The Skinny on Emmaus Walks

[Lisa Robinson]

A friend and fellow classmate, and member of the United Methodist church, raves about Emmaus Walks. I honestly don't know a great deal about them except the basics, that it is a 4 day renewal journey to enhance your spiritual walk.

I'd love to hear you all's take on Emmaus Walks.

[Lisa Robinson]

Raq, that is not my criticism just what I have heard. I can only speculate that the reason for this criticism is 1) the hyper-spiritualized focus; 2) exclusivism and 3) a polarized sacred vs. secular.

Raquel said:

Never heard of 'em but I'm curious why you suggest "gnostic leanings?"



Lisa Robinson said:

Gnostic leanings

xulon said:

What are the criticisms? I would assume they are Wesleyan (and probably somewhat Keswick) in theology, but I take it that's not what you are referring to.

[Craig Falvo]

I don't remember any secret paths towards contemplative spirituality, but it was very pietistic. I still have the book they gave me for living in the "fourth day" (what they call every day after the 3 day retreat) to see if there is anything weird. Via de Cristo also came out of the Cursillo retreats.

These weekends are very huge. I was in the Eastern North Carolina Mixed 63 weekend. That's the 63rd weekend retreat and contained both men and women. There was somewhere between 75-100 people total. Now some had been through this once before. But still a pretty big group.

Rey Reynoso said:

Okay, I'm finding weird stuff now about them having a secret path toward contemplative spirituality focused on pietism, special readings,special study, prayer-walks and mantra: need to research this more.

Also, they said that they came up with this from the Catholic Cursillo and they brought it over to Protestantism, but I don't see anything wrong with that unless there was something wrong with it to begin with.

I'm surprised how big this is. It's all over the place. Lisa may have stumbled upon The New Masons. If she disappears, we heard it here first.

[Rey Reynoso]

Yeah, I have a hard time trusting statements from critical websites since they can put in a bunch of stuff on the web and not have to answer for it.

Do you have the book handy? Do they talk about Prayer Walks and what are they?

Craig Falvo said:

I don't remember any secret paths towards contemplative spirituality, but it was very pietistic. I still have the book they gave me for living in the "fourth day" (what they call every day after the 3 day retreat) to see if there is anything weird. Via de Cristo also came out of the Cursillo retreats.
These weekends are very huge. I was in the Eastern North Carolina Mixed 63 weekend. That's the 63rd weekend retreat and contained both men and women. There was somewhere between 75-100 people total. Now some had been through this once before. But still a pretty big group.
Rey Reynoso said:

Okay, I'm finding weird stuff now about them having a secret path toward contemplative spirituality focused on pietism, special readings,special study, prayer-walks and mantra: need to research this more.

Also, they said that they came up with this from the Catholic Cursillo and they brought it over to Protestantism, but I don't see anything wrong with that unless there was something wrong with it to begin with.

I'm surprised how big this is. It's all over the place. Lisa may have stumbled upon The New Masons. If she disappears, we heard it here first.

[Craig Falvo]

I should still have the book at home as I'm a bit of a pack rat when it comes to books. I will find it when I get home from work.

Rey Reynoso said:

Yeah, I have a hard time trusting statements from critical websites since they can put in a bunch of stuff on the web and not have to answer for it.

Do you have the book handy? Do they talk about Prayer Walks and what are they?

Craig Falvo said:

I don't remember any secret paths towards contemplative spirituality, but it was very pietistic. I still have the book they gave me for living in the "fourth day" (what they call every day after the 3 day retreat) to see if there is anything weird. Via de Cristo also came out of the Cursillo retreats.
These weekends are very huge. I was in the Eastern North Carolina Mixed 63 weekend. That's the 63rd weekend retreat and contained both men and women. There was somewhere between 75-100 people total. Now some had been through this once before. But still a pretty big group.
Rey Reynoso said:

Okay, I'm finding weird stuff now about them having a secret path toward contemplative spirituality focused on pietism, special readings,special study, prayer-walks and mantra: need to research this more.

Also, they said that they came up with this from the Catholic Cursillo and they brought it over to Protestantism, but I don't see anything wrong with that unless there was something wrong with it to begin with.

I'm surprised how big this is. It's all over the place. Lisa may have stumbled upon The New Masons. If she disappears, we heard it here first.

[Craig Falvo]

Rey,

I looked through my Via de Cristo 4th Day Manual and it doesn't say anything about Prayer Walks. It's actually pretty vague concerning what life looks like after the weekend.

[Char]

Lisa used the G word!!!

[Lisa Robinson]

LOL!

Char said:

Lisa used the G word!!!

[Jason]

Here I am weighing in at about 220 wondering who Skinny is and how walking around Emmaus helped him get that way.
Sigh.......back to Dr. Atkins, I guess.

[Lisa Robinson]

Obviously beneficial then. Lol...only you Jason.

Jason said:

Here I am weighing in at about 220 wondering who Skinny is and how walking around Emmaus helped him get that way.
Sigh.......back to Dr. Atkins, I guess.

[Michael Ballai]

I'd keep in mind what Messiah said about the two Emmaus disciples being foolish and slow of heart to believe the Word. If that describes the participants, I'm not sure it's something desirable. That it comes from a Catholic practice and it's toted by the United Methodists, I'd be even more wary.