An Introduction to Henri Nouwen

Henri Nouwen died just before I came to Athens. He was about 65 and died from a heart attack while on his way to film a documentary about Rembrandt’s painting, “The Return of the Prodigal Son.” His life and career spanned many transitions in the field of Pastoral Theology. He has been seen as an innovator and an advocate of the role of pastoral ministry.

When selecting a topic for my dissertation I wanted something that would interest me when I finished. Nouwen wrote about prayer, spirituality, and humility in a world that pushes to activity, self-sufficiency and self-promotion. 

Nouwen was raised and lived his Christian life in the Catholic faith. He trained for the priesthood from a young age. He earned a doctoral degree in psychology. He lived and worked mostly in the US. His first assignment was as a parish priest in Louisiana. Then he worked at the Menninger clinic. After finishing his doctoral degree he went to Notre Dame and helped in establishing the pastoral theology department. This was a crucial period in his life. He chose between the psychological model and a spiritual model. After viewing the former, Nouwen rejected it and chose a spiritually centered ministry.

During this period he had a crucial meeting with Mother Teresa. In talks with her she told him, “Henri there are many smart people, what we need is people who will write about Jesus and write about him simply.” Nouwen’s work took a dramatic shift. From that time on his works, while profound, took the shape of simple statements about Jesus.

Three of his books continue to have an important influence on my life. “In the name of Jesus: Reflections on Christian Leadership” The Way of the Heart” and “The Return of the Pordigal Son.” In the next days I will give a simple review of each of these books.

While writing my paper I read every book he had written, over 40, read every article he published, in the hundreds, interviewed him on the phone, correspond with him, and then got to spend the day with him.

He loved Jesus. I love to introduce him to my friends.

Launch

In 1990 I started on a long journey. I wrote my first paper about Henri Nouwen. He was a brilliant writer about the spiritual life. His works are some of the most authentic spiritual works of the last fifty years. I was honored to write the first dissertation covering his life and works. During the period 1992-1996 I interacted with his writings almost every day as I did research and wrote.

At the end of the process I had a book, a degree, and an enduring friendship with Nouwen’s works. I also had two shoe boxes of note cards. I always thought I would get around to organizing a “Nouwen Quote a day calendar.” Several times I have started in on the project, but then life would push it to the side.

The time has finally arrived. One of the projects I worked on while on sabbatical was a devotional work featuring a daily quote by Nouwen. The focus, however, is not Nouwen, but the gospel. This blog will serve as a daily outpost for the scripture and Henri Nouwen. During 2009 our church (First Baptist Church, Athens, Texas) will be spending our time reading through the Gospels. I have arranged the text with a portion to read each day. It should only take a few minutes to read the text portion. If we could convince every person to read every day from the life of Jesus, then I believe that people would grow as Christians. 

Connected with each text is a quote by Nouwen. The second part of the process is not just reading the passage, but probing its depths, thinking about what it means to our lives. The third step I have added is a question, challenge, task, or photograph to further stimulate thinking. The last part of each days devotional is a feedback area where we will react to each other’s comments.

Welcome to the journey,