In this post, "The Eucharist", the Emergent UK Media Arts website promotes the very Catholic practices of the Eucharist and Lectio Divina. The post's comments regarding self examination are of value, but the endorsement of the Roman Catholic Eucharist departs from scripture with the unbiblical doctrine of transubstantiation.
The article also introduces a future tense of salvation, as effected by the Eucharist. "...finally it will lead to the realisation that the Eucharist will be for the forgiveness of our sins, for the healing of our souls, our bodies and for our salvation and not for our own condemnation and judgment." 1 Corinthians 11:24-26 clearly demonstrates that the Biblical Lord's Supper is done in "remembrance of Me". Christ's atoning work on the Cross, not the taking of the transubstantiated Eucharist, is the only source of salvation.
In the website's article, "Silence was golden" contemplative prayer is endorsed...
"Contemplative prayers such as Lectio Divina are becoming ever more popular even though it has been part of Christian life since the earliest days." The (Catholic) Order of St Benedict was recommended as a source for performing Lectio Divina, as well as the Celtic Christian and the Orthodox Christian Information Centre.
The two post above, combined with The UK's Emerging Liturgy , seems to complete the experiential Emergent worship experience.
Editor's note:
Warnings similar to the paragraph below are often offered by some who promote contemplative prayer:
"...the dangers inherent in this kind of practice, and its astonishing similarity to transcendental meditation and other dangerous rituals, should be carefully considered. It has the potential to become, and often does become, a pursuit of mystical experience, where the goal is to empty and free the mind and empower oneself."
In his article, THE EMERGENCE OF THE EUCHARIST IN THE EMERGING CHURCH, Roger Oakland concludes with this statement:
"Now that the Eucharist has emerged in the Emerging Church I will make a prediction. You can expect Eucharistic evangelization to become more popular and successful. We are living in the Last Days and spiritual deception is intensifying in the name of Jesus."
Here's just one of hundred's of examples of the spiritual deception referred to by Oakland.
Related article: Contemplative Prayer - Emerging Church and Roman Catholicism
Hi ive been very interested in emergent subject and the seemly move towards Catholicism..
ReplyDeleteBut to be fair to this group they clearly state
" that very important connection to God that Christ left us with"
"left with" us implies there still standing firmly with Protestant doctrine,there not arguing Jesus actually appears each time..
aj
or did i miss something?
AJ
ReplyDelete"Left with us" might hint at a Protestant doctrine, however the implication is overwhelmed with the obvious invocation & promotion of not just the term "Eucharist", but the associated RC doctrine of the sacrament.
This is reinforced on the main page of the website where one can find the link's to the Pope's home page & the Catholic Encyclopedia.
There is no secret to the "many paths" that are promoted within the Emerging church movement.
Use the Bible to test what is taught from any pulpit or couch.