Avoid Them Like The Plague

A recent EWTN broadcast featured Father John Corapi, known for "his love for and relationship with the Blessed Virgin Mary which leads into a vibrant and loving relationship with Jesus Christ." In this program Corapi outlined the weapons of spiritual warfare for Roman Catholics.

Corapi, a very engaging and easy-to-like speaker, implored the audience "to pray the rosary, observe the Eucharist, and wear the scapular as part of spiritual defenses."

This admonition is rooted in several Marion Apparitions. In 1214 AD, in a vision to Saint Dominic, The Blessed Virgin Mary gave the sacramental of praying the Rosary. Tradition holds that the apparition of Mary said:

"One day through the Rosary and Scapular I will save the world."

In 1917, the Marion Apparition at Fatima gave then secret messages to three children. They were told how Mary would bring world peace. The children were instructed in the following:

" In order to bring peace into the world, 1. Offer your daily tasks as a sacrifice in reparation. 2. Pray the rosary everyday 3. Wear the Brown Scapular and make acts of consecration to the Virgin Mary." 4. Make visits to the Blessed Sacrament (Eucharist)".

Corapi also added during this program his warning: "...those who say it is nonsense, avoid them like the plaque."

Read Queen of Rome, Queen of Islam, Queen of All:

The Marian Apparitions plan to unite all religions Under the Roman Catholic Church by Tetlow, Oakland and Myers. This will provide biblical answers to these and other questions. The book documents who the "Queen" is and the role she plays to prepare the counterfeit bride for the counterfeit Christ.

Imagination Driven Bible Study?

Stage Setting-Seeker Sensitive National Community Church highlights Rick Warren's Bible "study" methods from his book, Twelve Ways You Can Unlock God's Word...

“With the Biographical Method of Bible Study you select a biblical person and research the Scriptures to study his or her life and character. You try to become thoroughly acquainted with that person’s inner life and find out what made it a spiritual success or failure. Ask God to help you think and feel with him or her so that your study becomes a life-changing experience.”

"Use your sanctified imagination to get inside his/her mind and see how he/she thinks, feels, and responds to circumstances."

"Stay away from books/commentaries written about biblical figures until you have exhausted every Bible reference about that person and drawn your own insights from Scripture."

Editor's note: Given Rick Warren's track record for twisting scripture, one should first consider sitting under a Bible-believing pastor-teacher who would provide proper instruction on how to study the Bible.

Pope: Obey The Voice of the Earth

From Christian Research Network:

Live Earth may have to make a new list of the now Top 16 environmental religious leaders ( see post ) as the Pope gets in line with the Dalai Lama and The Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I. His statement in this news release alludes to Gaia, Mother Earth philosophy :

Listen to the Earth, pleads Pope Benedict by Philip Pullella in Loranzago di Cadore, Italy
Benedict is wrapping up a three-week private holiday in the majestic mountains of northern Italy where residents are alarmed by the prospect of climate change that can alter their way of life…

“This obedience to the voice of the Earth is more important for our future happiness … than the desires of the moment. "

"Our Earth is talking to us and we must listen to it and decipher its message if we want to survive,” he said."

Editor’s note1: Perhaps the world should consider obedience to the Voice of God found in His Word.

Editor's note2: Any Western Evangelical care to comment on what's wrong with this picture?

Redefining Christianity

From page 10, Introduction of Redefining Christianity by Pastor Bob DeWaay:

"The version of Christianity that Rick Warren presents to world leaders redefines the message of the first century apostles. The key difference is that the biblical version did not appeal to the world; it appealed only to those who were converted. Warren’s version is popular with the world."

"Rick Warren has designed a message that appeals to religious consumers whether or not the Holy Spirit has convicted them of their sins. He has devised a business system to mass-market this message to the world. Through his system, he has created a way for pastors to share his success. The sheer effectiveness of this system is rapidly transforming evangelicalism. This transformation is not just a transformation of practice; it is a transformation of message. The change in the practice makes it transferable across a wide spectrum of denominational and theological affiliations. The change in the message makes it acceptable to a wide range of religious consumers…"

"…The world may indeed love this new version ( of Christianity ) and listen, but what it is hearing is something substantially different from biblical Christianity that the world hates and rejects"

Alistair Begg on The Purpose Driven Gospel

Thanks to Symphony of Scripture for the head's up on this video...

Time To Mark & Avoid, Recognize & Approve

The truth divides. Division is a result of testing and applying truth...

Romans 16: 17Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them. 18For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple.

Now in our generation, it is time to demonstrate obedience in contending for the One True Faith...

Western Evangelicalism is preaching a different gospel with very little opposition. One recent example reflects that battle within the Southern Baptist Convention when it comes to defending and contending for the Gospel:

The Pope's primacy statement received revealing responses from two prominent voices within the SBC. First, Dr Albert Mohler responded by stating:

"Evangelicals should be equally candid in asserting that any church defined by the claims of the papacy is no true church...The Reformers and their heirs put their lives on the line in order to stake this claim...As Martin Luther and John Calvin both made clear, the first mark of the true Church is the ministry of the Word -- the preaching of the Gospel. The Reformers indicted the Roman Catholic Church for failing to exhibit this mark, and thus failing to be a true Church. The Catholic church returned the favor, defining the church in terms of the papacy and magisterial authority. Those claims have not changed."

Dr. Albert Mohler publicly confirmed that those claims have not changed, as an adherent to the Reformation. Mohler stands in opposition and is separated from Catholicism by the division the Biblical truth creates.

However, it seems that these truth claims of the blood-spilled Reformation have changed for others in the SBC, such as Chuck Colson who writes in the Time Magazine "On Faith" discussion:
"Pope Benedict’s statements about the Catholic Church being the true church is much ado about nothing...The Catholic Church defines the church in terms of apostolic succession and the Eucharist; the Reformation churches cannot make the same claim about apostolic succession, at least in the eyes of the Catholic Church. Nor do we as evangelicals see the Eucharist as Catholics do. These are issues that, as we all strive for unity, may one day be resolved. We are far from resolving them today, however.

The doctrine of the church is one ECT has not taken up simply because the differences are so profound. All good ecumenical discussions proceed not in dumbing down our differences but in exploring them always in service of the truth. As a Baptist, I believe that the Baptist understanding of ecclesiology is biblically correct, that it is the true expression of the Church.

The Pope, of course, makes the statement that his view is the true expression of the Church. But we will keep seeking common ground. As one committed to the pursuit of unity in service of the truth, I welcome honest expressions of our different views. So it’s hardly news.

Much ado about nothing? Would the Reformers who were burned alive because of their opposition to unbiblical doctrines of Catholicism agree with Mr. Colson? Interesting to note that Mr. Colson did not comment on the Pope's "statement" that Catholicism provides the only true path to salvation and the relegation of all other Christian faiths to ecclesial communities, classifying "other Christian communities as defective or not true churches."

So it is obvious that Mr Chuck Colson, who presented at the Annual Meeting of the Southern Baptist Convention this year is in opposition to Dr. Mohler position regarding the Pope's reassertion of the primacy of Catholicism. Thus, Mr. Colson is in opposition to the Biblical truth. ( A few years' back, the Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals also opposed the pursuit of ecumenical relations with Catholicism.)

Not only is Mr. Colson (SBC) in opposition to Dr. Albert Mohler and Biblical truth, Rick Warren is also in opposition to Dr. Albert Mohler and Biblical truth.

The Truth creates opposition and division.

1 Corinthians : 18 For, to begin with, I hear that when you come together as a church there are divisions among you, and in part I believe it. 19 There must, indeed, be factions among you, so that the approved among you may be recognized.

In this challenging trumpet call, Pastor-Teacher Ken Silva writes:"Men and women, we have now reached the point where either men like Charles Spurgeon and Dr. John MacArthur are Christians or people like Rob Bell and Erwin McManus, both leaders in the neo-liberal cult of the Emergent Church, are. Because the time has arrived to be brutally honest and publicly admit that we are simply not preaching the same Gospel."

It is obvious that a Truth War is raging, not just within the SBC, but in Evangelicalism. As Dr. John MacArthur writes:

"Truth is under heavy attack, and there are too few courageous warriors who are willing to fight. When we stand before the judgment seat of Christ, believers from this generation will not be able to justify their apathy by complaining that he strife of the conflict over truth just seemed "too negative" for the kind of culture we lived in-or that issues were "merely doctrinal" and therefore not worth the effort."

It is time for all blood-bought, repentant, Spirit sanctifying, sin-mortifying, Bible-believing Christians to fulfill their duty to contend for The One True Faith.

Revelation 2: 2 I know your works, your labor, and your endurance, and that you cannot tolerate evil. You have tested those who call themselves apostles and are not, and you have found them to be liars.

Ron Luce Leading Your Youth Into Spiritual Bondage

By Pastor-Teacher Ken Silva At Christian Research Network:

In line with the post Branding the Global Tribal Teen here on Christian Research Net this is another example of how $evangelicalism$ is passing your youth through the fire of Molech.
"Youth ministers" like Ron Luce–a regular on TBN steeped in the Word Faith heresy–are leading your youth back into the spiritual bondage of contemplative spirituality which flowered through the antibilical monastic traditions of apostate Roman Catholicism.
Here Luce interviews contemplative guru Liz Babbs and goes through the same old alleged "spiritual disciplines" vomited into the Body of Christ from Quaker Richard Foster and Guru Brian McLaren and his dutiful disciple Rob Bell. This is yet another wakeup trumpet blast to nearly comatose $evangelical$ leaders concerning The New Downgrade No-Controversy.

See also:Seeing Ron Luce and Battle Cry In a New (Age) Way, Liz Babbs leads Meditation ‘Sacred Space’ with Simeon Wood, Contemplative Prayer and Meditation, Meditating On Contemplative/Centering Prayer

Branding The Global Tribal Teen

From Christian Research Network:

Jewel Grewe at Herescope investigates the merchandising youth ministry of Teen Mania…

"Evangelical leaders like Ron Luce of Teen Mania ("Acquire the Fire") are using state-of-the-art marketing tricks to lure teenage audiences, copying "what works" from the pop culture and turning it into a method of merchandising the New Breed, a concept steeped in Latter Rain "Joel’s Army" dominionism. According to Sharlet’s story (cited above), which is definitely worth a read, Luce hired a "former producer of VH1’s Behind the Music named Doug Rittenhouse" in order "to create pop-culture missionaries." The concept was to "start a production company and train up and raise a new kind of Christian media" — one that would play off of "MTV’s Headbangers Ball."

Read the rest here… and then see how adults are massaged into the dominionist picture.

When Are Irreconcilable Differences Somehow Reconcilable?

Apprising Ministries asks this question in THE ETERNALLY DEADLY FALSE HOPE OF THE APOSTATE CHURCH OF ROME, and tests the historical and contemporary traditions of men by the fire of God's Word...

The truth is the vast majority of evangelical Protestant apologetic/discernment ministries and scholars have continued to present this critical issue of the apostate Church of Rome as if Roman Catholicism is simply another branch of orthodox Christianity with which we have some “significant differences.” Imagine the lunacy in the Lord’s as Purpose Driven pope Rick Warren, allegedly an evangelical Protestant lists the Church of Rome as a Christian denomination at his Purpose Driven.com. This is why I have felt so strongly led to come before you and to take this look into the subject of what constitutes the real hope of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

In the interest of fairness I want you to know that some of these Protestant organizations have even called the differences that evangelicals have with the Roman Catholic Church “irreconcilable.” However, they then turn around and say – “we continue to dialogue” with them. The question I’m asking is: Why? Why would you need to continue to “dialogue” over differences that are “irreconcilable?” Don’t we realize that by definition irreconcilable means “diametrically opposed” – not able to even be reconciled – cannot be brought back together?

Read more of how the Book of Galations, as just one proof, reveals the Biblical test of unbiblical teachings.

Drucker-Driven Churches

Rick Warren's tutelage under business management guru Peter Drucker shines in Warren's article, Different kinds of pastors for different kinds of churches. Here Warren shares some worldly advice to the up and coming purpose-driven/pastor-CEO's...

"In order to grow to the next level – a multiple cell church - the pastor must be willing to change from owner/operator to manager/supervisor. At this level, you add staff members. Your role becomes managing and supervising people under you." (Editor emphasis)

"When the church grows beyond 400 people, the pastor must take on the role of executive.... You know you’ve reached this stage when you have beneath you an administrative or executive pastor, someone who handles details for you." (Editor emphasis)

"...you need to consciously improve your worship service. It’s got to be sharp, and it’s got be culturally relevant to the kind of people you aiming to reach.

"...The key role of the pastor at this stage is vision-setter. He sets the tone and the theme of the church by his own speaking – what he tells, what he talks about, and what he shares."

"...The larger the church gets, the more powerful the pulpit becomes for setting the direction of the church."

Editor's note: Read Warren's article, and replace the words "congregation" and "church" with the word BUSINESS. Does that change the essence of the article? More on the Warren-Drucker connection here. (Image credit: Edrawsoft.com)

Matthew 20
25But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Ye know that the princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them, and they that are great exercise authority upon them.
26But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister;
27And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant:
28Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.

Dr. Mohler Responds To The Pope Primacy Claim

No, I'm Not Offended, by Dr. Albert Mohler:

"...I appreciate the document's clarity on this issue. It all comes down to this -- the claim of the Roman Catholic Church to the primacy of the Bishop of Rome and the Pope as the universal monarch of the church is the defining issue. Roman Catholics and Evangelicals should together recognize the importance of that claim. We should together realize and admit that this is an issue worthy of division.

The Roman Catholic Church is willing to go so far as to assert that any church that denies the papacy is no true church. Evangelicals should be equally candid in asserting that any church defined by the claims of the papacy is no true church. This is not a theological game for children, it is the honest recognition of the importance of the question.

The Reformers and their heirs put their lives on the line in order to stake this claim. In this era of confusion and theological laxity we often forget that this was one of the defining issues of the Reformation itself. Both the Reformers and the Roman Catholic Church staked their claim to be the true church -- and both revealed their most essential convictions in making their argument.

As Martin Luther and John Calvin both made clear, the first mark of the true Church is the ministry of the Word -- the preaching of the Gospel. The Reformers indicted the Roman Catholic Church for failing to exhibit this mark, and thus failing to be a true Church. The Catholic church returned the favor, defining the church in terms of the papacy and magisterial authority. Those claims have not changed."

Awana Embraces Contemplative Spirituality

From Lighthouse Trails Research:

In February of 2006, Lighthouse Trails issued a report titled "Awana: Are They Heading Toward Contemplative/Emergent?" The concerns were over the organization's connection with Willow Creek, with Awana's interest in Spiritual Formation and with a recommended ministry list that included a number of contemplative/emergent organizations, including Youth Specialties. A year and a half later, Awana is showing signs that it is becoming a full-blown contemplative organization. First of all, through Awana's prison project, the organization is incorporating New Age sympathizer Ken Blanchard's Lead Like Jesus Encounter program.

On July 13th, we spoke with Lyndon Azcuna, Awana Cross Cultural Ministries director, who told us he was a Lead Like Jesus facilitator. Azcuna works in the main headquarters office of Awana. He said that the project was using Ken Blanchard's materials. When we explained to him that Blanchard promoted the New Age and mystical meditation, he said that the program did not have these elements.

Read more here...

Every Eye Shall See Him

See & Hear It For Yourself

click on the pic

Two More Votes for Unity Over Doctrine

From Christian Research Network

Way of Life’s Church News Notes reports on the Pope’s primacy assertion and the ecumenical affirmations of two "Baptists" denominations…

POPE REAFFIRMS THAT THE CATHOLIC CHURCH IS THE ONE TRUE CHURCH "…The San Giovanni Laterno Church is the first church of Rome and an inscription on the front (translated from Latin) says, “MOST HOLY LATERAN CHURCH, MOTHER AND MISTRESS OF ALL CHURCHES OF THE CITY AND THE WORLD.” Rome has never renounced this heresy."

HEAD OF COOPERATIVE BAPTIST FELLOWSHIP SAYS WE ARE FREE TO EXPERIMENT In his report at the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship’s annual meeting at the end of June, executive coordinator Daniel Vestal said Baptists must celebrate their freedom. He said: “We are free from the institutions of the past even as we birth and build new institutions for the present. We are free to work with people of other faiths for social justice and racial reconciliation. … We are free to experiment. We are free to explore”

BAPTIST WORLD ALLIANCE STRESSES UNITY OVER DOCTRINE At the July 2-7 meeting of the Baptist World Alliance in Accra, Ghana, outgoing general secretary Denton Lotz said, “Some Baptists seem concerned only about doctrine, but Jesus talked about unity as a great doctrine of the faith”

Editor David Cloud writes:
Thus, the fight for doctrinal purity must grow even fiercer in these last days if God’s people are to remain true to the Bible.

Family Driven Faith

Family Driven Faith, by Dr. Voddie Baucham equips Christian parents with the tools they need to raise children biblically in a post-Christian, anti-family society. Voddie Baucham, who with his wife has overcome a multi-generational legacy of broken and dysfunctional homes, shows that God has not left us alone in raising godly children. He has given us timeless precepts and principles for multi-generational faithfulness, especially in Deuteronomy 6. God’s simple command to Moses to teach the Word diligently to the children of Israel serves as the foundation of Family Driven Faith.

Dr. Voddie Baucham announced the following in September 2006:

"Youth Ministry as we know it has three key problems: The model finds no support in Scripture, it undermines the biblical practice of family discipleship, and it has failed to accomplish the goal for which it was established."

"First, there is no clear biblical mandate for the current approach. I have to choose my words carefully here, since I do not wish to intimate that churches with youth ministries are ‘heretical,’ or ‘unbiblical.’ I fully recognize that many of the things we do in church today are not found in the Bible. We would be hard pressed to find a church building (as we know it), pulpit, or a microphone in the book of Acts. So I am not arguing that the fact that something is not specifically mentioned in Scripture means it is absolutely forbidden in today’s church."

Listen to Dr. Baucham discuss the issues regarding today's youth ministries on the Mike Corley Program.

The Growing Storm Over Israel & The U.S.

Jerry Golden from Israel...

"It is also obvious to me (for what that is worth) that Russia is encouraging such a war as well, not only by supplying their latest high tech weapons to Syria, Iran and indirectly to Hezbollah. It has also occurred to me and many others that Russia has greater ambitions and has never given up their quest for world dominance. In short once again, the bear has never been de-clawed. And the US should be aware of Putin and his desire to see Israel destroyed, knowing that the US will and must be pre-occupied with terrorisms at a level never before experienced in order to stop them from coming to Israel’s side. We should not rule out the fact that Russian Subs are always just off the US coast both on the Atlantic and Pacific armed with enough nukes to totally destroy the US."

Editor's note: Is the intersection of heightened terrorist concerns in the U.S. and the threat of an Aug-Sept Syrian / Israeli war coincidental?

Tiny tablet provides proof for Old Testament

From the Telegraph.co.uk By Nigel Reynolds, Arts Correspondent

The sound of unbridled joy seldom breaks the quiet of the British Museum's great Arched Room, which holds its collection of 130,000 Assyrian cuneiform tablets, dating back 5,000 years. But Michael Jursa, a visiting professor from Vienna, let out such a cry last Thursday. He had made what has been called the most important find in Biblical archaeology for 100 years, a discovery that supports the view that the historical books of the Old Testament are based on fact.

Read more here ...

The ABC's of Catholicism

Former 22-year Roman Catholic priest Richard Bennett of The Berean Beacon compares "The New Catechism" of The Roman Catholic Church and the Bible.

In his 2000 article, Biblical Unity or Papal Conformity? Bennett describes the difference between True and False ecumenism...

"On the other hand, false ecumenism, typically institutionalized, is the joining together for common causes of professing Christian groups, when in fact one or more of the parties involved are unconverted. While purporting to confess the Lord Jesus Christ according to the Scriptures, for the most part the five biblical principles that display the basis of true unity in the Lord are compromised. The extent to which these principles are not upheld usually shows the inclination of the church or group to submit to Rome."

Visit Richard Bennett's Catholics Welcomed Here.

See related article: Conceited Compromisers in the Apostate Church of Rome and their Deceitful “Dialogue”

Apprising Ministries Responds To Papal Primacy & Evangelical Silence

Pastor Ken Silva sends this urgent message to today's popular but silent "Evangelicals":

"...Let me lay it out as plainly as I know how for our spiritually obtuse man-loving new evangelicals in The Ecumenical Church of Deceit like Purpose Driven Pope Rick Warren and Guru Brian McLaren of the neo-liberal cult of the Emergent Church...

Let me explain to you the ONLY dialogue that the Church of Rome is actually going to have with you, no matter how much you praise the "tradition" of their apostate Roman Catholicism as also being Christian will sound like this..."...When are you going to once acknowledge that the Roman Pontiff is the Universal Bishop and the Vicar of Christ over the one true Roman Catholic Church which the Lord established through His Apostle Peter and come back under the authority of Rome."

Back in August 2006, Pastor Ken Silva asked this prophetic question...

YOU WANNA BE A SOLDIER OF CHRIST JESUS?

"You must decide whether this will be the first generation of Christians who get to live in harmony together in this world that cries, “peace and safety” (see–1 Thessalonians 5:3). Or instead, just like every other generation of true Christians, is the Lord telling us the time has now come to pick up our Cross and be about defending His Gospel against the multitudinous attacks now coming on virtually every front against the veracity and authority of God’s Word in the Bible (see–Jude 3).

Are you going to lay down proper doctrine and attempt to find “common ground” with the various false teachings attacking the Reformation and then seek to make peace with these divisions within the Church which God is allowing e.g. the Emergent rebellion (see–1 Corinthians 11:18-19)?"

See related article: ASPECTS OF THE DOCTRINE ON THE ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH

Following The Mystical Money

From Lighthouse Research Trails Project:

Roger Oakland documents in his book, Faith Undone, the money trail between The Lilly Foundation, Youth Ministry & Spirituality Project (Mark Yaconelli of Youth Specialties fame) Purpose Driven's Saddleback Church and Emergent church leaders:

"From the Lilly Endowment Foundation to Youth Ministry & Spirituality Project to the Baptist seminary to be built on the Saddleback campus to train church leaders to use the digital data tracking technology needed to meet and monitor community needs around the world. The name keeps popping up - Lilly Endowment . Huge amounts of money being given in the form of grants to proponents of the emerging church. Lilly gave $691,000 to the Youth Ministry & Spirituality Project (Mark Yaconelli) in 2001. Lilly had funded the beginning of that project in 1997 as well. Lilly also funded Project on Congregations of Intentional Practice, another emerging-type project with Diane Butler Bass . New Age sympathizer Parker Palmer (friend and inspiration to emerging leader, Len Sweet) also enjoyed the benefits of Lilly Endowment grants."

"...according to an article by emergent Tony Jones, in a more recent grant called Faithful Practices, Jones reaped benefits. And the money just keeps coming in. While many think that the emerging church must be a move of God because of its success and popularity, big funding could have more to do with it than anything else. Some of the participants of the Faithful Practices project include Brian McLaren, Tony Jones, Doug Pagitt, and Karen Ward. All four are part of the emergent church and the emerging shift towards the new spirituality that rejects biblical Christianity."

Read the rest of this investigative piece here...

The Moment of Truth

While popular Western Evangelicals are taking their stand on the 2008 campaign trail, poverty, AIDS and global warming, the last two days have seen the Pope declare Catholicism the only true way to salvation, and other religions defective and Hinduism edified as the opening prayer of the U.S. Senate.

Is it too early to expect a formal response from these leaders? The Free Presbyterian Church and The World Alliance of Reformed Churches have wasted no time in objecting to the Pope's statements.

One Christian not afraid to take her stand is Jan Markell of Olive Tree Ministries. She quickly expressed her outraged over Hindu prayer in the Senate.

Will any of the Western Christian leaders refute the Pope's claim of Roman Catholic primacy and stand for the Gospel? Will Western Evangelical leaders just accept the papal relegation of being defined as "ecclesial communities" in the spirit of global unity?

How much time does one need to demonstrate that one is not ashamed of the Gospel?

Embedded In The Truth War

From Christian Research Network

Introduction, page xxiv of The Truth War by Dr. John MacArthur:

Controversy and conflict within the church are never to be relished or engaged in without sufficient cause. But in every generation the battle for the truth has proved ultimately unavoidable, because the enemies of truth are relentless. Truth is always under assault. And it is actually a sin not to fight when the vital truths are under attack.

That is even true even though fighting sometimes results in conflict within the visible community of professing Christians. In fact, whenever the enemies of gospel truth succeed in infiltrating the church, faithful believers are obliged to take the battle to them, even there. That is certainly the case today, as it has been since apostolic times.

Far from Rome, Near to God

Worldwide interest in all things Catholic mixes with consternation over recent disclosures from within the Catholic Church. Amid doctrinal and moral confusion, most issues remain unanalyzed and unexplained, leaving both Catholics and non-Catholics wondering where the Roman Catholic Church really stands. This book leaves no doubt about the truthful answer.

Author Richard Bennett spent forty-eight years in Catholicism and twenty-two as a priest. Well qualified to explain the official Catholic position on Biblical issues and to discuss how that teaching is lived out in daily life, he addresses the 21st century issues of Catholicism with candor, speaking to both mind and heart. Each topic is carefully documented. Read the latest review of the book is by Dr. Peter Masters of Spurgeon's Metropolitan Tabernacle London UK Dr. Peter Masters .

Richard's Bennett's first book continues to be most popular Far from Rome, Near to God: The Testimonies of Fifty Converted Catholic Priests
The book contains the moving testimonies of fifty Catholic priests who found their way, by the grace of God, out of the labyrinth of Roman Catholic theology and practice into the light of the gospel of Christ. It is now easily available at Light House Trails, for details just click on the book.

Many Christians think that the Christian tradition of communion is the same as the Catholic tradition of the Eucharist. But this is not so. The Eucharist (i.e., Transubstantiation ), a Catholic term for communion when the bread and the wine actually become the very body and blood of Jesus Christ, thus when taken the partaker supposedly experiences the presence of God. These transformed elements are placed in what is called a monstrance and can then be worshipped as if worshipping God Himself. The implications are tied in with salvation.

With the Eucharist, salvation becomes sacramental (participation in a ritual) as opposed to justification by faith in Christ alone. While this mystical experience called the Eucharist is a form of idolatry (as well as the very heart of Catholicism), there appears to be an increase of interest by evangelical Christians towards this practice.

In Roger Oakland's vital book, Another Jesus?: The Eucharistic Christ and the New Evangelization, he warns about this growing deception within Christendom. Explaining that Eucharist Adoration (worshipping the sacraments as if they were Jesus Himself) is expected of all Catholics, many evangelicals seem to find no offense in such a doctrine.

Pillar of Fire, Pillar of Truth

Here's more from Roman Catholicism... Catholic Answers: Pillar of Fire, Pillar of Truth

"You may have heard challenges to the Catholic Church’s claim to be the interpreter and safeguard of the teachings of Jesus Christ. Such challenges come from door-to-door missionaries who ask, "Are you saved?"

"...These beliefs include the bodily Resurrection of Jesus, the Real Presence of Jesus in the Eucharist, the sacrificial nature of the Mass, the forgiveness of sins through a priest, baptismal regeneration, the existence of purgatory, Mary’s special role, and much more —even the doctrine of apostolic succession itself."

"...As from the first, God speaks to his Church through the Bible and through sacred Tradition. To make sure we understand him, he guides the Church’s teaching authority—the magisterium—so it always interprets the Bible and Tradition accurately. This is the gift of infallibility."

"It is new, having arisen only in the 1500s during the Protestant Reformation. The theory is a "tradition of men" that nullifies the Word of God, distorts the true role of the Bible, and undermines the authority of the Church Jesus established (Mark 7:1–8). Although popular with many "Bible Christian" churches, the "Bible alone" theory simply does not work in practice. Historical experience disproves it. Each year we see additional splintering among "Bible-believing" religions."

" The Catholic Church teaches what the apostles taught and what the Bible teaches: We are saved by grace alone, but not by faith alone (which is what "Bible Christians" teach; see Jas. 2:24). When we come to God and are justified (that is, enter a right relationship with God), nothing preceding justification, whether faith or good works, earns grace. But then God plants his love in our hearts, and we should live out our faith by doing acts of love (Gal. 6:2)."

"Bible does not teach that Christians have a guarantee of heaven. There can be no absolute assurance of salvation."

Gird yourself with the truth about Roman Catholicism and other world religions...

Thanks to Pastor Jamey Day of Grace Fellowship for the head's up on "Pillar of Fire, Pillar of Truth".

Pope Casts The Next Stone

The Pope draws a line in the sand with other non-Roman Catholic denominations, classifiying "other Christian communities as defective or not true churches and Catholicism provides the only true path to salvation."

Nicole Winfield, Associated Press Writer reports:The statement brought swift criticism from Protestant leaders. ``It makes us question whether we are indeed praying together for Christian unity,'' said the World Alliance of Reformed Churches, a fellowship of 75 million Protestants in more than 100 countries.

The WARC swiftly published a response that included this statement:
"We especially find problematic the statement that, “These ecclesial Communities which, specifically because of the absence of the sacramental priesthood, have not preserved the genuine and integral substance of the Eucharistic Mystery cannot, according to Catholic doctrine, be called ‘Churches’ in the proper sense.”

The doctrines of the Roman Catholic priesthood and the Eucharistic Mystery of transubstantiation are just two examples of the unbiblical foundations of the Roman Catholicism.

It is obvious that the Pope is re-establishing the papacy and Catholicism as the non-negotiable authority of Christ on earth. The question is: If you are a Bible-believing Christian, will you be ready to suffer for your faith?

Back in May 2007, this blog reported: Papal Goal: No Converts to Protestantism
"While pro-Catholic Chuck Colson preps to present at the SBC convention and Rick Warren endorses Catholicism and promotes it in his 40 Days of Purpose , Pope Benedict XVI prepares his bishops by laying down his strategy to combat defections by millions of Catholics joining evangelical Protestant churches in recent years."

The SBC leadership failed to respond to this letter sent by this blog, Calling The SBC. The highlights are:
"As a former Roman Catholic saved by grace and 8 year member of the Southern Baptists, I can not understand why Chuck Colson is presenting at this year's conference. Chuck Colson has a long history of ecumenical efforts and is co-chairman of the Evangelicals-Catholics Together..."

"...Does the Southern Baptist Convention after 500 years now believe that there are minor doctrinal differences between Protestantism and Catholicism?"

In this post, SBC: Silence Breeds Confusion, we read:

"Now that Chuck Colson, cochairman of ECT, has graced the stage of the SBC's 2007 Annual meeting, (along with a cameo appearance of another author of confusion), it is apparent that the response by the SBC leadership's to the call by the Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals has only echoed the sound of silence."

Apprising Ministries writes in Warren's Recommended Catholic Reading For Pastors:

"Rather curious that Rick Warren, arguably the most visible minister in the SBC (Slowly Becoming Catholic), which itself is the largest allegedly “Protestant” denomination in the country, would be encouraging his supposedly “Protestant” brother pastors to be reading about mentoring from an apostate."

SBC Pastor Echoes the Silence of the SBC : Southern Baptist Pastor (former Roman Catholic) Ken Silva sounds off on the edification of Catholicism within the Southern Baptist Convention... "America’s Mega-Pastor Rick Warren, a Southern Baptist “evangelical,” is providing as a helpful link the church for the Vicar for Evangelization in the Office of Black [Roman] Catholics. Can someone please explain to me how the Southern Baptist denomination, allegedly one of the largest “Protestant” denominations in the world, says absolutely nothing while one its most prominent pastors is actively promoting apostate Roman Catholicism and even helping them to build bigger churches?"

Most recently, SBC-ordained Mike Corley cited ecumenism as one of the reasons why he severed his 45 year association with the SBC:

"The promotion and outlright endorsement of unscriptural church growth movements including the seeker-driven, purpose driven life and emergent church movements. The growing acceptance of women in ministry leadership. The denomination's growing involvement in ecumenicalism."

So the question remains for Western evangelicals and specifically the Southern Baptist Convention: Now that the Pope has nullified the ecumenical efforts such as Chuck Colson's Evangelical and Catholics Together and Rick Warren's Purpose Driven for Catholics, will the SBC repent of their Slowly Becoming Catholic ways?

Youth Specialties & The Mike Corley Show

On The Mike Corley Show:

Spiritual Junkfood-The Fight for Christian Youth
In this special repeat broadcast, from the morning version of the program, Mike interviews Cathy Mickels, co-author of Spiritual Junkfood, The Dumbing Down of Christian Youth.

Unknown to many, much of the material being marketed for Christian youth contains anti-biblical philosophies and employs unscriptural teaching methods; Humanistic ideas and teaching

techniques masquerading as "Christian education" are contributing to moral and spiritual confusion in the Church and have the potential of undermining the spiritual training and growth of Christian youth.

Read Spiritual Junk Food: The Dumbing Down of Christian Youth to get an understanding of the magnitude of the problem.

Test Drive Your Faith

The bookstores and the media are filled with images of the Christian life...how God has a wonderful plan for your life, how to have your best life now and how to reposition yourself for full prosperity and real success regardless of title or status.

Well, here's a book that will give your understanding of successful faith a reality check. Laughter Calls Me details a young woman's life from her hitchhiking days to being abandoned with four small children. Struggling as a single mother, her life is shattered when she discovers that her children have been scorched by the lust of men involved in child pornography.

The author shares how God gently drew her to salvation during the choices of her youth. The story reveals how He demonstrated His love and mercy through this horrific experience. Laughter Calls Me describes the reality of God's sovereignty, the gift of His salvation and the newness of life in Christ for those who trust and obey Him regardless of your past or your present.

The "Secret" Seduction

From The Berean Call:

"The latest occult scam to capture the imagination of the West is called The Secret. The book by that name, a top New York Times bestseller, has quickly sold more than 6 million copies and the DVD over 2 million copies. Both contain numerous errors, misrepresentations, false premises, and false promises. Who cares? You should. With the following information, you could rescue someone from hell."

More related articles:

The Universe According to Oprah

A New Mask for an Ancient Secret

The Secret: Christianity or New Age

Erwin McManus: A Secret Behind "The Secret."

The Mystical "Secret"

Ancient eastern thought manifestation repackaged with 21st century marketing...known as The Secret. Endorsed and promoted by Oprah Winfrey, "The Secret to everything - the secret to unlimited joy, health, money, relationships, love, youth: everything you have ever wanted."

Looks like the modern god-of-self Genie is out of the bottle. How long before the mantra-driven youth ministries play this DVD for the children? After all, Oprah says it's ok.

More video revealing Oprah and "The Secret" at Apprising Ministries.

Genesis 3

4But the serpent said to the woman, "You will not surely die. 5For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil."

Mystical Prozac For Youth?

Worldnet Daily reports on the shocking link between psychiatric drugs, suicide, violence and mass murder in this piece called: MANIA:

"...reporting the truth about the relationship between psychiatric medications and mass murderers is just the beginning. "MANIA" also reveals clear and compelling evidence that psychiatric drugs hurt children physically – causing shrinkage of their brains, damage to their hearts and other significant effects."

WND reviews the known "adverse drug reactions" most widely prescribed antidepressants to include: mania, paranoid reaction, psychosis, hallucinations among others.

Are these drug-induced altered states in any way related to the altered states which can be achieved by contemplative prayer? Though the resultant mood-altering characteristics present differently physiologically, are these characteristics rooted in the same spiritual aspect?

Pastor Bob DeWaay writes in Contemporary Christian Divination :

"... many of the teachers of Christian mysticism also warn of dangers that lurk for those who journey within. Kelsey, who learned his version of Christian mysticism by integrating many diverse religious practices with the depth psychology of Carl Jung, claimed that below our rational consciousness lays a whole inner world where one meets the “Other.” The problem is that when people learn techniques to access this inner realm beyond the conscious mind, they often meet horrible forces of darkness."

According to Kelsey, evil exists there that is both intrinsic and extrinsic to the human psyche. Some who go on this journey do not have a strong ego and a strong connection to the outer, material world, and cannot get back.

"If it is so dangerous (as other Christian mystics besides Kelsey also admit), why go there? The answer is that mystics think that God is to be found within. The realm of the unconscious mind, demonic powers, Jesus Christ and His kingdom, and any other spiritual reality is hidden from us through normal means of knowing. Kelsey describes his beliefs:

There are various techniques for opening up the tight capsule of space and time. Zen and Yoga, paying attention to dreams, prayer, contemplation, meditation, and the use of biofeedback all can be helpful for some people in reaching stillness and opening themselves to new experiences within. . . . There is a real danger in much of Eastern thought and in our own scientific probing into the mind, but is not because there is something dark and evil lurking in either of them. The danger lies in the fact that Eastern ways of prayer and scientific interest in altered states of consciousness do not go far enough. The road stops once the relaxation, the peace and the detachment, or the extrasensory perception is achieved, and then one is left to wander."

"Kelsey thinks that those on the “inner journey” have to navigate the dangers and press further inward until they meet God there and find wholeness."

"Richard Foster also mentions the danger: “So that we may not be led astray, however, we must understand that we are not engaging in some flippant work. We are not calling on some cosmic bellhop. This is a serious and even dangerous business.”

In Sarah Belle Dougherty's Inducing Altered States we find:

"Today there is a proliferation of techniques that induce altered states of consciousness -- most stem from traditional sources, some combined with techniques from modern research. Meditation, yoga, tantra, drumming, chanting, ecstatic dance, hypnosis, sensory deprivation, and chemicals among many others are widely available and much publicized. Often these practices are accompanied by psychophysical and "mystical" phenomena. Modern healing and psychotherapy are increasingly incorporating various traditional methods which involve these states and phenomena, gradually working toward a synthesis of ancient wisdom and modern science, both theoretically and practically."

Former New Ager Brian Flynn of One Truth Ministries writes Be Still and Know … that you are being deceived:

"This is the only way that one can truly silence the mind. It is like putting the mind in neutral. Without repetition your own thoughts simply get in the way. We are beings that simply cannot shut off our thoughts, but you can through repetition, by going into an altered state. Hindus have practiced this type of meditation for centuries."

Regardless of the touted health benefits of yoga, meditation, etc. it is obvious that DANGER is present in the altered state of consciousness. Whether it is in the form of a pill, the form of a lotus, or in the form of a cross, an altered state of consciousness is playing Russian Roulette with spiritual forces. Guns, like drugs, should be kept out of reach from children.

Green Lies and Amazing Truths

Berit Kjos of Kjos Ministries drills down on the Green Agenda & global warming…

"Opposing today’s deceptive propaganda, "more than 17,100 basic and applied American scientists (physicists, geophysicists, climatologists, meteorologists, oceanographers, and environmental scientists) have dared to publicly disagree with the supposed "global warming" consensus. Their research showed that the increase of "atmospheric carbon dioxide during the 20th Century have produced no deleterious effects upon global weather, climate, or temperature. Increased carbon dioxide has, however, markedly increased plant growth rates." Other concerned scientists warn us that the ominous media predictions are "based solely on unproven scientific theories, imperfect computer models — and the unsupported assumptions that catastrophic global warming follows from the burning of fossil fuels and requires immediate action."

See also:
The Seeds of the Global Warming Police State?

Climate Change: Stand Against False Gospel

WHY ARE AMERICANS IGNORANT OF 'AGENDA 21'?

Editor's note: The current U.S. policy (or lack there of ) on immigration and border security now makes complete sense in light of Agenda 21. Say hello to the North American Union.

Daniel 7

23Thus he said, The fourth beast shall be the fourth kingdom upon earth, which shall be diverse from all kingdoms, and shall devour the whole earth, and shall tread it down, and break it in pieces. 24And the ten horns out of this kingdom are ten kings that shall arise: and another shall rise after them; and he shall be diverse from the first, and he shall subdue three kings.

CLOSE ENCOUNTERS OF THE WRONG KIND

Pastor Ken Silva peels back the cover of the mystical pursuit of today's youth by wolves in sheeps' clothing...

"...on the word of Guru Brian McLaren, one of the major leaders in the neo-orthodox (at best) Emergent rebellion against the Bible, Tony Jones has provided “an important resource” for the “spiritual formation” of your youth. And Dr. Kenda Dean, ordained as an elder in violation of the Word of God, tells us Jones makes these alleged “ancient spiritual teachers” familiar to your kids to guide them “in the life of prayer.”

But what they aren’t telling you is that this so-called spiritual formation is the counterfeit Christianity of contemplative spirituality which flowered in the antibiblical monastic traditions of apostate Roman Catholicism. And these ancient spiritual teachers in turn developed their own “spiritual disciplines” from the mystic musings of the apostate eastern “Desert Fathers and Mothers” who had originally taken them from pagan practices they had gleaned meditating with Hindus and Buddhists.

Don't Give Spiritual Custody of Your Children to The Church

Youth Pastor Ray Baumann writes at Worldview Weekend:

"Youth ministry has become big business because parents would rather put kids in a program then have to do it themselves. Youth ministries would be unnecessary if the believers took their biblical mandate to parent seriously. There would be prayer and study going on at home. Imagine that--having church with just your family."

"Why is it a great concern for many parents that a church has a children’s or youth ministry program? Because parents are looking to sign over spiritual custody of their children to the church. The last place I want my kids to hear about Jesus is on Sunday. We need to continually reference teachings out of the Bible to our children at home."

Editor's note: If more parents and pastors take the narrow way instead of the broadway, they would see the very real threats that exists in today's church.

Oozing with Mysticism

Another collaborator of Youth Specialties Youth Workers' conventions has been Spencer Burke, founder of The OOZE.com. To his credit, Burke describes the disillusionment he experienced as a staff-pastor for a megachurch in The Search for Authentic Expression. His thirst for spiritual fulfilment was quenched by Catholic mysticism. Burke writes of this turning point in his life:

"I stopped reading from the approved evangelical reading list and began to distance myself from the evangelical agenda. I discovered new authors and new voices at the bookstore-Thomas Merton, Henri Nouwen and St. Teresa of Avila. The more I read, the more intrigued I became. Contemplative spirituality seemed to open up a whole new way for me to understand and experience God. I was deeply moved by works like The Cloud of Unknowing, The Dark Night of the Soul and the Early Writings of the Desert Fathers."

Now, The Ooze sponsors the Soularize Learning Party... "Come and lend your voice, your experience, and your dreams as we explore the Evolving Church – rethinking and reinvent what the Church could be in years ahead." Guest presenters include former Roman Catholic priest Brennan Manning, Anglican Bishop N.T. Wright, Christian feminist Rita Nakashima Brock, Ph.D, and Roman Catholic priest Father Richard Rohr who instructs in the mystical use of the Enneagram, which is believed to be rooted in the Islamic-Sufi mystical tradition by the Vatican.

And if you can't make it to the Soularize weekend in the Bahamas, just go to The Southern Baptists' publishing house, Lifeway Christian Book stores. You can find Burke, Youth Specialties and other contemplative authors to share with your children. Caveat emptor.

Related articles:

Spencer Burke

Brennan Manning

SPENCER BURKE’S PANENTHEISM

Mike Corley Sounds the Trumpet

Pastor Ken Silva comments on Mike Corley's annoucement as to Why I Have Left the SBC...

"Take note Dr. Frank Page, this will not be the last. Regardless of where he might see his association with me personally I commend Mike Corley, whom I consider a friend and a dear brother in Christ, for his boldness in stating why he has left the Slowly Becoming Catholic that had been a part of his life for "45 years." In this piece at his blog The Expositor Corley writes:

The factors that led to my decision include:
The embrace of Arminianism, and in some cases outright Pelagianism, evident in evangelism, missions and discipleship, which place more emphasis on the contribution of man than to the sovereignty and glorification of God. The promotion and outlright endorsement of unscriptural church growth movements including the seeker-driven, purpose driven life and emergent church movements. The growing acceptance of women in ministry leadership. The denomination's growing involvement in ecumenicalism."

See related SBC (Soiled By Compromise) articles here...

Please Contemplate This

By T.A. McMahon, The Berean Call:

"Mark Yaconelli is co-director of the Youth Ministry and Spirituality Project (YMSP), an Eli Lilly (makers of Prozac) endowed program which is introducing contemplative spirituality to young people throughout the country. He is also an adjunct professor of youth ministries at San Francisco Theological Seminary. His father is Mike Yaconelli, head of Youth Specialities, a major evangelical organization serving "more than 80,000 youth workers worldwide through training seminars, conventions, videos, magazines, and resource products."

"One Youth Specialities seminar is "Sabbath: A [Contemplative] Spiritual Retreat for Youth Workers," which Mark Yaconelli leads. In an article for the popular, youth-oriented Group magazine, Mark states, "The YMSP approach to youth ministry pushes for a return to God-awareness...[noting] that middle school and senior high kids are hungry to encounter God directly and eager to learn contemplative spiritual practices."

"Have you ever found the biblical gospel in any of the classic or modern contemplative materials? Could there be any significance in the fact that this movement practically died out after the Reformation, only to be revived today! How does one discern whether or not the God being "heard" through the subjective, experiential mode of communication is truly our Lord speaking—especially if the authority and sufficiency of His Word is downplayed, even rejected?"

See related article with Rick Warren and others who were guest speakers at Youth Specialties' 2004 National Pastors' Conference, that was submerged with yoga, contemplative prayer and Catholic mysticism.

Luke 17
1Then said he unto the disciples, It is impossible but that offences will come: but woe unto him, through whom they come! 2It were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he cast into the sea, than that he should offend one of these little ones.

Pelagianism

From Christian Research Network:

Michael S. Horton of Modern Reformation Magazine reviews pelagianism’s past and present…

"Ever since the Enlightenment, the Protestant churches have been influenced by successive waves of rationalism and moralism that have made the Pelagian heresy attractive. It is fascinating, if frustrating, to read the great architects of modern liberalism as they triumphantly announce their project. They sound as if it were a new theological enterprise to say that human nature is basically good, history is marked by progress, that social and moral improvement will create happiness, peace, and justice.

Really, it is merely a revival of that age-old religion of human nature. The rationalistic phase of liberalism saw religion not as a plan of salvation, but as a method of morality. The older views concerning human sinfulness and dependence on divine mercy were thought by modern theologians to stand in the way of the Enlightenment project of building a new world, a tower reaching to heaven, just as Pelagius viewed Augustinian teaching as impeding his project of moral reform."

Editor's note: The resemblance of Rick Warren's Purpose Driven religion and PEACE Plan to pelagianism is undeniable. The result of the Purpose Driven religion will manifest itself as thousands of bricks in the new, global Tower of Babel, otherwise known as The New World Order.

Malachi 2:7-8

7For the priest's lips should keep knowledge, and they should seek the law at his mouth: for he is the messenger of the LORD of hosts.
8But ye are departed out of the way; ye have caused many to stumble at the law; ye have corrupted the covenant of Levi, saith the LORD of hosts.

Rick Warren & Youth Specialties

Sadddleback Church's support of Youth Specialties mystical and emergent approach to youth ministry is blessed with this seal of approval from CEO pastor, Rick Warren...

From Pastor Ken Silva at Apprising Ministries:

"...if you still had any doubt left this is more spiritual cyanide from the neo-liberal cult of the Emergent Church and more of the same semi-pelagian man-loving garbage of the new evangelicalism passing for Christianity, then consider this ringing endorsement of Youth Specialties from the Pastors.com website of Rick Warren the Purpose Driven Pope:

"Youth Specialties puts “churchianity” on hold in exchange for an “outside of the box” ministry to what’s really going on in today’s society. This site provides ground-breaking resources that cut to the core of training youth workers and students to be the people God made them to be. This site should be at the top of every youth workers favorites." (Online source)

See related articles on Youth Specialties:
Desert Youth Worker

The Mystical Convergence of the Purpose Driven, Seeker Sensitive & Emergent

Youth Specialties: Mystical Youth Ministry

Tony Jones And The Emergent Sacred Way

Youth Specialties and The Emerging Church

Youth Ministry & The Doctrine of Demons

Throwing Youth Ministry Into The Lions' Den

Fight The Flood of Deception

Growing Evangelical Fascination with Rome

From CrossTalk Radio

Mike Gendron is the Director of Proclaiming the Gospel Ministries. He is the author of books such as Preparing Catholics for Eternity, and Roman Catholicism: Scripture Verses Tradition.

The Emergent Church movement is growing. It's a church that rejects the current seeker friendly movement and instead offers an experience with God. The problem with this is that subjective experience is replacing the objective truth of God's Word.

It's this desire for an experience with God that has the Emergent Church taking on some of the traditions of medieval Roman Catholicism. In fact, because of subjective experiences, some evangelicals and Protestants, from lay people to pastors, are bypassing the Emergent churches and going right back to the Catholic faith.

Click here to listen ...

Flirting With Disaster

From Christain Research Network:

Another example of Roman Catholic Mysticism promoted by the Emergents…In between organizing events for the Presbymergents, the online community for those who live in both the Presbyterian (PCUSA) and Emergent/emerging church worlds, Karen Sloan has authored a book titled "Flirting With Monasticism". Sloan references Ancient Body Prayers & The Nine Ways of Prayer of St. Dominic.

While the mind speaks prayers of humility, "the soul, in moving the body, is moved by it." Movements such as bowing, and genuflecting are still present today in the Catholic mass. Significant to note the self flagellation illustrated by The Third Way of Prayer:

"Saint Dominic would rise from the ground and give himself the discipline with an iron chain, saying, "Thy discipline has corrected me unto the end" [Ps. 17:36]. This is why the Order decreed, in memory of his example, that all the brethren should receive the discipline with wooden switches upon their shoulders as they were bowing down in worship and reciting the psalm "Miserere" or "De Profundis" after Compline on ferial days. This is performed for their own faults or for those of others whose alms they receive and rely upon. No matter how sinless he may be, no one is to desist from this holy example which is shown in the drawing."

Self flagellation and corporal mortification historically have been a "works / penance" offering and a "demonstration" of following Christ within Catholicism. Mortification also exists as a religious ritual in other world religions.

WHAT’S GOING ON IN YOUR CHURCH’S YOUTH GROUP

From Apprising Ministries...

ROB BELL: Setting Himself Adrift By Rejecting The Sola Scriptura Of Protestant Theology

Pastor Rob Bell is pastor of Mars Hill Bible Church and is still perhaps best known in the mainstream evangelical community through his Nooma videos. In a remarkable impression of Richard Nixon, who became famous for his protest: “I’m not a crook”, Rob Bell also insists he has no connection the cult of new liberal theology which is the Emergent Church. However, his theology and associations are well within the Emergent camp whether he wants the association or not.

Fight The Flood of Deception

*Click on these book covers for more information on the titles and authors

Who better to warn the church about New Age practices infiltrating the church than a former New Age medium? Running Against the Wind is a relevant and crucial warning to believers and an evangelistic tool to those caught up in New Age and Eastern spirituality. Brian Flynn is the founder of the One Truth Ministries based in Minneapolis, MN.




Is the emerging church movement just another passing fad, a more contemporary approach to church, or a bunch of disillusioned young people looking for answers? In fact, it is actually much broader and is influencing Christianity to a significant degree. Grounded in a centuries-old mystical approach, this movement is powerful, yet highly deceptive, and it draws its energy from practices and experiences that are foreign to traditional evangelical Christianity. The path that the emerging church is taking is leading right into the arms of Roman Catholicism and ultimately to an interfaith perspective that has prophetically profound ramifications.
Visit Roger Oakland's Understanding The Times International


From a Former New Ager..."I spent 20 years of active involvement in the New Age. This included visualization and Transcendental Meditation to induce altered states of consciousness. Since accepting the Lord 16 years ago I have noticed that many who call themselves Christians participate and promote many of the techniques used by New Agers including contemplative or centering prayer. Your book is very revealing how Satan has deceived even the elect in accepting his deception as to how these techniques open up the individual to a deeper relationship with God, when in all reality they are drawn in deeper to the influence and/or control by evil spirits. It is extremely important that your message gets out to the Christian community."


Exposing the Dangers of Contemplative Prayer
Questions this book answers ...
1. Is Rick Warren's Purpose Driven paradigm promoting the contemplative prayer movement?
2. How and through whom is great delusion moving into the majority of churches today?
3. What is wrong with "Christian" yoga?
4. What is the emerging church really all about and why is it a dangerous spirituality? Also find out about practices such as the labyrinth, reiki, meditation, breath prayers, spiritual directors and much, much more.


The quest to "discover the will of God", discern the mysterious promptings of the Spirit and open the floodgates of divine communication are all hot topics in popular Christian culture, and cause much unnecessary anguish and confusion.

But what does the Bible say? Pastor Gilley shows in clear precise language what God’s Word teaches on this important subject . Visit Southern View Chapel




Listen to Pastor Bob DeWaay's Critical Issues Commentary radio series on Divination and Mysticism here...

Visit Apprising Ministries and Lighthouse Research Trails Research for more information on contemplative and mystical practices.

Desert Youth Worker

From Youth Specialties, by Mike Perschon:

Despite a growing interest in the disciplines, thanks largely to the huge and continually growing success of Richard Foster's book, Evangelical Christians are still apprehensive about the subject of meditation and contemplative approaches to Christian living. While serving as staff pastor at a large summer camp in British Columbia, I came face to face with the suspicions that still surround the mystical approaches to Christianity. Each morning I was responsible for staff devotions. My devotional experiences for the past ten years have been largely contemplative, and so I purposed to teach the group the same. The morning after I expressed my intention to the group, a young lady came to me with a concerned expression.
"You're going to teach us to meditate?" she asked.
"That's right," I said.
"Isn't that New Age or Buddhist?" she asked.
"Well, Buddhists do meditate, and there are many New Age meditative practices, but what I'm going to teach is Christian meditation." I silently promised myself to never use the word meditation in a public Christian setting ever again.
"What's the difference?"
"Well, on the surface, nothing. The approach to meditation for a Buddhist looks an awful lot like what I do. The difference is the reason we're doing it. The Buddhist empties the mind for the sake of emptying it. The Christian empties the mind to fill it with Christ."

Pershon shares his insight into Deep Breathing, Lectio Divina, Ignatian Contemplation, Labyrinths, Taizé here at another post on the Youth Specialties website.