Coming From the Lighthouse

Newsletter

August 23, 2007

 

In This Issue -

 

Center for Parent/Youth Understanding (CPYU) Points Families to Contemplative/Emergent

A Look at the Future of a New Christianity

Into the Mennonite Labyrinth

 

Bishop Urges Christians to Call God "Allah" - The Netherlands

Liberty University Continues Using Contemplative/Emerging Authors/Books

The Truth Behind the Emerging Church

Movie Alert: The [Global] Shift Movie - Peace Without Jesus Christ...

New Video on "Christian" Yoga -...Christoga

Willow Creek 2007 Fall Catalog Gives Clear Message

Publishing News

 

 

 

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Nearly seven years ago, in the fall of 2000, we met Ray Yungen, who at the time was carrying around a manuscript called A Time of Departing. After reading the text, we knew this book needed to be published. We spent a year and a half helping him find a publisher, only to learn that most Christian publishers would never publish a book like his as they were publishing books supporting contemplative spirituality. Thus, in the spring of 2002, Lighthouse Trails Publishing was birthed.

 

The Center for Parent/Youth Understanding is a non-profit organization that hopes to bridge the gap between parents and kids. However, the organization is pointing parents and teens to contemplative/emergent teachings.

Walt Mueller, president and founder of CPYU states:

If we take the time to understand and really know kids, then we'll be able to cross into their culture, close the gap, and give them the Biblical answers and positive direction they so desperately need!

Unfortunately, the "direction" Mueller (through CPYU) is giving could do more harm to the spiritual lives and relationships of parents and teens than good.

Mueller's Reading List has numerous contemplative/emergent promoting authors. One name that stands out is that of New Age sympathizer Leonard Sweet. Sweet teaches the Theory of Everything, the belief that all creation [including all people] is part of divinity [God] and is unified. Other authors that CPYU recommends are Anne Lamott, the late Kyle Lake, Dallas Willard, Henri Nouwen, and Michael Card, all of whom are contemplative-proponents. Many of the authors on the list also push the emerging church message. Something that should be noted is CPYU's reference to an online bookstore called Hearts and Minds Books, calling it their "preferred retailer for books of this nature." 1 Hearts and Minds has an entire section called "Contemplative Spirituality" where mystic Thomas Merton is featured. The store is actually a who's who of mysticism and panentheism (God is in all), where their "favorite writer of contemplative spirituality" is Richard Foster.

CPYU Walt Mueller will be speaking at the /2007 National Youth Worker's Convention with an array of other contemplative/emergent promoters this fall. It is important for parents to be aware that CPYU may fail to give "Biblical answers and positive direction" to families if they continue promoting this belief system and could end up doing more harm than good to bridge the gap between parents and kids. The only bridge that will ultimately help the relationships in families is Jesus Christ, and contemplative/emergent spiritualities are contrary to what He and the Bible teach.

 

A Look at the Future of a New Christianity

 

LTRP Note: This past weekend, Lighthouse Trails author Ray Yungen visited believers in the Vancouver, BC area. Ray visited the Vancouver School of Theology and its Thomas Merton reading room. The pictures on this post are from the visit. Please note the one of Merton and the Dalai Lama, who resonated with each other; also see the photo with Merton and the Buddha statue. Ray has asked us to post the following excerpt from his book along with the photos. He believes that this type of interspirituality is what lies ahead for Canada, the US, and the rest of the Western world - a mystical, apostate Christianity in which eastern mysticism (rather than the Word of God) will be the foundation. May God bless and protect all Christian believers, including faithful pastors, as they stand for the faith and defend the gospel.

Oneness -- The Outcome of Mysticism
by Ray Yungen

[Mysticism] has already spread extensively throughout the Roman Catholic and Protestant mainline churches. And it has now crossed over and is manifesting itself in conservative denominations as well--ones that have traditionally stood against the New Age. Just as a tidal wave of practical mystics has hit secular society, so it has also in the religious world. [Meditation proponent Philip] St. Romain makes one observation in his book that I take very seriously. Like his secular practical mystic brethren, he has a strong sense of mission and destiny. He predicts:

Could it be that those who make the journey to the True Self are, in some ways, demonstrating what lies in store for the entire race? What a magnificent world that would be--for the majority of people to be living out of the True Self state. Such a world cannot come, however, unless hundreds of thousands of people experience the regression of the Ego in the service of transcendence [meditation], and then restructure the culture to accommodate similar growth for millions of others. I believe we are only now beginning to recognize this task.1

A book titled Metaphysical Primer: A Guide to Understanding Metaphysics outlines the basic laws and principles of the New Age movement. First and foremost is the following principle:

You are one with the Deity, as is all of humanity ... Everything is one with everything else. All that is on Earth is an expression of the One Deity and is permeated with Its energies.2

St. Romain's statement was, "[T]he Ground [God] that flows throughout my being is identical with the Reality of all creation."3 The two views are identical!

St. Romain came to this view through standard contemplative prayer, not Zen, not yoga but a Christian form of these practices. The lights were also a reoccurring phenomenon as one contemplative author suggested:

Christian literature makes reference to many episodes that parallel the experiences of those going a yogic way. Saint Anthony, one of the first desert mystics, frequently encountered strange and sometimes terrifying psychophysical forces while at prayer.4


Unfortunately, this experience was not confined to St. Anthony alone. This has been the common progression into mystical awareness throughout the centuries, which also means many now entering the contemplative path will follow suit. This is not just empty conjecture. One mystical trainer wrote:

[T]he classical experience of enlightenment as described by Buddhist monks, Hindu gurus, Christian mystics, Aboriginal shamans, Sufi sheiks and Hebrew kabalists is characterized by two universal elements: radiant light and an experience of oneness with creation.5

Without the mystical connection there can be no oneness. The second always follows the first. Here lies the heart of occultism.

This issue is clearly a serious one to contend with. Many individuals, using terms for themselves like spiritual director, are showing up more and more in the evangelical church. Many of them teach the message of mystical prayer. (Excerpt from A Time of Departing, 2nd ed., pp. 48-50)

Notes:
1. Philip St. Romain, Kundalini Energy and Christian Spirituality (New York, NY: Crossroad Publishing Company, 1995), pp.75-76.
2. Deborah Hughes and Jane Robertson-Boudreaux, Metaphysical Primer: A Guide to Understanding Metaphysics (Estes Park, CO: Metagnosis Pub., 1991), p. 27.
3. St. Romain, Kundalini Energy and Christian Spirituality, op. cit., p. 107.
4. Willigis Jager, Contemplation: A Christian Path (Triumph Books, 1994), p. 72.
5. Michael J. Gelb, The How to Think Like Leonardo da Vinci Workbook (New York, NY: Dell Publishing, 1999), p. 142.

 

Into the Mennonite Labyrinth

by Roll Over Menno

 

Labyrinths are found in many Christian and non-Christian settings alike these days. If you have never seen or heard of a labyrinth, you need to look no farther than some Mennonite organizations, churches and universities to find one. However, the labyrinth is not a Christian concept.

Professor Johan Malan of South Africa writes the following in an excellent article called Ancient Labyrinths are Re-Emerging:

Labyrinths are of a heathen origin, but were accepted and popularized by the Roman Catholic Church with the full knowledge of their mystical application. The Lord has commanded Israel to utterly destroy all the idols and places of worship of the heathen nations (Deut. 12:2-3). No association with these practices was allowed. Modern, Protestant preachers, however, are taking the liberty to experiment with doubtful religious practices from the East, and from the deceived Roman Catholic Church. They also teach other people to do the same. Mystical (occult) practices are highly detrimental as they open the way to the "angel of light" (2 Cor. 11:14) to enter into people's hearts and subconscious minds to deceive and confuse them with lies. The result of these influences is an unbiblical concept of God as well as wrong perceptions on yourself, on salvation and on other religions.

Even so, there is no end to the list of examples where labyrinths are being introduced, promoted, built, recommended and used by the Mennonites... Click here to read this entire article.

 

 

Bishop Urges Christians to Call God "Allah" - The Netherlands

from WorldNetDaily

Catholic churches in the Netherlands should use the name Allah for God to ease tensions between Muslims and Christians, says a Dutch bishop.

Tiny Muskens, the bishop of Breda, told the Dutch TV program "Network" Monday night he believes God doesn't mind what he is called, Radio Netherlands Worldwide reported.

The Almighty is above such "discussion and bickering," he insisted.

Muskens points to Indonesia, where he served 30 years ago, as an example for Dutch churches. Christians in the Middle East also use the term Allah for God.

"Someone like me has prayed to Allah yang maha kuasa (Almighty God) for eight years in Indonesia and other priests for 20 or 30 years," Muskens said. "In the heart of the Eucharist, God is called Allah over there, so why can't we start doing that together?" Click here to read more.

For more on this topic, read Idolatry in Their Hearts by Mike Oppenheimer and Sandy Simpson and Faith Undone by Roger Oakland.

 

Liberty University Continues Using Contemplative/Emerging Authors/Books

In February of 2007, Lighthouse Trails reported that Liberty University of Virginia was using contemplative books in some of their classes. The February report stated:

[I]n Dr. David Wheeler's Foundations in Youth Ministry II, Wheeler uses Mark Yaconelli's book, Contemplative Youth Ministry. Yaconelli, the son of the late Mike Yaconelli (founder of Youth Specialties), is a strong advocate for contemplative. On Mark Yaconelli's website, under Practices and Processes, Yaconelli lays out some "guidelines" for centering prayer and recommends Thomas Keating and Basil Pennington, both of whom promote panentheism (God is in all things and people). In another course by Dr. Wheeler, he is using a book by Doug Fields (Saddleback Youth Pastor and on the Youth Specialties National Resource Seminar team ).

In another Liberty course, Evangelism 997, professor David Earley is using (for textbooks) books by Erwin McManus, Thom Rainer, Andy Stanley, and Rick Warren.

Six months later Liberty is continuing their use of contemplative/emerging books and authors. The Liberty Center for Worship, for instance, uses resources from a number of contemplative and emerging church proponents (see Resource page). Some of these authors include: Erwin McManus, Rob Bell (Velvet Elvis), Dan Kimball (The Emerging Church), Donald Miller (Blue Like Jazz), and David Crowder.

Another course at Liberty, Evangelism and Christian Life has a "Course Bibliography" that is a who's who of contemplative prayer (Foster, Willard, Warren, and Boa, etc.). Sadly, in a class with a description that states, "An in-depth study of how to lead people to Christ," authors who promote eastern-style meditation are utilized. A course titled Contemporary Topics in Missions includes a book by Brian McLaren in its syllabus.

Students attending Liberty University should use discernment and biblical wisdom when introduced to the contemplative/emerging teachings of those authors mentioned above.

 

The Truth Behind the Emerging Church 

 Roger Oakland's new book answers the following questions:

 

1. How did the emerging church gain momentum and who were the key players that helped accomplish it?

 

2. What exactly are "non-baptized believers"?

 

3. What are some of the mystical practices that earmark the emerging church?

 

4. What contribution do the early "church fathers" make to the modern day emerging church movement?

 

5. What are the global plans of the Catholic church, and how does the evangelical church (and the emerging church) fit in?

 

6. In what ways is Rick Warren an integral part of the emerging church and how is he helping to promote its agenda?

 

For the answers to these and many more questions, read Faith Undone, released summer 2007.

 

Movie Alert: The [Global] Shift Movie - Peace Without Jesus Christ


A film called The Shift Movie is in the making and features some of today's top New Age/New Thought leaders. A trailer of the film shows Deepak Chopra, Al Gore, Desmond Tutu, Marianne Williamson, Jimmy Carter and other New Age proponents - the message: "We are in the middle of the biggest social transformation in human history, The SHIFT." New Age leaders teach that once a critical mass of the population comes together, realizing their own divinity (through meditation), then the earth can be healed of its woes - disease, poverty, and war. However, this plan excludes Jesus Christ as the ONLY way of salvation and spiritual healing for the human soul. It is a plan that exalts man and puts him in the place of God.

In the film trailer, Senator Dennis Kucinich (OH) talks about his efforts to bring about a US Department of Peace. Walter Cronkite has worked with Kucinich and Marianne Williamson in these efforts. Such a department would legalize and define the New Age role in the government of the United States.

This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, Without natural affection, truce breakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. (II Timothy 3:1-5)

Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils. (I Timothy 4:1)

For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape. (I Thessalonians 5:3)

For more information about the paradigm shift that is occurring today, see the following:

The Era of the Single Savior is Over

The End of the Word ... As We Know It

A New Vision for God's Kingdom on Earth

Faith Undone: The truth about the emerging church

 

New Video on "Christian" Yoga - Christoga

August 2007 marks the release of a new video on Christian yoga. Christoga features actress Janine Turner (please view with discretion).

Christoga is produced by Westlake Entertainment and co-features yoga/fitness expert Mary Cunningham. A description of the project reads:

"Christoga is a non-traditional hatha yoga practice at beginning and intermediate levels using scriptures from the Bible as the meditation focus. The positions strengthen and lengthen muscles as well as improve breathing, concentration and balance. The progressive guided relaxation phase is both comforting and restorative."

While there are currently many professing Christians who practice yoga, and even books on Christian yoga (such as Yoga for Christians by Thomas Nelson), the term Christian yoga is actually an oxymoron. Yoga is a Hindu practice that is an essential element of Hinduism. Thus, there is no such thing as Christian yoga, and practicing it is contrary to biblical teachings. As for Christoga, it is a gateway to deeper forms of eastern mysticism.

 

A Washington Post article on Christoga states: "[I]f you would rather trade Hindu or New Age dogma for another doctrine, CHRIS{dagger}oga could be a nice start."2

Christoga is already being sold in Christianbook.com, and other Christian outlets may follow suit. Numerous Christian online and walk-in bookstores carry Yoga for Christians.

See also:

"Yoga: A Spiritual Stretch?"

Trailer clip of Christoga

Christian Research Service database on yoga

Lighthouse Trails Research on yoga

For an indepth and compelling look at "Christian" yoga, see Yoga Uncoiled by Matrisciana Films. Also read Yoga and the Body of Christ.

 

Willow Creek 2007 Fall Catalog Gives Clear Message

Mega-church leader, Willow Creek Association, is sending a clear message through their 2007 Fall Resource Catalog - contemplative spirituality and emergent theology are the way to go. The 58 page catalog is filled with heavy hitters in both camps. Those listed include meditation promoter Jim Collins, contemplative proponents John Ortberg, and Rick Warren, along with Erwin McManus. The Be Still DVD, featuring many who promote contemplative (Beth Moore, Richard Foster, Dallas Willard, and Calvin Miller) is being offered in the catalog as well. This DVD is an infomercial for contemplative prayer (see our Be Still research). Another strong contemplative author in the catalog is Keri Wyatt Kent, author of several books and popular with young mothers.

Taking a broad step closer to the emerging church, the Willow Creek catalog announces the Ancient Future Community Group Life Conference (September 2007) with several emerging church leaders including Scot McKnight (see Faith Undone) and Alan Hirsch. One workshop will be presented by the "creators of Be Still" titled "Practicing Contemplative Prayer in Your Small Group." Calling these speakers "expert speakers," there is no doubt about it, Willow Creek is running full speed ahead towards an emergent church. Thus including globalist Jimmy Carter in the catalog makes sense.

But in case all of this isn't enough to convince the skeptic, on page 50 of the catalog is a section for Rob Bell's Noomas. The Noomas are a Trojan horse that is allowing the spirituality of mysticism guru Ken Wilber (admired fondly by Rob Bell) into many Christian settings, including Christian high schools and junior high schools (see Velvet Elvis: A Doorway to the New Age). Wilber (who Bell calls "mind blowing") is into yoga, Zen, centering prayer, kabbalah (Jewish mysticism), TM, tantra (Hindu-based sexuality), and kundalini yoga.

The bitter icing on this cake can be found on page 52 of the catalog, where a teaching kit by John Ortberg and Ruth Haley Barton is listed. Barton was trained at the pantheistic Shalem Institute in Washington DC and is a strong advocate and trainer of spiritual direction (another term for teaching contemplative prayer - see A Time of Departing). Her role in escalating the current contemplative movement is noteworthy.

When we stop to ponder the implications of Willow Creek's massive influence throughout the world, it is pretty clear to see that mystic Karl Rahner's words may very well come true in mainstream Christianity: "The Christian of tomorrow will be a mystic ... or he will be nothing (ATOD, p. 160). And certainly Willow Creek will play a large role in bringing this about.

 

Publishing News 

 

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Lighthouse Trails Publishing is pleased to announce the release of Faith Undone by Roger Oakland. 

 

Is the emerging church movement just another passing fad, a more contemporary approach to church, or a bunch of disillusioned young people looking for answers? In fact, it is actually much broader and is influencing Christianity to a significant degree. Grounded in a centuries-old mystical approach, this movement is powerful, yet highly deceptive, and it draws its energy from practices and experiences that are foreign to traditional evangelical Christianity. The path that the emerging church is taking is leading to an interfaith perspective that has prophetically profound ramifications.

Discusses the following:

1. Ancient rituals and practices brought back to life

2.The Eucharistic Evangelization

3.The emerging road to Rome

4.Contemplative spirituality and mysticism

5.The emerging church's view of Hell and the Atonement

6.How the emerging church considers biblical prophecy and the future of planet Earth

7.The key catalysts of the emergent church

8.Purpose Driven ecumenism: Part of the emerging church's new reformation

9.How emerging spirituality is altering missions and evangelism

10.Understanding the emerging church in light of Bible prophecy

 

Retail price: $12.95

262 Pages

ISBN: 978-0-9791315-1-6

Click here for more information and a chapter by chapter synopsis of Faith Undone.

 

THREE WAYS TO ORDER DIRECTLY FROM LIGHTHOUSE TRAILS PUBLISHING:

 

2. Toll Free Order Line: 866/876-3910

 

Quantity Discounts: 40% off retail for orders of 10 or more copies, 50% off for international orders of 10 or more copies

 

We ship within 24 hours of receiving order.

This book will also be available to order from most bookstores (online and walk-in) by mid-August. If your local bookstore isn't carrying Faith Undone, you can ask them to order it  for you.

 

IF YOU HAVE ALREADY ORDERED THIS BOOK, AND IT HAS BEEN ON BACKORDER, all backorders have now been shipped.

 

Lighthouse Trails Publishing's 2nd spring release, For Many Shall Come in My Name by Ray Yungen is now here.

For more information on this book, click here.

 

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For information on our 1st 2007 spring release, The Other Side of the River, click here. 


 

SAMPLE CHAPTERS OF LIGHTHOUSE TRAILS BOOKS:

Lighthouse Trails Publishing now has sample chapters available online for most of the books we publish. We believe you will find each of these books to be well-written, carefully documented, and worthwhile. Click here to read some of the chapters.

* * * *

Note: Lighthouse Trails is a Christian publishing company. While we hope you will read the books we have published, we also provide extensive research, documentation, and news on our Research site, blog, and newsletter. We pray that the books as well as the online research will be a blessing to the body of Christ and a witness to those who have not yet accepted Jesus Christ as their Savior and Lord.

 

 

When mystical experiences and strange doctrines overtake his church, one man risks all to find the truth ... a true story.

 

 

Read more about this important book.

 

 

 

 

 

Some of the topics this book addresses:


Word Faith movement
Holy Laughter
"Slain" in the Spirit practice
Emphasis on humanity of Jesus over Deity
Gifts & Calling for the unbeliever?
Experience versus Scripture
Repetitive chanting & singing
Paradigm shift
Understanding true worship

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