This is from Ken Silva of Apprising Ministries. Read the whole post after the jump.
For at least the past six years now online apologetics and discernment ministries like Lighthouse Trails Research, as well as here at Apprising Ministries, have warning about the sinfully ecumenical [i.e. Reformation repudiating] Emergent Church aka the Emerging Church.
Sadly, it’s now grown into a neo-liberal cult operating within evangelicalism infecting it with their new postmodern form of Progressive Christian quasi-universalism under their spiritual circus “big tent” Emergence Christianity.
Here’s the heart of the matter: The EC would prove to be a Trojan Horse where Satan has been able to off-load his ne0-Gnostic mystic corruption Contemplative Spirituality/Mysticism (CSM), an infestation of which is now becoming pandemic within the very heart of the church visible.
If you didn’t know what effect this neo-liberal cult is having upon the visible Christian community, then I strongly suggest that you make the time to actually look at the evidence I’ll bring before you in Mainstream Evangelicalim Embracing Contemplative Mysticism and In Touch Magazine Of Charles Stanley Promoting Contemplative New Monasticism.
Then I want you to tell me wherever in the proper Biblical doctrine Reformation theology do we find “Protestant” CSM ala that supposedly “discovered” by Living Spiritual Teacher and Quaker mystic Richard Foster, and now perpetrated as supposed Spiritual Formation with an able assist from his spiritual twin SBC minister Dallas Willard? Answer: We don’t.
Now you have the proper vantage point from which to survey the battlefield before I bring you down into the fray that’s being caused by Letter from Focus on the Family: Takes Lighthouse Trails with a “healthy dose of salt” & defends contemplative Gary Thomas where Focus on the Family (FOF) writes:
We appreciate the time you took to share an excerpt from a publication by another organization, “exposing” various authors including marriage expert Gary Thomas. By coming to us with your concerns you have expressed a vote of confidence that we do not take lightly.
In return, we would mention that we are familiar with the group [Lighthouse Trails Research] you’ve quoted; it’s not the first time we’ve heard such allegations, it probably won’t be the last, and we take whatever we hear from that quarter with a healthy dose of salt. (Online source)
Why the surprise concerning ‘Focus on the Family’? James Dobson has been an apostate ( one who has turned away from an accepted biblical truth) for years in as far as he does not believe in creation as described by Moses in the book of Genesis. If your belief in scripture starts at Genesis chapter twelve you are an apostate. I don’t know much about Light House Trails but they should take criticism, snubs, or insults from Focus on the Family as a badge of honor.
So – would these who espouse to such doctrines be considered “carnal christians” or wolves in sheeps clothing.??.
So, many here that write on this blog say tithing is no longer Scriptural, but someone who doesn’t believe in creation is an apostate. I heard someone recently say if you believe in a Pre Trib rapture that you are a heretic. Which made me laugh – a heretic? No, a heretic is someone who doesn’t believe Jesus Christ is the Son of God – the Only WAY to heaven.
I think it’s interesting how pagans, people in the new age beliefs, occultist, masons, witches, satanists – all support each other but the churches and many denominations argue over “who’s right”. Revelation speaks to that – Jesus has much to say to the churches and only one get it’s right.
Jesus tells us to deny ourselves, take up our cross and follow Him daily. The Bible tells us clearly deceivers, “other christs” will come – and we should stand up for truth. Standing up for truth shouldn’t be devouring one another – Paul had strong words about that.
I love you all in The Lord and pray The Body of Christ will unite in prayer in one accord just like in Acts….
May we never unite in heresy.
Well Ali, this is my rule of thumb. If any one call themselves a biblical born again christian but do not have the grace to believe that the bible is accurate in all that it says and is the very word of God then I will not, nor can I have any real fellowship with them. Scripture, and ones view of it will always be THE primary litmus test for a genuine born again christian. You see, Jesus tells us that we have been born again of the Spirit of God ( John 3:3) but Peter tells us that we have also been born again of the Word of God.
1Peter 1:23 Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.
So unless someone can receive the word of God as inspired by the Spirit of God they are not born again of the Spirit and the Word. So I will not fellowship with any why profess Christ but reject God’s written account of creation and instead embrace a godless evolutonary theory for they, in so doing reject God as being trust worthy and in essence call Him a liar! E.G. James Dobson.
Right now I’m reading John MacArthur’s “The Gospel According To Jesus” which may be 20 years old, but reads like he finished it this morning.
It really is clear: God gives spiritual discernment to Christians so that we may recognize and be wary of false teachers.
It is shameful that so many teachers who seem solid start to waver. I had never heard anything against Stanley’s ministry until now. What Ken Silva calls “The new downgrade” points us toward the downgrade controversy Spurgeon dealt with. None of this is new, but with the new technologies, error can spread at the speed of the internet. We have to keep up-I appreciate sites such as Chrystal’s, Grace to you, Wretched Radio-which remind us that we are in a spiritual conflict.
Yikes, the comments really went in different directions. I’ll try to keep mine focused on the original post. I’m saddened by the FOF response but not surprised. They are very commercial as are many other radio programs and even blogs. It gets to be more about doing business than protecting truth.
I could not support one piece of work by someone who had various other works that were no good even if the one work was very good. It is important to view the entire body of work to see what the person/org really believes and promotes. I could not support a work by Rob Bell even if it was excellent in a stand alone way because of the nonsense he holds as Theology (for example).
Much care should be given to our associations because we can give an implied endorsement if we are not careful. The thing about not caring about other works as long as the one you are currently promoting looks good is careless and short-sighted.
I agree that we sometimes eat our own but being zealous for the truth trumps wanton acceptance of (real) heresy…
Truthinator.wordress.com