"A Light Shining in the Darkness"

Letter to the Editor: There is No Doubt That Moody Has Gone Contemplative – This Year’s Radio Programs Proves It.

Posted by Lighthouse Trails Editors Posted on December 20, 2014

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 noticed recently that the statement has now been removed. But even though Moody has denied that they are going contemplative, we have watched in dismay as they have continued to do so. This past week, we were notified by two different Lighthouse Trails readers that Moody’s radio program Midday Connection has brought on as a radio guest James Bryan Smith 9 times this year to do a series on contemplative spirituality. Smith is a founding member of Richard Foster’s contemplative-pioneering organization Renovare and a minister of the United Methodist Church. He is also the author of a number of works promoting and/or teaching Spiritual Formation and contemplative spirituality. You can read one article we wrote about him here.

The book by Smith that is discussed below that is being used by Moody in a series is titled The Good and Beautiful God. This is the first in a series by Smith called The Apprentice Series. There is also The Good and Beautiful Life and The Good and Beautiful Community. The Good and Beautiful God teaches the contemplative practice called lectio divina and espouses the teachings of Richard Foster and Dallas Willard.

It appears that Moody is pulling out all the stops when it comes to contemplative spirituality. And we know what that means—an eventual distancing from the biblical Gospel. Drs. Harry A. Ironside (early 1900s) and Dwight L. Moody (1800s – founder of Moody Bible Insititute and Moody Publishers (also going contemplative), were both preachers at Moody Church. Can you imagine their shock and horror if they were here today to witness this apostasy at one of the most historically trusted Christian organizations?

Dear Lighthouse Trails:

James Bryan Smith – founding member of Renovare

There is no doubt that Moody has gone contemplative. They have been studying a book by James Bryan Smith for the past 9 broadcasts. Before that they had Jessica Handy. (As you can see BOTH attended Fuller Seminary). Thank you for your ministry. Keep shedding the light and preaching the gospel. I just wish others would listen and heed the alarm. [Below are notes that the Lighthouse Trails reader sent on Moody’s radio program, Midday Connection.]

Summary

It’s the conclusion of our series talking about THE GOOD AND BEAUTIFUL GOD, and on this Midday Connection, James Bryan Smith joins us to help wrap up our look at the false narratives we believe over against the Jesus narrative. We’ll look at how hurry sickness affects us even in the care of our own soul.

Featured Guest

James Bryan Smith

James Bryan Smith (M.Div., Yale University Divinity School, D.Min., Fuller Seminary) is a theology professor at Friends University in Wichita, Kansas, and a writer and speaker in the area of Christian spiritual formation. He also serves as the director of the Apprentice Institute for Christian Spiritual Formation at Friends University. For more information, please visit his website.

God With Us, Part 3

December 16, 2014

Do we really believe that God is with us? Do we live our lives with an increasing awareness of God’s presence? On this Midday Connection, Jessica Handy joins us to talk about when joy and gratitude are present; they are keys to cultivating that God-awareness. God With Us, Part 3

Featured Guest: Jessica Handy

Host: Lori Neff

Jessica Handy

Jessica Handy is the Chicago Area Director of the Immanuel Prayer Training Program as well as the Administrator for Alive and Well, Inc. under the leadership of Jerry and Margaret Webb.

I found this out about Jessica Handy:

Jessie is an ordained Anglican pastor, having taught high school, served in Young Life, coordinated intentional community, initiated prayer ministries, and trained small group leaders. She has a Masters Degree in Teaching from Wheaton College as well as a Master of Divinity from Fuller Theological Seminary.

Jessie discovered inner healing prayer in 2005 through a seminary class with Dr. Charles Kraft, where she saw firsthand the impact of forgiveness on her own life and relationships. She went on to study Theophostic and Immanuel Prayer with Margaret Webb and has been training others since 2008. Her greatest joy is helping people learn to experience the presence of God.

“Immanuel helps people learn to hear God for themselves and become more aware of His presence in the daily moments of life,” she says. “It generates deep and lasting healing in the context of prayer, community, and the overarching focus of maturity in Christ.”

As one who cares deeply about unity and maturity in the church, intergenerational relationships, and transformed lives, she has been encouraged and amazed by the impact of Immanuel in all of these areas. Her lifelong experience in education and the church has prepared her to equip believers for service and mission. She is delighted to serve in a ministry where so many of her passions coincide.

Here is the website she refers to: http://www.alivewell.org/prayerteam/

God bless you. CS

Lighthouse Trails Research Links on Moody Coverage:
2013 – Embracing Contemplative Shows Ill Effects at Moody Bible Institute in Ecumenical “Road to Rome” Event