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Lighthouse Trails is a Christian publishing company. While we hope you will read the books we have published and support our authors, we also provide extensive free 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.

Important Note: If you try to reach Lighthouse Trails through email and do not receive an answer from us within a timely manner, please either re-email your comments or call us. Unexplainably, we do not receive all our email, and some of our email to others does not reach its destination.

LTRP Note: In a January 4, 2010 article, "Mystical Spirituality Paradigm Saw Major Growth in 2009," we made reference to the January issue of Charles Stanley's popular magazine In Touch. In that issue was an article by a Joseph Bentz who highlighted the spiritual journeys of two women, whom Bentz claimed are both converted to the Christian faith. Both women today can be considered significant proponents of the new spirituality. We stated:

While we are not suggesting that Charles Stanley is a contemplative now because of the inclusion of this article, we believe it is a perfect example of a steady blending of contemplative and New Age to the point where eventually no one will notice the difference, and what will be known as Christianity will be mystical.

This week, we received an email from someone who has followed Charles Stanley's ministry for many years and who is very concerned about the apparent lack of spiritual discernment in the In Touch magazine. A few years ago, we spoke with one of Stanley's top assistants, with the hope that he would ask Charles Stanley to read A Time of Departing and/or Faith Undone, which we sent to the assistant for Dr. Stanley. We never heard whether he read the books, but seeing Anne Lamott and Sara Miles names in his current issue of In Touch is very disheartening. Why won't Christian leaders bring themselves up to speed on these matters and begin warning rather than abetting?

The Letter to Charles Stanley (used with permission):

Dear Dr. Stanley:

Regretfully, I again must write this followup letter to the one I wrote you dated January 4, 2010  regarding the In Touch magazine article in the January 2010 issue by Joseph Bentz titled, "I Didn't Want to be a Christian but....How Running Away Can Take you on an Unexpected Journey."

I had a phone call on Friday, January 15, from a young woman on the In Touch staff regarding my letter. I'm sorry that I did not get her name, but I had just finished a call on which I was still focused and neglected to get her name. I may perhaps be mistaken, but I assumed she was one of the editors at the magazine. The young woman expressed the intent of the author was that God could reach anyone, and I wholeheartedly agreed with that, as I am a testament to that indisputable fact. I, in turn, expressed my concerns that the two women Mr. Bentz focuses on in the article, Anne Lamott and Sara Miles, both authors, by their own words, deeds, and indeed, lifestyles do not show a biblical conversion. In fact, the copies of interviews given by Lamott and Miles since their "epiphanies" which I am enclosing with this letter portray no such Christian conversion. In fact, Sara Miles is a lesbian in a 14+-year "marriage" relationship with her lesbian lover. Gay and proud of it she is. Your caller seemed surprised at that, even though it was mentioned in my previous letter, and you can read Ms. Miles own declaration of that fact and her other unbiblical beliefs in the enclosed materials. Anne Lamott, on the other hand, is braggadocios in the fact that in each of her books she uses the "F" word in describing her "conversion," and states she was "F* by Jesus."

I had also stated in my earlier letter that I was concerned that those reading the article would purchase the 2 books noted within the footnotes without researching the authors simply because the titles appeared in the In Touch magazine. Your [seemingly] young staff member said rather astonishingly that she had not thought along those lines. She also said that Mr. Bentz was a well-known and respected author and professor. I do not care what credentials Mr. Bentz carries. If in my own research I am providing you with copies of interviews from Lamott and Miles regarding their "spiritual" journeys, how could Joseph Bentz not be privy to the same information or more about their professed conversions? Did the good professor read the books they authored, or does he blindly write his articles and books without research? If he has read their books, if he did research on the 2 subjects, is it not academic arrogance to foist upon the readers of In Touch magazine a false impression that Lamott and Miles had a conversion to the Jesus of the Bible, which is not evident in any of their own words over the many years of their "born-again" conversions. Mr. Bentz has presented another Jesus, a false one at that, and he has done it deceptively within the pages of In Touch magazine. ...

I am not the only one who is waiting a response, Dr. Stanley. My close brothers and sisters in Christ are waiting, my pastor and other pastors are waiting a response, and others not known to either of us personally are waiting for a response. In fact, in the enclosed article from the morebooksandthings blog, some are questioning if In Touch has begun to get out of touch with the true Gospel. You may be completely unaware of Mr. Bentz's January article, although the young woman caller did assure me that you had more input than I might think you had in the day-to-day operations. I do know that Joseph Bentz has written for In Touch in the past. As I have stated previously, it is interesting that he used The Message in his In Touch magazine article for Scripture quotation, particularly in light of the fact that Eugene Peterson is a contemplative mystic. The one phrase that keeps crossing my mind is, "birds of a feather flock together." 

Dr. Stanley, I care about you, In Touch, and First Baptist Atlanta. My previous letter sets forth my high regard for you. I do hope that you will publicly quell the questions this January article has raised. I would, however, like to raise one other question. Do you perhaps have tares amongst your staff at In Touch? The good folks at Lighthouse Trails at lighthousetrailsresearch.com devote their entire ministry to contemplative spirituality, emergent church, and the "New Christianity." I highly recommend this internet site as a point of research and reference to you and your staff, if you are unaware of their ministry.

Please know that I come to you with this matter in the love of Christ and in the calling of the Holy Spirit, earnestly contending for the faith.

Sincerely,
B. Anderson
Ohio

Interview excerpt with Sara Miles (2007) by San Francisco Chronicle:

SF Chronicle: You are married to a woman who you've been with for almost 14 years. How do you reconcile Christian teachings that oppose same-sex relationships with your own beliefs as a Christian?

Sara Miles: Which Christian teachings? I think it's kind of simple to say that the Bible says this or that thing is good or bad. The Bible is a collection of documents that is remade every time somebody reads it. And Christianity is a religion that over the centuries has adapted to incredibly different cultures, so people reinterpret and reinterpret and reinterpret [the Bible]. I also don't feel like once the last pages of the King James Bible were assembled that God stopped talking to Christians. The conversation between God and the church is not finished.

Related Article:

Mystical Spirituality Paradigm Saw Major Growth in 2009

After 86 months, William Paul Young's fiction story, The Shack, remains on The New York Times Best Seller list. The book, marketed primarily to a Christian audience, has been endorsed by a number of popular Christian figures - and this has greatly aided the book's ongoing success. Eugene Peterson (author of The Message), Gayle Erwin (a popular Calvary Chapel speaker), and pop singer Michael W. Smith are among the book's endorsers. To view our archive of articles on The Shack, click here.

by Warren Smith

Rick Warren's Purpose Driven movement has, in a relatively short period of time, become what TIME magazine has referred to as a "Purpose Driven empire."1 The word empire is defined in the dictionary as "supreme rule; absolute power or authority; dominion." It also means "an extensive social or economic organization under the control of a single person, family, or corporation."2 For all intents and purposes, Rick Warren has become the titular head-the almost emperor-like CEO-of an increasingly apostate postmodern church. But while Warren continues to be embraced by much of the world and much of the church, it is not too late for people to reconsider their involvement with him and his Purpose Driven movement. Here are ten scripturally based reasons why people with any love of the truth should not involve themselves in Warren's "Broad Way" Christianity:

Ten Basic Reasons
1) Rick Warren's Purpose Driven movement offers a "Broad Way" Christianity. One of the mysteries of the Christian faith can be found in Jesus' warning that the way to life is "narrow" and that "few" would actually find it. Jesus is telling us in advance that the "broad way"-no matter how well intentioned-is not from Him. With Rick Warren's reformation movement based on deeds and not creeds, everyone is invited to partake in this global effort. But biblical principles are watered-down and often cast aside.

Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. (Matthew 7:13-14)

2) Rick Warren's "Broad Way" Christianity does not declare "all the counsel of God." Rick Warren teaches only what he wants to teach from the Bible. As a result, there are many important teachings that he skips over, de-emphasizes, and leaves out-particularly in regard to prophecy and spiritual deception.

For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God. Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them. Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears. (Acts 20:27-31)

3) Rick Warren's "Broad Way" Christianity does not discern the spiritual signs of the times. Just as the leaders in Jesus' day discerned the weather but not the signs of the times, Warren discerns many of the social and economic problems, but not the spiritual signs of the times.

O ye hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky; but can ye not discern the signs of the times? (Matthew 16:3)

4) Rick Warren's "Broad Way" Christianity is ignorant of Satan's devices. Whereas the apostle Paul stated that he and other believers were "not ignorant of Satan's devices," Warren's "Broad Way" Christianity states that Satan's schemes are "entirely predictable."3 By being ignorant of Satan's devices, this "Broad Way" Christianity has fallen prey to Satan's devices-particularly in the area of the New Age/New Spirituality/New Worldview.

Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices. (2 Corinthians 2:11)

5) Rick Warren's "Broad Way" Christianity does not expose spiritual evil. Warren's version of Christianity does not sound a true warning about the deceptive spirit world and spiritual deception. There is much more to evil than the problems that Rick Warren is seeking to remedy with his Purpose Driven P.E.A.C.E. Plan. We are told to expose false prophets and false teachers, not to study under them, spiritually join with them, and further their plans.

For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. (Ephesians 6:12)

But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived. (2 Timothy 3:13)

And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them. (Ephesians 5:11)

6) Rick Warren's "Broad Way" Christianity does not "earnestly contend for the faith." By not declaring all the counsel of God, by not discerning the signs of the times, by being ignorant of Satan's devices, and by not exposing spiritual evil, Rick Warren's "Broad Way" Christianity is not fighting "the good fight of faith."

Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints. (Jude 3)

Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses. (1 Timothy 6:12)

 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. (Ephesians 6:13)

7) Rick Warren and his "Broad Way" Christianity are loved by the world and it's leaders. Jesus loved the world, but the world did not love Him. Jesus warned his followers they would be hated, persecuted, and even killed by the world-just as the world hated, persecuted, and killed Him. In his compromised effort to reach out to the world, Warren and his "Broad Way" Christianity have become the world.

They are of the world: therefore speak they of the world, and the world heareth them. (1 John 4:5)

Woe unto you, when all men shall speak well of you! for so did their fathers to the false prophets. (Luke 6:26)

Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. (2 Timothy 3:12)

And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake. (Matthew 10:22)

If they have called the master of the house Beelzebub, how much more shall they call them of his household? (Matthew 10:25)

8.) Rick Warren's "Broad Way" Christianity is engaged in a process of ungodly change. Rick Warren describes himself as a "change agent" but in his attempt to change the world, he and his Purpose Driven movement are actually changing biblical Christianity. The Bible warns about those who push for unbiblical and ungodly change.

My son, fear thou the LORD and the king: and meddle not with them that are given to change. (Proverbs 24:21)
Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever. (Hebrews 13:8)

For I am the LORD, I change not. (Malachi 3:6)

Behold, the days come, saith the Lord GOD, that I will send a famine in the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the LORD. (Amos 8:11)

9) Rick Warren's "Broad Way" Christianity is frequently "double-tongued" and "double-minded." Rick Warren's attempts to seemingly distance himself from the New Age/New Spirituality while simultaneously spiritually aligning himself with New Age sympathizers is "double-tongued," "double-minded," and deceptively self-serving. In the Psalms, David refers to those who speak with "flattering lips" and a "double heart." 

Help, LORD; for the godly man ceaseth; for the faithful fail from among the children of men. They speak vanity every one with his neighbor: with flattering lips and with a double heart do they speak. (Psalm 12:1-2)

Likewise must the deacons be grave, not doubletongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre; Holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience. (1 Timothy 3:8-9)

A double minded man is unstable in all his ways. (James 1:8)

10) Rick Warren's "Broad Way" Christianity is "not valiant for the truth." Warren has demonstrated, in numerous ways, that he is politically and spiritually expedient when it comes to the truth. His "Broad Way" Christianity plays to the world and embraces the world because it is the world. It does not hold fast to the truth because it is not "valiant for the truth."

And they bend their tongues like their bow for lies: but they are not valiant for the truth upon the earth. (Jeremiah 9:3)

If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. (John 8:31) 

 
The Time is Here
The apostle Paul preached the importance of adhering to God's Word. He warned that the time would come when believers would not endure sound doctrine but would find teachers who would tell them what they wanted to hear:

Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. (2 Timothy 4:3-4)

As Rick Warren's "broad way" Christianity seems to be headed down the "broad way" of the New Spirituality, it is very clear that his Purpose Driven movement is anything but the "narrow way" that Jesus Christ described in Matthew 7:14.
It is important to understand what is at stake here-the centrality of the Cross as the one and only true Gospel-without which the hope of salvation is lost. Jesus Christ, dying on the Cross for our sins, is the central message of the Gospel. It is the plumb line for ultimately discerning truth from error. But in discerning truth from error, it is essential that we must adhere to all the counsel of God (Acts 20:27).

Jesus is the one and only Savior-the one and only true Christ. Science cannot and will not prove otherwise (1 Timothy 6:20). God is not "in" everything. We are not Christ, and we are not God. What is born of the flesh is flesh. What is born of the Spirit is spirit. Flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God (1 Corinthians 15:50). It is not "as above, so below." The apostle John states:

He that cometh from above is above all: he that is of the earth is earthly, and speaketh of the earth: he that cometh from heaven is above all. (John 3:31)

Jesus Christ is Lord. His name is above all names (Philippians 2:9). He is not the "Jesus" of The Shack, and He is not the "Jesus" of the New Age/New Spirituality. Most assuredly, He is not the "quantum Christ" of a deceived world and an apostate church.

The apostle Paul describes the simplicity of Christ (2 Corinthians 11:3). According to many of today's spiritual and religious leaders, it has taken humanity 2000 years to finally "get it." They say we need quantum physicists, cellular biologists, Ph.D. mathematicians, New Age channelers, and emerging postmodern preachers to finally understand what Jesus was trying to tell us back in the first century. No, this is not the simplicity that Paul was describing. This is the deceptive work of our Adversary as he tries to transform the creation into the Creator and co-opt God's creation to himself.

Unfortunately, many of today's pastors have forgotten that Satan is the god of this world (2 Corinthians 4:4) and that we are to "stand against the wiles of the devil" (Ephesians 6:11). As a result, the church is now catapulting into great spiritual deception.

For those who still rightly divide and depend upon the Word of God, the Bible warns that the coming deception will be so great that most of the world will be deceived (Revelation 13:13-14). Jesus warned that His way is not the broad way but the "narrow way" of continuing in His Word (John 8:31). And it is His way that leads to eternal life.

And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh. (Luke 21:28)

by Paul Proctor
News with Views

I have addressed, on numerous occasions, the Church's ongoing efforts to reinvent Christianity into a global religion of Results & Relationships by using the powers of pragmatism and consensus to artificially grow itself into something more widely accepted by the world instead of faithfully proclaiming the Word of God "in season and out" as we are commanded to do in 2nd Timothy 4:2. The leaders of the new spirituality and its church growth movement have always had a hard time avoiding the "wide gate" and "broad way" choosing clever methods of "evangelism" that are not only incompatible with God's Word, but also prove them unwilling to trust Him with the increase - ever looking for something more clever, spectacular and impressive to glory in and boast about to a watching world.

"...for men to search their own glory is not glory." - Proverbs 25:27b

"So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase." - 1st Corinthians 3:7

There's no better example of this than a recent story from The Baptist Standard where Christians are encouraged by a "veteran missionary" to employ what's called "The Camel Method" to evangelize, where the Quran is used, instead of the Bible, to share Christ with Muslims - a method that reportedly utilizes "selected verses" and "doesn't teach or lecture, but asks questions." Click here to continue reading.

Related Articles and Information:

The New Missiology: Keep your own religion; just add "Jesus"

"A "New Evangelism" for the 21st Century" by Mike Oppenheimer (Let Us Reason)

"Castles in the Sand" is a novel which, to the uninformed reader, might rank as far-fetched and unbelievable in the world of Christian doctrine. If only ...

 

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