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By Roger Oakland
Understand the Times

November 19, 2011

My time here in Rongo is coming to an end. It has been a very difficult time but it has been well worth the experience. Yesterday Pastor Achilla organized a full day seminar for me to speak at. The topic was Last Days deception. The meeting was held in a tent and well attended.

My first topic was called Wiles of the Devil. There was great difficulty in trying to get the power to work so that we could run the projector. After two generators and several attempts to try various power cords, linked together from a neighboring building, I went ahead and spoke without illustrations. We started at eleven in the morning and went until five. In light of the fact that only two years ago I was extremely ill and in bed for several months, yesterday was a major miracle.

During the afternoon it rained heavily but the tent held up and we were able to continue. I have had a few tent meetings in the past but none like this one. The tent was full of pastors, some who had come many miles to attend. As I dealt with current trends of apostasy in North America I wondered if they would be able to relate to what I was saying. When I had a chance to interact with them it became apparent that these meetings were timely for them as they were being already impacted from the west. Purpose driven Rick Warrenism has swept Africa and the Bible has been abandoned for a man’s book that provides a bridge to Rome. I also dealt with the coming one world religion for peace that is being orchestrated worldwide to set up the religion for the coming antichrist. Click here to continue reading. Please pray for Roger as he is making the long flights back home.

Other Updates from Roger's Trip to Kenya

Roger Oakland Meets Orphans & Widows in Kenya

The People in Suna, Kenya Meet Roger Oakland – “We have hope – help is on the way.”

Roger Oakland in Kenya: “I have never heard a group of pastors so hungry for the truth.”

As many of you know, we have been featuring the music of Canadian song writer and singer, Trevor Baker. His music is a gift and a blessing to those who are contending for the faith and a ministry to those who are not. Below are the lyrics to his song, I Don’t Wanna Go Back. If you would like to hear 30 second clips of the album this song is from  – Bring Me Back – click here.

I Don’t Wanna Go Back
Trevor Baker

What surrounds me tries to offer
What a man just can’t turn down
And says I’m no more than a pauper
If I don’t go right to town
But I’m looking for a treasure
That this earth cannot contain
And one day they’re going to know for certain
That my search was not in vain

Yes I’ll admit it used to twinkle
And fill my mind each waking hour
But in it all there was one wrinkle
That kinda’ made the whole thing sour
You could never get where you’re going
The line kept moving all the time
Just when you thought
You were going forward
You’d see the dust
And you were far behind

Chorus

And I don’t wanna go back
On that endless track
‘Cause God filled in all the holes
And there ain’t nothin’ that I lack
No, I don’t have all their toys
My house is small, my car’s compact
But when it comes to livin’ free
I’m pretty sure I’ve found the knack

I’ve go a wife that’s such a vision
Two grown kids that honor God
If there’s something that I’m missin’
I wish you luck on your sales job
‘Cause I’ve lived like the other half does
When all I had was out of whack
If you could bottle what I’ve got going
I’d have the best stuff on the rack

I hear Heaven’s got some condos
And one incredible landlord
So when you’re talkin’ Vegas lottos
I just might yawn when I get bored
‘Cause I know just where they’re goin’
Yes, I recognize the plot
And my attention is now honed in
On a different kind of spot

Our newest product catalog is available as a PDF download. Feel free to print and distribute.

UTT Banquet - 20 years

Contending for the Faith Discipleship Center

The Radicals - Preview (Scroll to bottom of that page)

Meet Our Kenya Pastors

Trevor Baker - Canadian singer added to LT musician list - Songs for the remnant (and for those searching for truth).

By David Dombrowski
Lighthouse Trails Editor

Over the past ten years, we have watched with a mixture of surprise and sadness at how an apostate church has materialized before our eyes. It all began for us here at Lighthouse Trails when we met Ray Yungen in 2000. Though we were not publishers back then, he shared with us his manuscript A Time of Departing, which spoke of a coming apostasy in the form of mystical practices and “spiritual disciplines.” Stirred by the content of that book, we agreed to help him find a publisher. But, at the time, we never imagined how relevant and prophetic that book would be nor how quickly this apostasy would flourish in the mainstream churches. Today, it is even difficult to find a church that has not been compromised by some form of eastern-style mystical practice or emerging church philosophy. Now e-mails and letters pour into our office telling how readers who either just discovered us or were at one time skeptical of our warnings are now shocked to see that these things have entered their churches.

How did all this happen, and how did it happen so quickly? We think this can partly be explained by what we discovered ten years ago. After meeting with Ray, we felt compelled to help him find a publisher for his book, but after contacting a number of Christian publishing houses, we soon learned that they were only looking for books that could sell well—and that meant books considered non-controversial and by well-known authors. At that point, we decided to start our own publishing house. But just the lack of interest that we saw in the publishers was indicative of what was to happen in the church.

Whether we realize it or not, there is tremendous spiritual warfare taking place in our world today. And, if we just think of it for a moment in military terms, when a combat unit sets up camp, it is done as a strategic move. Outposts are set up with a means of communicating with the commanding officers. These are lookout points whose entire function is to keep an eye out for the enemy. In ancient times, a trumpet of some crude fashion was probably used to communicate a warning. But for some reason, the church of today has chosen largely to eliminate the outposts, and in so doing possesses a blind eye to danger. In many Christian circles, the word discernment has become a dirty word while others use it in a “positive” fashion by having “discernment conferences” where their chief function is to (a.) discredit ministries like ours and (b.) pat each other on the backs as the purveyors of true discernment and biblical scholarship. Meanwhile, the church is willingly letting in, if not bringing in, the enemy into the camp. Again, from a military point of view, this presents a very odd picture where if military outposts are set up at all, it is to invite the enemy to do their destruction from within. Given this type of situation, the soldier is in graver danger being with his unit. As ridiculous as this scenario may sound, this is what we are experiencing in the church today; in countless instances, we are hearing stories of young people going to Christian colleges only to have their spiritual lives shipwrecked. They may have been safer in secular colleges. At the same time, we know of countless numbers of Christians who have no church to go to because the ones that are available have abandoned the simplicity of the Gospel for something “more spiritual.” These believers are now witnessing the apostasy that we have warned about and are looking to ministries like ours for encouragement and help. In many cases, the only encouragement we have known to offer these people is to assure them that they are not alone in what they see.

Just recently, we introduced the music of Trevor Baker to the products we have available. As the title to his CD The Lonely Road suggests, committed Christians may have to endure much loneliness or isolation in the future for lack of genuine fellowship. If you have not heard his music already, we think that, like us, you will find his music uplifting and encouraging when you feel spiritually weary and at the same time challenging in your commitment and devotion to the Lord.

Please remember that while Jesus said we cannot know the day or the hour of His return, He also instructed us to observe the seasons. In saying this, Jesus was sharing a principle that is both profound and very simple:

 Now learn a parable of the fig tree; when his branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is nigh: So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors. (Matthew 24: 32-33)

In other words, Jesus was saying that various things must occur before He returns, and when they do occur, we can know that His coming is near. Today, the stage is being set for the fulfillment of these events described in Matthew 24, and in fact, things are moving at a highly accelerated rate. While the church has slept, tares have been sown into God’s wheat field (Matthew 13:25). The apostasy that we see in the church today is the result of Satan sowing these “tares” in the church.

As we have watched events unfold in the apostate church in recent years it has been very sobering to see how nearly identical its intents and actions are to that of the New Age movement in moving toward a one-world global order. As you are reading this, religious leaders are shaking hands with political figures in bringing about a more highly evolved society. Alice Bailey, who had much to do with the development of the New Age movement, with all its occult practices and mysticism, predicted that this movement rather than having to move around the church would move through it. In fact, she saw the church as helping to propel the world into this higher level of consciousness.1 Sadly, we are hearing almost daily of highly respected Christian leaders with large followings who are now embracing the writings of mystics and contemplative authors. Perhaps they do not realize that the contemplative prayer and mysticism they are now passing on to their followers is no different than the occult practices of Alice Bailey with a new twist. And as long as the name of “Jesus” is used, everything is O.K., they think.

Looking again at the fig tree, we can see that more fruit is developing and getting heavier. Also, as Rick Warren points out (and promotes), we will see a blending of religious, political, and economic forces as future events unfold. Unity will be a key to the future and will be an increasing theme as the world awaits the Antichrist. Considering that we are even now moving toward a one-world order, let us look at our fig tree whose fruit is already there and beginning to get ripe; the events we already see, only to increase, are:

The unifying of the world’s religious thought where eastern-style mystical practice to include yoga, contemplative prayer, and healing practices like Reiki are joining east with west.

The Purpose Driven P.E.A.C.E. Plan where political, economic, and religious forces are being brought together to form a unified effort.

Plans for a global currency, especially as the value of the U.S. Dollar continues to decline, paving the way to the use of the “mark.”

The accelerating significance of the United Nations leading toward a confederation of nations.

Increasing interest in the world finding a Christ figure who can solve the world’s economic and political problems and unite the world in peace.

Increasing moral decay throughout the world to include abortion, violence, pandemic divorce, the dissolution of the family unit, homosexuality, and pedophilia.

Increasing hatred toward born-again believers.

The growth of a spirit of Anti-Semitism throughout the world including in much of the organized Christian church today.

Increased natural disasters to include earthquakes, weather phenomena, and possible volcanic activity.

Intensifying of wars and rumors of war and man-made disasters.

Increased skepticism about the Lord’s return to include an abandonment of biblical prophecy.

The appearance of false christs culminating in the appearance of the Antichrist. As a result of mystical practices, to include contemplative prayer, people are already being conditioned to seeing themselves as having a “divine center” where the “Christ” or “I am” resides. Man has become divine.

An increasing curiosity and dependence on signs and wonders rather than the Word of God. Of special significance today are Mary apparitions and Eucharistic wonders, which point people to another Jesus of another gospel. Signs and wonders will be seen in the future as the final proof of truth holding sway over many people. This will make it possible for the Antichrist to lead the whole world in a grand delusion as he will be a master at performing signs and wonders.

Let us pause to look at our fig tree again; I see a couple more figs developing there. One of them is called “the bridgers” and the other is called “the silencers.” Unfortunately, both of these figs are growing on the same branch—and the branch has a name on it – it says, “the church.” This is odd because these two figs look putrefied, yet they are growing on a branch that looks very healthy.

If you have been following Lighthouse Trails over the past year, you may know what the first of these two figs is. One year ago, on November 16, 2010, Ingrid Schlueter of VCY America’s radio program Crosstalk did a radio interview with Deborah Dombrowski of Lighthouse Trails Publishing. The title of this broadcast was “Beware The Bridgers, Part 1: Orthodoxy Is More Than A Doctrinal Statement.”  After the broadcast, people contacted us to let us know this was one of the best radio broadcasts they had ever heard.  This program talked about the emergence of what one might call a welcoming committee within the church where things God considers foul and unclean are invited in. Oddly enough, it is not the dissenters in the church who are doing this, as would have been the case ten or fifteen years ago, but our pastors and Christian leaders—many of whom have had very large followings and been respected as being both conservative and of sound doctrine. But the problem is that these leaders have suddenly begun to quote the writings of New Age, occultic, or mystical authors to their followers, oftentimes with a word of recommendation if not persuasion to buy these writings and read them in their entirety. We won’t take time here to discuss God’s view on these things, but if you are curious, you might want to pause to look at Deuteronomy 18:9-14. The question is, why are pastors and respected Christian leaders promoting mystics and occultists? And we use the word “promoting” because this is more than the occasional slip of quoting someone for their clever or witty anecdote. These leaders are both bringing the nail and driving it in. However, in many cases these leaders are obscure as to whether they practice these things themselves; they seem content enough in bringing their followers to the bait, then leaving their followers to fend for themselves. Ingrid Schlueter coined the term “the bridgers” because these leaders in their obscurity seem quite innocent, yet due to their positions of respect and large followings, they are wittingly or unwittingly pulling large numbers of otherwise conservative followers into a trap that these followers would  not have ventured to on their own accord. In other words, these bridgers are introducing the more conservative flock to what the Bible calls an abomination.

Then there is the other fig called “the silencers” that we looked at a moment ago, and it is getting larger. It too looks putrefied though it is on a healthy looking branch labeled “the church.” This fig represents those in the church who regard themselves as having a special corner, and almost elitist attitude, on discernment. While they proclaim their humility, they also pride themselves as having the educational credentials and biblical know-how to steer the church on a straight course. They speak of the embarrassment other ministries are to the body of Christ who are not deemed worthy to hold the compass. A case in point was brought to our attention within the last month when two men stood before an audience and proceeded to praise each other as the purveyors of sound wisdom, discernment, and biblical scholarship. Then, in turn they engaged in a joint attack of verbally punching down those they deemed unworthy of discerning the things of God. This ganged venture began when one of them made reference to “housewives and home-school moms” who have no business in interfering in things they know nothing about. He referred to such women as “discernment divas” saying that their “greatest ability for [discernment] is not some rational understanding of doctrinal truths but an ability to use a really sharp tongue.”  Both men on the stage maintained that such things belong to men of wisdom, like themselves. By the way, the one who said this is said to be the “right-hand man” to one of the most popular and looked up to Christian figures today.

After the program, however, this same man, in realizing that he had put his foot in his mouth–figuratively speaking—proceeded to try to remedy the matter lest there be an influx of home-schooling moms and irate husbands knocking at the door. He attempted to remedy the matter by pointing out that he did not mean all home-schooling moms but two in particular—namely Ingrid Schlueter of Crosstalk and Lighthouse Trails Publishing’s Deborah Dombrowski.2 Hoping to put out the spot fires he started, he referred to these women as discernment divas, then proceeded to provide his own derogatory definition of the term. Frankly, we do feel sorry for the guy.

However, at the same time, we must not forget the seriousness or the ramifications of what can happen when someone who is endeavoring to help the Body of Christ is knocked down, verbally or otherwise. Again, we are in a spiritual battle—very real, with its own victories and consequences. Borrowing from our illustration again of a military maneuver, in this instance we can see that there are soldiers manning the outposts, but they are being shot down by their own men. In some cases, the task is done somewhat discreetly with silencers (excuse the pun) mounted on their weapons. In other cases, the outpost-soldiers are shot down more indiscreetly and then finished off with a bayonet. And even though this makes total nonsense in this physical illustration, this is what is happening in the church today. In the case of Ingrid Schlueter, she was kicked off her radio program nearly a year ago, but men are still kicking at her. Roger Oakland, a few years ago, was kicked off Calvary Chapel’s radio station KWVE. In both cases, it was because they were too “negative.” But as Roger points out, were the apostles negative, were the prophets negative, was Jesus negative? And what happened to them?

The fact is that the darkness hates the light, and when you bring light where there is darkness it means exposure. We live in a corrupt world where not even the organized church is willing to have the light shine in their dark corners.

But we at Lighthouse Trails were founded on the principle that there is a growing body of believers who have heard God’s heart cry to repentance. It is our belief that repentance is meant to be a part of the Christian life, and as we become aware of our imperfections, we endure rather than resist God’s refining process in our lives. When John wrote his letters to the seven churches, he did it with this in mind, but history tells us that his letters were not heeded by all seven churches.

 Here at Lighthouse Trails, we have endeavored to blow the trumpet over the years, sounding the call to repentance and to a return to the sound doctrine of the Bible. But many have become annoyed with the repeated blasts of the trumpet. All we can say to this is that the time is short, and we remember the words of Jesus when he said, “I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work” (John 9:4). We will continue to sound the trumpet for as long as we can while doors of opportunity are still open.

Some will say that it is better for Christians to be silent and just let God take care of things. But it is through silence that the church in America has lost so much ground. Rather than helping the process, silence accelerates the work of the enemy. It was through silence that a man called Hitler was able to come to power and murder millions of innocent people.

Keep praying and do what you can to help sound the trumpet. The enemy forces are advancing; in fact, they are within our ranks.

I set watchmen over you, saying, Hearken to the sound of the trumpet. But they said, We will not hearken. (Jeremiah 6:17)

Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God. But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. (Hebrews 3:12)

Notes:
1. See A Time of Departing for more information on Alice Bailey’s “revitalization” of the churches.
2. Though Deborah Dombrowski’s name was not mentioned, it was inferred by saying Lighthouse Trails Publishing (Deborah is the only female writer at LTPC).

LTRP Note: Lighthouse Trails wrote several times about The Secret (book and film) when it became a New York Times best-seller from Oprah Winfrey’s promotion of it. James Arthur Ray was one of the “teachers” interviewed in the film. See links below this posting for information on The Secret.

Felicia Fonseca
Associated Press

PRESCOTT, Ariz. - A charismatic self-help author who led an Arizona sweat lodge ceremony that turned deadly was sentenced Friday to two years in prison.

Yavapai County Superior Court Judge Warren Darrow handed down three, two-year sentences, to be served concurrently. He also ordered James Arthur Ray to pay more than $57,000 in restitution.

“I see and I find that the aggravating circumstance of emotional harm is so strong and such that probation is simply unwarranted in this case,” Darrow said.

The courtroom was silent as he handed down the sentence. The victims’ families held hands, as did Ray’s parents and brother.

Afterward authorities immediately took custody of Ray, who will serve his time with the state Department of Corrections. Click here to read more.

Related Articles:

Ken Blanchard Joins “The Secret” Team

The Secret Author Influenced by Spirit Guides!

The Secret: “A New Era for Humankind”

Erwin McManus – “A Secret Behind the Secret”

By Herescope

Excerpt:

Practically, the world’s leaders will realize that their individual economies are so intertwined and the only way to solve the ever-increasing financial crises is to bring all the separate economies under one roof. Those informed regarding world affairs will recognize there exists an ever-increasing number of influential leaders who have begun to promote the idea of a global economy. The most significant of these is the G20 which in recent years has made several statements advocating such a global economy.

But the most startling statements were recently made in a 41 page “note” by the Vatican’s Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace, published in several languages on October 24, 2011. Speaking for Pope Ratzinger, the Council’s document is filled with legal verbiage and complicated language, but is an amazing document to read. It is amazing because almost word-for-word, it bears upon the prophecies of Revelation 13, 17 and 18, and places Rome at the center of the prophetic drama![2] Click here to read this entire article.

Related Articles:

U.S. Catholic Church prepares to accept Episcopalians

Lighthouse Trails Editor:”My Journey Out of Catholicism (and why the Catholic Church is not reformable)”

Vatican wants reform of world financial system, creation of authority to manage world economy

The New Evangelization and the Coming Reign of the Eucharist Christ

from Rubin Reports:
(courtesy True Discernment blog)

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s speech justifying Obama Administration Middle East policy changes everything. True, it isn’t surprising. I’ve been writing for almost three years about how the current U.S. government thinks this way.

Do not underestimate this speech’s importance. It isn’t a reluctant acceptance that Islamists might win elections and take over countries. It is an enthusiastic endorsement of that idea.

But now there can be no doubt that Obama’s Middle East policy is engaged in what might be the biggest blunder in the history of U.S. foreign policy. Millions of people will bemoan it as delivering their countries into the grip of repressive dictatorships.

The speech can be summarized as follows:

Islamist regimes—at least those whose “behavior” is proper–are good. If Islamists exercise political power they will be moderate. Thus, the United States will not merely tolerate but will actually support Islamists taking power. Click here to continue reading.

Related Articles:

A “New” Dark Age – In Politics and in the Church

Poll: Obama’s Outreach Has Not Improved Arabs’ Views of the U.S.

Contemplative terms always seem to be changing. What is called one thing today may be exchanged for a new term tomorrow. One term being used a lot these days for “Spiritual Direction” is “Soul Care.” In Biola University’s Masters program, Spiritual Formation and Soul Care , the program “trains leaders in soul care to be spiritual mentors, directors and teachers who will assist others in their journey of growth in Christ and His body.” This program incorporates contemplative experiences and “Soul Care Practicum.” Clearly Biola sees a relation between soul care and contemplative spirituality.

Where did the term Soul Care come from anyway? In the late nineties, contemplative and New Age sympathizer, David Benner, wrote a book called The Care of Souls, and then later wrote one called Spiritual Direction and the Care of Souls. Thomas Moore wrote Care of the Soul: A Guide for Cultivating Depth and Sacredness in Everyday Life , and there are other books with similar titles. Nearly all of them promote spiritual direction and contemplative spirituality.

What exactly is meant by Soul Care? According to an article on the Natural Care College site, “soul care is the artistry of helping a person to find their personal and relational path to the sacred, where they are able to open to and live from their deeper self, reaching a higher level of living and loving through their own unique soul-nurturing spirituality and way of being in the world.” Even though many evangelicals who promote Soul Care wouldn’t agree with this definition, we think it is quite accurate. In other words, soul care is finding the divinity that is within each person.  As Thomas Merton put it, it is coming to the realization of what is already there – God – in every human being. Rick Warren’s colleague, Leonard Sweet explains this in his book Quantum Spirituality. Quoting Merton, Sweet writes:  “We [humanity] are already one. But we imagine that we are not. And what we have to recover is our original unity” (QS, p. 13). And Sweet’s more recent book, Nudge: Awakening to the God Who’s Already There, Sweet is echoing Merton right on the front cover with his title and subtitle.

Soul Care is just another term for the same ol’ New Age mystical spirituality. The New Age started in the Garden of Eden when the serpent told Eve she could be like God. Satan still tries to convince man of this today, just as he did many thousand years ago. Nothing has changed. Terms may be exchanged for new ones, but this is just a disguised effort to conceal a terrible and damaging belief system.

A few places you’ll find the term Soul Care used in a contemplative setting:

SOUL CARE:  Mindy Caliguire has an organization and website called Soul Care. She has been featured at Moody Bible Institute, Willow Creek, and other evangelical venues. Lighthouse Trails wrote about Soul Care in 2008 showing Caliguire’s emphasis on contemplative prayer. On her website, as one example, she links to Richard Foster’s organization, Renovare, to Conversations Journal, and to Upper Room. Conversations Journal is a conglomeration of various contemplative writers and partners, one of which is Lee Strobel’s son’s organization Metamorpha.  Upper Room is the creators of the Walk to Emmaus and advocates various types of eastern-style meditation practices. Check out some of these links above, and you will see the documentation to show the contemplative propensities that exist.

THOMAS NELSON’S SOUL CARE BIBLE: http://www.amazon.com/Soul-Care-Bible-Experiencing-Sharing/dp/0785204849, includes contemplative advocates as contributors/writers such as Dan Allender, Larry Crabb, and Chuck Swindoll and makes reference at least in one instance contemplative books (Richard Foster’s Celebration of Discipline)

BIOLA UNIVERSITY, The Master of Arts in Spiritual Formation & Soul Care:Numerous Lighthouse Trails articles showing the contemplative direction that Biola has gone (use blog search engine to find these)

MOODY BIBLE INSTITUTE, MIDDAY CONNECTION SOUL CARE: Midday Connection has repeatedly interviewed and highlighted contemplative authors such as Keri Wyatt Kent

DALLAS WILLARD, PERSONAL SOUL CARE: Willard is one of the pioneers in bringing contemplative spirituality into the evangelical/Protestant church.

ASSEMBLIES OF GOD THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY: Offers a course called Spiritual Formation and Soul Care of Others. Incidentally, you’ll notice on this schedule that Leonard Sweet and Earl Creps, both contemplative pushers, are teaching there too. Quit fitting with Soul Care.

(Reuters) – The U.S. Roman Catholic Church will establish a body in January to house disaffected members of the Episcopal Church, beginning with a few dozen ministers and at least two congregations seeking communion, U.S. bishops were told Tuesday.

Some 35 of 67 Anglican ministers who have applied to join the Catholic Church have received the “nulla osta” from the Holy See, allowing them to move forward to become priests, said Cardinal Donald Wuerl, archbishop of Washington, D.C.

Wuerl, head of a committee to move the process forward, gave a progress report to the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops who are meeting this week in Baltimore.

The other clergy seeking ordination have had their dossiers presented to the Vatican’s Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, he said. Click here to continue reading.

Related Articles:

SPECIAL REPORT: The Jesuit Agenda and the Evangelical/Protestant Church

The Road to Rome: The New Evangelization Plan to Win Back “the Lost Brethren”

Also this:

Taken from the powerful film, The Radicals, based on the true story of Michael and Margaretha Sattler, who defected from the Catholic church and who were martyred for their faith in Christ.

By Corrie ten Boom
(from chapter 1 of In My Father’s House)

LETTER TO THE EDITOR:
(used with permission)

Dear Lighthouse Trails,

I’m pasting in below the comments I sent to Dennis Rainey at www.familylifetoday.com, after hearing their radio program today, promoting Gerald Sittser’s new book, “Water From a Deep Well.”  Please inform your readers:

Dear Family Life,

Please take seriously my caution on promoting the idea that the teaching of the Desert Fathers is a quest to return to some “lost disciplines” of an assumed “authentic Christianity” from the ancient past.  If one does responsible research, tons of documentation shows the “Desert Fathers” were … early Roman Catholics, frustrated with their lack of “experiencing God” within the confines of the sacramental-based way of “salvation” taught in the RCC.  They denied the new birth by grace through faith and continue to today.  They were not “Christian” by biblical definition from the start.  If one studies their writings honestly, he will discover that they sought to combine the mystical experiences of eastern mysticism with the fundamentals of Roman Catholicism to gain “direct revelation and experiences” with spiritual entities they only assumed to be the God of the Bible.  The dangers of this serve as clear warnings (1 Tim.4:1, 2; 2 Tim.4:1-5).  

We cannot assume that practicing what they preached and promoted as “ways to God” will lead us there just because that is our intent.  Employing the advocated practices, techniques and methods of “approaching God” gleaned from religions outside the unique confines of biblical Christianity is a dangerous endeavor.  Faith in not blind.  Just because they professed to be “seeking God” to achieve “deeper intimacy” with God is no reason to trust their teaching without the scrutiny of Scripture.

 To seek God through these and similar Contemplative practices is an atheological exercise in deception.  With all due respect, Dr. Sittser is wrong with his entire premise, just as Richard Foster was wrong in his identical premise in his 1978 book, “The Celebration of Discipline.”  It is no wonder that Dr. Eugene Peterson has written the forward to Sittser’s book, as he and Richard Foster have headed the “Renovare’ Movement” for “Spiritual Formation” for a number of years.  I encourage you to do your homework and have supplied a link to make is easy for you:

http://www.lighthousetrailsresearch.com/researchtopics.htm. Just type in “Foster” or Renovare and read till your heart’s content.

Please know also that the premises these men posit are foundational to the Emerging Church thinking ravaging the churches today.  You do not want to stand before the Lord one day, having promoted Sittser’s thesis.  (See also Roger Oakland’s book:  ”Faith Undone” and former New Ager Warren Smith’s book, “The Light That Was Dark,” & Ray Yungen’s, “A Time of Departing.”

Because He Lives and I Care
Greg A.

We have gone to press with Roger Oakland's new book, Let There Be Light. The shipment will be arriving on November 23rd, and all backorders will ship that day. If you would like to order the book now, click here.

Topics This Book Addresses:
Biblical creation versus Darwinian evolution
Russia's openness to the Gospel after the fall of the USSR
A plan by the Catholic church to absorb Protestantism
The connection between evolution and the New Age
How the Christian church is being lured into a one-word religion that is prophesied in the Bible
Contrasting the Light of the World to the darkness of this age
The role mysticism is playing in end times deception
How Christian leaders are ignoring the study of Bible prophecy

Questions this book answers:
What is real science?
Is Darwinian theory scientific?
Is spiritual deception talked about in the Bible?
What is the Catholic Eucharistic Evangelization plan?
What is the Gospel of Jesus Christ?
What is the essential ingredient for true revival?
Are signs-and-wonders revivals like the Toronto Blessing biblical?
Why do many Christian pastors and leaders avoid talking about spiritual deception?
Does the Bible mandate Christians to warn against spiritual deception?

1st 13 pages including Table of Contents, Prologue and part of Chapter 1

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