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This week we received a letter
from a man who has been a Christian
for several years. However, in his
attempt to draw closer to the Lord
he became involved with contemplative
prayer. With his permission, we
present this candid and revealing
letter to you. We pray this testament
will open the eyes of many who may
be presently heading down the contemplative
path. And may God bless you as you
hold on to and stand for the gospel
of Jesus Christ in such days as
these.
How then shall they call
on him in whom they have not believed?
and how shall they believe in him
of whom they have not heard? and how
shall they hear without a preacher?
And how shall they preach, except
they be sent? as it is written,
How beautiful are the
feet of them that preach the gospel
of peace, and bring glad tidings
of good things!
But they have not all obeyed the gospel.
For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed
our report? So then faith cometh by
hearing, and hearing by the word of
God. Romans 10:14-17 |
Christian Man Practices Contemplative
Prayer
Practicing contemplative meditation drew
this man towards the beliefs of Hinduism
and other religions.
Dear
Ray Yungen and Lighthouse Friends,
My
deepest thank-you for this website
and the book, A Time of Departing.
I have been a born again believer
for six to seven years now and a
youth leader for two. I have passionately
pursued Jesus through all of them.
However, not always according to
truth as you will hear.
Thomas Keating's book Open Mind, Open Heart
introduced me to the form of contemplative
prayer called centering prayer nine
months ago.
I was captured by his deep
insights, beautiful sounding wisdom,
and impressive use of language.
With hesitation, I began to practice
centering prayer once or twice a
day for about three months. I used
the method Thomas Keating teaches
by using a sacred word. This word
was a symbol of my consent to (what
I believed was) the Spirit of God
and the Lordship of Jesus. My word
was Abba. I repeated this word in
silence to help me stop the normal
flow of thoughts so my soul could
rest in utter stillness, wide open
to the presence (I perceived was
God). This presence's comforting
touch was beyond adequate expression
at times. I was beginning to think
Christians could not have this
kind of deep intimacy with God apart
from contemplative prayer.
My experiences with centering prayer
were powerful to me, so it seemed
only logical to believe this was
God's blessing upon it. I mean how
could it be wrong if my intent was
to be with Jesus and the Father
in intimacy and be formed into Christ's
image. What was my fruit? Increased
gentleness began to enter my life
as well as more patience, yet so
did more openness to what I could
learn from Catholic Mystics, Hindus, and
Buddhists. I definitely did not
deny Jesus was the only way to the
Father, but I could have easily
headed down that path. I also read
from Richard Foster, Dallas Willard,
St. Teresa of Avila, Thomas Merton,
Brennan Manning, Sue Monk Kidd and
others. I was clearly being swept
up into their program for spiritual
formation (into Christ likeness, as
I perceived).
During this time, I had been visiting
Lighthouse Trails website regularly. I
now see that through its messages
of warning about contemplative prayer,
seeds of truth were being planted
in me. At the time however, I
believed your apologists were
missing the mark, yet I responded
by seeking God for the truth, asking
to be corrected and granted repentance
if I was in the wrong. Then during
my second time through Open Mind,
Open Heart on page 127 I read,
speaking of human nature: "This
basic core of goodness is capable
of unlimited development; indeed,
of becoming transformed into Christ
and deified."
I
could no longer practice this prayer
with a good conscience after reading
that statement by Keating. Now about
four months later I have just finished
reading A Time of Departing which
I received three days ago. I have
gratefully accepted it's message.
I
have been studying the Scriptures
rigorously since stopping centering
prayer and seeking to grow in
hermeneutical integrity.
This study prepared me to
hear with a sounder mind what
you had to say. There is a theological
principle in Deuteronomy 12:29-32.1
Please read it in context. God's
word warns his people not to inquire
of other religions concerning
how they serve their gods and
then do the same. We are not to
worship the Lord our God the way
other religions worship their
gods because we will follow in
their footsteps. Even though
I was trying to connect with Jesus
in centering prayer, I was using
eastern religious practices not
taught in Scripture, and therefore,
not in conformity with the gospel
of Christ. These practices
were clearly leading me away from
Jesus. Validation of these practices
can be read into Scripture, but
not understood from Scripture
by the Spirit of Christ. There
is so much more to my journey
to a faith based upon God's Word,
but for now, I want to emphasize
how thankful I am for Ray Yungen
and Lighthouse Trails for your
defense of the gospel of Jesus
the Messiah!
Richard
From the state of Florida
1. Deuteronomy 12:29-32: When
the LORD your God cuts off from
before you the nations which
you go to dispossess, and you
displace them and dwell in their
land, take heed to yourself
that you are not ensnared to
follow them, after they are
destroyed from before you, and
that you do not inquire after
their gods, saying, "How did
these nations serve their gods?
I also will do likewise."
You
shall not worship the LORD your
God in that way; for every abomination
to the LORD which He hates they
have done to their gods; for
they burn even their sons and
daughters in the fire to their
gods.
Whatever
I command you, be careful to
observe it; you shall not add
to it nor take away from it.
Responses
to Richard's letter.
Write
a response to Richard's letter.
|
"Vessel of Peace" to Preach
Purpose Driven in North Korea and
Around the World
Rick Warren to Preach
in Communist North Korea
By Sarah Price Brown
Religion News Service
"LAKE FOREST, Calif., June 27 - Evangelical
pastor Rick Warren has been invited
to preach this summer to some 15,000
Christians in North Korea, a communist
country infamous not only for its
nuclear threats but also for its religious
persecution.
"Warren, author of the best selling
book, 'The Purpose- Driven Life,'
said he would make the trip as part
of a nearly 40-day journey to meet
with the leaders of 13 foreign countries....
'God's using Rick Warren as a vessel
for peace,' said Sue Foley, a photographer
for [Saddleback] church."
Read rest of article by Sarah
Price |
COLLEGE WATCH - Wheaton Continues
Promoting Contemplative Prayer
In March 2006, we reported
that Wheaton College was promoting
contemplative spirituality. Many concerned
Christians contacted Wheaton to discuss
the matter. However, we are sad to
report that the Spring
2006 issue of Wheaton's magazine,
Wheaton (p.20+), has a feature
article on contemplative prayer.
Wheaton professor James Wilhoit is
quoted in the article as saying: "When
you come to see that there is a divine
transforming mystery calling you into
relationship, it doesn't become a
matter of practices, it becomes a
matter of responding to that call."
But that "divine transforming mystery"
that contemplative prayer offers through
the silence is not the mystery the
Bible speaks of in Colossians 1 when
it says the mystery of God is Christ
in us (believers), the hope of glory.
The Wheaton article continues ...
"Like his students, Dr.Wilhoit experienced
his own 'contemplative conversion,'
and says people interested in finding
out more might turn to authors like
Henri Nouwen, Richard J. Foster, and
Wheaton alumnus, Dr. Bruce Demarest."
We predict that Christian colleges
that plunge into contemplative will
lead students to a widening of interspiritual
and panentheistic viewpoints. We pray
that the professors at Wheaton will
realize this before too many more
students are led astray.
See also:
Report
on Wheaton College
Research
on Wheaton's promotion of contemplative
Other
Christian colleges that promote contemplative |
Are Christians in China Going
to Embrace the Purpose Driven P.E.A.C.E.
Plan?
According to a
June 27th article, the seventh
Chinese Congress on World Evangelization
(CCOWE) has invited Rick Warren to
be one of the featured speakers. The
conference will take place in Macau
on July 17-21 and will include a workshop
on the Purpose Driven P.E.A.C.E. Plan.
Related Information:
P.E.A.C.E.
Plan
New
Age peace plans similar to Purpose
Driven peace plan
7th
Chinese Congress on World Evangelization
Marks 200 Years
See article below for a related
story. |
Lausanne Committee for World
Evangelization to Host 7th Chinese
Congress
The
Lausanne Committee for World Evangelization
(see Lausanne
Covenant) will be presenting
the 7th Chinese Congress this year.
The Lausanne Committee website states:
Since
1974, leaders have come together
under The Lausanne Covenant to debate
and discussion [of] issues ranging
from ministering to specific ethnic
groups to evangelism and social
responsibility.
This
coming together of leaders now includes
Rick Warren who will be a speaker
at this year's Chinese Congress. With
Rick Warren's promotion of Spiritual
Formation, contemplative and emerging,
this will mean that world evangelism
may take on the characteristics that
will lead millions of people throughout
the world into mysticism and the New
Age.
According
to a document on the Lausanne website,
"the Lausanne Movement was born out
of the First International Congress
on World Evangelization called by
evangelist Billy Graham held in Lausanne,
Switzerland, in July 1974." In a 2004
report, the Committee said they were
bringing together "younger emerging
leaders" from around the world and
that "Transformation was a theme which
emerged from the working groups ...
We pray for peace and reconciliation
and God's guidance in how to bring
about peace through our work of evangelization."(see
report)
For
more research on Lausanne:
The
Call to Global Oneness
The
World Christian Movement
Kjos
Ministries Research Database on Lausanne
Evangelicals
and New Agers Together |
"WHEN YOU PRAY, SAY . . ."
Contemplative Prayer
and the Lord's Prayer.
by
Pastor Larry DeBruyn
Between contemplative spirituality
and biblical Christianity there
reside watershed distinctions between
first, the definition, and then,
the practice of prayer. Simply stated,
prayer is talking to God. In speaking
to God, believers are free to disclose
their hearts' deepest longings and
vexations to him, including their
feelings, fears, secrets, sins,
praises, petitions, doubts, complaints,
troubles, and more, the prayers
of Jesus and the saints in the Bible
providing example.
In
openness and integrity of soul,
these conversations with the Father,
however limited by human language
and self interest on our part, are
mediated by Jesus Christ and through
the Holy Spirit to the personal
God who hears, sympathizes, and
understands when by faith, and sometimes
amidst life's sorest trials, his
children talk to him (see Eph. 6:18;
1 Jn. 2:1; Rom. 8:15, 26-27). As
the author of Hebrews encourages
us, "Since then we have a great
high priest who has passed through
the heavens, Jesus the Son of God,
let us hold fast our confession.
For we do not have a high priest
who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses,
but One who has been tempted in
all things as we are, yet without
sin. Let us therefore draw near
with confidence to the throne of
grace, that we may receive mercy
and may find grace to help in time
of need" (Emphasis mine, Heb. 4:14-16).
Within
evangelicalism the contemplative
prayer movement is now affecting
this mediated understanding of prayer.
The narrator in the "Be Still" DVD
states that, "Contemplation is different
from other types of Christian prayer."
In explaining how this form of prayer
differs from traditional prayer,
Richard Foster says, "Contemplative
prayer is listening prayer. It is
attentiveness. . . . It's being
all ears to what the Father has
to say to us." He then quotes Nicholas
Grou who requested, "O divine master,
teach me this mute language which
says so much." In this manner of
praying, the communication that
transpires is unmediated. Contemplatives
feel themselves to be contacting
God directly. There is no need for
the advocacy of the Lord Jesus Christ
or the intercession of the Holy
Spirit. The desired communication
is soul to Soul, the human with
the Divine.
But
reflect for a moment upon this definition
of prayer. Mute means "refraining
from speech or utterance." Language
is defined as, "communication by
voice" with "conventional meanings."
This "mute language" therefore seems
as oxymoronic as esoteric. Nevertheless,
Foster and other contemplatives
promote that to attain higher communion
with God, Christians should engage
in a form of speech which is no
speech. Read entire article, "WHEN YOU
PRAY, SAY . . ." |
Holistic Spirituality -
A Different Term, the Same Thing
The term is popping
up everywhere. Is it is just another
avenue through which contemplative
and emerging spiritualities are entering
the church?
More
and more, the term "holistic" is
being used in conjunction with spirituality
and the gospel. What are some of
the things being said about holistic
spirituality?
Let
Holistic Christianity enlarge
the horizons of our journey into
God and guide us on the contemplative
path. A resource rich in wisdom.Endorsement
of Holistic Christianity: The
Vision of Catholic Mysticism
As
we engage with a range of issues
from economics, justice, racial
partnership, ecology, sustainability,
spiritual formation, and holistic
disciple-making, we will need
insights that are drawn both from
what has been known as 'the left'
and 'the right,' and other perspectives
that haven't even shown up on
that line.Brian McLaren,
from Emergent
Reactions, Spring 2006
Start teaching and preaching a
holistic Gospel. Lance
Witt, Saddleback pastor of
Spiritual Maturity(promotes
contemplative, from Mobilizing
the Local Church to Execute the
P.E.A.C.E. Plan
The
holistic gospel of Christ shall
bring about renewal of individual
life, church, society, as well
as a throughout cultural renewal.
Ultimately, the gospel will be
spread unto the ends of the earth,
leading to the restoration of
all nations.Lausanne
Committee for World Evangelization
The
Academy for Spiritual Formation
is an experience of disciplined
Christian community emphasizing
holistic spirituality -- nurturing
body, mind, and spirit. The program
is meant for all those who hunger
for deep spiritual experiences.
Upper Room Academy for Spiritual
Formation (creators of
Walk
to Emmaus)
|
CALVARY CHAPEL UPDATE
Recently, Calvary Chapel leadership made
statements at both their annual
pastor's conference as well as on
their website and in letters to
pastors, saying that Calvary Chapel,
as a movement, will no longer support
or promote Purpose Driven or emerging
and contemplative spiritualities.
Many have asked us for a follow-up
to our past news reports on this.
The following links should offer
some helpful information:
Lighthouse Trails Reports on Calvary
Chapel:
Outside Articles and News on Calvary
Chapel:
SPECIAL NOTE: Contemplative and Purpose
Driven Books Still on Calvary Chapel
Resource List:
- As of July 4, 2006 the Calvary
Chapel Distribution site 2006
Catalog has not removed Purpose
Driven materials. Along with Purpose
Driven books (8 products), the
catalog also carries books by
contemplative promoting Brother
Lawrence, Beth
Moore, Max Lucado, Eugene
Peterson, Mason Rutledge (Young
Life), Chuck
Smith, Jr., Millie Stamm (Be
Still and Know, Zondervan), Andy
Stanley, Chuck
Swindoll (So You Want to Be
Like Christ?), Gary
Thomas, Bruce
Wilkinson, and Calvin
Miller. Lighthouse Trails
has contacted Calvary Chapel Distribution
by email and phone about this
situation.
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