Coming From the Lighthouse

Newsletter

March 18, 2008

In This Issue -

Contemplative Spirituality...definition:

SPECIAL ALERT: The Oneness Blessing - Pathway to Global Awakening

"Churchless" Christianity

New Spirituality for an Awakening

Warren Smith Interview on A Course in Miracles

What They Say About the Church

The Reckoning: Remembering the Dutch Resistance

God's of the New Age

Oprah's New Earth Webcast

Publishing News

Newsletter in Print - Coming Soon

 

 

 

Contemplative Spirituality

definition: contemplative spirituality: a belief system that uses ancient mystical practices to induce altered states of consciousness (the silence) and is rooted in mysticism and the occult but often wrapped in Christian terminology; the premise of contemplative spirituality is pantheistic (God is all) and panentheistic (God is in all).

 

spiritual formation: a movement that has provided a platform and a channel through which contemplative prayer is entering the church. Find spiritual formation being used, and in nearly every case you will find contemplative spirituality. In fact, contemplative spirituality is the heartbeat of the spiritual formation movement.

How Widespread Has Spiritual Formation Become? Read our list of ministries that are promoting it. Please pray for the leaders of these groups that their eyes may be opened.

 

SPECIAL ALERT: The Oneness Blessing - Pathway to Global Awakening

  While countless people in the Western world are embracing mystical practices such as Yoga, Reiki, and contemplative meditation, most of them have probably not yet heard of the Oneness Movement - but that is likely to change. The Oneness Movement is a fast growing effort to bring the Oneness Blessing to millions of people around the world with the hope of changing people's consciousness and thus the state of the planet. This Oneness experience takes place when a Oneness Blessing giver places his or her hands on a person's head (although it can also be bestowed through eye contact or even simple intention), and a sense of awakening into oneness is imparted.

According to a recent article in Natural Awakenings magazine, the Oneness Blessing is:

...essentially a transfer of intelligent or divine energy from a Blessing giver to a Blessing receiver - the intention of which is meant to catalyze a realization of oneness with all forms of life on the planet, including the planet itself ... and it is from this point that an evolutionary awakening in consciousness takes place. 2

Today, there are 1300 trained Blessing givers in the US alone, with that number growing steadily. There are 12,000 currently in India. We believe that people are being prepared to accept the Oneness Blessing through the massive growth and popularity of practices such as Yoga and Reiki, which have been plowing the soil for greater acceptance of mysticism in the mainstream culture.

When one looks at the Oneness movement, you can see the potential for an even greater surge of spiritual transformation. There seems to be an incremental increase in the scope and intensity of the spiritual momentum that is driving New Age consciousness. It is estimated that tens of millions have already received the Oneness Blessing, and it is not just in the New Age camp:

They [people] might be surprised to learn of numerous religious leaders - Christian, Catholic, and Muslim among others - who have embraced the Oneness Blessing and its vision of helping precipitate a global shift in consciousness.

Right now, it is set up so those interested in becoming Blessing givers must travel to India and take a 21 day course. If a similar center is established in the US, and/or Canada, then the numbers can be expected to soar.

Notes:
1. Andrea Calcano Cruz, "The Oneness Blessing" (Natural Awakenings magazine, 2/2008).
2. Ibid.

 

"Churchless" Christianity

by Roger Oakland

Understand the Times

 

In an article titled "Christ-Followers in India Flourishing Outside the Church," the following statement is made regarding the research of Herbert Hoefer, author of Churchless Christianity:

In striking research undertaken in the mid-eighties and published in 1991, Herbert E. Hoefer found that the people of Madras City are far closer to historic Christianity than the populace of any cities in the western Christian world could ever claim to be. Yet these are not Christians, but rather Hindus and Muslims. In their midst is a significant number of true believers in Christ who openly confess to faith in fundamental Biblical doctrines, yet remain outside the institutional church.1

The article expands this idea that one does not need to become a Christian or to change his religious practices; he just needs to add Jesus to his spiritual equation:

However, some might argue that this [the "smothering embrace of Hinduism"] is the danger with the ishta devata strategy I am proposing. It will lead not to an indigenous Christianity but to a Christianized Hinduism. Perhaps more accurately we should say a Christ-ized Hinduism. I would suggest that really both are the same, and therefore we should not worry about it. We do not want to change the culture or the religious genius of India. We simply want to bring Christ and His Gospel into the center of it. 2

Herbert Hoefer's research is quite interesting. His idea that rather than "changing or rejecting" the Hindu and Muslim culture, missionaries should be "Christ-izing" it.3 He says there are thousands of believers in India whom he refers to as "non-baptized believers." Reasons for the believers not becoming baptized vary, but usually it is because they will suffer financial or social loss and status. Hoefer admits that these non-baptized believers are not Christians, and usually they do not choose to call themselves that. In many of his examples, these non-baptized believers continue practicing their religious rituals so as not to draw suspicion or ridicule from family and friends. Hoefer explains one story:

[There is] a young man of lower caste who earns his livelihood by playing the drum at Hindu festivals and functions. "All this is what I must do," he said, "but my faith is in Christ. Outside I am a Hindu, but inside I am a Christian."4

Another family of the Nayar caste consisted of a wife, her husband and one son. Hoefer describes their situation:

[H]er husband and son have been believers in Christ for eight years. They both had studied in Christian schools and learned of Christ. The husband's father had a vision of Christ, and one brother also is a non-baptised believer. The husband does not join his wife in coming to Church, but he occasionally joins her for the big public meetings. They do not have family devotions, but worship Jesus along with the Hindu gods in their home. Their approach to the Hindu festivals is to carry them out but to think of God, not Jesus specifically.5

I am not here to judge whether these non-baptized believers are truly born again. That is for the Lord to decide. My concern lies with the way missions is changing and how the Gospel is being presented. To say that someone does not have to leave their pagan religion behind, and in fact they don't have to even stop calling themselves Hindu or Muslim, is not presenting the teachings of the Bible.

And the apostle Paul, who ended up dying for his faith, exhorted believers to be willing to give up all for the sake of having Christ:

I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ. (Philippians 3:8)

The implications of this new missiology are serious and, what's more very unbiblical. Mike Oppenheimer of Let Us Reason ministries has done extensive research and analysis on the new missiology. In his article, "A 'New Evangelism' for the 21st Century," Oppenheimer states:

Can a Christian now call himself a Muslim? The word Muslim is made up of two words, Islam and Mu. Muslim does not just mean submission; it means submission to the God Allah; not the Lord Jesus Christ or Yahweh. Can a Muslim be called a Christian and walk with Allah? This seems to make no doctrinal or practical sense, unless they change the names and the meaning. This only brings confusion. Why do this when you can introduce Yahweh as the true God without any baggage and shuffling around in names, nature or descriptions? The answer is that you may not see the same results. This is what this is all about isn't it, results; pragmatism, the end justifies the means.6

In a book by Oppenheimer and Sandy Simpson titled Idolatry in Their Hearts, they show how widespread this new missiology has become. Listen to some of the comments made by a few new missiology proponents:

New Light embodiment means to be "in connection" and "information" with other faiths.... One can be a faithful disciple of Jesus Christ without denying the flickers of the sacred in followers of Yahweh, or Kali, or Krishna."7--Leonard Sweet

I happen to know people who are followers of Christ in other religions.8--Rick Warren

I see no contradiction between Buddhism and Christianity.... I intend to become as good a Buddhist as I can.9--Thomas Merton

Allah is not another God ... we worship the same God.... The same God! The very same God we worship in Christ is the God the Jews--and the Muslims--worship.10--Peter Kreeft

Oppenheimer and Simpson present page after page of documentation showing this paradigm shift in Christian missions. They ask the question, "Can one be a Hindu or a Muslim and follow Jesus?" They explain why the answer is no:

One cannot be in relationship with Jesus within the confines of a false religion. One must leave his or her religion to follow Jesus, not just add Him on....

This broadens Jesus' statement of the road being narrow into a wide, all encompassing concept. What is concerning is that these same kinds of statements are also made by those who are New Agers that hold a universal view. Alice Bailey* said, "I would point out that when I use the phrase 'followers of the Christ' I refer to all those who love their fellowmen, irrespective of creed or religion."11

With Rick Warren saying your religion should have no bearing on your spiritual life, Erwin McManus saying he would like to destroy Christianity, and missionary societies telling new converts they can have Jesus without Christianity (or baptism), the results could be devastating and will very likely undo the tireless efforts of many dedicated missionaries around the world. These Bible-believing missionaries have risked their lives and given up comforts and ease to travel around the world sharing the good news that becoming a Christian (having Jesus Christ come into your heart and life) is the way to eternal life. Now, right behind them, come emerging church missionaries who say Christianity is a terrible religion, and Christians are out to lunch--so just become a Christ-follower, and you don't even have to tell anyone about it. In fact, you can still live like you always have.

To the many who have suffered persecution and martyrdom over the centuries for being Christians and being courageous enough to call themselves that, we now must believe they suffered and died unnecessarily--after all, they did not need to confess Jesus as the only way. And they didn't need to renounce their pagan religions. We also find that the following words of Jesus do not fit into this emerging church paradigm:

Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven. But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven. (Matthew 10:32-33)

There is a powerful story in the Book of Acts, in which the apostle Paul had been arrested for preaching the Gospel. He was brought before King Agrippa and given the opportunity to share his testimony of how he became a Christian. He told Agrippa that the Lord had commissioned him to preach the Gospel and:

To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me. (Acts 26:18)

Agrippa continued listening and then said to Paul, "Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian (vs. 28)." Paul answered him:

I would to God, that not only thou, but also all that hear me this day, were both almost, and altogether such as I am, except these bonds. (vs. 29)

If Paul had been following the emerging mentality, he would have told Agrippa, "No need to become a Christian. You can remain just as you are; keep all your rituals and practices, just say you like Jesus." In actuality, if Paul had been practicing emerging spirituality, he wouldn't have been arrested in the first place. He would not have stood out, would not have preached boldly and without reservation, and he would not have called himself a Christian, which eventually became a death sentence for Paul and countless others. (from Faith Undone, pp 176-181)

*Alice Bailey was an occultist who coined the term New Age.

Notes:

1. H. L. Richard, "Christ-Followers in India Flourishing Outside the Church," a review of Churchless Christianity by Herbert Hoefer (Mission Frontiers, March/April 1999, http://www.missionfrontiers.org/1999/0304/articles/04f.htm).
2. Ibid.
3. Herbert Hoefer, Churchless Christianity (Pasadena, CA: William Carey Library, 2001 edition), p. xii.
4. Ibid., p. 17.
5. Ibid., p. 16.
6. Mike Oppenheimer, "A 'New Evangelism' for the 21st Century" (Let Us Reason ministries, 2006, http://www.letusreason.org/Curren 33. htm).
7. Leonard Sweet, Quantum Spirituality, op. cit., p. 130.
8. Rick Warren, "Discussion: Religion and Leadership," with David Gergen and Rick Warren (Aspen Ideas Festival, The Aspen Institute, July 6, 2005, http://www.aspeninstitute.org); for more information: http://www. lighthouse trailsresearch.com/newsletternovember05.htm.
9. David Steindl-Rast, "Recollection of Thomas Merton's Last Days in the West" (Monastic Studies, 7:10, 1969).
10. Peter Kreeft, Ecumenical Jihad, op. cit., pp. 30, 160.
11. Sandy Simpson and Mike Oppenheimer, Idolatry in Their Hearts (Pearl City, HI: Apologetics Coordination Team, 2007, 1st Edition), p. 358.

 

New Spirituality for an Awakening

by Berit Kjos

Kjos Ministries

 

"Perhaps the single most powerful event facing humanity today is a great awakening on a planetary scale that has been millennia in the making. We humans are in the midst of a profound advance as a species to a higher form of global consciousness...." The World Commission on Global Consciousness & Spirituality

"...about ten percent of people in North America [and "Western Europe"] are already awakening.... This is probably enough of a critical mass to bring about a new earth. So the transformation of consciousness is truly happening." Eckhart Tolle, author of A New Earth

"...the ushering in of the new world order ... will gather into its ranks all men of peace and good will... the embodiment of the emerging Kingdom of God on earth...."Dictated to theosophist Alice Bailey by her spirit guide, Djwhal Khul

"...the whole world lies under the sway of the wicked one." 1 John 5:19

"Therefore take heed that the light which is in you is not darkness." Luke 11:35

A bright New Spirituality is beckoning seekers everywhere. It promises peace, pleasure, power and oneness with the Divine. It envisions a cosmic evolution that will usher in a glorious Kingdom of God on earth. And it's rapidly spreading a contagious new "consciousness" that will (so they say) unite all Life -- except disbelieving resisters -- into a single Global Mind.

Popularized by Oprah, its positive, people-pleasing image is challenging churches everywhere to emerge from their Biblical ways and flow with the change. Tearing down divisive old boundaries, it flings its doors open to the world's tantalizing attractions. After all, the New Spirituality knows neither sin nor guilt!

No wonder today's restless, thrill-seeking world is flocking to popular authors such as Eckhart Tolle, Marianne Williamson, William Young and others. Captivated by their books and promises, the masses have learned to love "the beautiful side of evil." Drawn by "deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons" (1 Timothy 4:1), few even realize they are trading Truth for lies.

Oprah isn't the only guru for this New Spirituality. A worldwide web of "partners" and networks have joined hands to speed this transformation. Even a staunch communist like Mikhail Gorbachev is part of this vast occult movement. Calling for "a global consciousness,"[4] he invited countless occult leaders to participate in his State of the World Forums back in the nineties.
Click here to read this entire article.

 

Warren Smith Interview on A  Course in Miracles

Last week, Jeff Johnson from the American Family Report interviewed former New Age follower Warren Smith, who addressed Oprah and A Course in Miracles. Smith tells of his experience in the New Age in his book, The Light That Was Dark. During that period of his life, A Course in Miracles was the book he used as a guide in spiritual matters. A Course in Miracles is a type of New Age bible, teaching that man is God. Listen to the interview with Warren Smith (starts at 2:39 minute mark)

 

What They Say About the Church

"For me, the beginning of sharing my faith with people began by throwing out Christianity and embracing Christian spirituality, a nonpolitical mysterious system that can be experienced but not explained." Don Miller, Blue Like Jazz, p. 115

"[P]eople who are always saying negative things about the world, are anti-gay, take the whole Bible literally, are card-carrying Republicans, are pro-Israel, read end-times novels, and endorse snake handling and fire-and-brimstone preaching." from Dan Kimball's book, They Like Jesus but not the Church

"My goal is to destroy Christianity as a world religion and be a recatalyst for the movement of Jesus Christ," and "Some people are upset with me because it sounds like I'm anti-Christian. I think they might be right." Erwin McManus

 

"Today there really aren't that many Fundamentalists left; I don't know if you know that or not, but they are such a minority; there aren't that many Fundamentalists left in America.... Now the word "fundamentalist" actually comes from a document in the 1920s called the Five Fundamentals of the Faith. And it is a very legalistic, narrow view of Christianity. Rick Warren, Pew Forum on Religion, 2005

 

"Their [end-time believing Christians] doctrines are a major factor in determining a far-ranging set of consequences that include American policies regarding militarism, the emergence of evangelical Zionism, attitudes toward Palestinians and the role of American geopolitics." (p. 207) He later says their "impact on geopolitics can only lead to war." (p. 215). Tony Campolo, from Speaking my Mind

 

"If your church has been plateaued for six months, it might take six months to get it going again. If it's been plateaued a year, it might take a year. If it's been plateaued for 20 years, you've got to set in for the duration! I'm saying some people are going to have to die or leave." "Moses had to wander around the desert for 40 years while God killed off a million people before he let them go into the Promised Land. That may be brutally blunt, but it's true. There may be people in your church who love God sincerely, but who will never, ever change." Rick Warren, 2006

 

 

A sea change of transitions and transformations is birthing a whole new world and a whole new set of ways of making our way in the world.... It is time for a Postmodern Reformation ... Reinvent yourself for the 21st century or die. Some would rather die than change (Leonard Sweet, Soul Tsunami, pp. 17, 75).

 

If you have read Nehemiah recently, you will remember that Sanballat is Nehemiah's greatest critic and number one enemy. Let me put it plainer than that. Sanballat is a leader from hell. We all have some Sanballats in our churches. This is the guy who opposes whatever you propose.... You cannot call this guy a leader from hell to his face - but you could call him Sanballat (Dan  Southerland, Transitioning (used to train Purpose Driven Churches, p. 115).


"The Church's fixation on the death of Jesus as the universal saving act must end, and the place of the cross must be reimagined in Christian faith. Why? Because of the cult of suffering and the vindictive God behind it." Alan Jones, Reimagining Christianity, p. 132

"The other thread of just criticism addresses the suggestion implicit in the cross that Jesus' sacrifice was to appease an angry god. Penal substitution [the Cross] was the name of this vile doctrine." Jones, p. 168

What do the Scriptures say about the Body of  Christ:

"Marvel not, my brethren, if the world hate you. We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren." I John 3:13,14

 

 "Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not." I John 3:1

 

"For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body." Philippians 3:20

"[Y]ou are  a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; who once were  not a people but are  now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy." 1 Peter 2:9-10

"If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. Remember the word that I said to you, 'A servant is not greater than his master.' If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you. If they kept My word, they will keep yours also. But all these things they will do to you for My name's sake, because they do not know Him who sent Me. " John 15:18-21

** Please read Warren Smith's free online book, Reinventing Jesus Christ, to understand the implications of the quotes and the Scriptures above.**

 

The Reckoning: Remembering the Dutch Resistance

September 1939

War erupted in Europe as Germany invaded Poland. Eight months later, Hitler publicly broadcasted that he would not invade Holland due to their neutrality during World War I. Within hours, this promise became a treacherous lie that engulfed the small country in World War II.

Prejudice and persecution spread. The preservation of human life became a life-and-death mission for a small minority of ordinary Dutch citizens.

The Reckoning: Remembering the Dutch Resistance is the international award-winning documentary that captures the compelling story and eyewitness account of six survivors in war-torn Netherlands during World War II. With the revelation of Hitler's "Final Solution" and the uncertainty of liberation, it reveals the intensely human aspect of the Dutch struggle against Nazi tyranny.

DVD Features: Language: English / Subtitles: English / Widescreen

Bonus Material: Production Commentary / Creating The Reckoning / Character Biographies

Featuring Diet Eman, author of Things We Couldn't Say

 

COMING SUMMER 2008! God's of the New Age

 

Lighthouse Trails is pleased to announce the Summer 2008 release of Caryl Matrisciana's God's of the New Age. This is a Lighthouse Trails special updated edition of the 1985 Harvest House release. The book is the biography of Caryl Matrisciana and is an excellent and powerful resource in understanding the New Age movement and its implications in our world today. Raised in India and eventually becoming part of the New Age movement herself, Caryl Matrisciana's insights are unique and valuable.

 

God's of the New Age

ISBN 978-0-9791315-3-0
Summer 2008

 

Oprah's New Earth Webcast

The following transcripts are courtesy of John H.

These links will be alive for just a few more days. You may view Oprah answering questions from her viewers. 

 

For research articles on Oprah and Eckhart Tolle, click here.

 

 

 

2008.03.03 Oprah-New Earth - God Is Jealous of Me

https://www2.sendthisfile.com/d.jsp?t=dbeteU1b6ApjzZ176rASM1fc

 

Transcript Clip 1: God Is Jealous of Me

 

KELLY (ILLINOIS): I had a Catholic upbringing, I married a Catholic, and we're raising our children this way. In reading books such as Tolle's, I've really, it's really opened my eyes up to a new way of thinking; a new form of spirituality that doesn't always align with the teachings of Christianity. So my question is to you, Oprah, how have you reconciled these spiritual teachings with your Christian beliefs?

 

OPRAH WINFREY: Oh, the question's to me. I was resting knowing it was going to about - I've reconciled it because I was able to open my mind about the absolute indescribable hugeness of that which we call "God." I took God out of the box because I grew up in the Baptist church and there were, you know, rules and, you know, belief systems and doctrine. And I happened to be sitting in church in my late 20's and I was going to this church where you had to get there at 8:00 in the morning or you couldn't get a seat. And a very charismatic minister, and everybody was just, you know, into the sermon. And this great minister was preaching about how great God was and how omniscient and omnipresent, and God is everything. And then he said, and the lord thy god is a jealous god. And I was, you know, caught up in the rapture of that moment until he said "jealous." And something struck me. And I was like, I think about 27 or 28. I was thinking God is all, God is omnipresent, God is - and God's also jealous? God is jealous of me? And something about that didn't feel right in my spirit because I believe that god is love and that god is in all things. And so that's when the search for something more than doctrine started to stir within me. And I love this quote that Eckhart has, this is one of my favorite quotes in chapter one where he says, "Man made god in his own image, the eternal, the infinite, and unnamable was reduced to a mental idol that you had to believe in and worship as my god or our god." Now I think that's very eloquently put by Eckhart Tolle in chapter one. But that is exactly what I was feeling when I was, you know, sitting in church that Sunday listening to the preacher. And you know, it's been a journey to get to the place where I understand, as I said on the pre-show here, that what I believe is that Jesus came to show us Christ consciousness. That Jesus came to show us the way of the heart and that what Jesus was saying that to show us the higher consciousness that we're all talking about here. Jesus came to say, "Look I'm going to live in the body, in the human body and I'm going to show you how it's done." These are some principles and some laws that you can use to live by to know that way. And when I started to recognize that, that Jesus didn't come in my belief, even as a Christian, I don't believe that Jesus came to start Christianity. So that was also very helpful to me. And as I said earlier in the preshow here, there is a wonderful book called, "Discover the Power Within You" by Eric Butterworth, which helped me reconcile the two. So that might be really good for those of you who are Christian and trying to balance the two.

 

 

2008.03.03 Oprah-New Earth - Not the Only Way

https://www2.sendthisfile.com/d.jsp?t=26NucA8l9ORZhSPcsiAc8VJj

 

Transcript Clip 2: Jesus Is Not the Only Way

 

ECKHART TOLLE: Well, religion can be an open doorway into spirituality and religion can be a closed door. It prevents you from going deeper. So that I love reading the New Testament and I also read the old Testament. Sometimes there's some incredible jewels in there. And when I went through this inner transformation and for the first time accidentally I picked up a copy of the New Testament at my mother's place. And I started reading and I immediately recognized the deep truths that is there and I realized the truth that is deeper, that is expressed in what Jesus said is much deeper than what you, how the church interprets it. There's a depth to it. And it reflects your own depth when you read it. So there's no conflict between this teaching, which is purely  spiritual, and any religion. Because if you go deep enough in your religion, then you all get to the same place. It's a question of going deeper so there's no conflict here. The important thing is that religion doesn't become an ideology, so I believe this. And the moment you say "only my belief" or "our belief" is true, and you deny other people's beliefs, then you've adopted an ideology. And then religion becomes a closed door. But potentially religion can also be an open door.

 

OPRAH WINFREY: Well, let me share this with you too, Kelly. There's another book by a woman named Elizabeth Lesser, it's called, "The Seeker's Guide," where she talks about the new spirituality versus the old. So I just wanted to -- this is on page 51 and 52 of Elizabeth Lesser's book called "The Seeker's Guide." And she talks about old spirituality versus the new spirituality and she says the old was - the old way is the hierarchy has the authority. Church authorities tell you how to worship in church and how to behave outside of church. The new spirituality is that you are your own best authority as you work to know and love yourself, you discover how to live a more spiritual life. The old is God and the path to worship him have already been defined and all you need to do is follow the directions. The new is being able to listen within

for your own definition of spirituality, your deeper longings are under search. And the old says exact here what Eckhart was saying. That there's only one path it's the right way and all other ways are wrong. And the spirituality says that many paths lead to spiritual freedom and peace. You have a rich array of gems from which to draw illumination. The world's religious traditional, mythology, psychology, healing methods, scientific wisdom, your own experience and that you can begin to string a necklace all your own. Then she lists, you know, other old and new. And so it's really a question of what you were saying to us earlier that this material strikes a chord within you. Something in you opens up and wants, you know, feels alive and is awakened to that. And yet there is the ideology that says what to you? What is the conflict for you?

 

KELLY (ILLINOIS): Just thoughts on the afterlife, things like that. You know, you - in a lot of books such as Tolle's, we get teachings from Buddhism or Hinduism, and those thoughts don't go along with, you know, what I was raised to believe as a Christian. So that's been the biggest thing that I've struggled with, I think, so...

 

OPRAH WINFREY: Well, I am a Christian who believes that there are certainly many more paths to God other than Christianity.

 

KELLY (ILLINOIS): All right.

 

OPRAH WINFREY: I'm a free-thinking Christian who believes that, who believes in my way, but I don't believe that it's the only way, with six billion people here on the planet.

 

2008.03.03 Oprah-New Earth - Christ Consciousness and Crisis

https://www2.sendthisfile.com/d.jsp?t=TLEzlguVHo8dyrvHKkbEIRZw

 

Transcript Clip 3: Christ Consciousness

 

RYAN: I do, I have a question for, actually, either of you, and it relates to the spiritual awakening that you speak of in chapter one. It seems to me that if you look at human

history in the past 100 years and very poignantly in the past ten years, that there has been this intensity and speed at which people are becoming more aware of the Christ

consciousness. Why do you think that's happening now? Why is this happening now?

 

ECKHART TOLLE: It's happening now because we're reaching a crises point. Very essential things don't happen until there's an absolute need for them to happen. So you can say in the past this awakening has been a luxury and only a few individuals here and there through all the ages were able to be awakened. And they tried to each others, but to a large extent their teachings became misinterpreted. So we are awakening now.

 

OPRAH WINFREY: That Jesus was a revolutionary who got misinterpreted a lot.  Yes. Yes. Yes. We are awakening now because we have to awaken of you humanity is to make it to the evolutionary level, we need to awaken because the egoiic consciousness will become so, it's already been, it already become very distractive. It's become and become destructive. We will destroy ourselves and the planet if we do not step out of the egoiic consciousness; the collective ego.

 

 

ECKHART TOLLE If you look at the history of the 20th century that gives you a taste of what it will be if there is no major shift. I wrote in the "Power of Now" that 100 million human beings were killed by other humans during the 20th century through warfare and so on. And I recently read in the history book by a Harvard professor that my figure was much too low. It's as much as 160 to 180 million human beings were murdered through warfare and concentration camps and prison camps, and starvation, manufactured starvation because --China, Russia, and so on. It's unbelievable insanity when you look at that history. And so if there's no shift in consciousness, we will go downhill very quickly because we're already in the process of destroying the planet. But there will also be continuous conflict, collective conflict, and eventually then humanity would collapse.

 

OPRAH WINFREY: So you think we're at a crisis point now.

 

ECKHART TOLLE: Crises point, yes.

 

OPRAH WINFREY: Well Ryan, don't you think so too? I mean when you're with your friends, you know, obviously you're gathered here at Border's tonight because you are interested in this kind of, this way of thinking. But we all talk about it in some form or another of how bad things are. How, you know, the media, everybody complains about the media and the movies. I mean if you just look at the Academy Awards this year and the kinds of movies that were made this year, and it's all the reflection of who we are. And you say in the book how we're the species that will go and watch other people on film be maimed and killed and murdered for our entertainment. Look at the surge that we've had in our technological abilities. Look at you right now. We're Skyping each other. The advancement in our abilities to create new bombs, no ways of killing each other so that in the 21st century, if there isn't a shift, if you had 100, over 100 million people killed in the 20th century, God only knows. And I do mean god only knows

what will happen to us unless we start to change this.

 

ECKHART TOLLE: Yes. Yes, because technology amplifies the egoiic dysfunction in human beings. So before the dysfunction was the same 2000 years ago but we couldn't do much harm because the technology wasn't there. The very same dysfunction still operates and becomes magnified through science and technology.

 

OPRAH WINFREY: Does that answer your question, Ryan?

 

RYAN: It does and I just, it just makes me think of what could we do if we just focused that same energy on the positive and helping other people. And I feel that that's where we're going.

 

More information:

 

 

Publishing News

Lighthouse Trails released four new books in 2007: Faith Undone, For Many Shall Come in My Name, The Other Side of the River, and Another Jesus. In addition, we now have a DVD/CD of Anita Dittman telling her Holocaust experience to a live audience. This is one story you will want your family to hear.

Special Note: Lighthouse Trails bookstore is carrying the retail edition of Deceived on Purpose and The Light That Was Dark, both by former New Age follower, Warren Smith. Wholesale orders for these two books can be ordered through Bookmasters.


THREE WAYS TO ORDER DIRECTLY FROM LIGHTHOUSE TRAILS PUBLISHING:

2. Toll Free Order Line: 866/876-3910

Quantity Discounts: 40% off retail for orders of 10 or more copies, 50% off for international orders of 10 or more copies

We ship both retail and wholesale orders within 24 hours of receiving order.

 

BOOKSTORES AND OUTLETS for small retail orders: Lighthouse Trails books are also available to order from most bookstores (online and walk-in). If your local bookstore isn't carrying one of our titles, you can ask them to order it  for you. While you may have to wait longer to receive your order, the advantage of ordering through bookstores is that you will have no shipping charges.

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SAMPLE CHAPTERS OF LIGHTHOUSE TRAILS BOOKS:

Lighthouse Trails Publishing now has sample chapters available online for most of the books we publish. We believe you will find each of these books to be well-written, carefully documented, and worthwhile. Click here to read some of the chapters.

Note: Lighthouse Trails is a Christian publishing company. While we hope you will read the books we have published, we also provide extensive research, documentation, and news on our Research site, blog, and newsletter. We pray that the books as well as the online research will be a blessing to the body of Christ and a witness to those who have not yet accepted Jesus Christ as their Savior and Lord.

 

Newsletter in Print - Coming Soon

If you would like to receive the Coming from the Lighthouse newsletter in print form by mail, please send an email to newsletters@lighthousetrails.com. Be sure and include your mailing address in the email. We will be issuing a printed newsletter several times a year for those who prefer that over the email edition or for some reason need both.

 

 Both email and printed editions will be free.

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These two important books expose the truth about contemplative spirituality and the new age.

A Time of Departing
and
For Many Shall Come in My Name

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HOLOCAUST: LEST WE FORGET

A true story that will change your life and challenge your faith ...

"Will sweep you into 1930s Germany and back with your faith intact ... [Trapped in Hitler's Hell] carries a stark message for today's Western Christian ... will refocus your priorities and recharge your spiritual life."-Leo Hohmann, Read entire review at The Messianic Times   Trapped in Hitler's Hell

See all books and DVDs on the Holocaust

 

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The Other Side of the River by Alaskan Kevin Reeves

 

  When mystical experiences and strange doctrines overtake his church, one man risks all to find the truth ... a true story.

Read more about this important book.

Some of the topics this book addresses:

Word Faith movement
Holy Laughter
"Slain" in the Spirit practice
Emphasis on humanity of Jesus over Deity
Gifts & Calling for the unbeliever?
Experience versus Scripture
Repetitive chanting & singing
Paradigm shift
Understanding true worship

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