God is not the author of confusion
So why are so many Christians confused these days?
Even discernment ministries can cause confusion.
Lets look at a example.
I have friends who write for the Christian Worldview Network run by Brannon Howse.
Brannon seems like a good guy and there are some really solid writers with good information on his website.
But Brannon sells tapes with David Jeremiah on them from his website.
Some of these same contributors on Brannons website have spoken out against David Jeremiah.
Perhaps in the future these same contributors will no longer be allowed to speak against David if they still want to be on Brannons team?
Who knows.
Are we causing confusion in our own camp?
It all seems like hypocrisy to me.
Brannon also promotes Don Wilomon who also promotes contemplative through the AFA.
Are we guilty of causing confusion by partnering with people who are widely read?
All for the sake of numbers.
Dont you think God could get your message out without Brannons help if Brannon chooses to compromise?
Where is your faith?
When are we going to trust God instead of our own man made networking abilities?
When will we realize that compromising for the sake of numbers is not Gods will.
If just one person by the will of God gets our warning or mesasage is nt that worth a lot more than compromising for the sake of numbers.
What if God only wanted the one or two warned?
I hope you think they are worth it.
Things at times may seem small compared to the big numbers compromises show for their own glory.
But they honor God because we are relying on His wisdom.
Not our own.
Here are some articles that back up what I have stated here.
from the Lighthouse Trails
"David Jeremiah Promotes Purpose Driven and Contemplative Through EBI EBI (Equip Biblical Institute) is a ministry of Jeremiah's Shadow Mountain Community Church Equip Biblical Institute is a ministry of Shadow Mountain Community Church (David Jeremiah) and "was organized to assist Southern Baptist churches." (see catalog) Course titles include: Healthy Churches, Spiritual Foundations, Spiritual Leadership and many others. These courses use books by authors such as Rick Warren, Bruce Wilkinson, Andy Stanley and others who promote contemplative and/or the emerging church movements. In the EBI "Article Links" section, article links are to NavPress, Rev Magazine, Pastors.com, Wheaton College and LifeWay, all of which promote contemplative spirituality. Caution should be used when studying courses at Equip Biblical Institute. Better yet, find a Christian college or seminary that does not promote contemplative, Purpose Driven or the emerging church.
American Family Association has removed the "Mysticism" category from their Resource Center; however, the same authors who appeared under "Mysticism" have remained available to buyers and can be found in other categories on the store. Some of these authors like Evelyn Underhill and Jean-Pierre De Caussade can be found under the category Spirituality (in Spiritual Growth section). Others can be found throughout the Resource Center bookstore. Evelyn Underhill was a mystic who believed that mysticism was the vehicle in which all religions could come into contact with the "Absolute" (God) however one perceived him to be. She states:
[T]hose who use the term "Mysticism" are bound in self-defence to explain what they mean by it. Broadly speaking, I understand it to be the expression of the innate tendency of the human spirit towards complete harmony with the transcendental order; whatever be the theological formula under which that order is understood. Whether that end be called the God of Christianity, the World-soul of Pantheism, the Absolute of Philosophy, the desire to attain it and the movement towards it-so long as this is a genuine life process and not an intellectual speculation-is the proper subject of mysticism. I believe this movement to represent the true line of development of the highest form of human consciousness. - Underhill, from Mysticism: A Study in Nature and Development of Spiritual ConsciousnessUnderhill's belief that mysticism united all the world's religious traditions and that "God" could be found at the center of it, is the core of contemplative spirituality. Tony Campolo (in his book, Speaking My Mind) recognizes this when he suggests that Christianity and Islam can come together by way of mysticism:
Beyond these models of reconciliation, a theology of mysticism provides some hope for common ground between Christianity and Islam. Both religions have within their histories examples of ecstatic union with God ... I do not know what to make of the Muslim mystics, especially those who have come to be known as the Sufis. What do they experience in their mystical experiences? Could they have encountered the same God we do in our Christian mysticism?" (pp. 149-150) But this presents a serious problem for the Bible believing Christian, for Scripture says that the only way to reach God is through a relationship with Jesus Christ:
I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture. (John 10:9) Panentheists, like Underhill, would reject that. Calvin Miller, another author who was on the AFA "Mysticism" category, is still on the AFA store. In fact, AFA is listing just about every book Miller has written. In Miller's book, Into the Depths of God, he clearly reveals his mystical proclivities. Quotes and references in the book offers a who's who of contemplatives: Thomas Merton, St. John of the Cross, Hildegard of Bingen, Ignatius, the Desert Fathers and more. Of centering prayer, Miller states:
Centering is the merger of two "selves"--ours and his. Centering is union with Christ. It is not a union that eradicates either self but one that heightens both (p. 107.) Miller also quotes Karl Rahner as saying: "The Christian of the future will either be a mystic or not exist at all" (p. 122). Rahner's statement may indeed become a reality if Christian leaders like AFA refuse to acknowledge the serious implications of allowing books promoting contemplative mysticism to flourish and grow in influence. And when one realizes that contemplative is being heralded by influential Christians like Rick Warren and Brian McLaren (considered to be two of the most influential evangelical leaders today), then it is easier to see just how widespread this really is. Yes, the "Mysticism" category is gone from the AFA website, but the contents of that category are not. It's kind of like a child who hides his peas under the edge of his plate, thinking he has them safely out of view. It is puzzling to see that AFA does not take the spiritual persuasions of the books they sell and promote as seriously as they do the problems in the secular world. We wouldn't expect secular businesses like Amazon.com or Barnes and Noble to pull such books from their stock, but we would think one could expect more from Christian businesses and ministries - especially those who warn of dangers in the secular marketplace?
Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth....Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity. (II Timothy 2:15, 19) This article or excerpt was posted on January 10, 2007@ 6:44 pm .From: http://www.lighthousetrailsresearch.com
Even discernment ministries can cause confusion.
Lets look at a example.
I have friends who write for the Christian Worldview Network run by Brannon Howse.
Brannon seems like a good guy and there are some really solid writers with good information on his website.
But Brannon sells tapes with David Jeremiah on them from his website.
Some of these same contributors on Brannons website have spoken out against David Jeremiah.
Perhaps in the future these same contributors will no longer be allowed to speak against David if they still want to be on Brannons team?
Who knows.
Are we causing confusion in our own camp?
It all seems like hypocrisy to me.
Brannon also promotes Don Wilomon who also promotes contemplative through the AFA.
Are we guilty of causing confusion by partnering with people who are widely read?
All for the sake of numbers.
Dont you think God could get your message out without Brannons help if Brannon chooses to compromise?
Where is your faith?
When are we going to trust God instead of our own man made networking abilities?
When will we realize that compromising for the sake of numbers is not Gods will.
If just one person by the will of God gets our warning or mesasage is nt that worth a lot more than compromising for the sake of numbers.
What if God only wanted the one or two warned?
I hope you think they are worth it.
Things at times may seem small compared to the big numbers compromises show for their own glory.
But they honor God because we are relying on His wisdom.
Not our own.
Here are some articles that back up what I have stated here.
from the Lighthouse Trails
"David Jeremiah Promotes Purpose Driven and Contemplative Through EBI EBI (Equip Biblical Institute) is a ministry of Jeremiah's Shadow Mountain Community Church Equip Biblical Institute is a ministry of Shadow Mountain Community Church (David Jeremiah) and "was organized to assist Southern Baptist churches." (see catalog) Course titles include: Healthy Churches, Spiritual Foundations, Spiritual Leadership and many others. These courses use books by authors such as Rick Warren, Bruce Wilkinson, Andy Stanley and others who promote contemplative and/or the emerging church movements. In the EBI "Article Links" section, article links are to NavPress, Rev Magazine, Pastors.com, Wheaton College and LifeWay, all of which promote contemplative spirituality. Caution should be used when studying courses at Equip Biblical Institute. Better yet, find a Christian college or seminary that does not promote contemplative, Purpose Driven or the emerging church.
American Family Association has removed the "Mysticism" category from their Resource Center; however, the same authors who appeared under "Mysticism" have remained available to buyers and can be found in other categories on the store. Some of these authors like Evelyn Underhill and Jean-Pierre De Caussade can be found under the category Spirituality (in Spiritual Growth section). Others can be found throughout the Resource Center bookstore. Evelyn Underhill was a mystic who believed that mysticism was the vehicle in which all religions could come into contact with the "Absolute" (God) however one perceived him to be. She states:
[T]hose who use the term "Mysticism" are bound in self-defence to explain what they mean by it. Broadly speaking, I understand it to be the expression of the innate tendency of the human spirit towards complete harmony with the transcendental order; whatever be the theological formula under which that order is understood. Whether that end be called the God of Christianity, the World-soul of Pantheism, the Absolute of Philosophy, the desire to attain it and the movement towards it-so long as this is a genuine life process and not an intellectual speculation-is the proper subject of mysticism. I believe this movement to represent the true line of development of the highest form of human consciousness. - Underhill, from Mysticism: A Study in Nature and Development of Spiritual ConsciousnessUnderhill's belief that mysticism united all the world's religious traditions and that "God" could be found at the center of it, is the core of contemplative spirituality. Tony Campolo (in his book, Speaking My Mind) recognizes this when he suggests that Christianity and Islam can come together by way of mysticism:
Beyond these models of reconciliation, a theology of mysticism provides some hope for common ground between Christianity and Islam. Both religions have within their histories examples of ecstatic union with God ... I do not know what to make of the Muslim mystics, especially those who have come to be known as the Sufis. What do they experience in their mystical experiences? Could they have encountered the same God we do in our Christian mysticism?" (pp. 149-150) But this presents a serious problem for the Bible believing Christian, for Scripture says that the only way to reach God is through a relationship with Jesus Christ:
I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture. (John 10:9) Panentheists, like Underhill, would reject that. Calvin Miller, another author who was on the AFA "Mysticism" category, is still on the AFA store. In fact, AFA is listing just about every book Miller has written. In Miller's book, Into the Depths of God, he clearly reveals his mystical proclivities. Quotes and references in the book offers a who's who of contemplatives: Thomas Merton, St. John of the Cross, Hildegard of Bingen, Ignatius, the Desert Fathers and more. Of centering prayer, Miller states:
Centering is the merger of two "selves"--ours and his. Centering is union with Christ. It is not a union that eradicates either self but one that heightens both (p. 107.) Miller also quotes Karl Rahner as saying: "The Christian of the future will either be a mystic or not exist at all" (p. 122). Rahner's statement may indeed become a reality if Christian leaders like AFA refuse to acknowledge the serious implications of allowing books promoting contemplative mysticism to flourish and grow in influence. And when one realizes that contemplative is being heralded by influential Christians like Rick Warren and Brian McLaren (considered to be two of the most influential evangelical leaders today), then it is easier to see just how widespread this really is. Yes, the "Mysticism" category is gone from the AFA website, but the contents of that category are not. It's kind of like a child who hides his peas under the edge of his plate, thinking he has them safely out of view. It is puzzling to see that AFA does not take the spiritual persuasions of the books they sell and promote as seriously as they do the problems in the secular world. We wouldn't expect secular businesses like Amazon.com or Barnes and Noble to pull such books from their stock, but we would think one could expect more from Christian businesses and ministries - especially those who warn of dangers in the secular marketplace?
Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth....Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity. (II Timothy 2:15, 19) This article or excerpt was posted on January 10, 2007@ 6:44 pm .From: http://www.lighthousetrailsresearch.com
posted by Tim Wirth | 11:52 AM
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