LTRP Note: The following is an excerpt from Carolyn A. Greene’s novel, Castles in the Sand, the first novel published that addresses the contemplative prayer (spiritual formation) movement. In this excerpt, the young Christian Teresa [Tessa], now attending a Christian college, is in her dorm room, thinking about her new spiritual director, Ms. Jasmine, who has … [Read more…]
LTRP Note: This is another example of a major Christian leader laying aside the integrity of biblical faith and giving credence to the Roman Catholicism and contemplative mysticism for the sake of “unity” and “morality.” By Cathy Mickel (Author of Spiritual Junk Food: The Dumbing Down of Christian Youth) Where is the wisdom in Albert … [Read more…]
To Lighthouse Trails: I have been going to a non-denominational church for years, and last year I noticed the term “Spiritual Formation” being used in the website of the Bible camp this church sponsors. I brought it to their attention, only to be met with indifference and the impression that I was somehow “over the … [Read more…]
By Ray Yungen Contemplative advocates propose that there has been something vital and important missing from the church for centuries. The insinuation is that Christians have been lacking something necessary for their spiritual vitality; but that would mean the Holy Spirit has not been fully effective for hundreds of years and only now the secret … [Read more…]
LTRP Note: Lighthouse Trails has received many emails over the past few years about the “praying in color,” which has become extremely popular within Christianity. This prompted us to publish a booklet by Lois Putnam on the subject. While coloring is not wrong in itself, the “praying in color” movement is a disguised vehicle for … [Read more…]
For over a decade now, Lighthouse Trails editors have been concerned about the direction that the AWANA children’s club is heading. Today, in this report, we want to first give an overview of our past decade of reporting on AWANA, and then we want to share some new information that should concern every parent and … [Read more…]
NEW BOOKLET TRACT: D is for Deception—The Language of the “New” Christianity by Kevin Reeves and the Editors at Lighthouse Trails is our newest Lighthouse Trails Booklet Tract. The Booklet Tract is 16 pages long and sells for $1.95 for single copies. Quantity discounts are as much as 50% off retail. Our Booklet Tracts are … [Read more…]
Lighthouse Trails has been following Cedarville University since 2006 when we wrote an article titled “Cedarville University – Heading Down the Contemplative Road?” Since then, Lighthouse Trails has written several others articles having watched this Christian school head down the contemplative/emerging path. In 2013, Cedarville University got a new president, and we wrote an article … [Read more…]
Dear Lighthouse Trails: The Wesleyan church is being lead by Jo Anne Lyon, who has yoked the denomination with false teachers. I had been in a church that was taken over by the Wesleyan denomination. I later transferred my membership away from it. She has spoken in our church and she all but tripped over … [Read more…]
LTRP Note: The following is a chapter from Castles in the Sand, a Lighthouse Trails novel based on true facts, exposing the dangers of contemplative spirituality. The story is about a young Christian college girl who is introduced to mysticism through her spiritual formation professor. In the following chapter, Tessa, troubled by some of the … [Read more…]
To Lighthouse Trails: I’ve been noticing a new trend – adult coloring books. The little research I have done links these books with Buddhism. Do you have any information on this new trend? I just stay away from things like this, but the reason I’m asking is because my 13 year old daughter was introduced … [Read more…]
Beth Moore & Priscilla Shirer – Their History of Contemplative Prayer and Why War Room Should Not Have Used Them by John Lanagan and the Editors at Lighthouse Trails is our newest Lighthouse Trails Booklets. The Booklet is 14 pages long and sells for $1.95 for single copies. Quantity discounts are as much as 50% … [Read more…]
Dear Lighthouse Trails: You list Calvin College, Grand Rapids, MI, as being contemplative, formation. Please give me evidence, examples of this, also any emergent info, too on them. ASAP, please. Our Response: Finding evidence and examples to show Calvin College’s contemplative/emergent persuasions is NOT like finding a needle in a haystack. This college is saturated … [Read more…]
Dear Editors at Lighthouse Trails: I stumbled onto your website while looking for a video from this year’s Alliance Council featuring John Stumbo. In your writings, you largely promote the idea the C&MA is espousing the emergent church, contemplative prayer, spiritual formation blather. I have never, ever heard this in my church. EVER. So, for … [Read more…]
There’s a lot of talk about it today; umpteen books are published and more are on the way about lectio divina; and an increasing number of evangelical/Protestant figures are writing about it, endorsing it, and teaching it. Some people think lectio divina simply means to read a passage of Scripture slowly (or “praying the Scriptures”) … [Read more…]
(TO CONTACT US, CLICK HERE.) Lighthouse Trails Publishing, Inc. and Lighthouse Trails Research Project began in 2002. There are currently several authors, editors, news writers, web and computer technicians who work with Lighthouse Trails throughout North America plus a small on-site staff in NW Montana where the offices of Lighthouse Trails are located. We are … [Read more…]
By Menno-lite Ruth Haley Barton, founder of The Transforming Centre[1], was trained at the Shalem Institute for Spiritual Formation which teaches: “This mystical stream [contemplative prayer] is the Western bridge to Far Eastern spirituality … It is no accident that the most active frontier between Christian and Eastern religions today is between contemplative Christian monks … [Read more…]
The Walk to Emmaus is a program put on by Upper Room Ministries. Upper Room promotes Spiritual Formation (i.e., contemplative spirituality), and if you want to understand the dynamics of Walk to Emmaus, then understanding the spirituality of Upper Room will help you: “The Walk to Emmaus is an adaptation of the Roman Catholic Cursillo … [Read more…]
Hi Lighthouse Trails: I am a recipient of the newsletter, and I recently ran across a new term for Spiritual Formation: “Scripture Engagement.” BibleGateway is now advertising a new feature on their website in partnership with Taylor University: “Taylor University Center for Scripture Engagement.” At the top of the page on the BibleGateway website, there … [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…]
A Lighthouse Trails reader called this past week, asking about the DVD film, Be Still. He said he watched it and couldn’t see anything wrong with it and would like to share it with others. He wanted to know what we thought about the film. We explained to the caller that the film was an … [Read more…]
LTRP Note: The following is from chapter one of Carolyn A. Greene’s book Dangerous Illusions (the sequel to Castles in the Sand). As far as we know, these are the only two novels ever published that delve into the evilness of the contemplative prayer/emerging church movement. The setting for Castles in the Sand is a … [Read more…]
Changing “Jesus Calling”—Damage Control for a False Christ by Warren B. Smith is our newest Lighthouse Trails Print Booklet Tract. The Booklet Tract is 16 pages long and sells for $1.95 for single copies. Quantity discounts are as much as 50% off retail. Our Booklet Tracts are designed to give away to others or for … [Read more…]
Is Your Church Doing Spiritual Formation? (Important Reasons Why it Shouldn’t) by the editors at Lighthouse Trails is our newest Lighthouse Trails Booklets. The Booklet is 16 pages long and sells for $1.95 for single copies. Quantity discounts are as much as 50% off retail. Our Booklets are designed to give away to others or … [Read more…]
By Menno-Lite Blog The September issue of the Mennonite Brethren Herald[1] is promoting a long awaited new curriculum for children from age 3 to grade 8. Shine has been in the works for three years, and is now available and coming to Sunday School classrooms in a Mennonite church near you. The new Sunday school … [Read more…]
By L. Putnam Filled with monks, monasteries, mystics, mentors, meditations, methods, and imaginations Mansions of the Heart by R. Thomas Ashbrook is a dangerously deceptive work; for while its author mentions and discusses salvation, many scriptures, and maturing spiritual growth he mixes in mega doses of Catholic mystical prayer practices centered round the Teresian mansions and John’s dark night … [Read more…]
By L Putnam Flee From the Tree of Contemplative Practices: Run From its Toxic Fruits! The attractive Tree of Contemplative Practices is laden with enticing fruits for contemplative meditators to partake of. But, beware! For this is not a tree with fruits one should be snared into sampling, but rather this is a tree that … [Read more…]
By Berit Kjos (author of How to Protect Your Child From the New Age and Spiritual Deception) The Spiritual Formation movement is widely promoted at colleges and seminaries as the latest and the greatest way to become a spiritual leader. It teaches people that this is how they can become more intimate with God and … [Read more…]
By L. Putnam Dr. Rob Reimer, pastor of the Christian & Missionary Alliance South Shore Community Church, adjunct professor at the Alliance Theological Seminary, and speaker at various conferences has authored a book: Pathways to the King: Living a Life of Spiritual Renewal and Power. To look inside is to learn how Reimer loses his … [Read more…]
Book Review on Dangerous Illusions, the Newest Release From Lighthouse Trails By Terryography Blog There is something very comfortable and familiar about reading sequels. “Dangerous Illusions” is a novel that picks up where “Castles in the Sand” leaves off. Having read ‘Castles’ a few years ago, it took a while for me to become familiar … [Read more…]