace and love in sending Jesus Christ his only begotten Son-- will He not give opportunity for all to say, "I will have this Savior!" or "I will NOT have this Savior to rule over me!" ??

To my poor limited mind, that is the greatest question of all-- i.e., What will God do with the billions who have never once heard the Gospel as we have? I believe nom one comes to the Father except through Jesus. He is the Door.

"Thanks a lot" for opening this again!! God have mercy on us all!

Russell

[William Hunter]

I do not agree with Henri's views on more than one way to God and heaven since Jesus said no one comes to the father but through Him. Given that, I obtain great benefit from reading this wonderful man's writings, especially his teachings on solitude, silence and prayer. Right now I am reading his book, "the Way of the heart," which is about these three aspects of the spiritual life and those in ministry.

As I read I wonder why such spiritual formation concepts and practices are not taught in seminary so that young pastors can enter into ministry with the consistent practice already in place of connecting with God and having developed a listening ear in order to hear God speak.

In fact, as I read Nouwen and think about entering the D.Min course of study at Asbury, I am wondering about a dissertaion on ministerial students learn such insights, or the effects of spiritual formation on PTSD. I enjoy Henri's quotes from the desert fathers and mothers. They challenge me at depths I have not thought of at this point. Henri causes within me a deeper hunger and thirst for God---and I think he would be pleased at that.




Here's the quote:

http://www.lighthousetrailsresearch.com/nouwen.htm

[Billy Cox]

Bob, I haven't read this book and I'd generally be very cautious to post such a statement without having verified it. I've also been told Obama is actually a muslim, by a NazNetter even. There you go.........

I thought Obama was only the antichrist. He's a Muslim too?? :eek:

[Billy Cox]

I do not agree with Henri's views on more than one way to God and heaven...


That would be just fine if that's what Henri Nouwen was even saying.

[Billy Cox]

To my poor limited mind, that is the greatest question of all-- i.e., What will God do with the billions who have never once heard the Gospel as we have? I believe nom one comes to the Father except through Jesus. He is the Door.


Romans 1:20
For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse.

The standard interpretation of this verse is that everyone who doesn't hear the Gospel is going to Hell. I flip that interpretation around and say that for those billions who have never heard the Gospel, Creation itself is the message. Some will respond in faith just as Abraham did...and that faith will be credited to them as righteousness. (Romans 4)

[William Hunter]

Billy, read some of his books. In his book "Spiritual Direction" he makes reference to that.



That would be just fine if that's what Henri Nouwen was even saying.

[Roland Hearn]

Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth and the life, no one comes to the Father but through me." We are the ones that define what "through me" means in terms of the limited application of the gospel and "through me" often has different interpretations and applications depending on your denominational background. I believe Jesus meant what He said, I don't know if I know enough of Him and His grace to know how to expressly limit the application of that statement. I will trust Him to do all things well and to have grace and love mean exactly that for those that have never heard of Him in its final and eternal expression. I think it might be more about our imposed limitations of the grace of Christ that Nouwen is referring to rather than and non Christian model of salvation through sincerity. Christ has made the only way to God available to all. There has to be something in "all" that allows for the limitations of human knowledge and understanding.

[BobHunt]

I think if there are people who live in a place totally untouched by missionaries, and they have never heard the name of Jesus, yet, in their own way are longing for something better, the Lord will take that into account. But if it is people like you and I who know, and still try to wiggle around another way, then thats where I say, you wont make it except by trusting on Jesus.
You see, it is very confusing sometimes to take someone else's word on what someone has said.
How can people believe on someone they dont know? They cant, but they still must know that they got here somehow, by someone, who is greater than themselves.
Hans, maybe I am not understanding the real question....how else would a person enter Heavens door besides thru Jesus...or what other ways are there that we could consider?

[BobHunt]

By the way, Im not as afraid of Obama being Muslim as I am if he raises my taxes!

[Billy Cox]

...how else would a person enter Heavens door besides thru Jesus...or what other ways are there that we could consider?

Referring again to the door analogy, those who by faith, walk through the door that Jesus has opened may not have a cognitive grasp of the Person who opened the door, but they are entering via Christ nonetheless.

All that is done in faith is done in Christ...whether one's name is in a church database or not.