Several years ago, Rick Warren said something that still haunts us—leaders of the new purpose-driven, emergent “Christianity” will have to wait until resisters either leave or die before the plan can be fully implemented.1 In other words, they are going to eventually accomplish what they are trying to do—revamp Christianity into a “new” spirituality that … [Read more…]
The Moody alumni website The Broken Twig is back online with “An Open Letter to the Board.” The Broken Twig had taken itself offline after the recent resignation of now-former Moody president Paul Nyquist. But after apparently realizing that Moody was still in denial about the problems going on there, The Broken Twig blog returned. … [Read more…]
A Note From Lighthouse Trails: Shortly after we sent out our January 15th Lighthouse Trails E-newsletter, we discovered that a link we provided to an article about Moody Bible Institute was no longer working. We learned that the website called The Broken Twig (which we believe was created by some Moody alumni) had been taken … [Read more…]
By Dwight L. Moody I do not see how any Christian, most of all a Christian minister, can go into these secret lodges with unbelievers. They say they can have more influence for good, but I say that they can have more influence for good by staying out of them and reproving their evil deeds. … [Read more…]
LTRP Note: Lighthouse Trails has been reporting on and challenging Moody Bible Institute for several years because they have been progressively promoting and turning to contemplative spirituality via Spiritual Formation programs. And yet, in our dealings with them, they have always denied doing this. As we have pointed out so many times, once a school … [Read more…]
LTRP Note: Christian leaders are giving a pass to Roman Catholicism and the Jesuits. After reading this letter to the editor, we cannot help but wonder how many other Christian leaders have attended Jesuit schools and could this be a reason so many of them are accepting of contemplative spirituality and Catholicism in general? One … [Read more…]
1. Faith Baptist Bible College & Seminary “Crossed Off” “Good” College List – Hopefully Temporarily 2. “Christian Palestinianism” & Emergents Lynn Hybels and Jim Wallis Come to Multnomah University For “Justice” Conference 3.Liberty University Offering Yoga Classes . . . AGAIN! 4. Liberty University Hires Open Homosexual Advocate to Choreograph ‘Mary Poppins’ Production 5. Baylor … [Read more…]
LTRP Note: Lighthouse Trails first brought up the issue of Moody Bible Institute (and Moody Radio) heading in the contemplative direction over eight years ago (see links below). At one point, Moody issued a statement titled “Moody Responds to Lighthouse Trails,” denying our claims. That statement remained on their website for over 5 years. We … [Read more…]
Lighthouse Trails has been tracking the Christian college and seminary scene for over a decade. We have developed a growing list of Christian schools that are promoting Spiritual Formation (which is the avenue through which contemplative and emerging spirituality enters). Below are the top 7 news stories related to Christian colleges that we have written … [Read more…]
Dear Lighthouse Trails: We appreciate your attention to the wayward teaching at many Christian schools, but have a serious question. The list of non-contemplative schools is mostly Bible colleges. What would you suggest to a student who is not going into full-time ministry, is looking for a liberal arts or sciences degree, and quite frankly, … [Read more…]
For over seven years now, Lighthouse Trails has followed Moody Bible Institute’s continued promotion of contemplative spirituality. Although the organization has denied that they are promoting contemplative, the evidence has consistently existed. Those who have a good understanding of contemplative spirituality are aware of the inevitable outcome for followers of contemplative. This outcome is a change in … [Read more…]
On May 20-23, Moody Bible Institute held its annual Pastors’ Conference (this year called re|Focus). Keynote speakers included Alistair Begg, Voddie Bauchman, Michael Easley (former Moody Bible Institute president) and a number of other evangelical pastors and speakers. On Tuesday, during one of the breakout sessions, Peter Spychalla, Director of Prayer Ministries, East White Oak Bible Church in Illinois … [Read more…]
Spiritual Disciplines Handbook: Practices That Transform Us by Adele Ahlberg Calhoun is a primer on contemplative mysticism, bursting with contemplative meditation instruction along with references and quotes by some of the movement’s most prolific mystics on the scene today. It’s a book one might expect to find on the shelves of a Catholic monastery, a New Age … [Read more…]
The Moody Church in Chicago Illinois has an impressive history. It was named after its founding pastor, the famous Dwight L. Moody. It’s been through a number of pastors and buildings since the early 1800s, and if Dwight Moody were here this coming Sunday to listen to the guest speaker, we think he might find himself shocked … [Read more…]
Dear Lighthouse Trails: I am a former student of MBI. My wife and I graduated from the school. I recently came across a publication from MBI [Moody Bible Institute] titled “Today in the Word.” On the back page they advertise a book recently published by Moody Publishers titled “Prayers for Today – A Yearlong Journey of … [Read more…]
Dear Lighthouse: Thank you for that article from Dave Dombrowski on Sounding the Trumpet. I had my radio on KMBI (Moody) and they had Eugene [from Focus on the Family’s Adventure’s in Odyssey] going to a monastery to experience “silence.” I have heard this episode in the past. It is episode # 366. http://www.odysseyscoop.com/episodes/Episodes_1996.htm#AIO366 Sincerely, … [Read more…]
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 and its “pioneers” such as Richard Foster, Dallas Willard, and Henri Nouwen. Spiritual Formation is based on “spiritual disciplines” that … [Read more…]
In November 2004, Lighthouse Trails issued its first alert to readers on Christian colleges that are promoting contemplative spirituality. The four colleges listed in that alert were San Fransisco Theological Seminary, Biola University, Bethel University, and Lincoln Christian College and Seminary. Since then, numerous other alerts have been issued. What has become all too painfully … [Read more…]
Keri Wyatt Kent is a popular speaker who has been promoted by many evangelical groups such as Moody Bible Institute who interviewed her and promoted her work) and MOPS (Mothers of PreSchoolers). Unfortunately, she is a strong proponent of contemplative spirituality. In March of 2007, Lighthouse Trails wrote a book review of Wyatt Kent’s book, … [Read more…]
Soul Care is a “publishing and ministry vision” that promotes contemplative spirituality. Last week, under their events page, it gave information on Moody Bible Institute’s 2009 Pastors Conference, showing that one of the break out sessions would be presented by Soul Care (click here to view. Lighthouse Trails contacted Moody to inquire about this session. … [Read more…]
According to a statement on Moody Bible Institute’s website, the school is looking for a new president. Michael Easley resigned from the position in May 2008. The statement reads, in part: The Board of Trustees is committed to this task and excited about finding the person we believe God has already chosen to be our … [Read more…]
Leaders at Moody Bible Institute have adamantly insisted they do not promote or endorse contemplative spirituality. And in spite of repeated promotion of contemplatives, such as Larry Crabb, Dallas Willard, Keri Wyatt Kent, and Richard Foster, they have publicly stated they are against contemplative. Lighthouse Trails offered on more than one occasion to send faculty … [Read more…]
In the August 7, 2007 edition of Moody Bible Institute publication Today in the Word, MBI professor Dr. Winfred O. Neely tells readers that “deep and prolonged thinking about the Lord’s word, person, and work is biblical.” While he states that eastern style meditation is wrong and dangerous, he brings terrible confusion to the matter … [Read more…]
Over the past year, Lighthouse Trails has written articles regarding Moody Bible Institute’s move toward contemplative. Today, Moody’s public relations person, Lindsay Crystal, telephoned Lighthouse Trails and said that they were sending us an email and posting a more detailed version of that email on their website in their News section. Their online email may … [Read more…]
Lighthouse Trails has been contacted by the family of a young Christian woman who was enrolled at Moody Bible Institute, where she hoped to obtain her nearly-reached degree. This week the young woman learned that the college (and at least one of the classes she was registered for) was promoting contemplative spirituality. Upon learning this, … [Read more…]
The Pastors Retreat Network, founded in 1997, “offers five-day retreats to pastors and pastor couples.” On the website, it states: “Scripture reading and meditation are at the heart of the experience.” According to the ministry’s Recommended Book list, this experience being offered to pastors and their wives is going to be mystical and similar to … [Read more…]
Moody Bible Institute has been around for a very long time and has enjoyed a respected reputation in the Christian community at large. Their mission statement admirably says they exist “to equip and motivate people to advance the cause of Christ through ministries that educate, edify and evangelize.” However, as with so many Christian colleges … [Read more…]
Lutzer, Falwell, and Kennedy Endorse Contemplative Promoting Book Trusted Christian leaders, ones many would never suspect, have endorsed a book by contemplative proponent Larry Crabb, a “spiritual director” for the American Association of Christian Counselors (AACC) and a popular Christian author. Three pages of endorsements inside the book have several obvious names: Brian McLaren, Tony … [Read more…]
