This post was sent to me in e-mail from Jan Markell’s website, Olive Tree Ministries. It is a very informative article by Heidi Swander. Click the source link to read the rest of the article.
It’s called “contemplative” or “centering” prayer and if you haven’t heard about it yet, chances are unfortunately good that you will soon. It’s invading churches like a virus in which submicroscopic pathogens contaminate the body many hours or days before the victim is aware of its presence.
Contemplative prayer is one of a number of ancient mystical practices or spiritual disciplines, as their proponents refer to them, which are being encouraged at an alarming rate by evangelical churches. It is all part of something called Spiritual Formation and the Emergent Church, a movement that as John MacArthur states in his book, The Truth War, is subtly changing the beliefs and doctrines of the evangelical church as we know it.
In its pure form, contemplative prayer is practiced by sitting still, quieting, and concentrating on your breathing and repeating a word of choice (maybe the name Jesus, for instance) over and over again. You’re to concentrate on that word and your breathing, and work to eliminate all thoughts from your mind. Over a period of maybe 20 minutes — and with practice — you can enter into “the silence.” Your mind is blank. You have, in fact, hypnotized yourself. And it is in “the silence” where “God” allegedly speaks to you. Source.
Thanks for the heads up on this subject Chrystal. I have also linked through to it from my own blog, along with a few thoughts of my own too.
http://heartcry.me.uk/?p=98
God bless,
John.
By: HeartCry on August 12, 2008
at 9:26 pm
Chrystal,
Thanks for bringing this to your reader’s attention. The average believer is asleep or has been led astray by “famous” teachers, spreading the lie about these new/old mysticism doctrines.
I have been warning my readers for a year or more of the emerging/contemplative lie.
A good link to check out statements of some of these leaders is Lighthouse Trails:
http://www.lighthousetrailsresearch.com/index.html
So far, I find them for the most part, accurate in their Bible Doctrine and expose’s. If you know otherwise, please let me know.
In Christ eternally,
ExP(Jack)
By: expreacherman on August 14, 2008
at 4:00 pm
Chrystal,
I checked out Olive Tree Ministries and the article by Heidi Swander.
It was informative about Contemplative and Emergent teachings– but I was distressed to see she quoted John MacArthur as an authority. His quote happens to be true — but John MacArthur is a teacher of Lordship Salvation.
I would rather quote someone who does not teach false doctrine, if possible, for fear mentioning MacArthur will encourage others to buy his books and listen to him.
Other that those mentions, it was a great article.
In Christ eternally,
ExP(Jack)
By: expreacherman on August 14, 2008
at 9:16 pm
I’m not going to pretend that I know totally what “Lordship Salvation” is, nor do I really want to enter into a debate about it, but it seems to be something to do with a certain level of works necessary for our salvation, other than by faith alone. Forgive me if this is wrong.
The only reason I am commenting here is in response to the remark made about John McArthur, who in my personal opinion is someone whose insight and encouragement has helped me tremendously in my walk with the Lord. What’s more, if this statement is made against him, I suppose it would have to be aimed at Paul Washer also, whom I also admire and respect greatly.
As far as I can gather from the writings and sermons I have had the pleasure of reading and listening to from these brothers, is that they both seem to give a clear understanding how to examine oneself to ensure our faith in Christ is actually genuine. Rather that our works are a fruit of our salvation, and not a means to attain it, as inferred in Ephesians 2:10.
If you can point clearly how people such as this are actually leading believers astray, then I am willing to listen, preferrably by sending me a private email to john@unitedinjesus.org.uk , for I wholeheartedly endorse this man’s mininstry.
I am more than willing to call a spade a spade, but I am not willing to go out of my way to villify those in Christ who, in my opinion and experience, have helped many including myself, to gain a deeper understanding in how to attain a more stable walk of faith.
God bless you,
John Dunning.
By: HeartCry on August 15, 2008
at 10:34 am
Thanks John,
I will try to rustle up a few quotes by John MacArthur which I feel would add works to getting or keeping salvation.
I will probably post the comment here — as I would not want folks to think I falsely accused a brother without reason.
In Christ eternally,
ExP(Jack)
By: expreacherman on August 15, 2008
at 6:26 pm
John,
Please bear with this old mostly blind preacher.. Nowadays research takes time and eyesight – and the latter is severely lacking.
Don’t give up on me — I will probably post a few quotes by MacArthur here and then write a Blog on the rest plus many of my comments.
Incidentally Ephesians 2:10 says we SHOULD do good works — meaning they SHOULD be the fruit of our salvation — It does not say they are or must be. One can be saved without good works before or after salvation and cannot lose that salvation. Works do not determine whether or not we are in Christ.
Maybe the quotes tomorrow — if we don’t get blasted by that hurricane coming up from Cuba. Electricity goes out when that happens, thus the computers fail.
In CHrist eternally,
ExP(Jack)
By: expreacherman on August 17, 2008
at 10:32 pm
John,
“Lordship Salvation” is any doctrine that adds works to salvation or to the keeping of salvation. Christian carnality cannot be cured by adding or demanding works to gain, keep or insure salvation. Lordship Salvation has its roots in Covenant/Reformed/Calvinist teaching, which leads a person to believe he must continue in good works to prove his salvation, Perseverance of the Saints.
Here are some quotes where John MacArthur (JM) misses the mark in his teaching. JM is indeed a learned man and respected by many, but alas, he has errors in some of his doctrine. There are many places where he utters truth but likewise there are places where he contradicts himself and the Bible.
JM espouses Covenant/Reformed/Calvinist doctrine and this may influence his teaching of Lordship Salvation. It seems deliberate, not accidental, even though at times he denies his Reformed teaching. Look at some of his quotes:
From Saved Without A Doubt – MacArthur Study Series (Chariot Victor Books, 1992), p 58.
“….. It’s not that He [God] merely sees what will happen in the future; rather He ordains it. The Bible clearly teaches that God sovereignly chooses people to believe in Him.”
John, this is clearly Covenant/Reformed/Calvinist teaching with no scripture to support it. And yet in his statement before the IFCA Board, 1989, in plenary session he said, “I believe with all my heart and soul that you cannot come up with a covenant view of theology and maintain any kind of coherent hermeneutics.” This is in direct contradiction with his theology of “God sovereignly chooses people to believe…” in the quote above.
An example of his Lordship salvation teaching:
John Macarthur – Grace to You
http://www.gty.org/Resources/Issues&Answers/349
“….. no one can be saved who counts the cost and is unwilling to pay it.”
My comment: Confusing! That is the seesnce of Lordship Salvation. There is NO cost to being or staying saved. Ephesians 2:8-9 “It is the gift of God…”
From: Grace to You Website (Grace Community Church – MacArthur, Pastor)
What we teach about God:
“He has graciously chosen from eternity past those whom He would have as His own.”
My comment: This is Covenant/Reformed/Calvinist doctrine. This means God therefore chooses not to pick others (the un-chosen) leaving them condemned to hell. Bad Doctrine! “The Lord is … not willing that any should perish.” 2 Peter 3:9
From: John MacArthur
Master’s Seminary Journal
TMSJ 4/1 (Spring 1993) 5-24
Excerpt:
“A faith that is void of submission is a merely intellectual faith, ….. Those who adopt such a view must then scale back the definition of faith so that believing is something that even depraved sinners are capable of.”
My Comment:
Submission how? Obedience to a doctrine of mandatory works?
Did not Christ die for every sinner, the whole world, no matter how “depraved?” What is the difference between a sinner and a “depraved” sinner. Christ died for the most depraved of sinners, the Apostle Paul — who called himself “The chief of sinners.” We are all sinners, even our righteousness is as “filthy rags” and we deserve Hell.
MacArthur defines Perseverance of the Saints (Covenant/Reformed/Calvinist doctrine):
“It opposes the radical easy-believism teaching that genuine Christians can choose to ‘drop out’ of the spiritual growth process and ‘cease to confess Christianity.’ It [perseverance] is the polar opposite of the brand of theology that makes faith a ‘historic moment,’ a one-time ‘act’ that secures heaven, but offers no guarantee the ‘believer’s’ earthly life will be changed.”
My Comment: This is Lordship Salvation. MacArthur proclaims that if you life does not change, you are not saved.
Scripture says, “… for the Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart.” 1 Samuel 16:7
Chrystal, thanks for allowing this discussion.
In Christ eternally,
ExP(Jack)
By: expreacherman on August 18, 2008
at 1:42 pm
Hey there,
I received information about the contemplative prayer from my bible study teacher. It was interesting that she sent it to me because I recently rented from http://www.christiancinema.com the documentary called Be Still. This documentary was all about contemplative prayer with some very well know people in the Christian ministry supporting it. Some of the names attached to it were Beth Moore, Max Lucado (actually spoke on the documentary) along with Charles Stanley and the list goes on. I found this documentary very educational and took away from it that contemplative prayer according to Evangelicals is actually being still before the Lord and letting Him speak to you rather than you doing all the talking all the time. I was amazed at how I truly felt the Lord convicting me about things I had chosen to push aside and ignore. All the things I was convicted about were definitely areas I needed to grow in spiritually. Please elaborate on exactly why we should stay away from this? I am a follower of Jesus Christ and I am in the word regularly so I feel I have a strong sense of discernment when it comes to New Age religions but I could have been fooled…the evil one has interesting ways to lead any of us astray. Thank you for your blog.
Saved by Grace,
Shari Macfee
By: Shari on August 18, 2008
at 9:40 pm