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Coming From the Lighthouse
August
23, 2007
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Nearly seven years ago, in the fall of 2000, we met
Ray Yungen, who at the time was carrying around a
manuscript called A Time of Departing. After reading the text,
we knew this book needed to be published. We spent
a year and a half helping him find a publisher, only
to learn that most Christian publishers would never
publish a book like his as they were publishing books
supporting contemplative
spirituality. Thus, in the spring of 2002, Lighthouse
Trails Publishing was birthed.
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The Center for Parent/Youth Understanding is a non-profit
organization that hopes to bridge the gap between
parents and kids. However, the organization is pointing
parents and teens to contemplative/emergent teachings.
Walt Mueller, president and founder of CPYU states:
If we take the time to understand
and really know kids, then we'll be able to cross
into their culture, close the gap, and give them the
Biblical answers and positive direction they
so desperately need!
Unfortunately, the
"direction" Mueller (through CPYU) is giving
could do more harm to the spiritual lives and relationships
of parents and teens than good.
Mueller's Reading List has numerous contemplative/emergent
promoting authors. One name that stands out is that
of New Age sympathizer Leonard Sweet. Sweet teaches the Theory of Everything,
the belief that all creation [including all people]
is part of divinity [God] and is unified. Other authors
that CPYU recommends are Anne Lamott, the late Kyle
Lake, Dallas Willard, Henri Nouwen, and Michael Card,
all of whom are contemplative-proponents. Many of
the authors on the list also push the emerging church
message. Something that should be noted is CPYU's
reference to an online bookstore called Hearts and Minds Books, calling it their "preferred
retailer for books of this nature." 1 Hearts and Minds has an entire section called "Contemplative
Spirituality" where mystic Thomas Merton is featured.
The store is actually a who's who of mysticism and
panentheism (God is in all), where their "favorite
writer of contemplative spirituality" is Richard
Foster.
CPYU Walt Mueller will be speaking at the /2007 National Youth Worker's Convention with an array
of other contemplative/emergent promoters this fall.
It is important for parents to be aware that CPYU
may fail to give "Biblical answers and positive
direction" to families if they continue promoting
this belief system and could end up doing more harm
than good to bridge the gap between parents and kids.
The only bridge that will ultimately help the relationships
in families is Jesus Christ, and contemplative/emergent
spiritualities are contrary to what He and the Bible
teach.
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A Look at the Future of a New Christianity
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LTRP Note: This
past weekend, Lighthouse Trails author Ray Yungen
visited believers in the Vancouver, BC area.
Ray visited the Vancouver School of Theology
and its Thomas Merton reading room. The pictures
on this post are from the visit. Please note
the one of Merton and the Dalai Lama, who resonated
with each other; also see the photo with Merton
and the Buddha statue. Ray has asked us to post
the following excerpt from his book along with
the photos. He believes that this type of interspirituality
is what lies ahead for Canada, the US, and the
rest of the Western world - a mystical, apostate
Christianity in which eastern mysticism (rather
than the Word of God) will be the foundation.
May God bless and protect all Christian believers,
including faithful pastors, as they stand for
the faith and defend the gospel.
Oneness -- The Outcome of Mysticism
by Ray Yungen
[Mysticism] has already spread extensively throughout
the Roman Catholic and Protestant mainline churches.
And it has now crossed over and is manifesting
itself in conservative denominations as well--ones
that have traditionally stood against the New
Age. Just as a tidal wave of practical mystics
has hit secular society, so it has also in the
religious world. [Meditation proponent Philip]
St. Romain makes one observation in his book
that I take very seriously. Like his secular
practical mystic brethren, he has a strong sense
of mission and destiny. He predicts:
Could
it be that those who make the journey to the
True Self are, in some ways, demonstrating
what lies in store for the entire race? What
a magnificent world that would be--for the
majority of people to be living out of the
True Self state. Such a world cannot come,
however, unless hundreds of thousands of people
experience the regression of the Ego in the
service of transcendence [meditation], and
then restructure the culture to accommodate
similar growth for millions of others. I believe
we are only now beginning to recognize this
task.1
A
book titled Metaphysical Primer: A Guide
to Understanding Metaphysics outlines the
basic laws and principles of the New Age movement.
First and foremost is the following principle:
You
are one with the Deity, as is all of humanity
... Everything is one with everything else.
All that is on Earth is an expression of the
One Deity and is permeated with Its energies.2
St.
Romain's statement was, "[T]he Ground [God]
that flows throughout my being is identical
with the Reality of all creation."3 The
two views are identical!
St. Romain came to this view through standard
contemplative prayer, not Zen, not yoga but
a Christian form of these practices. The lights
were also a reoccurring phenomenon as one contemplative
author suggested:
Christian
literature makes reference to many episodes
that parallel the experiences of those going
a yogic way. Saint Anthony, one of the first
desert mystics, frequently encountered strange
and sometimes terrifying psychophysical forces
while at prayer.4
Unfortunately,
this experience was not confined to St. Anthony
alone. This has been the common progression
into mystical awareness throughout the centuries,
which also means many now entering the contemplative
path will follow suit. This is not just empty
conjecture. One mystical trainer wrote:
[T]he
classical experience of enlightenment as described
by Buddhist monks, Hindu gurus, Christian mystics,
Aboriginal shamans, Sufi sheiks and Hebrew kabalists
is characterized by two universal elements:
radiant light and an experience of oneness with
creation.5
Without
the mystical connection there can be no oneness.
The second always follows the first. Here lies
the heart of occultism.
This issue is clearly a serious one to contend
with. Many individuals, using terms for themselves
like spiritual director, are showing up more
and more in the evangelical church. Many of
them teach the message of mystical prayer. (Excerpt
from A Time of Departing, 2nd ed., pp. 48-50)
Notes:
1. Philip St. Romain, Kundalini Energy and
Christian Spirituality (New York, NY: Crossroad
Publishing Company, 1995), pp.75-76.
2. Deborah Hughes and Jane Robertson-Boudreaux,
Metaphysical Primer: A Guide to Understanding
Metaphysics (Estes Park, CO: Metagnosis
Pub., 1991), p. 27.
3. St. Romain, Kundalini Energy and Christian
Spirituality, op. cit., p. 107.
4. Willigis Jager, Contemplation: A Christian
Path (Triumph Books, 1994), p. 72.
5. Michael J. Gelb, The How to Think Like
Leonardo da Vinci Workbook (New York, NY:
Dell Publishing, 1999), p. 142.
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Into the Mennonite Labyrinth
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Labyrinths are found in many Christian and non-Christian settings
alike these days. If you have never seen or heard
of a labyrinth, you need to look no farther than
some Mennonite organizations, churches and universities
to find one. However, the labyrinth is not a Christian
concept.
Professor Johan Malan of South Africa writes the
following in an excellent article called Ancient
Labyrinths are Re-Emerging:
Labyrinths are of a heathen origin, but were accepted and popularized
by the Roman Catholic Church with the full knowledge
of their mystical application. The Lord has commanded
Israel to utterly destroy all the idols and places
of worship of the heathen nations (Deut. 12:2-3).
No association with these practices was allowed.
Modern, Protestant preachers, however, are taking
the liberty to experiment with doubtful religious
practices from the East, and from the deceived Roman
Catholic Church. They also teach other people to
do the same. Mystical (occult) practices are highly
detrimental as they open the way to the "angel
of light" (2 Cor. 11:14) to enter into people's
hearts and subconscious minds to deceive and confuse
them with lies. The result of these influences is
an unbiblical concept of God as well as wrong perceptions
on yourself, on salvation and on other religions.
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Bishop Urges Christians to Call God "Allah" - The Netherlands
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from WorldNetDaily
Catholic churches in the Netherlands should use the
name Allah for God to ease tensions between Muslims
and Christians, says a Dutch bishop.
Tiny Muskens, the bishop of Breda, told the Dutch
TV program "Network" Monday night he believes
God doesn't mind what he is called, Radio Netherlands
Worldwide reported.
The Almighty is above such "discussion and bickering,"
he insisted.
Muskens points to Indonesia, where he served 30 years
ago, as an example for Dutch churches. Christians
in the Middle East also use the term Allah for God.
"Someone like me has prayed to Allah yang maha
kuasa (Almighty God) for eight years in Indonesia
and other priests for 20 or 30 years," Muskens
said. "In the heart of the Eucharist, God is
called Allah over there, so why can't we start doing
that together?" Click here to read more.
For more on this topic, read Idolatry in Their Hearts by Mike Oppenheimer
and Sandy Simpson and Faith Undone by Roger Oakland.
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Liberty University Continues Using Contemplative/Emerging
Authors/Books
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In February of 2007,
Lighthouse Trails reported that Liberty University
of Virginia was using contemplative books in some
of their classes. The
February report stated:
[I]n Dr. David Wheeler's Foundations in Youth Ministry II,
Wheeler uses Mark Yaconelli's book, Contemplative
Youth Ministry. Yaconelli, the son of the late
Mike Yaconelli (founder of Youth Specialties), is
a strong advocate for contemplative. On Mark Yaconelli's
website, under Practices and Processes, Yaconelli
lays out some "guidelines" for centering
prayer and recommends Thomas Keating and Basil Pennington,
both of whom promote panentheism (God is in all
things and people). In another course by Dr. Wheeler,
he is using a book by Doug Fields (Saddleback Youth
Pastor and on the Youth Specialties National Resource
Seminar team ).
In another Liberty course, Evangelism 997, professor
David Earley is using (for textbooks) books by Erwin
McManus, Thom Rainer, Andy Stanley, and Rick Warren.
Six months later Liberty is continuing their use of contemplative/emerging
books and authors. The Liberty Center for Worship,
for instance, uses resources from a number of contemplative
and emerging church proponents (see Resource page). Some of these authors include: Erwin McManus,
Rob Bell (Velvet Elvis), Dan Kimball (The Emerging Church),
Donald Miller (Blue Like Jazz), and David Crowder.
Another course at Liberty, Evangelism and Christian Life has a "Course Bibliography"
that is a who's who of contemplative prayer (Foster,
Willard, Warren, and Boa, etc.). Sadly, in a class
with a description that states, "An in-depth
study of how to lead people to Christ," authors
who promote eastern-style meditation are utilized.
A course titled Contemporary Topics in Missions includes a book by Brian
McLaren in its syllabus.
Students attending Liberty University should use discernment
and biblical wisdom when introduced to the contemplative/emerging
teachings of those authors mentioned above.
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| The Truth Behind the Emerging Church
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Roger Oakland's new book answers the following questions:
1. How did the emerging church gain momentum and who were the
key players that helped accomplish it?
2. What exactly are "non-baptized believers"?
3. What are some of the mystical practices that earmark the
emerging church?
4. What contribution do the early "church fathers"
make to the modern day emerging church movement?
5. What are the global plans of the Catholic church, and how
does the evangelical church (and the emerging church)
fit in?
6. In what ways is Rick Warren an integral part of the
emerging church and how is he helping to promote
its agenda?
For the answers to these and many more questions, read Faith
Undone,
released summer 2007.
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Movie Alert: The [Global] Shift Movie - Peace Without Jesus Christ
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A film called The Shift Movie is in the making
and features some of today's top New Age/New Thought
leaders. A trailer of the film shows Deepak Chopra, Al Gore, Desmond
Tutu, Marianne Williamson, Jimmy Carter and other New Age proponents
- the message: "We are in the middle of the biggest
social transformation in human history, The SHIFT."
New Age leaders teach that once a critical mass of
the population comes together, realizing their own
divinity (through meditation), then the earth can
be healed of its woes - disease, poverty, and war.
However, this plan excludes Jesus Christ as the ONLY
way of salvation and spiritual healing for the human
soul. It is a plan that exalts man and puts him in
the place of God.
In the film trailer, Senator Dennis Kucinich (OH)
talks about his efforts to bring about a US Department of Peace. Walter Cronkite has worked with
Kucinich and Marianne Williamson in these efforts.
Such a department would legalize and define the New
Age role in the government of the United States.
This know also, that in the
last days perilous times shall come. For men shall
be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters,
proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful,
unholy, Without natural affection, truce breakers,
false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of
those that are good, Traitors, heady, highminded,
lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; Having
a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof:
from such turn away. (II Timothy 3:1-5)
Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter
times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed
to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils. (I Timothy
4:1)
For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden
destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman
with child; and they shall not escape. (I Thessalonians
5:3)
For more information about
the paradigm shift that is occurring today, see the
following:
The Era of the Single Savior is Over
The End of the Word ... As We Know It
A New Vision for God's Kingdom on Earth
Faith Undone: The truth about the emerging church
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New Video on "Christian" Yoga - Christoga
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August 2007 marks the release of a new video on Christian
yoga. Christoga features actress Janine Turner (please view with discretion).
Christoga is produced by Westlake Entertainment and co-features yoga/fitness
expert Mary Cunningham. A description of the project
reads:
"Christoga is a non-traditional
hatha yoga practice at beginning and intermediate levels
using scriptures from the Bible as the meditation
focus. The positions strengthen and lengthen muscles
as well as improve breathing, concentration and balance.
The progressive guided relaxation phase is both comforting
and restorative."
While there are currently
many professing Christians who practice yoga, and
even books on Christian yoga (such as Yoga
for Christians by Thomas Nelson), the term Christian
yoga is actually an oxymoron. Yoga is a Hindu practice
that is an essential element of Hinduism. Thus, there
is no such thing as Christian yoga, and practicing
it is contrary to biblical teachings. As for Christoga,
it is a gateway to deeper forms of eastern mysticism.
A Washington Post article
on Christoga states: "[I]f you would rather
trade Hindu or New Age dogma for another doctrine,
CHRIS{dagger}oga could be a nice start."2
Christoga is already being sold in Christianbook.com, and other Christian outlets may follow
suit. Numerous Christian online and walk-in bookstores
carry Yoga for Christians.
See also:
"Yoga: A Spiritual Stretch?"
Trailer clip of Christoga
Christian Research Service database on yoga
Lighthouse Trails Research on yoga
For an indepth and compelling look at "Christian"
yoga, see Yoga Uncoiled by Matrisciana Films. Also read Yoga and the Body of Christ.
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Willow Creek 2007 Fall Catalog Gives Clear Message
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Mega-church leader, Willow Creek Association, is sending a
clear message through their 2007 Fall Resource Catalog - contemplative spirituality
and emergent theology are the way to go. The 58 page
catalog is filled with heavy hitters in both camps.
Those listed include meditation promoter Jim Collins,
contemplative proponents John Ortberg, and Rick Warren,
along with Erwin McManus. The Be Still DVD, featuring
many who promote contemplative (Beth Moore, Richard
Foster, Dallas Willard, and Calvin Miller) is being
offered in the catalog as well. This DVD is an infomercial
for contemplative prayer (see our Be Still research). Another strong contemplative author
in the catalog is Keri Wyatt Kent, author of several books and popular with
young mothers.
Taking a broad step closer to the emerging church,
the Willow Creek catalog announces the Ancient Future Community Group Life Conference (September
2007) with several emerging church leaders including
Scot McKnight (see Faith Undone) and Alan Hirsch.
One workshop will be presented by the "creators
of Be Still" titled "Practicing Contemplative
Prayer in Your Small Group." Calling these speakers
"expert speakers," there is no doubt about
it, Willow Creek is running full speed ahead towards
an emergent church. Thus including globalist Jimmy
Carter in the catalog makes sense.
But in case all of this isn't enough to convince the
skeptic, on page 50 of the catalog is a section for
Rob Bell's Noomas. The Noomas are a Trojan horse that
is allowing the spirituality of mysticism guru Ken
Wilber (admired fondly by Rob Bell) into many Christian
settings, including Christian high schools and junior
high schools (see Velvet Elvis: A Doorway to the New Age). Wilber (who Bell
calls "mind blowing") is into yoga, Zen,
centering prayer, kabbalah (Jewish mysticism), TM,
tantra (Hindu-based sexuality), and kundalini yoga.
The bitter icing on this cake can be found on page
52 of the catalog, where a teaching kit by John Ortberg
and Ruth Haley Barton is listed. Barton
was trained at the pantheistic Shalem Institute in
Washington DC and is a strong advocate and trainer
of spiritual direction (another term for teaching
contemplative prayer - see A Time of Departing).
Her role in escalating the current contemplative movement
is noteworthy.
When we stop to ponder the implications of Willow
Creek's massive influence throughout the world, it
is pretty clear to see that mystic Karl Rahner's words
may very well come true in mainstream Christianity:
"The Christian of tomorrow will be a mystic ...
or he will be nothing (ATOD, p. 160). And certainly Willow Creek will play a
large role in bringing this about.
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Publishing News
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_____________________________________________
Lighthouse Trails Publishing is pleased to announce the release
of Faith
Undone by Roger Oakland.
Is the emerging church movement
just another passing fad, a more contemporary
approach to church, or a bunch of disillusioned
young people looking for answers? In fact, it
is actually much broader and is influencing Christianity
to a significant degree. Grounded in a centuries-old
mystical approach, this movement is powerful,
yet highly deceptive, and it draws its energy
from practices and experiences that are foreign
to traditional evangelical Christianity. The path
that the emerging church is taking is leading
to an interfaith perspective that has prophetically
profound ramifications.
Discusses
the following:
1. Ancient rituals and practices
brought back to life
2.The Eucharistic Evangelization
3.The emerging road to Rome
4.Contemplative spirituality
and mysticism
5.The emerging church's view
of Hell and the Atonement
6.How the emerging church
considers biblical prophecy and the future of
planet Earth
7.The key catalysts of the
emergent church
8.Purpose Driven ecumenism:
Part of the emerging church's new reformation
9.How emerging spirituality
is altering missions and evangelism
10.Understanding the emerging
church in light of Bible prophecy
ISBN: 978-0-9791315-1-6
Click
here for
more information and a chapter by chapter
synopsis of Faith Undone.
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 within 24 hours of receiving order.
This
book will also be available to order from most
bookstores (online and walk-in) by mid-August.
If your local bookstore isn't carrying Faith
Undone, you can ask them to order it for
you.
IF YOU HAVE ALREADY
ORDERED THIS BOOK, AND IT HAS BEEN ON BACKORDER, all
backorders have now been shipped.
Lighthouse
Trails Publishing's 2nd spring release, For
Many Shall Come in My Name by Ray Yungen is
now
here.
For
more information on this book, click
here.
* * * *
For information on our 1st 2007 spring release, The Other
Side of the River, click here.
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.
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When mystical experiences and strange doctrines overtake his
church, one man risks all to find the truth ... a
true story.
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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