Update 1/13/11: After we released this article, we received word from a number of Lighthouse Trails readers regarding Dr. Mehmet Oz’s strong adherence to the late Emanuel Swedenborg (1688-1772) who entertained spirit guides and was deeply involved with mysticism. In one New Age magazine, Dr. Oz is featured in an article titled “Mehmet Oz Finds His Teacher” (Swedenborg). … [Read more…]
Dear Lighthouse Trails Reader: This is our last Special Report for 2010. It may be the most important article we have written all year. It is long and detailed, but we hope you will take the time to read it. Please consider distributing it to those in your own mailing lists who may be interested … [Read more…]
FOLLOW UP NOTE 11/19/10: ON NOVEMBER 19TH, PERSONNEL FROM VOICE OF THE MARTYRS CONTACTED US BY E-MAIL AND ASKED US TO GIVE THE FOLLOWING LINK TO OUR READERS FOR THOSE WHO WOULD LIKE TO CONTACT THEM REGARDING THIS ISSUE. http://www.persecution.com/public/contact.aspx?clickfrom=bWFpbl9tZW51 This person who contacted us told us that Tom White is the one responsible for the … [Read more…]
(CNSNews.com) – The U.S. government has spent $410,625 to study the effects of teaching Chinese meditation to cocaine addicts. “Our clinical experience and pilot studies suggest that Integrative Meditation (IM) from Chinese medicine may help clients engage in treatment, reduce cravings/withdrawal symptoms, and increase treatment retention, which appear missed by a typical behavior therapy,” … [Read more…]
LTRP Note: The following article describes how teens are “getting high” from listening to certain high frequency digital sounds on the Internet. Basically, what is happening is the sounds are being used as a mantra to take listeners into altered states of consciousness, similar to drug use or contemplative/centering prayer (i.e., eastern meditation). It was the contemplative … [Read more…]
On May 24th, on the Oprah Winfrey Show, Julia Roberts joined Oprah to promote the upcoming film, Eat, Pray, Love, based on Elizabeth Gilbert’s New York Times Best Selling book with the same name. The movie will be released this summer and will most likely be a box office hit with Roberts starring in the … [Read more…]
by Larry DeBruyn Contemplative, or Listening Prayer and Psalm 46:10. “Be still, and know that I am God . . .” (Psalm 46:10). Those promoting contemplative or “listening” prayer refer to this Scripture as a biblical endorsement for pursuing this spiritual discipline. As a precondition for experiencing Soul-to-soul communication from God, contemplative Christians advocate cultivating quietude for the purpose of creating a spiritual tabula rasa (i.e., Latin for blank slate) in which personal communication from … [Read more…]
LTRP Note: This article from a secular newspaper once again proves that spiritual formation (i.e., contemplative spirituality) has entered the evangelical church in a significant manner. Please see our links below this article for more information on spiritual directors. Remember, the roots and nature of contemplative spirituality is occultic and panentheistic. We believe Richard Foster and … [Read more…]
by Mike OppenheimerLet Us Reason Ministries This may seem like an inconsequential question, even a silly question to ask, but many people may not know how involved they are in the New Age movement that has permeated our society. In other words, do you believe or practice what is taught in the new age movement … [Read more…]
The following excerpt is from a January 5th book review by WorldNetDaily’s Jim Fletcher on Lighthouse Trails’ 2009 release, Castles in the Sand by Carolyn A. Greene. [A] believable, action-packed plot … [a] fantastic effort. “Castles in the Sand ” is definitely an eye-opener! by Jim Fletcher WorldNetDaily A WorldNetDaily Exclusive Commentary “When New Age … [Read more…]
In 2009, we witnessed a huge growth in the contemplative/mystical New Spirituality in the Christian church. This is not just some kind of fad or an isolated phenomenon. It is building momemtum month by month, and more and more people are seeing this mystical spirituality as a valid and powerful way to experience the presence of … [Read more…]
LTRP Note: The following comment was sent to Lighthouse Trails from a man in Holland regarding our recent article, Mark Driscoll IS a Contemplative Proponent. We have posted it to help people see how contemplative proponents have taken Scripture out of context to erroneously defend mystical-type spirituality. To see another example of this misuse of … [Read more…]
Mark Driscoll is a name that has grown in popularity among evangelicals especially over the past few years. Somewhat known for his vulgar and crass language in public, he has been invited to speak at conferences by a wide assortment of Christian leaders–John Piper and Robert Schuller to name two. Driscoll also shared a platform this … [Read more…]
By Cathy Lynn Grossman, USA TODAY Going to church this Sunday? Look around.The chances are that one in five of the people there find “spiritual energy” in mountains or trees, and one in six believe in the “evil eye,” that certain people can cast curses with a look — beliefs your Christian pastor doesn’t … [Read more…]
“More Proof — The East is Seducing the West” By Jan Markell www.olivetreeviews.org RADIO: Catch last weekend’s (November 14) archived program with a Bethel University professor. This is a spirited debate concerning a potential “common ground” Christianity could have with Buddhism. On Saturday I had a spirited on-air discussion with a Bethel University professor who acted … [Read more…]
(Courtesy Underground News) “Yoga helps even little ones channel energy, emotion” CNN: Decatur, Georgia (CNN) — Gigi reaches up into her sun salutation. She steps back into her high lunge and kicks her legs straight into plank pose, a push-up she holds without wobbling for 10 seconds before looking up impatiently at her yoga teacher. … [Read more…]
By YOAV GONEN Education Reporter New York Post (Courtesy of Underground News) Thousands of city public-school students and teachers are participating in a “Brain Education” program run by a group with ties to an alleged cult. For the past three years, the Department of Education has shelled out nearly $400,000 for 44 schools to participate … [Read more…]
LTRP Note: The following article is a follow-up to a previous article about the surviving Beatles working together with the David Lynch Foundation to raise money to teach children around the world Transcendental Meditation. The article below states that the David Lynch Foundation threatened a group that was speaking up against teaching mysticism to children. … [Read more…]
An article, “A proven enlightened counter-measure,” written by Dr. David Leffler, an eight-year US Air Force veteran, now the Executive Director at the Center for Advanced Military Science (CAMS), appeared in The Aljazzera Magazine, an “independent media organisation established in 1992 in London” reporting on world events that affect the Middle East. In the article, … [Read more…]
By Caryl Matrisciana While countless people in the Western world are embracing mystical practices such as Yoga, Reiki, and contemplative meditation, most of them have probably not yet heard of the Oneness Movement – but that is likely going to change. The Oneness Movement is a fast growing effort to bring the Oneness Blessing to … [Read more…]
Jesus Camp, a new film about Christian camps for kids (released this month September 2006), is already stirring up a lot of controversy. Concerns and criticisms are coming from both secular and evangelical sides. New Age website Spirituality and Practice), while saying the film is important because of what it reveals, calls the movie “scary” … [Read more…]