An integral part of “spiritual formation” disciplines, contemplative prayer (aka centering prayer, abiding prayer, breath prayer, Jesus prayer) is described by Richard Foster as: wordless (no content), not for the novice (exclusive), unmediated, and dangerous. Thomas Merton gives the dangers: … Continue reading
Elizabeth Prata has blogged about her concerns before, as you will see in the links she provides at the end of her piece. Before we get to her major concerns, I must remind you that in 2012 CRN reported that … Continue reading
(Marsha West – Christian Research Network) Sadly, “Christian” book sellers line their shelves with books that are clearly unbiblical. Books that put a positive spin on New Age spirituality, Eastern mysticism, LGBTQ+ issues and so forth are available through online … Continue reading
This article by CRN managing editor Marsha West was first published September 13, 2017. In 2012 I penned a series of articles entitled “Liberals Created the Culture of Evil and Death.” Due to the aggressive tactics of the “fake news” … Continue reading
Definition of Contemplative Prayer: A form of Christian mysticism that allegedly brings about a mystical union with God. The mystical “spirituality” that is so popular in evangelical and charismatic circles today is a yearning for an experiential relationship with God … Continue reading
9 “I kept looking Until thrones were set up, And the Ancient of Days took His seat; His vesture was like white snow And the hair of His head like pure wool. His throne was ablaze with flames, Its wheels … Continue reading
This article by CRN managing editor Marsha West was published December 3, 2016. Do not be fooled by professing Christians who prefer either “progressive Christian” or “social justice Christian” over evangelical. It matters not what trendy terms they come up … Continue reading
From Berean Research: This week, long-time Bible Study Fellowship International (BSF) leader Linda Davis is warning members signed up for this fall’s new study, People of the Promised Land. Davis is a BSF veteran of 22 years. Please consider sharing … Continue reading
(Berean Research) What is the difference between the spiritual transformation that happens through the Holy Spirit, and the Spiritual Formation movement that swept through our churches a few years ago? The difference is night and day. I remember talking about … Continue reading
This is the story of one church taking drastic steps to rid itself of the heresy from its church library. Church libraries are a great source for free Christian reads, and those nice librarians rarely charge late fees. Notice I … Continue reading
(Lighthouse Trails) For many years, Lighthouse Trails has written about the slide that Biola University in Southern California has taken into contemplative spirituality. Our first indication that the school was heading that way was in February of 2006 when we … Continue reading
When I penned this piece in 2010, my aim was to inform professing Christians, who had convinced themselves that it’s okay to practice “Christian yoga,” that it is not okay at all. At that point yoga, which has its roots … Continue reading
In 2012 I penned a series of articles entitled “Liberals Created the Culture of Evil and Death.” Due to the aggressive tactics of the “fake news” media and counterfeit Christians, I decided to re-post part 3. One of the liberals … Continue reading
This piece by Tamara Hartzell is posted over at Lighthouse Trails: “Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. For the time will come when they will not endure sound … Continue reading
CRN agrees with Lighthouse Trails (LHT) that there is no question that these men are Emergent/Contemplatives who are known for engaging in a set of disciplines known as Spiritual Formation. Pastor Ken Silva of Apprising Ministries spent a great deal of his … Continue reading
Lighthouse Trails has this lead in followed by a letter from someone who is concerned about the direction AWANA has taken, i.e. getting youngsters involved in unbiblical Spiritual Formation: Today, the church is “reaping the fruit” of nearly 40 years of … Continue reading
6 And he said to me, “These words are faithful and true”; and the Lord, the God of the spirits of the prophets, sent His angel to show to His bond-servants the things which must soon take place. 7 “And … Continue reading
Lighthouse Trails does not want us to forget how certain esteemed Christian leaders introduced the evangelical community to contemplative prayer (CP), also referred to as centering prayer, breath prayer, meditation and listening prayer. Why is this important to remember? For the reason … Continue reading
9 “I kept looking Until thrones were set up, And the Ancient of Days took His seat; His vesture was like white snow And the hair of His head like pure wool. His throne was ablaze with flames, Its wheels … Continue reading
Berean Research fills us in on Brian McLaren’s latest endeavor: worship music with spiritual formation value. McLaren says his music will be “theologically thoughtful.” But because Brian McLaren is a heretic, we can expect his music to be theologically twisted. A … Continue reading
9 “I kept looking Until thrones were set up, And the Ancient of Days took His seat; His vesture was like white snow And the hair of His head like pure wool. His throne was ablaze with flames, Its wheels … Continue reading
Several years ago I penned a piece entitled “Caught up in a cult?” My concern at the time was that a growing number of people were being drawn into cults and cult-like groups that call themselves Christian. They had no … Continue reading
From Berean Research: Roger Oakland of Understand the Times International says that Calvary Chapel has a new found connection with Bill Hybels, one of the architects of the seeker-sensitive movement. Oakland wonders how big of an impact this union will have. There’s … Continue reading
16 But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh. (Galatians 5:16 NASB) What is Spiritual Formation and Contemplative Spirituality? Are these just another term for Christian spiritual growth or “the way … Continue reading
From Berean Research: The first time I heard the term lectio divina I thought it was from the Harry Potter books, probably a spell cast by Harry to render an enemy helpless. But, no, as it so happens it’s Latin … Continue reading