Month: January 2020

Alcoholics Anonymous and unholy meditation

The paragraphs and link below to the article, Alcoholics Anonymous and Contemplative Spirituality, serve as introduction to an upcoming article on contemplative prayer and interspirituality.

Specifically, an examination of a Methodist minister’s contemplative prayer practice and how this seems to have led to a great spiritual confusion.

According to an excerpt from the article:

“No wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light.” (2 Corinthians 11:14)

Historically, around the world, much has been experienced in the meditative silence. Bliss. Spirit-guides. A higher self. Oneness. And there have been false “christs,” wrapped in shining deception, communicating instructions and “wisdom” to some.

We can see the effect of one such false “christ” through the Oxford Group book, God Calling, (Click here to continue reading)

 

 

Why are Christians swimming in contemplative seas?

The question may arise–how can credible Christian organizations justify and condone meditative practices that clearly resemble Eastern meditation? …Christian terminology surrounds these practices. It only takes a few popular Christian leaders with national profiles to embrace a teaching that sounds Christian to bring about big changes in the church.

Moreover, we have many trusting Christians who do not use the Scriptures to test the claims of others. Building an entire prayer method around an out-of-context verse or two is presumptuous, at best. Now more than ever, it is critical that Christians devote themselves to serious Bible study and discernment regarding this issue.

In the spiritual climate of today, a unifying mystical prayer practice fits the paradigm necessary to unite the the various world religions–the contemplative prayer movement is just such a practice! I believe this movement is taking many on a downward spiral that could lead to the great apostasy. For this to happen, as the Bible says, there will be “seducing spirits” who design a spirituality nearly indistinguishable from the truth. (emphasis mine)

Every Christian must therefore discern whether or not the contemplative prayer movement is a deeper way of walking with God or a deception that undermines the very Gospel itself.

Contemplative prayer stands on the threshold of exploding worldwide; it has already found acceptance in every culture and has even found its way into the writings of  prominent, trusted evangelical leaders.

[All of the above was written by Ray Yungen, and can be found on pg.184 of his book, A Time of Departing.]

YWAM’s deceptive teachings on hearing the Voice of God

Below is a link to Holly Pivec’s article, What Churches Should Know About YWAM, Part 3: ‘Hearing God’s Voice.’ 

YWAM stands for Youth With A Mission.

According to Pivec:

“The problem with YWAM teaching is that many of the principles and techniques for hearing God’s voice cannot be supported in Scripture. Furthermore, students are taught that, by using these techniques, they can expect God to speak to them outside of Scripture on a regular basis. These teachings and practices can lead to making poor decisions with sometimes disastrous results. They also make YWAM students more likely to become victims of spiritual abuse.”

Does God ever communicate? Some  have described being prompted–or “nudged”–by the Holy Spirit. A guaranteed way to hear God “speak” is to read the Bible.

Pivec notes:

“Certainly, God can speak outside of Scripture. But should He choose to speak, no chicanery, puppetry, or creative technique on our part is needed. God is perfectly able to make Himself heard apart from these misguided and unbiblical methods.”

It is wise to ask for God’s guidance and direction. Where can we find it? Again, in the Bible. He tells us in His Word:

Trust in the Lord with all your heart And do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He will make your paths straight. (Proverbs 3:5-6)

But now, due to a variety of factors, there are many in the visible church who casually claim they are hearing from God. One of these factors is the spread of contemplative prayer.

Pivec is one of my favorite researchers, and I wondered why there was no reference to contemplative prayer in the article. I emailed Pivec about this, and she stated she shared my concern but hadn’t as yet done much investigation, and needed to be more familiar with contemplative prayer before writing about it.

That said, here is the link to her excellent article: READ 

Here, also, is YWAM’s own promotion of contemplative prayer: READ

And here, from Mike Oppenheimer, is his article touching on YWAM, Lou Engle, The Send, and more: READ

In A Time of Departing, Ray Yungen noted, “Evangelical Christianity is now being pulled, perhaps even catapulted, into seeing God with the new eyes of contemplative prayer.” (pg. 199)

Thousands of young people are being exposed to contemplative practices in Mike Bickle’s IHOP-KC, Bill and Beni Johnson’s Bethel of Redding Church, and in YWAM, and in many other places.

For many, contemplative practices have resulted in hearing false messages from a false Christ. As someone once noted, when you really want to hear what God is saying…open your Bible and read it.

End

For more information on contemplative prayer: click here and here…

*Thanks to DW for your hard work warning about YWAM. You know who you are.

As of first importance

For I delivered to you as of first importance, that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, and that He appeared to Cephas, and then to the twelve. (1 Corinthians 15:3-5)

…how I did not shrink from declaring to you anything that was profitable, and teaching you publicly and from house to house, solemnly testifying to both Jews and Greeks of repentance toward God and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ. (Acts 20: 20-21)

But God demonstrates His own love for us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:8)

 

Israel NAR Leaders and their friends (NARWatch Israel)

Click here for Israel NAR Leaders and their friends…

The New Apostolic Reformation (NAR) is a world wide movement, so it is not surprising these folks are in Israel. NAR incorrectly believes their “apostles” and “prophets” should govern the Body of Christ rather than pastors, elders, or denominations. There is a fascination with signs, wonders,  and prophetic utterance, and some of the most powerful NAR figures are involved with contemplative prayer. 

The NAR is becoming so prevalent that denominations sending missionaries throughout the world (Assemblies of God, Southern Baptists etc.) should require that missionaries learn about NAR before being sent out.

HT: Deception in the Church

Catholic priest: Pray for Francis Chan to come to the Catholic Church

Father Kyle Manno is excited, and perhaps with good reason. Concerning Francis Chan he says, “And right now, legitimately, I’m convinced he’s having a conversion to the Catholic Church, to the true faith, the fullness of the Catholic Church…”

In this video Chan seems open to accepting the Roman Catholic understanding of communion–that the bread and wine are literally the body and blood of Jesus Christ. This is not a biblical understanding. [1] (Luke 22:19-20)

Based on his engagements with IHOP-KC’s Onething, Chan seems to have been moving in this direction for some time now.

Related: The conversion of Protestants through the Eucharist

Source Notes:

1. What is the Catholic sacrament of Holy Eucharist?

HT: Marsha West

 

Bill Johnson–Power over Principle, Honoring the Dishonorable

[Reader, the errant theology Bill Johnson’s Bethel of Redding Church is worldwide in its influence. The following article is by South African Rick Becker.]

By Rick Becker

Todd Bentley is the product of a movement that has elevated men, women and miracles above God. In the New Apostolic Reformation (NAR) the supernatural is a vital element. In fact, the value placed on the supernatural is the underlying philosophy that has enabled charlatans, and in this case a sexual predator, to thrive in the NAR. The leaders and the movement value power over principle. By power I mean anything they perceive to be a supernatural gift or manifestation. By principle I mean the principles or fundamental truths found in scripture. In their defense, NAR leaders who commissioned, restored, and recommissioned Bentley will claim that anyone can fall into sin or deception. This is true, but they have failed to address two facts: Click here to continue reading…