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| A Short Film: “Precious” in the Sight of the Lord is the Death of His Saints |
From Broyden Bros. Films This is a film company run by a family of Christian film producers, including a 14 year old boy and a 10 year old boy. This particular film is written and directed by Emma Broyden, the boys' older sister. Jimmy Broyden, the father of these talented young people and the executive producer of this project, is a Lighthouse Trails reader and supports our work and more importantly, the message of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Jimmy is a stuntman and has performed stunts for films such as Fireproof and Courageous.
If you cannot view the video above, click here. Behind the scenes of Precious: http://youtu.be/Quv6YmzPEyI |
| Lectio Divina: What it is, What it is Not, and Why It is a Dangerous Practice |
Lectio Divina – There’s a lot of talk about it today; umpteen books are published and more are on the way about lectio divina; and an increasing number of evangelical/Protestant figures are writing about it, endorsing it, and teaching it. Some people think lectio divina simply means to read a passage of Scripture slowly (or “praying the Scriptures”) then ponder or think on that Scripture. That can be a part of it. But if you ask mystics or contemplatives what it entails (And who would know better than they?), they will tell you that lectio divina (pronounced lex-ee-o di-veen-a) always includes taking a passage of Scripture (or other writings), reading it slowly, then working your way down until you have just a word or small phrase from the passage that you are meditating on (repeating over and over). Basically, you are coming up with a mantra-like word or phrase that has been extracted from a passage of Scripture, which, according to contemplatives, if repeated for several minutes will help you get rid of thoughts and distractions, so then, they say, you can hear the voice of God and feel His presence. Contemplative mysticism pioneer Thomas Keating explains what lectio divina is not. It is not traditional Bible study, not reading the Scriptures for understanding and edification, and not praying the Scriptures (though praying the Scriptures can be a form of lectio divina when a word or phrase is taken from the Scriptures to focus on for the purpose of going into “God’s presence.”).1 Keating says that lectio divina is an introduction into the more intense practices – contemplative prayer and centering prayer. While some people think lectio divina is just reading Scripture slowly, and what’s wrong with that, it is the focusing on and repeating a word or small phrase to facilitate going into the “silence” that is the real danger. There is certainly nothing wrong with reading Scripture carefully and thoughtfully. Thoughtfully, we say. In eastern-style meditation (and in contemplative prayer) thoughts are the enemy. Eastern-style mystic Anthony De Mello describes this problem with thoughts in his book Sadhana: A Way to God:
Spiritual director Jan Johnson in her book, When the Soul Listens: Finding Rest and Direction in Contemplative Prayer also believes that thoughts get in the way, and the mind must be stilled:
Ray Yungen explains this silence that contemplative mystics seek:
With lectio divina, the word or phrase one repeats eventually can lose its meaning, and this repetitive sound can start to put the practitioner into an altered mind state. Yungen tells us that: “Keeping the mind riveted on only one thought is unnatural and adverse to true reflection and prayer. Simple logic tells us the repeating of words has no rational value. For instance, if someone called you on the phone and just said your name or one phrase over and over, would that be something you found edifying? Of course not; you would hang up on him or her. Why would God feel otherwise? And if God’s presence is lacking, what is this presence that appears as light during meditation and infuses a counterfeit sense of divinity within? (ATOD, p. 76).” Yungen exhorts believers that “the goal of prayer should not be to bind the mind with a word or phrase in order to induce a mystical trance but rather to use the mind to glory in the grace of God. This was the apostle Paul’s counsel to the various churches: ‘Study to shew thyself approved’ (II Tim. 2:15) and ‘we pray always’ (II Thessalonians 1:11) as in talking to God with both heart and mind. (ATOD, p. 75) In order to help those you care about stay clear of contemplative spirituality and spiritual deception, it is important for you to understand how lectio divina plays a significant role in leading people toward full blown meditative practices. And we propose that this “presence” that is reached during the “silent” altered states of consciousness from saying a word or phrase over and over (or focusing on the breath or an object) is not God’s presence. God has instructed us in the Bible not to perform “special kinds of process[es] or “formula[s], as Thomas Keating calls lectio divina, (source) to induce mystical experiences (Deuteronomy 18:9-11); thus, we believe ample warning about lectio divina is warranted. Related Information: Lectio Divina: Leading Sheep to a New Level of Consciousness by Wolf Tracks When a Young Girl Meets a Mystic Benedict XVI: Encourages Contemplative Practice Lectio Divina Some authors read by Christians who promote lectio divina: David Crowder in Praise Habit Kyle Strobel at Metamorpha Richard Foster (in several places) Professor J. Budziszewski (author of How to Stay Christian in College) – tells students to practice lectio divina on a Focus on the Family website and also talks about it in his book, Ask Me Anything. Dan Kimball in The Emerging Church Tony Jones in Divine Intervention David Benner in Opening to God: Lectio Divina and Life as Prayer Eugene Peterson in Eat This Book Ken Boa in Healthy Spirituality Eugene Peterson in Message Bible for Kids Promoted by Mike Bickle
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To Lighthouse Trails: Greg Laurie had Gungor performing at his crusade this past weekend? I didn’t see it, I only read that they were performing on Saturday night. Then Sunday night, 2000+ churches ([many] Calvary Chapels, I’m assuming) were broadcasting the crusade in their churches. _________ Our Comments: This is another strong indicator that mainstream evangelical Christianity is going contemplative. In this particular case, tens of thousands of people were introduced to contemplative advocates Michael Gungor and David Crowder. Regarding the connection between the band Gungor and Calvary Chapel, in June 2011 Lighthouse Trails wrote an article titled “Another Calvary Chapel Hosts a Gungor Concert”. The article pointed out that Calvary Chapel Fort Lauderdale and Calvary Chapel St. Petersburg (both in Florida) had hosted events with Michael Gungor’s band. As shown in that article, Gungor is an advocate for contemplative prayer. The article stated: “[O]n the Gungor website blog, Michael Gungor (head of the band) is giving detailed information on how to practice contemplative meditation in a three part article. We think it is necessary to take a closer examination of this three part article written by Michael Gungor. We hope this will help skeptical readers who think perhaps Lighthouse Trails is being too critical of Calvary Chapel to better understand our concerns. “In the first part of Michael Gungor’s article, he explains to his readers that he went on a “spiritual pilgrimage” in September 2010 that incorporated a week to Italy and a week to Spain. Gungor states: ”The first week was a week of silence and meditation at a spiritual retreat that I found by googling ‘best spiritual retreats in the world.’” He said that he went on this pilgrimage because he was “on the brink” and “didn’t really know what [he] believed in.” Gungor began his journey with a trip to the Vatican where he heard the Pope speak: “not a bad way to start out my spiritual journey. Made me want to be Catholic actually.” After this, Gungor caught a flight to Assisi and on the flight he ”listened to a couple Rob Bell sermons on [his] ipod.” Gungor explains that the retreat was ”a cross religious retreat, so they had statues of Mary in the room next to a Buddha next to a Hindu something or other.” Part of the week of silence included times called “prayer movements,” where participants ”slowly wav[ed] [their] arms around, turning in circles and kneeling in the grass . . . It was a lot of ‘now the river that gave us everything is taking everything back’ kind of stuff.” Gungor writes in his journal at the retreat:
“In part 2 of Gungor’s article, he does what most emerging figures do – he de-emphasizes beliefs and doctrine, calling evangelism a “pyramid scheme” and says in many ways he agrees with the “new atheists.” He says he doesn’t ”believe in the old guy in the sky,” talking about God, adding:
“Gungor tells his readers that “encountering” God is more important that beliefs and doctrine. In part 3 of his article, he teaches how to “encounter” God, through meditation. ”Assisi helped me discover a new discipline for me that I can’t believe I had gone so long without. Meditation.” He adds:
“Gungor isn’t talking about biblical meditation where one ponders on and thinks about the Word of God. That is not something “all religions do.” He is talking about eastern-style meditation where either the breath (or something else) is focused upon or a word or phrase is repeated. “A de-emphasis in doctrine and beliefs is very common among those who practice contemplative meditation. Why is this? Because the meditator is going into altered states of consciousness during meditation, he is entering into what we believe are demonic realms (that’s a hard thing to hear for someone who is practicing contemplative). The result of ongoing meditation is spiritual deception. After awhile a meditator begins to see himself as connected to everything and everyone.He also begins to believe that God is in everything and everyone. Eventually, for the Christian who practices meditation, the doctrines of Christianity begin to grow dim and become less important than how he once may have viewed them. And once these doctrines diminish, even the doctrine of the atonement can take on new meaning (e.g. how could a loving God send His son to a violent death for the sins of others?). We believe this is the spirituality that many of these young people like Michael Gungor and Ann Voskamp could end having if they continue on this contemplative path. “And that is why we hold Calvary Chapel and other denominations responsible for what they are doing. As Christian leaders, they do not have the right to promote people with these views, because such promotion only propagates the deception. The Bible says so – not us. Calvary Chapel claims to be a Bible-centered organization with mature Christian pastors who adhere to the Gospel; but a lot of misrepresentation is going on these days. There are many well-meaning Christians who attend Calvary Chapels, and we are sure there are Calvary Chapel pastors who would never consider having Gungor do a concert at their church. But two of their large churches are doing that, and a mixed message is being sent out from Calvary Chapel. “Just as with other denominations, pastors (and congregants) within the Calvary Chapel movement have a responsibility to speak up against serious compromises within their organization, especially if those compromises are ones that represent “another gospel” and ”another Jesus” as does the contemplative prayer movement and the emerging church movement. If a pastor cannot speak up, then according to Scripture, he should separate himself (come out from among them) and by thus doing so, protect his flock and the message of the Cross.” David Crowder, another invited band to the Crusade, is also a contemplative advocate. Crowder is author of Praise Habit: Finding God in Sunsets and Sushi, where he encourages the practice of lectio divina and references and quotes contemplative/emerging figure Walter Brueggemann a number times. It is Brueggemann who endorsed the back cover (along with Brian McLaren) of Some may say that Greg Laurie’s Harvest Crusade leads many people to Christ so introducing new converts to contemplative musicians should be overlooked. But the contemplative “Christ” is not the Christ of the Bible (as Lighthouse Trails has shown over and over this past decade); thus, how can pointing people to a false Christ ever be justified? While intentions may be good, that doesn’t negate the results of doing the wrong thing; and while top names like Gungor and David Crowder may draw the crowds, the fact is, including contemplative advocates in an evangelistic outreach makes no sense and can ultimately lead new converts down the wrong path. Related: New Book and Upcoming Conference Bring More Confusion Out of Calvary Chapel Movement Evangelical Leaders Continue to Share Platforms with Emerging/New Spirituality Teachers Part 2: The Facts Behind My Departure from Calvary Chapel – by Roger Oakland “Death by Church” – Emergent New Paradigm Pastor to Speak at Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa |
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| Campbell University in North Carolina Added to Contemplative College List | |||
After being alerted by a concerned parent who's child attends Campbell University in North Carolina, and after doing our own research, Lighthouse Trails has added Campbell University to its Contemplative College list, a list that includes the names of Christian colleges, seminaries, and universities, which promote spiritual formation (i.e., contemplative spirituality). In virtually every case where a college has a spiritual formation program, you will find the writings of contemplative authors such as Dallas Willard, Richard Foster, Ruth Haley Barton, and a host of others being used either as textbooks or as recommended or required reading. Usually Henri Nouwen's books are used, and sometimes, in more severe cases, Thomas Merton, Basil Pennington, Adele Ahlberg Calhoun, etc are also used by professors. In the case of Campbell University, there are numerous examples. According to the e-mail we received from the parent, her child received an e-mail from the school saying it was "a requirement that 8 credits be completed in the spiritual formation category." Here is a portion of the e-mail sent out to students:
Incidentally, Campbell University's Divinity School is accredited by the Association of Theological Schools (ATS). Lighthouse Trails' special report in 2011 showed how ATS was requiring accredited member schools to include Spiritual Formation in their programs. This has proven to be a sure fire rapid path into contemplative spirituality. Colleges that do not want to move in that direction should consider dropping their accreditation with ATS and other accreditation bodies that require Spiritual Formation. Spiritual Formation is never without the contemplatives. That's because the term has been coined by them (e.g., Richard Foster, Dallas Willard) as well as propagated by them. Listen to what Richard Foster says about this proliferation:
So really, when people try to say that Spiritual Formation doesn't necessarily mean contemplative, they are wrong. Those who helped to "proliferate" it "like baby rabbits" are all contemplative proponents. That's because Spiritual Formation is just another term for contemplative spirituality. Back to Campbell University. Worth noting, Lighthouse Trails posted a word of caution back in 2006 regarding Campbell University. At the time, Campbell University's Divinity School was pointing students to the "spiritual disciplines," lectio divina, contemplative prayer, and so forth. The following instructions (taken from this page) are given:
This is classic contemplative prayer, and it is similar to instructions on transcendental meditation. Now some may say that this was 6 years ago. True, and that would be a valid point if the school was no longer going in the contemplative direction, but sadly they still are as you can see from the sampling of courses below:
If you know someone attending a Christian university, college, or seminary, we urge you to do what you can to warn and inform him or her of the contemplative prayer movement that is most likely already entered the school he or she is attending. For those who might be skeptical about the direction we see Campbell University going in, a look at their Connections 200 program (presented by Faithe Beam, CU campus minister) reveals much. That program, which takes place the fall of 2012, includes everything from the spiritual disciplines to lectio divina to a labyrinth. Notes: 1. Richard Foster, "Spiritual Formation: a Pastoral Letter," January 18, 2004, http://web.archive.org/web/20100601012402/http://www.theooze.com/articles/article.cfm?id=744 Related Articles: An Afternoon with a Spiritual Formation Professor at a North American Bible School A Book Every Christian College Student Should Read Archive of articles on Contemplative colleges
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| A “New” Dark Age – In Politics and in the Church | |||
by Mike Oppenheimer Christians should be more aware than other people because we have the Word; we are told what will take place in the last days (2 Tim. 3:1), and we are instructed on how to resist it. The majority of people have been dumbed-down and made lazy by our culture. In this void, the government comes to the rescue. The church has the same problem at work; people rely on big church to come to the rescue when they should be doing the work. This is because of our lack of Bible knowledge and lack of being equipped to evangelize and fulfill Jesus’ commission. A Dark Age has descended upon science, politics, and religion. Despite the advances of technology, we are living in the bleakest period of mankind’s history. It may yet put the Middle Ages to shame. The main difference then was that the Bible was unable to be read and withheld from the masses by the Roman Catholic hierarchy. Today, we have more Bibles than ever before but they are still not read, even inside the church. Worse, the Word is not understood. The Bible is not consulted when a challenge to our faith appears. The predictable result is massive deception. If you are following the news, it seems everything is unraveling. Those who have been following politics and the news are aware that the US of As administration has been filled by anti-constitutionalists. The prophets prophesied transformation for years, and we now have it; only it’s not exactly what they thought it would be. If you are wondering what is taking place in America, and trying to pin down the activity, it’s simple to understand. The government is in the hands of 60s radicals that understood that in order to transform the country, they would have to join the “establishment.” Therefore, they forged their plan. In our Global warming DVD, I quote from The Aquarian Conspiracy, a book by Marilyn Ferguson: “A leaderless but powerful network is working to bring about radical change in the United States. Its members have broken with certain key elements of Western thought…. This network is the Aquarian Conspiracy…. The Aquarian Conspirators are “World changers,” spiritual conspirators for social revolution- they are “schoolteachers – office workers, scientists, government officials – lawmakers -artists – celebrities, leaders in medicine, education, law, psychology…. they are found incorporations, universities, hospitals, faculties of public schools, factories, doctors’ offices, in state and federal agencies, in state legislatures and the White House staff, in virtually all arenas of policy-making in the country.” (pp. 23-25) New Ager Dick Sutphen, echoing Ferguson’s Aquarian transformation, explains further; “One of the biggest advantages we have as new Agers is, once the occult, metaphysical, and New Age terminology is removed, we have concepts and techniques that are very acceptable to the general public. So we can change the names and demonstrate the power. In so doing, we open the New Age door to millions who normally would not be receptive.” (Sutphen, “Infiltrating the New Age into Society”) He notes that “the Born-Again Christians are their most vocal antagonists…But our momentum will become so great that the combined efforts of all antagonists can’t stop us unless they do so politically.” He also encourages people to network with family, friends, and associates, to infuse New Age concepts into every area of their personal world, such as the office and the schoolroom. This is what is taking place. As New Age proponents recommend, change the names and terms, and people will not recognize what they are accepting. Yes, things are being redefined. While I make a correlation in the DVD for this being used to promote the environmental movement, through political and social means, we should not overlook the most important part – which is the spiritual. This can be applied to everything we are seeing today, from the grassroots level to the White House. We have socialists, Marxists, and New Agers who are all working toward the same goal. This transformation is changing our country through environmental issues from the 60s generation, who are now in the universities and in politics. We are under siege by the Aquarian Conspiracy! And we are feeling it…Fatigue, discouragement, even a feeling of helplessness surface from the continual resistance needed to be kept toward the transformation of the country, and the church is not exempt. We have reached the crescendo — like being in an opera with the high note held. In 1989, I took a police course on cult mentality and occult offenses where we learned that cults are not limited to religion – there are social cults, music cults, and political cults etc. A cult often has a leader that is not questioned, either because of fear or out of loyalty. He convinces people to follow him willingly, if within his power, or through intimidation. In politics, they are called dictators. In religion, they are called holy men, revelators, prophets, and apostles. They promise freedom but deliver bondage. Political changes- The majority of Congress does not read the bills they pass, not because they cannot read but because they do not care for the will of the people they are elected to represent. They think they know better. In the church, we have pastors who do not care to shepherd the flock over which they have charge, and many have become cult-like leaders over the sheep, using coercion and control. There is an assault on both fronts and it is increasing. America breaks ties with Israel As the administration practices Chicago politics on a worldwide scale, there is a price to pay on both sides. Mr. Obama was said to be livid when such an announcement derailed the visit to Israel by Vice-President Joe Biden this month, and his anger toward Israel does not appear to have cooled. Challenging Netanyahu’s leadership, Biden told Israel to stop building on their land, while at the same time he is silent on Iran, which is funding Hamas and Hezbollah, two Muslim terrorist groups fighting American soldiers on the battlefield and threatening Israel with annihilation. How can our long-time allies trust us with such a lack of common sense as a principle for our foreign policy? Our reputation is being stained by such inane actions. Members of Congress from both sides of the aisle have called on the Obama Administration to defuse tension between Washington and Jerusalem, and to reinforce the U.S.-Israel relationship. Rep. Gary Peters (D-MI) said, “I hope that the Administration will end its unnecessary denunciations of Israel and will instead turn its focus to working with Congress to finally enact strong sanctions on Iran.” The situation has only worsened. Obama insists on a freeze of Jewish settlement growth on land that Israel owns and has developed since 1993. According to the New York Times recently, our president declined to have dinner with Netanyahu and instead dined in private. This act was viewed in Jerusalem as a humiliation. “The Prime Minister leaves America disgraced, isolated, and altogether weaker than when he came,” the Israeli daily newspaper Haaretz stated. No new concessions on settlements were produced, Obama walked out of his meeting with Mr. Netanyahu but invited him to stay at the White House, consult with advisers, and “let me know if there is anything new.” One Israeli newspaper called the meeting “a hazing in stages,” poisoned by such mistrust that the Israeli delegation eventually left rather than risk being monitored on a White House telephone line. Another said that the Prime Minister had received “the treatment reserved for the President of Equatorial Guinea” (The Times, March 26, 2010). The Palestinian leadership has been corrupt for years, from Arafat on, and to expect anything different from what we have already seen is purposely stupid. It is becoming apparent that our eschatology (our view of the end times) must include Israel and the Tribulation or nothing in the world will make sense. Replacement Theology and Preterism is void of any reference to the world we live in today, and the end-time Scripture references to the nation of Israel’s return to the land and the subsequent future Tribulation are being solidified each day. Culture Wars We are watching the fabric of our culture being destroyed from people’s decisions that have no rhyme or reason. The NYC mayor hands out brochures on how to use heroin correctly but wants to control people’s salt intake for health reasons. The Obama administration captures our enemies on the battlefield and gives them US citizen rights and makes what they do a crime instead of treating them as prisoners of war. This clearly is an agenda to change the way we treat Islamic terrorism. It’s hard to find any logic being practiced in our government when it is practicing a new set of laws, legislation separated from its original structure in the Constitution. Recently a three-judge panel of the appeals court decided in favor to uphold the inscription of the national motto “In God, We Trust” on coins and currency, saying that the phrase is ceremonial and patriotic, not religious. While this is apparently a victory, we need to pause and ask—Is this what America really believes anymore? While Christmas is being obscured and diminished in schools, we now have a reversal, as the New Jersey Board of Education voted to approve a list of religious holidays for the 2010-2011 school year. The list included eight pagan/Wiccan holidays, or sabbats. Judeo/ Christian values are being diminished and other religious practices are more accepted in this new age of tolerance. Church changes continue No one thought such a radical change could happen here in America, but it did! The church did not believe it would happen, but when false prophets like Rick Joyner, Mike Bickle and others said the church would be transformed, it was. “What is about to come upon the earth is not just a revival, or another awakening; it is a veritable revolution. The vision was given in order to begin to awaken those who are destined to radically change the course, and even the very definition of Christianity. …A great company of prophets, teachers, pastors and apostles will be raised up with the spirit of Phineas…”( Rick Joyner, The Harvest, “Joel’s Army”) Joyner is now the main promoter of the unashamed Todd Bentley. “… and they (apostles, prophets) do things that you have no frame of reference for understanding because, believe me, what’s going to be coming down in the next twenty years you and I have no frame of reference for understanding. It is going to be so unusual you are not going to be able to look at the Word for every manifestation and find one there because the Spirit of the Lord has so many manifestations that you and I know nothing about.” (Divine Appointment [Introduction],Mike Bickle, 3/29/89, cassette tape) We have watched over the years the fires of revival burn up the church’s protection. The church that is supposed to be the pillar and ground of the truth allowed experiential lies inside its walls. From Rodney Browne’s laughing, to Toronto’s shaking, to Todd Bentley’s ascensions to heaven; and the hits keep coming. Put your armor on, as it is only going to escalate. Is the emergent church the next wave? We have warned of the emerging church movement for over 4 years. This news item is disturbing but needs to be heard. I have enjoyed Skip Heitzig’s teaching over the years. Calvary chapel of Albuquerque announced it is hosting The National Worship Leaders Conference, June 15-17. On their website, it says: Join with others like you, learn from the experience of influential worship leaders and thinkers, and challenge one another to delve deeper into the art of leading worship. In the process, we will discover a new energy and passion for the ministry of leading the musical prayers of our communities.” I have a problem with the concept of musical prayers of our communities- what exactly does this mean? When did leading worship become an art? Along with Skip Heitzig and other guest speakers (some which also need to be reviewed) is emerging church leader Leonard Sweet, whom some considered the intelligentsia of the movement. Leonard Sweet is also Rick Warren’s companion in the emergent movement and is making inroads into churches that were once known to withstand error like this. To have a main Calvary Chapel hosting a worship conference that includes Sweet is to leap off a cliff hoping to fly. As Lighthouse trails ministry notes: Leonard Sweet is sharing platforms with many popular evangelical leaders. We can expect others to do the same. Warren’s new reformation is no different from the transformation taking place in politics and religion. God is trying to position us for true revival; Satan is maneuvering us to unite with other religions so that Christianity will be changed. There are those who describe a “new Christianity” emerging. Sweet calls it New Light (reminiscent of Jehovah Witnesses?) Emergent church leader Brian McLaren is wanting to transform the church as well, as he takes apart every known doctrine possible like any loyal liberal would. Sweet states, “I am grateful to David Spangler for his help in formulating this ‘new cell’ understanding of New Light leadership.” Sweet writes that he is part of a “New Light movement” and in his book Quantum Spirituality he speaks of “New Light leaders.” Sweet accepts other religions practices to produce his theological basis for new light teaching. Sweet speaks of his book as “In one sense the whole of this book is an extended meditation on the nature of true New Light leadership and on how more of these voices of the third millennium might emanate from America’s churches and synagogues.”(Quantum Spirituality, p. 46) Sweet believes, “The church must provide Postmoderns with an alterity of rituals by which they can turn and tune to one another and feel connected to the cosmos” (Quantum Spirituality, p. 137). This is not Christianity as was delivered. He has a fundamental misunderstanding of what the gospel is, as shown in the following quote: “the gospel interconnects and interacts with all life-and landforms.” (p.168). Sweet speaks of Christ consciousness, which is New Age terminology, and calls the church the “cosmic body of Christ” (QS p.164). He uses words and concepts foreign to scripture but not to New Age metaphysics. He favorably quotes New Agers, mystics like Matthew Fox., and Teilhard de Chardin, who believed in “a ‘religion of the future’ as a new mysticism” Sweet in his book Quantum Spirituality” quotes Karl Rahner, “stating: “The Christian of tomorrow will be a mystic, one who has experienced something, or he will be nothing.” Warren Smith notes that Rick Warren said:“I think this is part of this New Spirituality that we are seeing birthed around us” (Rick Warren and Leonard Sweet, The Tides of Change, op. cit, introductory information sheet.) This is what the emergent church is about! It is the new spirituality. Warren Smith states: “What is more, concerning “Speaking of spiritual “channels,” Sweet expresses his personal gratitude in Quantum Spirituality to channeler and veteran New Age leader, David Spangler. . . . A pioneering spokesperson for the New Age, Spangler has written numerous books over the years that include Emergence: The Rebirth of the Sacred; Revelation: The Birth of a New Age; and Reimagination of the World: A Critique of the New Age, Science, and Popular Culture. His book Revelation: The Birth of a New Age is a compilation of channeled transmissions he received from his disembodied spirit-guide “John.” At one point in Revelation, Spangler documents what “John” prophesied about “the energies of the Cosmic Christ” and “Oneness”: (From A “Wonderful” Deception by Warren Smith, Lighthouse newsletter March 2010). The New Age movement is also grateful to Spangler who writes, “As the energies of the Cosmic Christ become increasingly manifest …many individuals will begin to respond with the realization that the Christ dwells within them. …and will begin to awaken to their heritage of Christhood and Oneness with God, the Beloved.” (The Revelation, p. 177) Sweet’s involvement with a top New Age leader, a channeler of spirits, does not seem to bother him, nor others. That’s how far we have come down this broad way of heresy. Never mind that Spangler wrote the way to Christ is through Lucifer. Yes we should learn to love all God’s creatures, both good or bad, and swallow your medicine of tolerance so you can be part of the new globalism in religion. Sweet further writes “New Light leaders are bearers of the divine fire, connectors of the divine energy; “New Light believers are a possessed people: Possessed by a higher power, possessed by a Christ consciousness”;“New Lights are force fields of meaning through which the flow of energy takes the form of the love and grace of God. New Light leaders are energy connectors, open systems, transformational vortices who allow themselves first to receive, then channel the highest energies of love and truth coming into the planet.” He also includes the idea that “New Light embodiment means to be “in connection” and “information” with other faiths….”, further explaining, and most disturbing, that “One can be a faithful disciple of Jesus Christ without denying the flickers of the sacred in followers of Yahweh, or Kali, or Krishna.” (p.130) What does this “New Christianity” look like? The emergent church is an accurate reflection of the transformation already taken place, as even some of the missionary organizations have used other religion’s practices as bridges to reach the lost, ignoring that bridges go both ways. Consider the story of Rev. Ann Holmes, an Episcopal priest for about 21 years, who decided in 2006 that she was also a Muslim. She says both Islam and Christianity are compatible at the most basic level. http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2003751274_redding17m.html Or Ann Holmes Redding, who was director of faith formation at St. Mark’s Episcopal Cathedral, who has been a priest since being ordained in 1984. She was drawn to the Muslim faith after an introduction to Islamic prayers by a Muslim left her profoundly moved. Redding graduated from Brown University, earned masters’ degrees from two seminaries, and received her Ph.D. in New Testament from Union Theological Seminary in New York City. It was at St. Mark’s that she first became drawn to Islam as a local Muslim leader gave a talk at the cathedral in 2005, then prayed before those attending. Redding was moved. As he dropped to his knees and stretched forward against the floor, it seemed to her that his whole body was involved in surrendering to God. http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/ABPub/zoom/html/2003751283.html Like Yoga, this has made its influence into the church by women. We have emergent church leaders with interfaith promoters teaching prayer with body postures and without using the mind. Well, they are certainly out of their minds with this argument. How extensive are these inroads into the church? Emergent church leader Doug Pagitt, pastor of Solomon’s Porch, has endorsed this practice in his book, Body Prayer. In it he promotes yoga, and states, “Head-oriented prayer can focus on getting the words just right, while leaving out the rest of who you are. Body Prayer helps you become fully engaged in prayer as you connect with God using more than mere words. “ He called this “breathless praying”, stating that ‘Talking to God can seem to be such an abstraction, Don’t use words – use your body.” In other words, abandon thinking. Yoga teacher Susan Bordenkircher’s webpage linked to Thomas Ryan, a certified Kripalu yoga instructor, who states, “Imagine what it would feel like to pray with your whole body––how powerful your prayer could become.” Thomas Ryan, author of Interreligious Prayer, A Christian Guide, says that we have prayed “from the shoulders up—never through their whole person.” Implicit in the title of his book is the inclusion of the practices of other religions into our own Christian experience. Unless a church is active in its discernment, aware of the new intrusion, and committed to be resistant to these changes, the pastor and congregation will succumb to the transformative spirit that is spreading itself over the world as a blanket. If you are not practicing a constant vigilance, aware of the things that want to intrude, you will yield to it, either by compromise or by its finding a way in through others who have accepted it, and are teaching it. This has all come about from neglect, a neglect of judging. If we had been paying attention and equipped ourselves through prayer and the Scriptures, these winds of doctrine would not be in the church. If the church took the time to educate herself on the new spiritual movements, she would not be influenced by them. We are not to have a cult mentality, accepting teachings without first looking into them to see if they are correct, but if the shoe fits we will walk in it. Politics and Religion beached on the same shore If people actually paid attention to the politicians’ words and took the time to understand what they meant, many would not have voted them in (year after year). Obama the TRANSFORMATIVE president for the new America sat under social activist Jeremiah Wright for 20 years, and now he has found a new spiritual advisor, Jim Wallis, who fits well in his administration. Reported to be an admitted Socialist and Communist. Wallis was a part of the radical Students for a Democratic Society (SDS) in the 1960s. He believes the gospel is about the redistribution of wealth. Emergent Brian McLaren is a regular columnist for Jim Wallis’ Sojourners. This tells you what is really taking place. David Noebel has written a brilliant article about Jim Wallis in WorldNetDaily. He states, “Wallis and his Sojourners’ community of fellow travelers believe Fidel Castro, Hugo Chavez, Daniel Ortega, and the other revolutionary forces are the Communist paradises the U.S. needs to emulate in order to establish ‘social justice.’” America is becoming more religious but not as one would think. When President Obama was campaigning for his health care package he wanted it heard at your church or synagogue. Yes, social justice is coming to a church near you! This absolutely affects the gospel. Thousands of religious leaders got a call urging them to push health care reform from the pulpit. Obama spoke to about 140,000 people of faith in a conference call and webcast. He and a White House official discussed the moral dimension of health care, telling the mostly Christian audience that “this debate over health care goes to the heart of who we are as a people.” (Editor’s Note: Don’t forget the Bush administration’s plan for “Clergy Response Teams,” groups of pastors that would assist the federal government—notably FEMA—in maintaining order among congregations and encouraging their flocks to “obey the government” by relocating, evacuating, surrendering firearms, etc. This is nothing new. Hitler used the same tactic when organizing the German church into an arm of the state. Quelling dissent among Christians and using pastors to bring their congregations into line with Third Reich policies actually enabled the Holocaust.) Obama asked about 1,000 rabbis to preach his political agenda in their sermons on Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year — one of the holiest days of the Jewish year. Obama told the rabbis that “we are God’s partners in matters of life and death” and asked them to “tell the stories of health care dilemmas to illustrate what is a stake” in their sermons, Rabbi Jack Moline of Virginia wrote. (Abrams, Fox News) What happened to the separation of church and state? It seems it only matters when the ACLU and the government think it is challenging their agendas. This is a health bill that Obama has stated is about abortion, so how does the church entertain this? Instead of health, it is really “death.” Can a man honestly lecture us on health when he is willing to let pre-born children die in abortions? This is not about health care but about abortion being funded and by the government. Even though he has signed an executive order that abortions are not to be funded by this bill, there are so many loopholes abortion advocates can work their way around anything written like this. The law becomes like putty in their hands, as they already circumvented it to come up with this “health bill.” Besides what congress is doing is unconstitutional, it is showing what progressives are really about. Fairness, the will of the people is not part of the program. Instead, the Hegelian dialectic that was used in communism is being used on a massive scale to persuade public opinion. You become changed and you “be the change” for others, like a chemical reaction of assimilation. Some have stated there are those in the current administration who have read Saul Alinsky’s book Rules for Radicals. It has been said Obama taught from this book as a lecturer. This is no ordinary book—it is a guide on methodologies for socialist change. Whom Alinsky dedicated this book to should be shouted from the rooftops. Knowing this helps us understand exactly what is going on in America and even in some churches. Alinsky wrote, “Lest we forget at least an over-the-shoulder acknowledgement to the very first radical: from all our legends, mythology, and history (and who is to know where mythology leaves off and history begins—or which is which), the first radical known to man who rebelled against the establishment and did it so effectively that he at least won his own kingdom — Lucifer.” In the purpose chapter in the beginning of the book, he quotes Job 7:1 “the life of man upon earth is a warfare.” This is not a good translation from the Douay-Rheims Bible; it actually means hardship, which of course would not be as effective a word for the promotion of socialism. Right from the beginning Alinsky cites history incorrectly, saying it was early idealistic Christians who urged to violence and burned the system down. And he then speaks as a surviving communist of the McCarthy era. Alinsky does not understand anything spiritual because he has sided with the Devil, he revises history and twists the truth. Satan fosters war and he comes to deceive people in following his continued rebellion against God. When one makes the first rebel in the universe a hero this becomes a very different situation than promoting the socialism of the past. This reminds me of David Spangler’s shocking statement “Christ is the same force as Lucifer… Lucifer prepares man for the experience of Christhood. (He is) the great initiator” (From Reflections on the Christ, p. 140) Lucifer is Satan coming to deceive, as an angel of light. Whether it’s in politics or religion it is all the same result – devastation. Paul recognized us as “church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth (1 Tim. 3:15). Many churches are damaged; some can be repaired, some cannot. It is up to the leadership what direction they will take. To do nothing is not an option. We must be pro -active. Just as progressives in government ignore the Constitution, we have leaders in the church that ignore the Bible and want to change it as well. The only way the church is prevented from going into error is by people standing firm on the Word and speaking out. Unfortunately, many churches are not listening to those doing the research; this is becoming an emergency situation. If you care for the church, inform the pastors and give them information on these movements, since they are supposed to be watching over the sheep to protect them from error and wolves. Unfortunately, many are not, as I have experienced firsthand. It’s easy to have a type of peace in life, have no involvement, say nothing, and be left out of any conflict. That time is over. All of us need to be involved. Send to your pastors the articles or portions of them from apologetic sites that are watching on these matters. I recommend you also write letters to ministries involved in promotion of these teachings. In a good manner, tell them from the Word of God what it is they are doing wrong. Our country is being transformed from the inside out. The America we once knew is vanishing. Unfortunately, the very same thing is happening to historic Christianity. Until we become more serious about the enemy inside the church and the real spiritual warfare that is taking place, the church will continue to deteriorate in its influence until what is left are mere traditions. Fortunately, reality has slapped Americans in the face and many have awakened. Americans see the deception working in politics but generally, we have a blind eye to seeing it inside the church. It’s real and it is happening to churches all across the land[s]. And people are being confused and hurt. Become Aware -Awake and Alive Rom 13:11-12: “And do this, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep; for now our salvation is nearer than when we first believed. The night is far spent, the day is at hand. Therefore let us cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light.” Eph 5:11-17: “And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them. For it is shameful even to speak of those things which are done by them in secret. But all things that are exposed are made manifest by the light, for whatever makes manifest is light. Therefore He says: ‘Awake, you who sleep, arise from the dead, and Christ will give you light.’ See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is. (from Let Us Reason Ministries at: www.letusreason.org - used with permission.)
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| Suna Orphans Harvest First Crop of Maize! | |||
The orphan girls at Bryce Home #12 in Suna (a Lighthouse Trails and Understand the Times sponsored mission work) have just harvested their first crop of Maize. This is going to provide quite a bit of food for the girls. We hope you will consider becoming a part of the support for the 15 Bryce Homes in Kenya. The homes were started by Roger Oakland's ministry, Understand the Times and are financially supported by UTT and Lighthouse Trails readers. Some wonderful things are happening with the women and children from these 15 homes as new houses are being built, Bibles are being given, mature Christian leadership is taking place, medical needs are being met, food and other needs are being provided, and now an agricultural program has been initiated. If you would like to donate to this work, please visit our Missions for Truth donation site, where you can donate and designate the donations to particular causes. If you would prefer to donate through Understand the Times, where your donations are tax deductible, please click here. The following slideshow shows the harvest of the Maize as well as the widows who are making braided baskets for Lighthouse Trails readers (read more about the basket project here). If you cannot view the video below, click here.
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| Letter to the Editor: What About Montreat College in North Carolina? | |||
To Lighthouse Trails: In your list of schools that either do or don’t promote Contemplative practices or spirituality, I saw nothing about our [child's] school, Montreat College, where ___ is studying in their Worship Arts program. It has existed there in North Carolina for many years. Any insight, opinion, or guidance you could provide regarding this school would be appreciated. Thank you in advance for your help. _______________ Our Comments: Hi ___________, Thank you for writing. We are sad to report to you that Montreat College has many indications that it is a contemplative promoting college and belongs on our Contemplative College list. Here are some instances that have caused us to say this:
In other places at the college, you will also find a contemplative emphasis, such as their “May Term” program. http://www.montreat.edu/academics/undergraduate/may-term/ where they offer a course titled PY 480: Christian Contemplation: The Heart of a Christian Liberal Arts Education. Also a Minor in Outdoor Education has an emphasis on spiritual formation: http://www.montreat.edu/academics/undergraduate/minors/ I would strongly caution your ______, given the fact that the school is using material by Robert Webber and that your child is involved in the Worship Arts, which was Webber’s main emphasis. Roger Oakland wrote about Webber in his book on the emerging church, Faith Undone. Editors Note: We have now added Montreat to our list of schools that promote spiritual formation (i.e., contemplative)
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| Obama’s "God talk" was highlight of his convention acceptance speech |
LTRP Note: The following article by the Washington Post is posted for research and informational purposes and is not an endorsement by Lighthouse Trails of this article. Please consider reading some of our own articles listed below for related information. By Lisa Miller The subject of religion has long been nettlesome for President Obama, but perhaps never as nettlesome as it was when he mounted the podium to give his convention speech on Thursday night. For the previous 24 hours, the news cycle had been dominated by stories that the Democrats didn’t care about God, having deleted (and then reinstating) the words “God-given potential” in the 2012 platform. This gave ammunition to Obama’s opponents, who have already labeled him a socialist. Then there’s the matter of Obama’s personal beliefs. Despite his clear and repeated avowals of Christian faith, 16 percent of American voters think Obama is a Muslim, according to the Public Religion Research Institute. Just 38 percent of all voters say they think Obama’s religious beliefs are similar to theirs — another strike against the president, because such spiritual incompatibility is linked to an “unfavorable” view of a candidate more generally, the institute says. Click here to continue reading. LTRP Note: To understand more about Obama’s “Christianity,” read the following articles: It’s Official! Democratic Party Backs Same-Sex Marriage for 2012 Platform Obama: Jesus Is “A Son of God” Obama Defends “Robust Support” For Israel – Administrative Record Proves Differently It’s Official: Obama Administration Promotes Islamist Regimes; Insists They are Moderate Obama Administration Declares Children as ‘Sexual Beings’ Obama Healthcare Declared Unconstitutional by Florida Judge – 26 States Agree! “New Spirituality” President’s Plan for Older Citizens Obama: Grew up with “the Bible and the Koran” – Believes Many Paths Lead to God Obama Foreshadows the Coming Spirituality WorldNetDaily: Obama adviser: U.S. ‘ideal place for renewal of Islam’ Obama Names Suzan Johnson Cook Ambassador For International Religious Freedom
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| Emerging Church Tony Jones Says: “Death to Homeschooling!” |
A Commentary by Steve Blackwell This article by Tony Jones caught my attention because of the title. Why would someone write an article entitled Death to Homeschooling!? The article itself simply states the reason he doesn’t send his kid to public French immersion, charter school, or private school, or homeschool; but he doesn’t condemn any of the others, only homeschool. By having some knowledge of Tony Jones’ liberal leanings, it is my estimation that the title does more than just point out a personal preference, it communicates a strong contempt for homeschooling and those who homeschool. It is not unusual to find those who prefer not to homeschool, for whatever reason: time constraints, job constraints, perceived inability to teach, they like the time away from the kids, etc., but to pronounce a death sentence on what has proved to be a very successful method of teaching, creating family closeness, transferring personal values, protecting from negative influences, or instilling historic Christian principles, is puzzling, coming from a “Christian.” Tony doesn’t state why he so detest homeschooling, so he allows us to draw our own conclusions. Making use of the term “death to homeschooling” may actually expose a deeper desire for the state to mandate education, fulfilling Tony’s belief in a liberal social gospel, taking us back into the Dark Ages. Read more: http://www.indywatchman.com/uncategorized/tony-jones-says-death-to-homeschooling/#ixzz25syD6Y91 Also read: Book Review – The New Christians by Tony Jones Like We Said, Brian McLaren Wants the Minds of Your Children and Grandchildren War on U.S. homeschoolers escalates Cultural Collapse in America – Christian Leaders Partly to Blame for Abandoning the Gospel German Family to Apply for Political Asylum Over Homeschooling Restrictions The Ominous “Success”of Re-Education
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| Exodus International Leader Gives Confusing Message About “Gay” Lifestyle |
By Charlie Butts
Americans for Truth About Homosexuality, based in Illinois, has posted a video of Exodus International leader Alan Chambers, himself a former homosexual, in which he tells practicing homosexuals they can go to heaven, irrespective of their sin. Americans for Truth founder Peter LaBarbera says it is sad to see Chambers apologizing to unrepentant homosexuals for the slogan “change is possible.” “What’s happening is a bunch of homosexual activists trying to rationalize their lifestyle are promoting the idea of so-called gay Christianity, and it’s preposterous,” LaBarbera tells OneNewsNow. Click here to continue reading. Related: Exodus Board Member Resigns; Cites Concerns Over Chambers’ Comments Biola’s New Gay and Lesbian Student Group – A “Fruit” of Their Contemplative Propensities? If you cannot view the video below, click here.
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5 FREE THINGS FROM LIGHTHOUSE TRAILS, INCLUDING NEW PDF ARTICLES |
1. FREE CATALOG: Fill out our short form to receive a free catalog. Click here to access form. Our new 2012 catalog will be coming out in March. 2. FREE SAMPLE CHAPTERS OF LT BOOKS: http://www.lighthousetrails.com/chaptersamples.htm. 3. FREE E-NEWSLETTER & ALERTS: Sign up for our free e-newsletter and press alerts: Click here. 4. FREE BIBLE VERSE TEA SAMPLES: Check it out here. This is our own "tent-making" company to help support Lighthouse Trails. Our customers tell us the tea is delicious, and they love the KJV Bible verses, one on each tea tag. Remember, each week we draw one name from those who request samples, and that person wins a free box of tea. 5. NEW! FREE PDF ARTICLES: These are articles we have written that are formatted in an easy to read, easy to print PDF. We will be adding more to this page as time goes on so be sure to bookmark this page. |
10 YEAR ANNIVERSARY OFFER - FLAT RATE SHIPPING INDEFINITELY EXTENDED |
In March of 2002, we began Lighthouse Trails as a publishing company. Later, in 2004, we added Lighthouse Trails Research Project and this newsletter as a way to get free information out to those who were reading our books. As a way to say thank you to our readers and customers of our catalog and online store, we are offering, indefinitely, to our U.S.A. customers a $5 flat rate shipping on all orders (you can choose a lesser rate for smaller orders). When you get to the third step at check out, just choose the FLAT RATE shipping option. For our Canadian and other international customers, use code 10-OFF to get 10% off your order to help compensate for your shipping charges. To all our customers and Lighthouse Trails readers, we want to say thank you for supporting us these past ten years.. We hope we have been as much a blessing to you and your families as you have been to us. Click here to enter store. |
