HOME             December 9, 2013

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Student at Conservative Christian University – Professor Says No to Inerrancy of Scripture – Brings in Homosexual Speaker

LTRP Note: While we wish we could share with our readers which school this letter is referring to, we cannot because the potential for this student getting into trouble is high if his/her identity were disclosed. But we believe it is an important letter for our readers to have. We will say this, this university is considered a conservative evangelical school. bigstock-Clock-Tower-39982753Worth noting, this school has been on our Contemplative College list for a number of years. The things happening at this school today (some of which are indicated below) are common among Christian schools that promote contemplative spirituality. Creation, the Word of God, homosexuality – these are all issues that are compromised when in such an environment.

Dear Lighthouse Trails:

Because we have been so helped by your blog, I wanted to tell you our first hand experience with ___________ [Christian] University. 

Our son/daughter is attending [Christian] University. He/she had been leaning towards overseas missions but honestly after seeing the condition of this generation at “Christian” universities and within the church in general he/she  has begun to feel that God will use him/her to battle the enemy right here.  It is so heartbreaking that the vast majority of students do not have any discernment or enough scriptural knowledge to know that they are being led astray by “Christian” professors at “Christian” schools. 

The [Spiritual Formation] program that was started several years ago had a required reading this year of [one of ] Scott Mcknight’s books.  My son/daughter started reading this and immediately felt that is was, at its core, heretical. . . . I and other people who know the president felt sure he would not allow this into the university but after my son/daughter’s experience and finding disheartening and eye opening information on your blog I know this isn’t the case”.

My son/daughter has a __________ professor named _________ who started off the year telling the class that he does not believe in total inerrancy of Scripture.  This was followed later with sharing that he did not believe in a literal 7 day creation.  [Recently] professor _______ invited a homosexual . . . to address the class on why Scripture supports his view.  . . .

I think it is accurate to say that once they start teaching students that Scripture is not without error and there are no absolutes then this opens the door to teaching them any number of heretical philosophies and false doctrines.  This IS happening right now in schools where parents think their children are “safe.”

You are right on the mark with your research and information so far. 

Thank you for all you are sharing.

[A concerned parent]

Book and Mennonite Retreat Center In Canada Lead People into Contemplative Spirituality

LTRP Note: After one of our readers notified us today about the Mark Centre in Canada (affiliated with the Mennonite Brethren), we saw the need to post the following book review about a book written by the directors of the Mark Centre, Steve and Evy Klassen. If you, or someone you know, is planning on attending a retreat center, use extra discernment when there. Many, if not most, retreat centers openly promote contemplative spirituality. Just take a look at the retreat center’s bookstore (most of them have one) – that will tell you a lot.

What Will Ears Hear in The Mark Centre’s New Book?
From the Menno-lite blog

“And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, This is the way, walk ye in it, when ye turn to the right hand, and when ye turn to the left.” Isaiah 30:21

A new training resource offered by the Mark Centre (affiliated with the BC Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches) is a book written by directors Steve and Evy Klassen called Your Ears Will Hear: A Journal for Listening to God. The title of this workbook is four words taken from Isaiah 30:21 that are said to be the ‘watchwords’ of the Mark Centre.

The description of this book, which was written to assist people as they listen to God, informs readers that it:

“…has already received praise from international authors like Paul Hawker[1], who claims ‘Your Ears Will Hear’ offers a smorgasbord of stories and practices for seekers to draw from as they pursue their quest to hear God’s voice. In his foreword, Loren Cunningham[2], founder of Youth With A Mission[3], promises ‘You will enjoy recognizing and listening to the voice of God while working through this book.’ Click here to read this entire book review.

 

Letter to the Editor: Church of 43 Years Builds Labyrinth, Promotes Mystical Rituals and Social Gospel

Dear Lighthouse Trails,

I left my church of 43 years, because they were promoting books like Ruth Haley Barton’s “Solitude and Silence”; they had built a Labyrinth next to the Memorial garden where my parents ashes lay and were performing mystic rituals along with contemplative prayer and Spiritual Formation. Before I left my church, I met with the pastors 3 times to express my concern. The response from my pastors came back to me with the jest of it being, “Everything we have done has been in a Christian context, so therefore it is ok.” When I first starting researching all of this, the Holy Spirit led me to your website, and I am so grateful for all you do. I have always considered myself a Watchman and believe now, that that is what God has called me to do along with discernment. I have spoken to a lot of the people from my old church, because I have felt God placing their names on my heart. I meet with them to try to warn them of what’s going on and have also directed them to your website.

The latest thing that I have come across is the social gospel. I believe that my old church has been into the seeker-friendly agenda and now are tending to head towards the Emergent church and a social gospel. Every week I go online and listen to the sermon for that week from my old church. I feel like I need to know what they are saying and this brings me to the question that I have. I believe that you have talked about the social gospel before, but I was wondering if you could give your readers more info? My old church seems to be very missional, and the topics for the December sermons are the gifts Jesus brings: Justice, Spirituality, Relationships, and Beauty. The first one was Justice, and the pastor quoted N.T. Wright. When I was listening something didn’t sound right. My other question is, do you know who N.T. Wright is and what he stands for? When I looked it up, there was an article I found that linked together Rob Bell, Oprah and N.T. Wright. I also found that one of his books was published by Willow Creek Media. Scary, I thought!

I want you all to know that I am in a very biblically based church now, one that preaches verse by verse and chapter by chapter. I have never learned so much about the Bible in my life and feel that I was asleep at my old church. I am now trying to be the best Berean I can be and pray to God for wisdom and discernment all the time. Thank you for your ministry and for bringing to light all the false teachings that are out there.

In Him,

A.L.

LTRP  Comment:

Dear A.L.:

In regard to your question about the “social gospel,”  we would recommend the article ”Sojourners Founder Jim Wallis’ Revolutionary Anti-Christian “Gospel” (and Will Christian Leaders Stand with Wallis?).” Also, these articles should be helpful in understanding what is meant by social gospel:

What’s Wrong With a More Social Gospel?  by Paul Proctor

“Contextualization” of the Gospel – A Free-Falling Catastrophe  by Roger Oakland

As for N.T. Wright, while we have read some of his writings (enough to know he resonates with emerging church ideas – e.g., kingdom of God on earth now), we do not presently have any material about him on our research site. We do know, however, that leaders in the emerging church are drawn to his writings and glean from his “theology.”


 

 

 

 

 

 

 


Book and Mennonite Retreat Center In Canada Lead People into Contemplative Spirituality
Letter to the Editor: Church of 43 Years Builds Labyrinth, Promotes Mystical Rituals and Social Gospel
The Final Accommodation – The Mark . . . Revelation 14
Dangerous Prayers
Texas Wesleyan University Offers Prayer Room for Muslim Students
Book Review by Herescope: “Another Jesus” Calling
Video on Common Core Curriculum Shows Indoctrination of Children in Public Schools
Letter to the Editor: Campus Crusade for Christ “Gospel Message” Includes Spiritual Formation/Contemplative Spirituality
Mennonite University Considering Policy Change to Allow Homosexual Faculty
NEW BOOKLET TRACT: A Directory of Authors (Three NOT Recommended Lists)
I Saw Death
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Who We Are
Lighthouse Trails is a Christian publishing company and research project ministry. We work with a group of Christian journalists and authors, all who understand the times in which we live from a biblical perspective. While we hope you will buy and read the books we have published, watch the DVDs we have produced, and support our ministry, we also provide extensive free research, documentation, and news on our Research site, blog, e-newsletter, and now our subscription based print journal. 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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BOOKLET TRACTS

In January of 2013, we began publishing Print Booklet Tracts. Click the banner below to see what we have so far. More will be added regularly. These are specifically designed to give out to people.

BOOKLET TRACTS FROM LIGHTHOUSE TRAILS

WRITERS WE USE

The Final Accommodation – The Mark . . . Revelation 14

By Bill Randles

If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand,  The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb:  And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name.(Revelation 14:9-11)

One of the nightmares of living in this age, is the burden of having to  witness the steady  accommodation of the seeming leaders of the Evangelical and Pentecostal movements to the world spirit.So much of evangelicalism has allowed pastors who value “relevance”, to the point of actually denying Christ.

To many faithful members of the churches, it must seem as though the former verities have collapsed, one after another, as so many of the notable leaders have accepted and defended the unthinkable and indefensible. Hell and Judgment are being denied, as ‘relational evangelism’ replaces the old “courtroom model” of the book of Romans. (Everything is about ‘relationships” right?)!

Feminism has long been accommodated in the churches, in the ordination of women, as has humanistic psychology in the teaching, counsel and qualifications for ministry.

Recently spectacles such as the joint services between Christians and Islamics, (Chrislam), have become almost common place in some circles. Willow Creek church which has impacted tens of thousands of evangelical churches around the world, allowed an Imam to speak in the pulpit following 9-11, Who would have imagined that twenty years ago?

There is also a trend among toned down “hipster” churches, for pastors to speak “frankly” about sexual matters, in a way which would have been unthinkable 30 years ago among christians. The public language and humor of these ministers has gone beyond what once could have been considered marriage counseling, into what can only be considered coarse, vulgar, and even lewd.

Who would have dreamed that one day evangelicals would form outreach to practicing homosexuals, such N.A.L.T.? (Not At all Like Them, in other words we are compassionate Christians who accept practicing homosexuals, and not at all like the anti gay Christians of old)!

This isn’t an outreach to get those struggling with the sin of homosexuality, rather it is an evangelical project to show empathy and acceptance of Gay, Lesbian and Transgender people, in the name of Jesus!

We are warned in the book of Revelation 13 that a time would come when the “Beast” would be allowed to “make war on the saints and to overcome them”. Jesus warned that “if possible, even the very elect would be deceived…”.

 For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect. Behold, I have told you before.(Matthew 24:24-25)

Who would have ever imagined the mockery and denial of Hell in a christian church? Christian and Muslims worshipping together? Christian pastors apologizing for ‘judging’ homosexuals? Where does it end?

One wonders, wearily, What next? How could once thriving churches have possibly succumbed to such evil in the face of clear warning? What does this tell us about what to expect?

If it would have been unthinkable thirty years ago to predict that evangelical churches would seek peace and accommodation with Mosques, or would have outreach to encourage practicing homosexuals, what else remains unthinkable? What else is there to compromise, redefine, and explain away?

Evangelicals are currently being told that there is another side to the Israeli,Palestinian conflict, and that the compassionate stance is to take the side of the (so-called) Palestinians, and denounce Israel. (After all Israel is Western and we all know that is BAD,BAD,BAD!)!

Ever notice that the pastors and leaders who are leading so many in this accommodation to evil, are trying to come across as the "compassionate, understanding, responsible adult leaders," as opposed to the other old-fashioned, judgmental evangelicals?

I predict that soon the time will come when some Evangelical leaders will again try to be the “compassionate, responsible adults” and counsel their sheep to go ahead and take the Mark of the Beast, that we shouldn’t worry about it, that life is not a Chick tract, and perhaps , that it would even be a good witness, showing the world that we christians,(at least not all of us) aren’t stuck on the negative interpretations of the Apocalypse that our evangelical forefathers once held.

Just remember this;  An angel of God himself will fly through the skies to warn men, that whoever takes that Mark for any reason whatsoever, is utterly and irrevocably damned.

Receiving the Mark is the  final accommodation to Evil. To take the Mark is in God’s sight, (That is the perspective that matters) an act of false worship, idolatry, and a taking of sides with  Evil against Truth and  Goodness, in the person of God and His Messiah, the Lamb, Jesus.

Long before the Mark of the Beast decision is thrust upon us, there are a thousand little decisions to confess or to deny Christ, and they are being made everyday by Christians around the world. Every accommodation to evil in the issues of our day, condition people, and even predispose them to succumb to the ultimate accommodation, and to commit the “Great transgression."

The same reasoning that allows confessing Christians to accept the unacceptable now, will come into play in an ultimate sense then.We must prayerfully understand our times, our unique trials and pray to the Lord daily, “Lead us not into temptation, and deliver us from Evil!." (source; used with permission)

Dangerous Prayers

by Paul Proctor
(Free-lance writer; used with permission)

Mindless mantras are an abomination to God

I once came across a video clip that was taken from a popular television talk show called The View, where liberal former co-host of the show, Joy Behar and conservative former co-host, Elizabeth Hasselbeck got into a heated on-air argument about prayer that was sure to evoke a rousing response from pulpits and pundits across America while creating lots of bubbly buzz for the alphabet network around the workplace water cooler, which is undoubtedly why ABC News posted it on their website – to get more bang for the gang.

As one might expect, little if any biblical truth emerged from the exchange, even among those on the show who are considered Christians. Whatever faith was present on the set that day was largely expressed with “I think” and “I feel” which reduces Christianity to an experiential expression of one’s own opinion rather than a clear and faithful proclamation of God’s Word – big difference. But then, that’s what today’s “Christianity” has become.

The topic was prayer, but at no time during that segment of the show did I hear Jesus Christ ever mentioned by name, much less quoted by any of the hosts. “God” was, however carefully referred to by co-host, Sherri Shepherd as “some thing that is beyond us.” She did refer to Him later as “He,” though Behar jumped in near the end of the segment to say, “You don’t even know if it’s a female,” shortly after which they cut to commercial.

But, sadly, Shepherd’s witness was more pragmatic than biblical, saying things like: “[F]or a lot of people, faith and prayer works.” There was nothing about God’s love, power, mercy, grace, longsuffering, forgiveness, or any other divine attribute. She didn’t even say “God works” – just “faith and prayer works” – promoting a human act rather than the Lord Himself.

All Hasselbeck could come up with in response was: “That prayer is protected as . . . in our freedoms of this country,” awkwardly leaning more on the Constitution and Bill of Rights than the “Everlasting Arms.”

Not surprisingly, Behar was clearly the most un-Christian in her comments, saying things like, “Faith is something that you feel – thinking is something that you do with your brain” – and in reference to people praying about the oil spill, she said: “Let’s see, who do I pray to, Tony Hayward of BP or God?”

Guest host, D.L. Hughley expressed his faith through punch lines, suggesting we only pray when we want something, saying, “We pray when we get in trouble . . . Like, to God we must be that kid that calls every time he needs some money. . .  Like, God must hear us and go, ‘What happened now?’” He concluded his Christian witness by saying “Like, you can’t go to Heaven on an American passport . . . you have to have an individual relationship with God,” adding, “The reason that I think we constantly get in trouble, is we don’t pray for the right things . . . Maybe we should pray to learn the lessons of the past.”

I guess that was his gospel presentation.

The Behar/Hasselbeck debate went like this:

Behar: “When prayer takes the place of logical thinking, then I think it’s dangerous . . . then it’s dangerous.”

Hasselbeck: “Prayer’s not illogical.”

Behar: “No, but it takes the place of thinking.”

Hasselbeck: “No, it doesn’t. That’s a completely bigoted statement to say that when I’m praying, I‘m not thinking.”

When it was all said and done, the result was a dialectic disconnect that didn’t glorify God or scripturally edify anyone, but only engaged and enraged participants while leaving listeners to digest a lot of interfaith concepts and spiritual disinformation that muddied the waters of truth via groupthink.

Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience. Be not ye therefore partakers with them . . . And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them. – Ephesians 5:6-7,11

It may surprise those who were offended by Behar’s comments to learn that, although Hasselbeck was correct in her indignant response, Behar was not all wrong in saying prayer is “dangerous” when it “takes the place of logical thinking.”

You see, there are those in the Church today who practice what is called “Contemplative Prayer” – a New Age-style mantra that is all about emptying one’s mind to allegedly “find God within” by repeating certain words or phrases over and over until the mind is disengaged and no longer thinking – achieving an altered state of consciousness or (alpha state) known as “the Silence” which is indeed “dangerous” considering it opens one up to what the Bible calls “familiar spirits” (demonic influences). It’s rooted in Eastern Mysticism where it is more commonly referred to as “Transcendental Meditation.”

Though Contemplative Prayer is widely practiced in the Emerging Church, it has unfortunately found its way into more traditional churches, especially among young people, thanks in part to a host of “Christian” authors who promote it as “Contemplative Spirituality” or “Spiritual Formation.” There is also “Centering Prayer,” “Breath Prayers,” and “Lectio Divina” – all of which attempt to achieve the same trance-like state.

Lighthouse Trails Research defines the occult practice and movement this way:

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). Common terms used for this movement are “spiritual formation,” “the silence,” “the stillness,” “ancient-wisdom,” “spiritual disciplines,” and many others.

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.

Now, considering Joy Behar’s other absurd views on faith, this probably wasn’t what she had in mind, but the show does illustrate a new spirituality at work, where nefarious notions and New Age nonsense are advanced or accepted wittingly or unwittingly by both sides of the political and ideological spectrum through pride-filled and emotionally charged confrontations that do little more than stir controversy and draw crowds with empty religious rhetoric that in the end always diverts attention away from God’s Word and our dire need of repentance and faith in Jesus Christ.

“But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.” – Matthew 6:7

Texas Wesleyan University Offers Prayer Room for Muslim Students

LTRP Note: Texas Wesleyan University is connected to the United Methodist Church. This would be considered a mainline denomination (e.g, Methodist, Lutheran, Presbyterian). These have traditionally pioneered the way in accepting heretical beliefs and practices into the church.  Contemplative spirituality has,  for the most part, been received with wide open arms in these denominations; later it moved into the more evangelical conservative churches (as we are witnessing today). With regard to TWU’s willingness to have a Muslim prayer room on campus, this would make perfect sense. Embracing other religions and becoming interspiritual (all paths lead to God) are the ”fruit” of the contemplative prayer movement. When one begins meditating, one’s spiritual proclivities change (this is because in meditation, one comes under the influence of deluding spirits). The Cross of Jesus Christ seen as the only path of salvation loses its value, and an interspiritual view is eventually accepted. What we are seeing wholeheartedly today in the mainline denominations (i.e., acceptance of homosexuality, a move toward evolutionary thinking, and embracing of other religions) is what we are beginning to see in the evangelical denominations. You may want to read this article by Ray Yungen, which explains why mainline denominations are drawn to the mystical: When Mysticism Fills the Vacuum of Nominal Christianity.

By Heather Clark
Christian News Network

FORT WORTH, TX – Controversy is stirring over a recent news report surrounding a special prayer room at Texas Wesleyan University that was established at the request of a Muslim student group.

The Rambler, the student publication for the university, published an article on November 19th about the prayer room, explaining its purpose, the story behind its inception and its uses.

“The reasons for this (prayer room) are twofold,” Chaplain Dr. Robert K. Flowers told the publication. “One, to show hospitality to our foreign students and, two, our campus needs to be open and tolerant of other faith traditions whether it is Islam, Hindu, Jewish, or otherwise.”

The prayer room was established last year at the request of Mohamed Khalid Alshafei, the president of the Saudi students club, who met with university President Frederick Slabach about the matter. The article noted that Saudi–or Muslim–students pray about five times a day and have certain rituals surrounding their observances. Click here to continue reading.

Related Articles (these are articles we have posted over the last number of years, showing the progression of apostasy/interspirituality  by the United Methodist Church):

United Methodist Church Defies Its Founder John Wesley on Islam – Cites Koran at Church Service  by James Sundquist

Hindus, Buddhists Joint Prayer Room Opens at United Methodist Duke University

Tibetan Monks Performing at United Methodist Church in Indianapolis

New hymnal proposed for United Methodist Church

 
Video on Common Core Curriculum Shows Indoctrination of Children in Public Schools

The following video is posted on Kjos Ministries website. Berit Kjos is the author of our new Booklet Tract: A “Common Core” for a Global Community. This video shows just a few examples of how children are being indoctrinated toward a socialistic global society through the Common Core curriculum. Also read, “The Rising Force Behind Common Core Indoctrination” by Berit.

Other Information:

What’s Wrong With a More Social Gospel? by Paul Proctor

Letter to the Editor: Campus Crusade for Christ “Gospel Message” Includes Spiritual Formation/Contemplative Spirituality

Hi,

I am a semi-retired pastor who has been growing more and more troubled by the trend in evangelical churches toward new age, emergent, and eastern mysticism. We were looking for some sound material to give to a Korean lady who is showing interest in Christianity. We went to Power to Change, __________  (formerly Campus Crusade for Christ) to secure something useful for this purpose. We were sold a booklet titled “Knowing Jesus Personally.” It was looking good as we studied the content, until we came to the chapter on being empowered by the Holy Spirit. On page 53 of the booklet, we read:

If you find that you have retaken control of your life through sin – any definite act of disobedience – simply breathe spiritually (exhale the impure and inhale the pure). This important exercise will enable you to continue to experience Christ’s loving control in your life throughout each day.

 a)Exhale-Confess your sin. (I John 1:9) . . . b) Inhale–Claim by faith the fullness of the Spirit in your life. (from Lesson Four: Power for Living, point 4 on Power to Change website)

We cannot conscientiously give this booklet to this lady. I don’t know if you have reported on the Spiritual Formation tendencies in Power to Change, so I thought I would apprise you of what we found. Our local Christian bookstore has nothing suitable for evangelism, nothing that simply presents the pure gospel of Christ. But we were told they could supply us with plenty of Spiritual Formation materials. Understandably we found this to be most upsetting.

Thanks for your faithfulness in true spiritual discernment, and you courage to post the faulty findings on your website.

In His grace,

DB ( B.C. Canada)

OUR COMMENTS:

After receiving this letter to the editor from this Canadian pastor, we discovered that the same instructions on breath prayer are on the U.S. CRU (Campus Crusade’s new U.S. name) website in an article attributed to Dr. Bill Bright (CCC founder) (using virtually the same wordage). 

In 2008, Lighthouse Trails had reported that Campus Crusade for Christ was promoting contemplative spirituality. On their main website at that time, we learned that the following concepts and/or practices were frequently referred to:

Spiritual Formation 126 Times

Lectio Divina 12 Times

Richard Foster 28 Times

Henri Nouwen 41 Times

Thomas Merton 45 Times

Contemplative 96 Times

Brian McLaren 5 Times

Brother Lawrence 28 Times

Desert Fathers 13 Times

Labyrinth Multiple Times

We stated back then: “On the current CCCI website, there are still indications that they are promoting contemplative/emerging spirituality. For instance, an audio they use for Campus Crusade Staff Training (CSU) and Big Break at Easter includes contemplative/emerging proponents: Rick Warren, John Eldredge, and Larry Crabb.” That resource is still sold on the CRU/CCCI webstore.

From every indication, CCCI (CRU) is continuing on the path of Spiritual Formation/contemplative spirituality. We’ll provide one compelling example: In October 2013, an article was posted on the CRU/CCCI website titled, “Sometimes You Just Need to Stop.” It tells the story of a young missionary couple, who upon returning from the mission field to the U.S., found themselves tired and worn out. During this time, the wife was reading a book titled Soul Custody (by Stephen Smith), and they attended a retreat center in Colorado, and from the time at that retreat center, they developed a list of things they could do in their lives, one of which is practicing lectio divina and another is to read Soul Custody, a book that is loaded with references to and teachings by contemplative mystics such as Henri Nouwen, Annie Dillard, Philip Yancey, Adele Calhoun, Dallas Willard, Richard Rohr, Eugene Peterson, Thomas Merton, and a number of others. One of the Merton books that is quoted from in Smith’s book is Conjectures of a Guilty Bystander. As Ray Yungen points out in A Time of Departing, in that book, Merton made the quintessential panentheistic statement:

It is a glorious destiny to be a member of the human race, … now I realize what we all are.… If only they [people] could all see themselves as they really are … I suppose the big problem would be that we would fall down and worship each other.… At the center of our being is a point of nothingness which is untouched by sin and by illusions, a point of pure truth.… This little point … is the pure glory of God in us. It is in everybody. (Conjectures of a Guilty Bystander, pp. 157-158)

The article on CCCI’s website about the two burnt out missionaries turning to a highly contemplative book and the practice of lectio divina is just one example that Campus Crusade is remaining on the contemplative prayer path. The breath-the-good-in/breath-the-bad-out exercise that our reader brought to our attention in his letter to us is another example.

If CCCI continues promoting contemplative spirituality, in time (if they haven’t already), they will absorb the panentheistic spirituality of Thomas Merton. We say that with confidence because panentheism and interspirituality are the “fruit” of contemplative prayer, which as Ray Yungen has often pointed out, is proof enough that contemplative prayer brings practitioners under the influence of familiar spirits and doctrines of devils.

A couple years ago Campus Crusade for Christ changed their 60-year-long name to CRU in order, they said, to reach more people for Christ. What they don’t realize is that the “Christ” of contemplative prayer is not the Jesus Christ of the Bible. The “Christ” of contemplative prayer will introduce adherents to Henri Nouwen, who stated near the end of his life after years of practicing contemplative mysticism:

Today I personally believe that while Jesus came to open the door to God’s house, all human beings can walk through that door, whether they know about Jesus or not. Today I see it as my call to help every person claim his or her own way to God. (Nouwen, Sabbatical Journey,  p.51, 1998 Hardcover Edition)

 

 

Mennonite University Considering Policy Change to Allow Homosexual Faculty

LTRP Note: Another example of a contemplative college that changes its views on homosexuality.

By Heather Clark
Christian News Network

Eastern Mennonite University Credit Michael SheelerHARRISONBURG, Va. – A Mennonite university in Virginia is considering making a change to its current hiring policy to allow faculty members to be in same-sex relationships.

Eastern Mennonite University issued a news release on the matter last week, noting that it has decided to open up a 60-day listening period “to review current hiring policies and practices with respect to individuals in same-sex relationships.” President Loren Swartzendruber was authorized unanimously by the school board  to design and oversee the process, which will begin in January.

“As a Christian university, it is our responsibility to engage in community discussion and discernment over issues that Mennonite congregations—indeed almost all denominations in the United States today—are wrestling with,” he stated at a recent staff forum. “One responsibility of leadership is to help define reality.” Click here to continue reading.

Related Information:

On Rob Bell, Hell, and Mennonites

NEW BOOKLET TRACT: An Epidemic of Apostasy – How Christian Seminaries Must Incorporate “Spiritual Formation” to Become Accredited

Prayer Labyrinth on the campus of Eastern Mennonite University

 

NEW BOOKLET TRACT: A Directory of Authors (Three NOT Recommended Lists)

A Directory of Authors (Three NOT Recommended Lists) written and compiled by Chris Lawson is our newest Lighthouse Trails Print Booklet Tract. The Booklet Tract is 14 pages long and sells for $1.95 for single copies. Quantity discounts are as much as 50% off retail.  Below is the content of the booklet. To order copies of  A Directory of Authors (Three NOT Recommended Lists), click here.

A Directory of Authors (Three NOT Recommended Lists)

Written and Compiled by Chris Lawson

 It is no secret these days that Christian bookstore and ministry resource databases are often jam-packed with so-called Christian resources that are actually promoting anything but biblical Christianity. Special care may be taken by bookstore owners and ministry leaders alike to ensure that ministry and business are “in order,” but, when a close look is taken, the sale of spiritually unsafe material abounds. This is the primary reason for these three lists—to help warn and protect you, the reader, and to provide a quick reference guide.

You should know that many of the authors listed here profess to follow or glean from “Jesus,” yet at the same time they assiduously reject the biblical Jesus Christ of Nazareth Who is Savior, Lord, and God. In fact, many of these authors teach the absolute antithesis (opposite) of the historic Christian faith. Books rife with New Age occult teachings and practices abound in many Christian bookstores, and many owners and managers are going to sell them, regardless.

Over the past twenty plus years, I have spent thousands of hours researching, examining, and refuting dangerous cultic and occult practices as a missionary, church planter, and pastor. My purpose in doing so has been to help people escape dangerous occult influences, heretical doctrines both inside and outside the church, and the bondage of satanic genius that holds people captive by the powers of darkness.

The Christian literature marketplace has become utterly dangerous in the 21st century. I never thought I would see the day when New Age, occult, eastern-style meditative practices and all manner of aberrant and heretical teachings would become commonplace among Christian bookstores. What’s even worse is that much of this dangerous material is couched in Christian jargon and presented as spiritual paths to deepen and connect more intimately with God.

Considering these things, most of the authors listed in the first two lists profess to be “Christian,” while at the same time writing, recommending, and/or personally endorsing either outright or by proxy, heretical teachings and/or dangerous practices, which are contrary to sound biblical theology.

Discerning believers have expressed deep concern over the apostasy we face in the 21st century churches. The courage to stand firm and “earnestly contend for the faith” (Jude 3) coupled with a deep personal love for the Lord Jesus Christ and His Word are at the very foundation of these believers’ lives. Their concern for the spiritual welfare of the body of Christ has been a deeply motivating factor in this project.

Our Lord Jesus Christ warned, “Take heed that no man deceive you” (Matthew 24:4, Mark 13:5; Luke 21:8). Paul the apostle warned, “Let no man deceive you by any means (2 Thessalonians 2:3). John, the apostle warned, “Little children [believers in Christ], let no man deceive you” (1 John 3:7). Every single New Testament book except one warns about some form of spiritual deception, false teaching, or false teachers. Should we not “take heed,” as God through His very Word has so clearly warned, especially as the days in which we live grow precariously evil.

Scriptural Admonitions, Commands, and Warnings:

Genesis 1:1-12:20; Exodus 19:1-20:26; Deuteronomy 13:1-18; 18:20-22; 1 Samuel 28; Jeremiah 23; Ezekiel chapters 1-3 and 8-11; Daniel 1:8-21; 3:1-25; Zechariah 5:1-11; Matthew 7:1-5, 15-27; 23:1-39; 24:1-51; Mark 9:42-50; 13:1-37; Luke 9:23; John 17; Acts 8:9-25; 19:19-20; 20: 27-31; Romans 16:17-20; 1 Corinthians 6:9-10; 2 Corinthians 6:14-15; 11:1-4, 12-15; Galatians 1:6-10; 2:4-5; Ephesians 4:11-16; 5:11-12; Philippians 1:8-11; 4:17-21; Colossians 1:28-29; 2:8-9; 1 Thessalonians 5:1-22; 2 Thessalonians 1:3-2:16; 1 Timothy 1:3-11,18-20; 4:1-11; 6:3-5,11-12, 20-21; 2 Timothy 1:13-15; 2:1-7,14-26; 3:1-4:22; Titus 1:9-2:18; 3:9-10; Hebrews 5:12-14 and chapters 11 and 12; James 1:1-5:20; 1 Peter 3:18-5:14; 2 Peter 2:2-3:16; 1 John 2:18-23; 4:1-6; 2 John 1-13; 3 John 9-12; Jude 1:1-25; Revelation 2:1-3:22; 11:1-14; 13:1-18; 17:1-20:15.

#1—The New Spirituality in the Church

Each of the following authors professes to be Christian and/or uses biblical terminology in his or her writing, yet promotes at least one of the following serious false teachings: contemplative spirituality (i.e., Spiritual Formation), the emergent, progressive “new” spirituality, the seeker-friendly, church-growth movement (e.g., Willow Creek, Purpose Driven) and/or Yoga.

A
Abbott, David L.
Adams, James Rowe
Allender, Dan
Arico, Carl J.
Armstrong, Karen
Artress, Lauren
Assagioli, Roberto

B
Babbs, Liz
Bakker, Jay
Barton, Ruth Haley
Bass, Diana Butler
Batterson, Mark
Baxter, Mary
Bell, Rob
Benner, David
Bennison, John
Bentley, Todd
Bickle, Mike
Bjorklund, Kurt
Blanchard, Ken
Boa, Kenneth
Bolger, Ryan
Bolz-Weber, Nadia
Bono
Bordenkircher, Susan
Borg, Marcus
Bourgeault, Cynthia
Bronsink, Troy
Brother Lawrence
Brueggemann, Walter
Bruteau, Beatrice
Buchanan, John M.
Budziszewski, J.
Buford, Bob
Burke, Spencer

C
Calhoun, Adele Ahlberg
Caliguire, Mindy
Campbell, Joseph
Campolo, Bart
Campolo, Tony
Canfield, Jack
Card, Michael
Carroll, L. Patrick
Chalke, Steve
Chalmers, Joseph
Chinmoy, Sri
Chittister, Joan
Claiborne, Shane
Coe, John

Coffin, William Sloane
Collins, Jim
Crabb, Larry
Cron, Ian
Crossan, John Dominic
Crowder, David

D
De Mello, Anthony De Waal, Esther
Demarest, Bruce
Dillard, Annie
Dowd, Michael
Dykes, David R
Driscoll, Mark
Drury, Keith
Dyckman, Katherine Marie

E
Edwards, Gene
Edwards, Tilden
Egan, Harvey
Epperly, Bruce
Evans, Rachel Held

F
Felten, David
Fleming, Dave
Flowers, Betty Sue
Ford, Leighton
Fosdick, Harry Emerson
Foster, Richard
Fox, George
Fox, Matthew
Friend, Howard E., Jr.
Funk, Mary MargaretG
Garrison, Becky
Geering, Lloyd
Gibbs, Eddie
Gire, Ken
Goleman, Daniel
Goll, James
Graham, Dom Alfred
Greig, Pete
Griffin, Emilie
Griffiths, Bede
Gru, Jean-Nicholas
Gungor

H
Haas, Peter Traban
Haight, Roger
Haliczer, Stephen
Hall, Thelma
Hansen, Mark Victor
Hays, Edward
Hazard, David
Healey, Charles
Hedrick, Charles
Hildegard of Bingen
Hipps, Shane
Holmes, Emily
Hougen, Judith
Humphreys, Carolyn
Hunard, Hannah
Hunt, Anne
Hunter, Todd
Hybels, Bill
I
Ignatius Loyola, St.
Issler, Klaus

J
Jager, Willigis
Jenks, Gregory C.
Johnson, Jan
Johnston, William
Jones, Alan
Jones, Laurie Beth
Jones, Tony

K
Kaisch, Ken
Keating, Thomas
Kelsey, Morton
Kent, Keri Wyatt
Kidd, Sue Monk
Kimball, Dan
King, Mike
King, Robert H.
Kraft, Robert A.
Kreeft, Peter

L
L’Engle, Madeleine
Lamott, Anne
Law, WilliamM
Madigan, Shawn
Main, John
Manning, Brennan
Martin, James
Mattioli, Joseph
Matus, Thomas
May, Gerald
McColman, Carl
McKnight, Scot
McLaren, Brian
McManus, Erwin
Meninger, William
Meyers, Robin R.
Miller, Calvin
Miller, Donald
Moon, Gary
Moore, Beth
Moore, Brian P.
Moran, Michael T.
Moreland, J.P.
Morganthaler, Sally
Mother Theresa
Mundy, Linus
Muyskens, John David

N
Newcomer, Carrie
Norris, Gunilla Brodde
Norris, Kathleen
Nouwen, Henri

O
Ortberg, John

P
Pagels, Elaine
Pagitt, Doug
Palmer, Parker
Paloma, Margaret M.
Patterson, Stephen J.
Peace, Richard
Peale, Norman Vincent
Pennington, Basil
Pepper, Howard
Peterson, Eugene
Piper, John
Plumer, Fred
Pope Benedict XVI
Procter-Murphy, Jeff

R
Rakoczy, Susan
Reininger, Gustave
Rhodes, Tricia
Robbins, Duffy
Robbins, Maggie
Rohr, Richard
Rolle, Richard
Rollins, Peter
Romney, Rodney
Ruether, Rosemary Radford
Rupp, Joyce
Russell, A.J.
Ryan, Thomas

S
Sampson, Will
Sanford, Agnes
Scandrette, Mark
Scazzero, Pete
Schuller, Robert
Selmanovic, Samir
Senge, Peter
Shannon, WilliamShore, John
Sinetar, Marsha
Sittser, Gerald
Smith, Chuck, Jr.
Smith, Elizabeth
Smith, James Bryan
Southerland, Dan
Spangler, Ann
Spong, John Shelby
St. Romain, Philip
Stanley, Andy
Steindl-Rast, David
Strobel, Kyle
Sweet, Leonard

T
Talbot, John Michael
Tasto, Maria
Taylor, Barbara Brown
Teague, David
Thomas, Gary
Thompson, Marjorie
Thresher, Tom
Tiberghien, Susan
Tickle, Phyllis
Treece, Patricia
Tuoti, Frank
Twiss, Richard

V
Vaswig, William (Bill)
Virkler, Mark
Voskamp, Ann

W
Wallis, Jim
Wakefield, James
Ward, Benedicta
Ward, Karen
Warren, Rick
Webber, Robert
Wilhoit, James C.
Willard, Dallas
Wilson-Hartgrove, Jonathan
Winner, Lauren
Wink, Walter
Wolsey, Roger
Wright, N.T.

Y
Yaconelli, Mark
Yaconelli, Mike
Yancey, Phillip
Yanni, Kathryn A.
Yarian, Br. Karekin M., BSG
Young, Sarah
Young, William Paul
Yungblut, John R.

Z
Zeidler, Frank P.

To see the other 2 lists of this new Booklet Tract, click here.

To order copies of  A Directory of Authors (Three NOT Recommended Lists), click here.

To see a list of all the Lighthouse Trails Booklet Tracts, click here.

Lighthouse Trails Print Booklet Tracts

I Saw Death

By Steve Blackwell (IndyWatchman)

I Saw Death, and I was not afraid. Death, the enemy of life has been defeated and we need not fear the unknown. God has shown us the victorious march of Life through the changing of the seasons, and Life is the victor.

Most holiday poems are expected to be along the lines of “Jingle-bells,” But I prefer the ring of Truth. Some will see in the following poem sadness and morbidity, but I see joy and life, I hope you will too.


(source) (Click image to enlarge.)

I Saw Death - Click to enlarge.

John 6:44 - No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day.

John 6:40 - And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.

Acts 17:31 - [B]ecause he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead.

John 11:25 - Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live.

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WEEKLY SPECIAL OFFER TO LT READERS - Buy 2 copies "Another Jesus" Calling & FREE STANDING FAST DVD

A SPECIAL OFFER - 24 HOURS ONLY

BUY 2 COPIES OF WARREN SMITH'S NEW RELEASE "ANOTHER JESUS" CALLING AND RECEIVE A FREE COPY OF HIS LECTURE DVD, STANDING FAST IN THE LAST DAYS

SALE ENDS TUESDAY MORNING AT 11AM (PST)

Click here to buy the special offer. No promotional code is needed. Just buy two copies and automatically you will get the free DVD.

Below is a short clip of the Standing Fast in the Last Days where Warren B. Smith spoke to 800 Calvary Chapel pastors in 2008, trying to warn them about spiritual deception and the coming false "Christ."

 

Note of Explanation: When the Emerging Church, Robert Schuller’s Crystal Cathedral Church, Rick Warren’s Purpose-Driven Church, and other controversial movements were threatening the well-being of the church at large, Pastor and founder Chuck Smith called former New Ager Warren Smith and asked him to address these issues at his Costa Mesa church. Before his presentation, Warren joined Pastor Chuck on his radio program. After Warren gave his testimony, he and Chuck took calls from a variety of callers. When one caller asked about Rick Warren’s Saddleback Church, Pastor Chuck told the listener to read Warren Smith’s book Deceived on Purpose: The New Age Implications of the Purpose-Drive Church. Warren was also asked to speak at the annual Calvary Chapel Pastor’s conference where he addressed many of these same issues to over eight-hundred pastors in attendance. At the end of his presentation, Warren received a standing ovation from many of those in the assembly hall.
Standing Fast in the Last Days is Warren’s informative presentation to the Calvary Chapel Pastor’s conference. It clearly defines what the New Age Movement is and how it was beginning to move into the church.


 

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