Three “of the most outspoken” leaders of the emerging church (Tony Jones, Doug Pagitt, and Mark Scandrette) will be going on a national road tour this summer and are receiving sponsorship from several large organizations. Some of those sponsors are Christianbook.com, Jossey-Bass, Compassion International, International Bible Society, and Zondervan. The three men will hit 32 … [Read more…]
This week, the Awaken 2008 with Erwin McManus is taking place at William Carey University in Pasadena, California. Many of the event speakers (called “Thought Leaders”) promote contemplative mysticism, but one in particular, Mark Batterson, points readers on his website to Eckhart Tolle, a New Age guru who is currently being heralded by Oprah Winfrey. … [Read more…]
The Christian Post has released an article titled “Mars Hill Pastor Ditches ‘Emerging’ Label for Jesus.” However, in a January 11th article by Lighthouse Trails Mark Driscoll Rejects McLaren But Embraces Contemplative, Mark Driscoll’s rejection of Brian McLaren and Doug Pagitt is questioned because of Driscoll’s continued promotion of contemplative/emerging spirituality, a belief system that … [Read more…]
Since last Fall, when Mark Driscoll, pastor of Mars Hill Church, denounced some of the teachings of emerging church leaders Brian McLaren and Doug Pagitt at the Convergence Conference at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, his talk has been the topic of many discussions across North America. People feel that such a denouncement by someone who … [Read more…]
Palm Beach Atlantic University is a Christian college in Florida. Their “Guiding Principles” statement says: Founded under the providence of God with the conviction that there is a need for a university in this community that will expand the minds, develop the moral character and enrich the spiritual lives of all the people who may … [Read more…]
by Kim Olsen DiscernIt One would be hard-pressed to find a more complete description of the various end-time deceptions currently exploding in our churches in one single paperback book. Roger has accomplished this feat in “Faith Undone” Why is his book so relevant today? Consider this statement. “In the near future, Christians of every denomination … [Read more…]
While some begin to see the heresy of Brian McLaren and Doug Pagitt’s teachings, confusion has arisen as to who is part of the emerging church and who isn’t. As Roger Oakland has stated in his book, Faith Undone, there are certain key elements that distinguish emerging church leaders: promotion of mysticism (i.e., contemplative), kingdom-now … [Read more…]
The following letter we received on October 26th is a typical one. The man, Chris, is not aware of Rob Bell’s “fruit” and sees only the deeds of righteousness that appear to be godly. But the Bible gives warning even about such deeds if the author of them is Satan rather than God. To Lighthouse … [Read more…]
The Foursquare Church will be presenting a conference this December that leaves little room for doubt that the denomination is saying yes to contemplative and emerging spiritualities. The NextGen Summit 07, taking place in Anaheim, California on December 29-31, will feature speakers who are evangelists for contemplative/emerging spirituality. Some of these include Rick Warren, Erwin … [Read more…]
When it comes to the emerging church, Christian leaders seem to lack understanding and discernment. Some books and several articles have now been written about the emerging church, and interestingly, nearly all of them lack the most important element -the emerging church (which incorporates the teachings of the Emergent leaders: McLaren, Pagitt, Kimball, etc.) is … [Read more…]
From Roger Oakland Understand the Times There are pastors (including Calvary Chapel pastors) who are promoting Rob Bell’s view that Christianity must be “reinvented for the 21st century.” Rob Bell is one of the prominent leaders of the Emerging Church movement. In Faith Undone – the emerging church – new reformation or last day deception, … [Read more…]
The Center for Parent/Youth Understanding is a non-profit organization that hopes to bridge the gap between parents and kids. However, the organization is pointing parents and teens to contemplative/emergent teachings. Walt Mueller, president and founder of CPYU states: If we take the time to understand and really know kids, then we’ll be able to cross … [Read more…]
On August 3rd, Todd Hunter, the USA Alpha Course president, issued an email promoting the October Soularize event in the Bahamas (see email). The Soularize conference is featuring several emerging church speakers as well as contemplative/eastern-style mysticism proponents Brennan Manning and Richard Rohr. Rohr’s spirituality would be in the same camp as someone like Matthew … [Read more…]
“A lot of people see Jesus as just for Christians but I keep discovering that his teachings are really about what it means to be human.” – Rob Bell, Manchester Evening News (June 15, 2007) According to a news report from Manchester Evening News (Britain), emergent leader Rob Bell is “setting out on an … [Read more…]
by Roger Oakland (from Faith Undone) In an article titled “Christ-Followers in India Flourishing Outside the Church,” the following statement is made regarding the research of Herbert Hoefer, author of Churchless Christianity: In striking research undertaken in the mid-eighties and published in 1991, Herbert E. Hoefer found that the people of Madras City are far … [Read more…]
According to a February 11th article in Christian Today, “New Bible Project for Young Generation Launched“, Thomas Nelson’s 2006 “Bible” project called The Voice is going full speed ahead. The project, announced by TN last spring (http://www.religionnews.com/press02/PR040106A.html), is a “re-telling of the Bible that consists of creative voices from historians to poets, storytellers to songwriters,” … [Read more…]
According to a February 11th article in Christian Today, “New Bible Project for Young Generation Launched”, Thomas Nelson’s 2006 “Bible” project called The Voice is going full speed ahead. The project, announced by TN last spring, is a “re-telling of the Bible that consists of creative voices from historians to poets, storytellers to songwriters,” and … [Read more…]
CMA (Christian Management Association) was founded in 1976 and represents “today’s most recognized and influential Christian organizations and growing churches.” According to their website, CMA “members can focus more of their attention on their mission and impacting the world for Jesus Christ.” Dr. Jerry White, CMA Chairman of the Board is President Emeritus of The … [Read more…]
By Lonnie Wilkey NASHVILLE, Tenn. (ABP) — LifeWay Christian Resources has removed a number of pro-gay titles from its online store, LifeWaystores.com, after staffers became aware of the books’ availability. EthicsDaily.com reported Jan. 29 that LifeWay had several authors listed on the site who promoted a “pro-homosexual” agenda. EthicsDaily is a news service of the … [Read more…]
Dr. Jim Diehl is one of six General Superintendents of the Nazarene Church of America. Three years ago Dr. Diehl called Lighthouse Trails Publishing because he had just finished reading A Time of Departing. He told us he believed the book was excellent and that the message in it was vital. We told him at … [Read more…]
Some say that those who are warning about contemplative spirituality and it’s invasion into Christendom are alarmists, that it really isn’t as bad as we are making it sound. Well if the Church Report poll (where over 200,000 voters responded), which names the “50 Most Influential Christians” is any indication, contemplative spirituality is being promoted … [Read more…]
Lighthouse Trails Publishing Note: Today, we received the following letter from one of our book distributors. The letter is written by Family Christian Stores. They are announcing their new EMERGING CULTURE PRODUCTS SECTION. For those of you who are concerned about this and wish to contact FCS, contact information is at the bottom of this … [Read more…]
ALERT: 24-7 Prayer Rooms Increasing in North America 24-7 Prayer, the ministry of Pete Greig (UK author of Red Moon Rising) has announced: “The new 24-7 Prayer Manual has just been published in North America in response to the growing demand of prayer rooms multiplying all over the continent.” Because of the growing popularity of … [Read more…]
24-7 Prayer, the ministry of Pete Greig (UK author of Red Moon Rising) has announced: “The new 24-7 Prayer Manual has just been published in North America in response to the growing demand of prayer rooms multiplying all over the continent.” Because of the growing popularity of these contemplative/mystical prayer rooms, we are re-posting an … [Read more…]
The Foursquare Church main website is recommending a number of pro-contemplative/emerging church authors. The list includes books by Brian Mclaren, Robert Webber (Ancient-Future Worship), business guru John Maxwell, New Age sympathizers Ken Blanchard and Leonard Sweet, Dan Kimball, Rick Warren, and C. Peter Wagner. (see our research site for information on the teachings of these … [Read more…]
Red Moon Rising: How 24-7 Prayer is Awakening a Generation (2003, Relevant Books), by UK author Pete Greig, is becoming an increasingly popular book among Christian youth. Greig is the founder of an international prayer movement called 24-7 Prayer and Boiler Rooms. In a magazine interview with Greig, he explains that his organization is now … [Read more…]
In June of this year, we reported that several Christian colleges and seminaries now have Spiritual Formation programs. One of those we listed was Cedarville University of Ohio. The Spiritual Formation course, titled BEGE 1720 is taught by Dr. Richard Blumenstock, and while the course outline lists no use of contemplative authors, Cedarville’s 64-page Student … [Read more…]
Contemplative spirituality has been influencing many evangelical denominations, and the Foursquare denomination is one of those that has been affected. The Lake is a Foursquare Church and according to their Mission Statement, they are helping “wanderers … restore and rebuild their lives around Jesus.” But The Lake is also introducing these “wanderers” to contemplative spirituality … [Read more…]
Wooddale Church (Pastor Leith Anderson) of Minneapolis, MN is one of America’s largest evangelical churches with over 12,000 people attending. We post this information because so many Christians and churches around the world look up to these mega churches for leadership and direction. Starting October 1st, Wooddale Church will have a Sunday evening meeting called … [Read more…]
Last year, Crystal Cathedral announced that the Institute for Successful Church Leadership was over. The Institute had been in existence for 35 years and was influential in many Christian leaders’ ministries. In speaking of Rick Warren, Schuller stated: And there’s Rick Warren, a pastor who today is phenomenal. He came to our institute time after … [Read more…]