Lighthouse Trails 2019 Year in Review—Part 1—Top 10 Letters to the Editor

At the end of each year, Lighthouse Trails presents its Year in Review, divided into different parts. Below is the first part of our 2019 Year in Review. While we receive numerous letters, comments, and e-mails throughout the year, and consider them all important and of value, we believe the 10 below illustrate very well what many of our readers are experiencing in these difficult days. Click the “Read more” link at the end of each article to read the complete letter.

Top 10 Letters to the Editor in 2019

1) Letter to the Editor: Yoga at Our CMA Church in Canada Broke Our Hearts: I use to attend Beulah Alliance Church and had to leave after I was dismissed for raising concerns about Yoga being offered in the church. I came to find out the pastor who created this “Yoga-Pilates” is also one who practices Yoga as do many other leaders in their church. I am so heartbroken. My husband is heartbroken. I was then told that the warnings that apostle Paul gave to the Corinthians were not relevant to them. That was something I couldn’t ignore. (Read more)

2) Letter to the Editor: My Christian University Professor Graded Harshly for Mentioning Lighthouse Trails: I am a graduate student at GCU [Grand Canyon University] in a biblical doctrine program. I had begun a new class in Hermenutics. My pastors at church told me of your website, and I kept you in mind. A topic on spiritual formation came up recently, and I provided a link to your website on the topic. My teacher gave me a harsh grade and comment. (Read more)

3) Letter to the Editor: Physical Threats Vs. Spiritual Threats: I believe there are those within Christianity today who are getting believers to focus on PHYSICAL threats like an Islamic invasion, corrupt politicians, etc. (threats that can harm the body, but not the soul) but are ignoring SPIRITUAL threats such as New Age philosophies coming into the church. . . . if all that is being heard from such sources is on potential PHYSICAL threats then maybe we need to realize that our attention is getting diverted from the real threat, that which is SPIRITUAL in nature (e.g., doctrines of devils that can easily lead a person astray). (Read more)

4) Letter to the Editor: I Was Seduced by the “Jesus” of “Jesus Calling”: I want to share my experience with the book Jesus Calling in hope that my account might help someone else who has been deceived as I have. I am so grateful for your work in exposing this kind of deception. Converted 51 years ago, absolutely devoted to Jesus Christ and the Bible, teaching other women the same, and yet . . . (Read more)

5) Letter to the Editor: Southern Baptist Convention Leaders Taking SBC Far From Its Biblical Moorings: As a Southern Baptist, I am concerned that powerful leaders in the Southern Baptist Convention are taking the denomination far from its biblical moorings. Bureaucracy within the organization is to blame, as are a few mega-church pastors who take turns filling decision-making posts whether elected or appointed. What can Southern Baptists do to stop the march toward progressivism and apostasy? (Read more)

6) Letter to the Editor and All Contenders of the Faith: 3 Things to Consider: I’m a second-hand reader, who reads the LT Journal when I visit with friends. The May Journal had a short article titled, “LT Is Against Everything?” I, too, have the heart of an apologist, but my spiritual gift is exhortation – another one that most folks don’t like. They love the encouragement side but not the confrontational side. I know how the frontal attack of “negativity” gets hurled around at apologetics people. I wish to offer you and other contenders of the faith an encouraging word to stand strong and remain clear in your focus. Here’s how my confrontational side would answer those who pitch the “negativity” knuckle-ball at you. There are three things they should consider . . . (Read more)

7) Letter to the Editor: Churchless in North America: . . . We became aware of a significant shift in our C&MA [Christian & Missionary Alliance] church after they picked-up a new hip pastor from a California mega church.  Some of the first things we noticed included the new lingo and dress-down look, the extensive use of The Message, the feel good TED Talks salted with a few out-of-context Scriptures, the kicking out of the old worship team and the bringing in of the very loud rock-band-style worship along with smoke and lights, the removal of mailboxes in order to bring in the Emerging pastor’s book table, removal of crosses and Bibles (one day, we led a couple to Christ and could not find one Bible in the church to give them) . . . (Read more)

8) Letter to the Editor: Tired of Churches That Do Not Contend for the Faith: After leaving my previous church and searching for the past two years, all I see are either Reformed/Calvinistic churches in their theological position, churches that have adopted the “Purpose Driven” model, or ones that promote Contemplative Spirituality in their Spiritual Formation classes and present Beth Moore and Priscilla Shirer “Bible Studies.” (Read more)

9) Letter to the Editor: As Christians, My Wife and I Became Heavily Involved With Reiki: I am writing to help support your warning and exhorting of Reiki as a “healing modality.” My wife and I got “Attuned” approx. ten years ago to Level One. I remember feeling a certain buzz and got curious enough to document this feeling of energy that I had. So I went to get an Aura Picture done. The shop owner described the white spots on my shoulders was an Angel Guide that was honoring me into the art of Reiki. (Read more)

10) Letter to the Editor From Dallas Theological Seminary Student—DTS Does Advocate for Contemplative Spirituality: The relationship Dallas Theological Seminary has with contemplative spirituality has been debated on Lighthouse Trails, and defended by DTS. As a current student, I can confirm some departments and professors do advocate explicitly for the contemplative brand of spirituality. (Read more)

(photo from bigstockphoto.com; used with permission)