Cursillo: Little Courses in Catharsis

Description: Since its inception in Roman Catholic Spain in the 1940s the Cursillo movement has been a steadily-growing phenomenon and has spread into many Protestant churches worldwide under various names. The weekend initiation is often a deeply-felt experience that boasts of many conversions and recommitments. Yet in this comprehensive analysis of Cursillo the author finds theological concerns questions about the propriety of the methods and complications such as disaffection from the local church transfer of loyalty to the Cursillo community and a significant drop-out rate raising implications for similar spiritual movements. Interviews with former Cursillo participants confirmed many of these conclusions but also raised a challenge to the church: many Cursillo participants do not perceive vital faith in their local church. The author suggests that the Cursillo attempts to imitate the work of the church in an extraordinary form and that this might initiate some of the unhelpful results. The church would be better served by seeking to revitalize its ordinary ministries of Word and sacrament prayer community and Sabbath observance. Endorsements: Dr. Janssen provides a thought-provoking critique of the Cursillo method explaining the history psychological techniques and theological inconsistencies. A valuable tool for distinguishing the psychological from the spiritual this book is a must-read for all Christian pastors teachers parents and supporters of any Cursillo-related events (including TEC and YATEC). Dr. Natalie Sandbulte Psychologist and Assistant Professor of Psychology Dordt College This significant and useful book strips the veil from the Spanish Roman Catholic-originated Cursillo Movement and its many mainline Protestant imitators. Writing from extensive personal involvement in the movement and a deep familiarity with social-science research on psychological manipulation Dr. Janssen demonstrates that Protestant revivalists have no monopoly on manipulative techniques. Along the way he challenges us to think theologically about the issues raised by the Cursillo methodology. William B. Evans Ph.D. Younts Professor of Bible and Religion Erskine College With a passion for the purity of the Gospel and the glory of God Dr. Janssen fairly and thoroughly dissects another man-made technique that attempts to manipulate decisions and then declare it to be the work of the Holy Spirit. Not since The Invitation System by Iain Murray have I been so challenged to make sure Im being completely Scriptural and not using the wisdom of mens words lest the cross of Christ should be made of no effect (I Corinthians 1:17). Pastor David Leary Grape Creek Baptist Church About the Contributor(s): Brian V. Janssen has been pastor of the First Presbyterian (PCA) Church of Hospers Iowa since 1986. A graduate of Wheaton College and Trinity Evangelical Divinity School Brian received the Doctor of Ministry degree in 2007 at Covenant Theological Seminary in St. Louis. The focus of his dissertation was on the long-term effects of the Dutch Reformed Cursillo in Northwest Iowa. He has been married to Susanne for over twenty-five years and together they have three children: David Kristin and Jonathan.