tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-55727507006016944.post2374056592217674010..comments2023-11-02T04:25:49.697-07:00Comments on Northwoods Seelsorger: LabyrinthsDonald V. Engebretsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13048205066519140869noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-55727507006016944.post-88401716416830218652008-09-16T18:45:00.000-07:002008-09-16T18:45:00.000-07:00After I did the first, I saw many of the non-confe...After I did the first, I saw many of the non-confessional church's doing them as well. I also found, as you did, a significant number of pagans using them. Rather than make the Labyrinth the "thing" and perhaps confusing confirmands, I instead encouraged them to pray aloud alone. I also encourage them to pray the Psalms aloud rather than read them silently.<BR/><BR/>Rev. Adrian Piazza<BR/>Noblesville, INRev. Adrian Piazzahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10206550946257853835noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-55727507006016944.post-33108865306104611702008-09-15T19:05:00.000-07:002008-09-15T19:05:00.000-07:00Thank you for the link Bob. I should have realized...Thank you for the link Bob. I should have realized there was more here than I was originally seeing.<BR/><BR/>After doing a bit more research online, I realize that labyrinths pose a complication for Christians, at least those who are concerned about the encroaching inroads of paganism and occult into the Christian church. Although seemingly 'neutral,' they are nevertheless also being used and infused with mystical meaning by many non-Christian groups. <BR/><BR/>An interesting link worth checking out is: http://www.soundwitness.org/evangel/the_labyrinth_journey.htm. The author here notes that “Today, labyrinth walks and 'prayer journeys' are being promoted by Rosicrucian groups, at New Age festivals and celebrations,and throughout the neo-pagan world. Not surprisingly, one of America’s largest witch, shaman, and neo-pagan assemblies, the 2005 Pagan Spirit Gathering at Wisteria, OH, held a night-time Summer Solstice Labyrinth ritual, which was described as a 'transformative, walking meditation through an all night labyrinth formed by 1000 lighted candles.'”<BR/><BR/>This is disconcerting, to say the least. <BR/><BR/>There is no getting around the fact that labyrinths have a distinctive pagan origin, and are being used today in ways that are clearly outside of orthodox Christian belief. Although not properly documented, this Wikipedia article is also informative: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prayer_Labyrinth<BR/><BR/>Out of curiosity I did a Google search of which churches utilize prayer labyrinths, and it was interesting to see that the most frequent 'hits' (at least up to the first 50 or 60) involved mainly liberal mainline denominations, including the non-Christian Universalist Unitarians. Episcopalians, United Methodists, UCC, and ELCA Lutherans were among the most frequent. <BR/><BR/>The LCMS actually addresses the question of "Prayer Labyrinths" at: http://www.lcms.org/pages/internal.asp?NavID=6641<BR/><BR/>At the end of their answer they note: <BR/>"Today labyrinths are very common in New Age and pagan contexts... In such contexts the labyrinth serves as a vehicle for personal reflection and enlightenment without any reference to the Christian understanding of God and His revelatory activity through the Scriptures. It would be my view that Christians should be urged to exercise careful discernment in this area. They ought to be especially concerned, in my view, about any practice that becomes a substitute for reflection on God's Word, prayer to Him for comfort and direction, and for guidance in the midst of life's problems and challenges. We are given the promise that spiritual enlightenment comes solely from the Holy Spirit Who is active whenever we make use of the Word and the sacraments. The Holy Spirit draws us to Christ Who is our Hope and Peace, and Who gives us identity, purpose, and meaning in life. Christians, of course, need not reject external aids (e.g., art, crosses, prayer guides, etc.) as in themselves objectionable, but they will want to avoid allowing such external reminders to become a spiritual crutch or substitute for the real thing: God's precious means of grace."Donald V. Engebretsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13048205066519140869noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-55727507006016944.post-28209951779558312682008-09-15T13:03:00.000-07:002008-09-15T13:03:00.000-07:00There are a lot of objections to labyrinths. See h...There are a lot of objections to labyrinths. See http://www.lighthousetrailsresearch.com/labyrinth.htm and also some of the links that are provided to other websites discussing the subject.Bob Hunterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12340818246074467431noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-55727507006016944.post-33174970972581022962008-09-15T07:20:00.000-07:002008-09-15T07:20:00.000-07:00It seems that your experience with labyrinths was ...It seems that your experience with labyrinths was positive. Do you see the primary benefit as encouraging quiet contemplative prayer? Any draw backs to its use, as far as you can see?Donald V. Engebretsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13048205066519140869noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-55727507006016944.post-26110746309540299522008-09-15T07:02:00.000-07:002008-09-15T07:02:00.000-07:00A Number of years ago cornfields in Indiana were m...A Number of years ago cornfields in Indiana were mazes and Labyrinths. I had a confirmation retreat on prayer. Turning our fellowship hall into a labyrinth. I had group prayer and then I had individual time with praying stations. In the evaluations the alone time walking and praying was seen as a big deal. Another year we had prayer time in the spring and simply had individual walking outside and kneelers in the church. The walks and kneeling alone were again seen as a big deal. What was common in both scenarios was the praying aloud while alone. I have come to see the praying alone aloud as a good discipline.<BR/><BR/>Rev. Adrian Piazza<BR/>Noblesville, INAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com