Letters to Richard Abanes Concerning Ken Blanchard and the New Age Movement
This is from my friend and brother in the Lord Bud Press.
If you are not familiar with Richard Abanes he is the unofficial apologist for Rick Warrens faith and all things purpose driven. Tim
Letters to Richard Abanes Concerning
Ken Blanchard and the New Age Movement
by Bud Press, Director
Christian Research Service
www.christianresearchservice.com
March 24, 2008
Introduction: Christian Research Service, along with other discernment ministries, has spent over three years researching Ken Blanchard and his Lead Like Jesus movement. Blanchard, the co-founder of Lead Like Jesus and Chief Spiritual Officer of The Ken Blanchard Companies, claims to be a Christian, but has amassed an incredible track-record of involvement with and participation in the New Age Movement.
While rumors abound about when Blanchard became a Christian, on page VIII of his 2005 book, Lead Like Jesus, Blanchard states he began reading the Bible "When I turned my life over to the Lord in the late 1980s."
Further, on page 1 of his Spring 2007 article, "to Quack or to Soar?" Blanchard states that he "became a Christian in 1988," and further states that,
Henry Blackerby and I agree on this: He says the great spiritual revolution will come from businesspeople by demonstration, not proclamation. It will not come from evangelism.
I pray every morning, "Lord, protect me from your people." I have never met such vicious people as Christians. They want to be right. My big disillusionment since I've become a Christian is that we've got the worst business model in the world. I was in suburban Chicago and asked a guy there, "How many churches here have Jesus central to them?" He said about 1,200. I said, "Do you think Jesus is a good product?" He said, "Yeah, the best." So I said, "What if I wanted to franchise Him?"
Blanchard's statements tie-in with the following from Rebecca Barnes' May 20, 2004 article, "Ken Blanchard: Serving to lead like Jesus":
Blanchard said he is disappointed in Christians, too, because they aren't using Jesus' techniques more. "The biggest gap in Christianity is between knowing and doing. I mean, why don't people who know better behave better," he said.
"People ask me if I'm interested in evangelism. I'm not. I think the next big evangelism movement will be driven by behaving differently."
[ http://www.churchcentral.com/nw/s/template/Article.html/id/19303 ]
Ken Blanchard's words are crystal clear. But the Apostle Paul's inspired words offer a stern rebuke:
I solemnly charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by His appearing and His kingdom: PREACH THE WORD; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, EXHORT, with great patience and instruction. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires, and will turn away their ears from the truth and will turn aside to myths. But you, be sober in all things, endure hardship, DO THE WORK OF AN EVANGELIST, fulfill your ministry (2 Timothy 4:1-5, emp. added).
And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing, in whose case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelieving so that they might not see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. For we do not preach ourselves but Christ Jesus as Lord, and ourselves as your bond-servants for Jesus' sake (2 Corinthians 4:3-5).
Norman's a-Peale-ing influence
It is important to note that on page four of Ken Blanchard's "to Quack or to Soar" article, he states that,
I wrote a book with Norman Vincent Peale about ethics. I wasn't even a believer at the time, but I was open. That's when I became a Christian. We decided there were two problems with being ethical and leading like Jesus. The first was knowing the right thing to do. I think most people know the right thing to do. The biggest problem is doing what you know.
The book Blanchard referred to is the The Power of Ethical Management (1988) which, as of this writing, is still promoted on The Ken Blanchard Companies website ( http://www.blanchardlearning.com/templates/product.asp?product=10264 ).
Concerning Norman Vincent Peale and his spirituality, Watchman Fellowship's Index of Cults and Religions states that he,
Was a popular writer, promoter of the belief in the power of positive thinking popularized through the interfaith magazine, Guideposts. Peale's views of Christianity were heavily influenced by his mentor Ernest Holmes, the founder of Religious Science, and also reflected the philosophies of New Thought, and Unity. [hyperlinks their]
In a 1990 article titled, "Norman Vincent Peale," Watchman Fellowship informs the reader about Peale's endorsements of and ties to the New Age Movement:
According to Dave Hunt's bulletin Peale wrote in the Masonic Magazine, New Age, concerning his involvement, "Men of different religions meet in fellowship and brotherhood under the fatherhood of God." Peale also demonstrates that he is much more in alignment with the New Age Movement and its accompanying belief categories, than he is in Christianity. [The Watchman Expositor, http://www.watchman.org/reltop/peale.htm, hyperlinks theirs]
Peale first became suspect when he consistently began endorsing New Age/Occultic writers. [Ibid.]
When one examines many of the self-help, New Age, Occult books, references and quotes from Norman Vincent Peale frequently occur. [Ibid.]
Peale consistently operates with New Age doctrine and practices, emphasizing the creative power of thought and that consciousness is true reality and aligning your consciousness by meditation or affirmation, will automatically bring what you desire. [Ibid.]
It is obvious that Norman Vincent Peale's New Age spirituality had an effect on Ken Blanchard. In 1997, Watchman Fellowship correctly identified Peale and Blanchard as New Age:
In A 2nd Helping of Chicken Soup for the Soul can be found at least 38 New Age or Mormon contributors or attributions, including M. Scott Peck, Steve Andreas, Sai Baba, Martin Buber, Gandhi, William James, Joseph Campbell, Leo Buscaglia, Napoleon Hill, Norman Vincent Peale, Benjamin Hoff, Ken Blanchard (Please See Update), Canfield, Hansen, and T.M. promoter Harold Bloomfield. [Craig Branch, "Chicken Soup for the Soul Reviewed," http://www.watchman.org/na/chiksoup.htm, hyperlinks theirs]
More New Age endorsements
While Ken Blanchard claims to have been a Christian for the last twenty years, he has amassed an incredible track-record of direct involvement in the New Age Movement. In addition to what has been researched thus far, here are a few updates:
-- Deep Current Technology: "Deep Current uses mind/body science" and "offers five-minute, interactive modules that both integrate and teach the most widely used mind/body techniques: progressive relaxation, meditation, visualization, cognitive reframing, workplace yoga, and autogenics" (click HERE and HERE ).
Susan Greene, co-founder, has "studied with such leading-edge thinkers as Peter Senge, Edwards Deming, Ken Blanchard, Tom Peters, and Stephen Covey, helping to translate their 'work' into the workplace. Personally, she has been practicing yoga since the third grade and has had the honor of sitting with Jack Kornfield in satsung at Spirit Rock Meditation Center for the past 10 years" ( http://www.deep-current.com/investors/ExecutiveSummary.pdf, page 3).
-- Ken Blanchard is scheduled as a keynote speaker for The Bob Pike Group "15th Annual Training and Performance Solutions Conference" (September 28-October 3, 2008, http://www.bobpikegroup.com/pages.asp?pageid=35420 ). The conference also includes,
Stretching, Breathing and Yoga Priscilla Shumway: Join this sunrise session to start your day with stretching, breathing and Yoga techniques to wake up your body and brain. Dress comfortably ready to flex your muscles! Explore how we can incorporate them to stretch your next classroom experience.
[ http://www.bobpikegroup.com/pages.asp?pageid=35420#201 ], emp. theirs).
Shumway is a faculty member and a Senior Training Consultant with The Bob Pike Group
( http://www.bobpikegroup.com/apps/staff/default.asp?relationid=278556 ).
-- Todd Durkin Enterprises (TDE) specializes in therapeutic massage, Pilates, and yoga ( http://www.todddurkin.com/featured-clients.html ). Marilou Ramos, a TDE staff member, is a Reiki practioner and is "certified in hot stone therapy, pregnancy massage and Zen-Touch acupressure work as well" ( http://www.todddurkin.com/tde-staff/marilou-ramos-yoga-2.html ).
The Ken Blanchard Companies is a "Featured Client" of TDE, and is on the TDE "Distinguished Corporate Client's List" at http://www.todddurkin.com/featured-clients.html .
Of Todd Durkin, Ken Blanchard testifies that,
"Todd has the unique ability to bring fitness down to a personal level. His approach challenges each person to be their best and make improvements that are achievable. His knowledge and enthusiasm are a true inspiration. This is a can't miss program that will add value to any meeting or conference."
[ http://www.todddurkin.com/testimonials/testimonials.html ]
Todd and his team are a great addition to any meeting if you care about more than the heads of the participants. They will stimulate the heart, body and spirit of your people. Do it and everyone's heads will function better too. [ http://www.todddurkin.com/corporate-programs/index.php ]
And Ken Blanchard remains an active member of the New Age Hoffman Institute
( http://www.hoffmaninstitute.org/ ), established by Bob Hoffman, psychic.
Damage control 101
Despite the staggering amount of evidence, and despite the fact that Abanes admits on his own website that "Ken Blanchard has either endorsed or written forewords for many books that advance beliefs/ideas clearly at odds with biblical Christianity" ( http://abanes.com/blanchardproblems.html ), as of this writing Abanes maintains:
Nearly three years have passed now since the controversy, and I have heard Blanchard speak on various occasions. And by his words and deeds, I can only believe that he has truly fought, and continues to fight, to grow in the grace and knowledge of his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. ["Ken Blanchard and Rick Warren: The Truth Behind the Controversy," http://abanes.com/warren_blanchard.html ]
Tragically, Blanchard's past mistakes of judgment have provided more than enough ammunition for Warren's critics to continue attacking both Blanchard and Warren (especially Lighthouse Trails Research Project, the so-called "discernment" ministry that can arguably be credited with having started the whole controversy (Lighthouse Trails: The Blanchard Bashers). Blanchard's admission of errors, his willingness to learn more about doctrinal discernment, his attempts to express regret over decisions he had made, and his ongoing work to spread the Gospel have meant nothing to such individuals. They have continued to resurrect the old controversy from 2005, declaring that Blanchard has not done enough to prove he has truly repented. As of 2008, this is basically where the Ken Blanchard controversy stands. [Ibid., hyperlinks theirs]
Ken Blanchard is no New Ager. [ http://abanes.com/LTRP_PressRelease.html ]
Admitting to error or sin, promising to right a wrong, but continuing in error or sin is not an apology or repentance. If a person claims to be in fellowship with Jesus Christ, but is walking in darkness, that person is a liar. There is no gray area! God's word is final:
If we say that we have fellowship with Him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth; but if we walk in the Light as He Himself is in the Light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin. If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar and His word is not in us (1 John 1:6-10).
Therefore, to one who knows the right thing to do and does not do it, to him it is sin (James 4:17).
Glorifying the guru
To his credit, Richard Abanes correctly identifies Jim Ballard as a New Ager, and as one who,
...advances and promotes New Age teachings, specifically those of Paramahansa Yogananda of the Self-Realization Fellowship New Age cult, which is stands in total opposition to the teachings of Christianity. [ http://abanes.com/blanchardproblems.html ]
But advancing and promoting New Age teachings and Paramahansa Yogananda and Self-Realization Fellowship is precisely what Ken Blanchard did in the Foreword of Jim Ballard's 2007 book, Little Wave and Old Swell--which was "Inspired by Paramahansa Yogananda"--a deceased Hindu guru! (For further details, refer to "Ken Blanchard Endorses Book 'Inspired' by Hindu Guru" at http://www.christianresearchservice.com/KenBlanchard9.htm )
And according to his website, Ballard is "currently at work on a sequel to Little Wave and Old Swell" ( http://www.littlewave.org/links.htm ). Will Ken Blanchard endorse it as well?
The late Paramahansa Yogananda tried to redefine Jesus Christ and rip-and-shred God's holy word, but that which he tried was to his own destruction (2 Peter 2:1-3; 2 Corinthians 11:13; Matthew 7:15; John 3:18-19; John 8:24).
Yogananda was responsible for deceiving untold numbers of people worldwide. Yet, on the homepage of Jim Ballard's Little Wave and Old Swell website, Blanchard encourages the reader to,
Enjoy this story. Read it many times. Let it speak to your heart and reintroduce you to the wonder that breathes from everything in the world ( http://www.littlewave.org/index.htm ).
Leading people to Paramahansa Yogananda isn't leading like Jesus! It is classic in-your-face deception designed to condition the innocent and unwary into accepting, without reservation, the false prophets and false teachers of our day.
But evil men and impostors will proceed from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived (2 Timothy 3:13). It is imperative that Christians awaken to the deception in their midst, and stand strong for Jesus Christ and the truth of God's holy word.
Letters to Richard Abanes
The following letters from Christian Research Service to Richard Abanes are self-explanatory. While Abanes did reply, his one e-mail contained no rebuttal to the documentation contained in the letters.
Abanes' reply contained a copyright disclaimer. While the letters to Abanes make it crystal clear that "...any-and-all replies will be subject to public scrutiny," Christian Research Service has chosen to refrain from posting his reply publicly--but reserves the right to do so in the future.
Letter #1:
March 11, 2008
Richard Abanes
Pop cuLTuRE MiX
http://abanes.com
Dear Richard:
I have spent a considerable amount of time on your website reviewing your articles, "Lighthouse Trails: The Blanchard Bashers" and "Ken Blanchard and Rick Warren: The Truth Behind the Controversy," and offer the following for your consideration.
Since Lighthouse Trails and others cited in your articles are capable of speaking for themselves, my comments are specific to the issues surrounding Ken Blanchard. Please take the time to read them carefully.
As one who has spent the last three years researching Ken Blanchard and his involvement in the New Age Movement, I am very concerned that you aren't telling the whole story. Your readers, as well as those who promote and support Blanchard's Lead Like Jesus, deserve to know both sides of the issue.
It is important to note that in the last paragraph of your article, "RUMOR CONTROL" ("TRUTH: MY PERSONAL VIEWS OF IT"), you state that,
...in our fallen world, many forms of evil masquerade as innocent, harmless and fun. They are often accepted with little evalutaion or criticism, especially when they are popular and entertaining. Yet Paul calls us to test everything, hold on to the good and avoid every kind of evil (1 Thessalonians5 :21-22)." And so, for the record, let me plainly state that objective/ultimate truth does indeed exist and that it is without a doubt knowable/accessible. [Emp. theirs, http://abanes.com/rumorcontrol.html ]
Yes, truth does exist and is knowable and accessible. There exists a marriage between truth and solid documentation, of which there can be no divorce. Standing for truth--regardless of the outcome--separates the men from the boys.
Now, for the benefit of yourself and your readers, here are a few reasons why you should consider revising your statements concerning Ken Blanchard and his participation in the New Age Movement:
1. In your article, "Ken Blanchard and Rick Warren: The Truth Behind the Controversy," you inform the reader about: your contact with Blanchard and his Lead Like Jesus staff, Blanchard's statement and "promise" to "exercise better discernment in the future," and Watchman Fellowship's involvement with Ken Blanchard.
Your article also includes excerpts from James Walker's July 25, 2005 "Ken Blanchard Update."
Continuing, you state that, "I eventually came to find out that Blanchard was no New Ager," that Blanchard called you personally, and that Blanchard "assured" you that "he was going to work very hard to learn more about doctrinal matters and grow spiritually as the years progressed, using the controversy as a wake-up call for him."
But despite the efforts to reason with Ken Blanchard, and despite the public exposure of Blanchard's involvement in the New Age Movement, he has yet to awaken to the damage he has and is doing to the cause of Christ. At present, he is endangering the spiritual welfare of innocent, unwary Christians worldwide.
Has Ken Blanchard honored his "promise"? Has he exercised "better discernment" and stopped endorsing New Age authors and books? Has he publicly repented, retracted, and renounced his ties with the New Age movement and totally separated from New Agers? Has he surrounded himself with solid, Bible-based Christians? Here are a few important facts to consider:
Fact: Ken Blanchard has not kept the "promise" he made in 2005. His July 2005 statements have long since disappeared from his Lead Like Jesus website.
Fact: Ken Blanchard continues to endorse New Age authors, is involved in New Age practices, remains an active member of the New Age Hoffman Institute, and still sits on the Hoffman Institute's Advisory Council. He and his wife, Margie, contribute financially to the Hoffman Institute.
Fact: The Ken Blanchard Companies is still listed as one of the Attendees of the New Age Heartland Circle's Thought Leader Gatherings.
Fact: While Blanchard claims to be Christian, he refers people to Buddha, Mohammed, Mahatma Ghandi, the Dalai Lama, and deceased Hindu guru Paramahansa Yogananda, and honors them as "great prophets" and "spiritual leaders."
Fact: Watchman Fellowship was one of the "PARTICIPATING SPONSORS" of Blanchard's Lead Like Jesus, despite the fact that New Agers--such as Mark Victor Hansen--sat on the Lead Like Jesus Board.
Fact: The list of Lead Like Jesus' Board of Directors has long since disappeared from the Lead Like Jesus website.
Fact: James Walker's July 25, 2005 "Ken Blanchard Update" has been removed from Watchman Fellowship's website.
James Walker is the president of Watchman Fellowship. Once it was learned that his update on Blanchard had been removed, I wrote him on December 12, 2007 and asked if his update had been removed permanently or if it was a glitch in the system. I also asked Walker that in light of the overwhelming documentation on Blanchard (see recommended reading below), would he or would he not provide a statement on Ken Blanchard?
As of this writing, there has been no reply from Walker, nor has he provided a statement.
Presently, the only reference to Ken Blanchard on Watchman Fellowship's website is Craig Branch's 1997 article, "Chicken Soup for the Soul Reviewed." Branch, formerly of Watchman Fellowship, now the director of the Apologetics Resource Center, is a former Unitarian and a noted authority on the New Age Movement. In his article, Branch included Ken Blanchard along with other New Agers, stating that:
In A 2nd Helping of Chicken Soup for the Soul can be found at least 38 New Age or Mormon contributors or attributions, including M. Scott Peck, Steve Andreas, Sai Baba, Martin Buber, Gandhi, William James, Joseph Campbell, Leo Buscaglia, Napoleon Hill, Norman Vincent Peale, Benjamin Hoff, Ken Blanchard (Please See Update), Canfield, Hansen, and T.M. promoter Harold Bloomfield.
[ http://www.watchman.org/na/chiksoup.htm ]
Note that the above "Ken Blanchard (Please See Update)" hyperlink leads the reader back to Watchman Fellowship's homepage. Note also that Branch included Norman Vincent Peale and Mark Victor Hansen as New Agers, that Blanchard and Peale co-authored a book, and that Hansen sat on the Lead Like Jesus Board of Directors.
For verification, you may want to contact Walker and ask him why he removed his "Ken Blanchard Update" and why Watchman Fellowship remains tight-lipped on this issue.
E-mail: jwalker@watchman.org
Phone: (817) 277-0023
FAX: (817) 277-8098
And, since you know Ken Blanchard personally, you may want to contact him and ask why he has not honored the promise he made in 2005, and why he is still deeply involved in the New Age Movement.
Lead Like Jesus
Toll-free (800) 383-6890
Phone: (706) 863-8494
FAX: (706) 863-9372
The Ken Blanchard Companies
Phone (800) 728-6000
FAX: (760) 489-8407
For the record, no one faults Watchman Fellowship for their efforts to reason with Ken Blanchard. Sadly, Blanchard deceived them and continues doing the same to others, including you. Now, years later, he is demonstrating his true colors.
At this point, it is important to allow Scripture to demonstrate what happened 2,000 years ago when the Apostle Paul encountered the New Agers of his day:
Many also of those who had believed kept coming, confessing and disclosing their practices. And many of those who practiced magic brought their books together and began burning them in the sight of everyone; and they counted up the price of them and found it fifty thousand pieces of silver. So the word of the Lord was growing mightily and prevailing (Acts 19:18-20).
Once saved, the New Agers became Christians--not half-Christian and half-New Age. They repented and renounced their ungodly, occultic practices, and stopped acknowledging, affirming, endorsing, promoting and lending credibility to their occultic beliefs. They further demonstrated their sincerity by burning their occultic materials for everyone to see. Once they turned their lives over to Jesus Christ, they no longer endangered the spiritual welfare of the innocent and unwary.
Keep in mind that on page VIII of his 2005 book, Lead Like Jesus, Blanchard claims to have been a Christian since the "late 1980's." Elsewhere, Blanchard claims that he "became a Christian in 1988" ("to Quack or to Soar," Spring 2007). Thus, Blanchard is not a "new" Christian, as many have been led to believe.
Furthermore, every Christian is called to evangelize the lost and be a good witness for Jesus Christ. But despite Jesus' command to Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation (Mark 16:15), Ken Blanchard has made his interest in evangelism crystal clear:
"People ask me if I'm interested in evangelism. I'm not. I think the next big evangelism movement will be driven by behaving differently" (Rebecca Barnes, "Ken Blanchard: Serving to lead like Jesus," May 20, 2004, http://www.churchcentral.com/nw/s/id/19303/template/Article.html ).
God's inspired word demonstrates the difference between those who truly love and cherish Jesus Christ in their hearts, and those who claim to be Christian on the outside:
These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. They worship me in vain; their teachings are but rules taught by men (Matthew 15:8-9).
Ken Blanchard talks about Jesus and has convinced many that he is a Christian. But Mormons, Jehovah's Witnesses, and many New Agers talk about Jesus and claim to be Christian
( http://www.christiannewage.com/index.html ). Moreover, in your September 13, 2007 Pop cuLTuRE MiX blog article, "Is J.K. Rowling REALLY A Christian," you cite the Harry Potter author stating that, "Well, I do believe in God."
There is a big difference between talking about Jesus and sharing Him from the heart. There is a big difference between one who claims to be a Christian and one who has surrendered his life to Jesus Christ. And in the case of Ken Blanchard, there is a big difference between leading like Jesus and worshipping Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.
Jesus said, My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me; and I give eternal life to them, and they will never perish; and no one will snatch them out of My hand (John 10:27-28).
Cultists, occultists, false prophets, and heretics carry baggage filled with deception, lies, doctrines of demons and, man-made gods. In Matthew 7:15, Jesus clearly warns the believer to Beware of the false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves. In verses 16-20, Jesus clearly informs the believer of the big difference between a true and false prophet, and that both will be known by their fruits, whether good or bad.
In John 14:6, Jesus said, I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me. Jesus Christ is God Himself in human form, and is exclusive to every man-made, fabricated "messiah" and "savior" and "god."
Speaking favorably of and leading people to Buddha, Mohammed, Mahatma Ghandi, the Dalai Lama, Paramahansa Yogananda, New Agers, and New Age organizations (as Blanchard does), flat-out contradicts Jesus' words and denies His exclusivity and deity. Leading people to those that deny that Jesus is the only way, truth, and life is the same as saying, Jesus is okay, but there are others who are just as good.
A glaring example of this is Blanchard's endorsement of New Ager Jim Ballard's June 2007 book, Little Wave and Old Swell, which, by the way, was "Inspired by Paramahansa Yogananda." Blanchard writes:
"Enjoy this story. Read it many times. Let it speak to your heart and reintroduce you to the wonder that breathes from everything in the world." [ http://www.littlewave.org/index.htm ]
One doesn't have to wonder about the "wonder" Ballard and Blanchard want to "reintroduce" to the reader. In fact, Ballard, a Yogananda devotee, explains what the "wonder" is on pages 62 and 82:
Ommm-m-m-m-m... Ommm-m-m-m-m... As Little Wave listened, he realized the Sound was coming from inside him, all around him, everywhere. It was the Voice of Everything.
Help me to feel my connection with the vast Ocean of Life, the Oneness within all things.
In the Foreword of Ballard's Little Wave and Old Swell, Blanchard opens a floodgate of deception for unwary Christians, and serves to cause further distancing between Yogananda devotees and Jesus Christ:
The fact is, Yogananda loved Jesus, and Jesus would have loved Yogananda. Every year, the Self-Realization Fellowship headquarters in Los Angeles--as well as all its temples and meditation groups throughout the world--hold a full-day Christmas event. It is a time of reverent reflection, with periodic interruptions to listen to taped messages of Yogananda's love for Jesus and his teachings. The way I see it, love is love. [pp. viii-ix]
Blanchard's stating that Paramahansa Yogananda "loved Jesus" and his favorable mention of Self-Realization Fellowship is enough to make one's skin crawl. Yogananda's teachings on "Jesus" are so far out they couldn't be tracked by the Hubble telescope! Blanchard's statements demonstrate his lack of knowledge on what Yogananda believed about Jesus and Who the real Jesus Christ is.
The Bible warns about Yogananda and his "Jesus" in Galatians 1:6-9 and 2 Corinthians 11:3-4. Prior to his death, Yogananda defiled and distorted the gospel of Jesus Christ, was deceived by Satan, preached a counterfeit Jesus, was influenced by a counterfeit spirit, and was under a divine curse. Yet, Ken Blanchard considers Yogananda a great spiritual leader and recommends a book that was "Inspired" by Yogananda.
For many walk, of whom I often told you, and now tell you even weeping, that theyare enemies of the cross of Christ, whose end is destruction, whose god is their appetite, and whose glory is in their shame, who set their minds on earthly things (Philippians 3:18-19).
Paramahansa Yogananda was an enemy of the cross of Christ. But which is worst, an enemy of the cross or one who promotes the enemy? The Bible answers this question in 2 Corinthians 11:13-15:
For such men are false apostles, deceitful workers, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. No wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. Therefore it is not surprising if his servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness, whose end will be according to their deeds.
Leading people to enemies of the cross and their demon-filled baggage is not only an exercise in reckless abandon, it angers God, carries severe consequences for the precious souls for whom Jesus died for, and drives the unsaved deeper into sin and further away from Jesus Christ. Judgement of the unsaved, hell, and eternal separation from God is real.
Then the sons of Israel did evil in the sight of the LORD and served the Baals, and they forsook the LORD, the God of their fathers, who had brought them out of the land of Egypt, and followed other gods from among the gods of the peoples who
were around them, and bowed themselves down to them; thus they provoked the LORD to anger (Judges 2:11-12).
Therefore I said to you that you will die in your sins; for unless you believe that I am He, you will die in your sins (John 8:24).
Anyone who goes too far and does not abide in the teaching of Christ, does not have God; the one who abides in the teaching, he has both the Father and the Son (2 John 1:9).
Ken Blanchard isn't leading like Jesus. He is, however, leading both the Christian and non-Christian into harm's way and causing both to stumble (Matthew 18:6-7). This is why Ken Blanchard, and those like him, must be exposed.
Thus, the question that needs to be asked is: Is Ken Blanchard a Christian? If he is, then everyone who pays lip-service to Jesus should be viewed as Christian--including Mormons, Jehovah's Witnesses, New Agers and, J.K. Rowling. And if talking about Jesus and claiming to lead like Jesus makes one a Christian, then apologists and cult-evangelists worldwide need to find something else to do with their time.
For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it (Matthew 7:14).
On the outside, Blanchard talks-the-Christian-talk, but on the inside, he is a wolf in sheep's clothing, whose New Age fruit is rotten to the core.
Now I urge you, brethren, keep your eye on those who cause dissensions and hindrances contrary to the teaching which you learned, and turn away from them. For such men are slaves, not of our Lord Christ but of their own appetites; and by their smooth and flattering speech they deceive the hearts of the unsuspecting (Romans 16:17-18).
2. In the last paragraph of your article, "Lighthouse Trails: The Blanchard Bashers"
( http://abanes.com/LTRP_PressRelease.html ), your "2008 Update" states that,
As of early 2008, Lighthouse Trails was still making the very same false accusations about Ken Blanchard and Rick Warren that they were making back in 2005, going so far as to devote an entire page to the ever-present danger, as they see it. The page includes the same information above, as well as a resoundingly clear rejection of Blanchard's attempts to rectify the situation by: a) expressing his regret/sorrow over his mistakes; b) seeking the help of Watchman Fellowship to learn more about Christian doctrine; and c) working harder to be more careful about what books/people he endorses.
Please know that a large percentage of the documentation on Ken Blanchard and his involvement with the New Age Movement was provided to Lighthouse Trails by myself and colleagues--some of whom are former New Agers. Thus, while broken links and webpages that mysteriously disappear overnight can't be prevented, the documentation I provide to other ministries and include in my articles is solid and speaks for itself.
Had Blanchard never co-founded Lead Like Jesus; had he never became the "Chief Spiritual Officer" of The Ken Blanchard Companies; had he never claimed to be a Christian in the first place, we may have never heard of Ken Blanchard, and the name "Ken Blanchard" would be just another name in an ocean of New Agers.
Blanchard wasn't forced into the New Age, he made a choice. Nevertheless, I pray that God will be merciful, open his eyes to the truth, and grant him repentance (2 Timothy 2:25).
With the above in mind, if there is any doubt about Ken Blanchard being a New Ager, please refer to my November 26, 2007 article, "Ken Blanchard Endorses Book 'Inspired' by Hindu Guru" at http://www.christianresearchservice.com/KenBlanchard9.htm. Once read, if you continue to maintain that Blanchard isn't a New Ager, please don't get upset when Christians wonder if you suffer from an acute case of Don't confuse me with the facts my mind is made up.
Our task is to tell the truth in love, and pour the whole truth into the barrels of confusion, controversy, and deception. One cannot be a practicing Christian and practicing New Ager at the same time. One cannot fellowship with Jesus Christ and fellowship with occultic, New Age paganism at the same time. One cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons; you cannot partake of the table of the Lord and the table of demons
(1 Corinthians 10:21).
Ken Blanchard is a false brethren and a wolf is sheep's clothing (Galatians 2:4-5; Matthew 7:15; Acts 20:28-29). Outwardly, he pays lip-service to Jesus Christ, but inwardly, he honors New Age organizations, authors, books, practices, demonic doctrines, and pagan gods (Matthew 15:7-9).
Words are important. Words can encourage or discourage, build-up or destroy. When misused, words will return to haunt the writer. This is why it is important that you revise your statements concerning Ken Blanchard and his participation in the New Age Movement. After all, once informed of the truth, surely you wouldn't purposely deceive your readers by not telling the other side of the story, would you?
Finally, you have my permission to post this letter on your website and blogs, but only in its entirety. Please know that this letter and any-and-all replies will be subject to public scrutiny.
Thank you, Richard. I look forward to your reply in a timely manner.
In Christian love,
Bud Press, Director
Christian Research Service
www.christianresearchservice.com
Jude 3
Recommended reading:
Watchman Fellowship Identifies Ken Blanchard as New Age 1997
Letter to Ken Blanchard: With Love and Concern 7/21/05
Update on Ken Blanchard: Actions Speak Louder than Words 8/21/05
UPDATE ON KEN BLANCHARD: You Will Know Them By Their Fruits 9/20/05
Ken Blanchard Still Endorsing the New Age (6 Months later) 2/11/06
An Open Letter to James Walker and Watchman Fellowship 2/26/06
Ken Blanchard Endorses Book 'Inspired' by Hindu Guru 11/26/07
Bud Press is a Christian Investigative Researcher and the Director of Christian Research Service. CRS is a discernment ministry that provides information, documentation, and referral on a wide variety of issues to the body of Christ and the Christian news media worldwide. All correspondence is subject to public scrutiny.
Letter #2:
March 17, 2008
Richard Abanes
Pop cuLTuRE MiX
http://abanes.com
Dear Richard:
I have read your letter of March 13 carefully and prayerfully. Frankly, your statements are quite disturbing, and left me questioning your ability as an "Award-winning journalist" ( http://abanes.com/synopsHP.html ).
Equally disturbing is the fact that you carry a short list of Ken Blanchard's involvement in the New Age on your website, but continue to maintain he isn't a New Ager ( http://abanes.com/blanchardproblems.html ).
While you may not have been totally aware of Ken Blanchard's continued involvement in the New Age since 2005, you are now. And no amount of excuses, spin-doctoring, and damage control on your part will change that fact. This is serious business, and the lives of those whom Jesus Christ died for hang in the balance.
Therefore, I encourage you to post my correspondence with you on your website and blog, provided it is in its entirety. Doing so will give your readers the other side of the story on Ken Blanchard and Lead Like Jesus, and will serve to prevent the gullible, innocent, and unwary from stumbling.
In addition, please feel free to link to my articles on Ken Blanchard and Lead Like Jesus, especially my "Letter to Ken Blanchard: With Love and Concern" at
http://www.christianresearchservice.com/KenBlanchard4.htm .
I close with your own words from your February 27, 2008 post in the Phoenix Preacher blog at http://phoenixpreacher.com/cms/?p=2625 :
1. NO one is beyond correction!
2. Someone who is caught in sin, must have that sin revealed to them, and if they will not repent, you need to take it to the church. And then, if they still will not change thier ways, you are to cut them off.
3. Just a little bit of leaven can leaven the whole lump. That is why sin cannot be tolerated.
4. Everyone needs to be held accountable for what they say publicly.
5. No one should be allowed to divide the Body of Christ.
6. The shepherds of God's flock have the responsibility of leading God's people in truth and according to scripture.
7. Do not gossip! One of the worst things you can do in a church is to gossip.
I encourage you to practice what you preach, lest your words return to haunt you.
Finally, based on your March 13 reply, I feel any further attempt to reason with you would prove futile. Should you have a change of heart, please feel free to contact me.
In the meantime, I will remember you in my prayers.
Sincerely in Christ,
Bud Press, Director
Christian Research Service
www.christianresearchservice.com
Jude 3
If you are not familiar with Richard Abanes he is the unofficial apologist for Rick Warrens faith and all things purpose driven. Tim
Letters to Richard Abanes Concerning
Ken Blanchard and the New Age Movement
by Bud Press, Director
Christian Research Service
www.christianresearchservice.com
March 24, 2008
Introduction: Christian Research Service, along with other discernment ministries, has spent over three years researching Ken Blanchard and his Lead Like Jesus movement. Blanchard, the co-founder of Lead Like Jesus and Chief Spiritual Officer of The Ken Blanchard Companies, claims to be a Christian, but has amassed an incredible track-record of involvement with and participation in the New Age Movement.
While rumors abound about when Blanchard became a Christian, on page VIII of his 2005 book, Lead Like Jesus, Blanchard states he began reading the Bible "When I turned my life over to the Lord in the late 1980s."
Further, on page 1 of his Spring 2007 article, "to Quack or to Soar?" Blanchard states that he "became a Christian in 1988," and further states that,
Henry Blackerby and I agree on this: He says the great spiritual revolution will come from businesspeople by demonstration, not proclamation. It will not come from evangelism.
I pray every morning, "Lord, protect me from your people." I have never met such vicious people as Christians. They want to be right. My big disillusionment since I've become a Christian is that we've got the worst business model in the world. I was in suburban Chicago and asked a guy there, "How many churches here have Jesus central to them?" He said about 1,200. I said, "Do you think Jesus is a good product?" He said, "Yeah, the best." So I said, "What if I wanted to franchise Him?"
Blanchard's statements tie-in with the following from Rebecca Barnes' May 20, 2004 article, "Ken Blanchard: Serving to lead like Jesus":
Blanchard said he is disappointed in Christians, too, because they aren't using Jesus' techniques more. "The biggest gap in Christianity is between knowing and doing. I mean, why don't people who know better behave better," he said.
"People ask me if I'm interested in evangelism. I'm not. I think the next big evangelism movement will be driven by behaving differently."
[ http://www.churchcentral.com/nw/s/template/Article.html/id/19303 ]
Ken Blanchard's words are crystal clear. But the Apostle Paul's inspired words offer a stern rebuke:
I solemnly charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by His appearing and His kingdom: PREACH THE WORD; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, EXHORT, with great patience and instruction. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires, and will turn away their ears from the truth and will turn aside to myths. But you, be sober in all things, endure hardship, DO THE WORK OF AN EVANGELIST, fulfill your ministry (2 Timothy 4:1-5, emp. added).
And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing, in whose case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelieving so that they might not see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. For we do not preach ourselves but Christ Jesus as Lord, and ourselves as your bond-servants for Jesus' sake (2 Corinthians 4:3-5).
Norman's a-Peale-ing influence
It is important to note that on page four of Ken Blanchard's "to Quack or to Soar" article, he states that,
I wrote a book with Norman Vincent Peale about ethics. I wasn't even a believer at the time, but I was open. That's when I became a Christian. We decided there were two problems with being ethical and leading like Jesus. The first was knowing the right thing to do. I think most people know the right thing to do. The biggest problem is doing what you know.
The book Blanchard referred to is the The Power of Ethical Management (1988) which, as of this writing, is still promoted on The Ken Blanchard Companies website ( http://www.blanchardlearning.com/templates/product.asp?product=10264 ).
Concerning Norman Vincent Peale and his spirituality, Watchman Fellowship's Index of Cults and Religions states that he,
Was a popular writer, promoter of the belief in the power of positive thinking popularized through the interfaith magazine, Guideposts. Peale's views of Christianity were heavily influenced by his mentor Ernest Holmes, the founder of Religious Science, and also reflected the philosophies of New Thought, and Unity. [hyperlinks their]
In a 1990 article titled, "Norman Vincent Peale," Watchman Fellowship informs the reader about Peale's endorsements of and ties to the New Age Movement:
According to Dave Hunt's bulletin Peale wrote in the Masonic Magazine, New Age, concerning his involvement, "Men of different religions meet in fellowship and brotherhood under the fatherhood of God." Peale also demonstrates that he is much more in alignment with the New Age Movement and its accompanying belief categories, than he is in Christianity. [The Watchman Expositor, http://www.watchman.org/reltop/peale.htm, hyperlinks theirs]
Peale first became suspect when he consistently began endorsing New Age/Occultic writers. [Ibid.]
When one examines many of the self-help, New Age, Occult books, references and quotes from Norman Vincent Peale frequently occur. [Ibid.]
Peale consistently operates with New Age doctrine and practices, emphasizing the creative power of thought and that consciousness is true reality and aligning your consciousness by meditation or affirmation, will automatically bring what you desire. [Ibid.]
It is obvious that Norman Vincent Peale's New Age spirituality had an effect on Ken Blanchard. In 1997, Watchman Fellowship correctly identified Peale and Blanchard as New Age:
In A 2nd Helping of Chicken Soup for the Soul can be found at least 38 New Age or Mormon contributors or attributions, including M. Scott Peck, Steve Andreas, Sai Baba, Martin Buber, Gandhi, William James, Joseph Campbell, Leo Buscaglia, Napoleon Hill, Norman Vincent Peale, Benjamin Hoff, Ken Blanchard (Please See Update), Canfield, Hansen, and T.M. promoter Harold Bloomfield. [Craig Branch, "Chicken Soup for the Soul Reviewed," http://www.watchman.org/na/chiksoup.htm, hyperlinks theirs]
More New Age endorsements
While Ken Blanchard claims to have been a Christian for the last twenty years, he has amassed an incredible track-record of direct involvement in the New Age Movement. In addition to what has been researched thus far, here are a few updates:
-- Deep Current Technology: "Deep Current uses mind/body science" and "offers five-minute, interactive modules that both integrate and teach the most widely used mind/body techniques: progressive relaxation, meditation, visualization, cognitive reframing, workplace yoga, and autogenics" (click HERE and HERE ).
Susan Greene, co-founder, has "studied with such leading-edge thinkers as Peter Senge, Edwards Deming, Ken Blanchard, Tom Peters, and Stephen Covey, helping to translate their 'work' into the workplace. Personally, she has been practicing yoga since the third grade and has had the honor of sitting with Jack Kornfield in satsung at Spirit Rock Meditation Center for the past 10 years" ( http://www.deep-current.com/investors/ExecutiveSummary.pdf, page 3).
-- Ken Blanchard is scheduled as a keynote speaker for The Bob Pike Group "15th Annual Training and Performance Solutions Conference" (September 28-October 3, 2008, http://www.bobpikegroup.com/pages.asp?pageid=35420 ). The conference also includes,
Stretching, Breathing and Yoga Priscilla Shumway: Join this sunrise session to start your day with stretching, breathing and Yoga techniques to wake up your body and brain. Dress comfortably ready to flex your muscles! Explore how we can incorporate them to stretch your next classroom experience.
[ http://www.bobpikegroup.com/pages.asp?pageid=35420#201 ], emp. theirs).
Shumway is a faculty member and a Senior Training Consultant with The Bob Pike Group
( http://www.bobpikegroup.com/apps/staff/default.asp?relationid=278556 ).
-- Todd Durkin Enterprises (TDE) specializes in therapeutic massage, Pilates, and yoga ( http://www.todddurkin.com/featured-clients.html ). Marilou Ramos, a TDE staff member, is a Reiki practioner and is "certified in hot stone therapy, pregnancy massage and Zen-Touch acupressure work as well" ( http://www.todddurkin.com/tde-staff/marilou-ramos-yoga-2.html ).
The Ken Blanchard Companies is a "Featured Client" of TDE, and is on the TDE "Distinguished Corporate Client's List" at http://www.todddurkin.com/featured-clients.html .
Of Todd Durkin, Ken Blanchard testifies that,
"Todd has the unique ability to bring fitness down to a personal level. His approach challenges each person to be their best and make improvements that are achievable. His knowledge and enthusiasm are a true inspiration. This is a can't miss program that will add value to any meeting or conference."
[ http://www.todddurkin.com/testimonials/testimonials.html ]
Todd and his team are a great addition to any meeting if you care about more than the heads of the participants. They will stimulate the heart, body and spirit of your people. Do it and everyone's heads will function better too. [ http://www.todddurkin.com/corporate-programs/index.php ]
And Ken Blanchard remains an active member of the New Age Hoffman Institute
( http://www.hoffmaninstitute.org/ ), established by Bob Hoffman, psychic.
Damage control 101
Despite the staggering amount of evidence, and despite the fact that Abanes admits on his own website that "Ken Blanchard has either endorsed or written forewords for many books that advance beliefs/ideas clearly at odds with biblical Christianity" ( http://abanes.com/blanchardproblems.html ), as of this writing Abanes maintains:
Nearly three years have passed now since the controversy, and I have heard Blanchard speak on various occasions. And by his words and deeds, I can only believe that he has truly fought, and continues to fight, to grow in the grace and knowledge of his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. ["Ken Blanchard and Rick Warren: The Truth Behind the Controversy," http://abanes.com/warren_blanchard.html ]
Tragically, Blanchard's past mistakes of judgment have provided more than enough ammunition for Warren's critics to continue attacking both Blanchard and Warren (especially Lighthouse Trails Research Project, the so-called "discernment" ministry that can arguably be credited with having started the whole controversy (Lighthouse Trails: The Blanchard Bashers). Blanchard's admission of errors, his willingness to learn more about doctrinal discernment, his attempts to express regret over decisions he had made, and his ongoing work to spread the Gospel have meant nothing to such individuals. They have continued to resurrect the old controversy from 2005, declaring that Blanchard has not done enough to prove he has truly repented. As of 2008, this is basically where the Ken Blanchard controversy stands. [Ibid., hyperlinks theirs]
Ken Blanchard is no New Ager. [ http://abanes.com/LTRP_PressRelease.html ]
Admitting to error or sin, promising to right a wrong, but continuing in error or sin is not an apology or repentance. If a person claims to be in fellowship with Jesus Christ, but is walking in darkness, that person is a liar. There is no gray area! God's word is final:
If we say that we have fellowship with Him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth; but if we walk in the Light as He Himself is in the Light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin. If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar and His word is not in us (1 John 1:6-10).
Therefore, to one who knows the right thing to do and does not do it, to him it is sin (James 4:17).
Glorifying the guru
To his credit, Richard Abanes correctly identifies Jim Ballard as a New Ager, and as one who,
...advances and promotes New Age teachings, specifically those of Paramahansa Yogananda of the Self-Realization Fellowship New Age cult, which is stands in total opposition to the teachings of Christianity. [ http://abanes.com/blanchardproblems.html ]
But advancing and promoting New Age teachings and Paramahansa Yogananda and Self-Realization Fellowship is precisely what Ken Blanchard did in the Foreword of Jim Ballard's 2007 book, Little Wave and Old Swell--which was "Inspired by Paramahansa Yogananda"--a deceased Hindu guru! (For further details, refer to "Ken Blanchard Endorses Book 'Inspired' by Hindu Guru" at http://www.christianresearchservice.com/KenBlanchard9.htm )
And according to his website, Ballard is "currently at work on a sequel to Little Wave and Old Swell" ( http://www.littlewave.org/links.htm ). Will Ken Blanchard endorse it as well?
The late Paramahansa Yogananda tried to redefine Jesus Christ and rip-and-shred God's holy word, but that which he tried was to his own destruction (2 Peter 2:1-3; 2 Corinthians 11:13; Matthew 7:15; John 3:18-19; John 8:24).
Yogananda was responsible for deceiving untold numbers of people worldwide. Yet, on the homepage of Jim Ballard's Little Wave and Old Swell website, Blanchard encourages the reader to,
Enjoy this story. Read it many times. Let it speak to your heart and reintroduce you to the wonder that breathes from everything in the world ( http://www.littlewave.org/index.htm ).
Leading people to Paramahansa Yogananda isn't leading like Jesus! It is classic in-your-face deception designed to condition the innocent and unwary into accepting, without reservation, the false prophets and false teachers of our day.
But evil men and impostors will proceed from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived (2 Timothy 3:13). It is imperative that Christians awaken to the deception in their midst, and stand strong for Jesus Christ and the truth of God's holy word.
Letters to Richard Abanes
The following letters from Christian Research Service to Richard Abanes are self-explanatory. While Abanes did reply, his one e-mail contained no rebuttal to the documentation contained in the letters.
Abanes' reply contained a copyright disclaimer. While the letters to Abanes make it crystal clear that "...any-and-all replies will be subject to public scrutiny," Christian Research Service has chosen to refrain from posting his reply publicly--but reserves the right to do so in the future.
Letter #1:
March 11, 2008
Richard Abanes
Pop cuLTuRE MiX
http://abanes.com
Dear Richard:
I have spent a considerable amount of time on your website reviewing your articles, "Lighthouse Trails: The Blanchard Bashers" and "Ken Blanchard and Rick Warren: The Truth Behind the Controversy," and offer the following for your consideration.
Since Lighthouse Trails and others cited in your articles are capable of speaking for themselves, my comments are specific to the issues surrounding Ken Blanchard. Please take the time to read them carefully.
As one who has spent the last three years researching Ken Blanchard and his involvement in the New Age Movement, I am very concerned that you aren't telling the whole story. Your readers, as well as those who promote and support Blanchard's Lead Like Jesus, deserve to know both sides of the issue.
It is important to note that in the last paragraph of your article, "RUMOR CONTROL" ("TRUTH: MY PERSONAL VIEWS OF IT"), you state that,
...in our fallen world, many forms of evil masquerade as innocent, harmless and fun. They are often accepted with little evalutaion or criticism, especially when they are popular and entertaining. Yet Paul calls us to test everything, hold on to the good and avoid every kind of evil (1 Thessalonians5 :21-22)." And so, for the record, let me plainly state that objective/ultimate truth does indeed exist and that it is without a doubt knowable/accessible. [Emp. theirs, http://abanes.com/rumorcontrol.html ]
Yes, truth does exist and is knowable and accessible. There exists a marriage between truth and solid documentation, of which there can be no divorce. Standing for truth--regardless of the outcome--separates the men from the boys.
Now, for the benefit of yourself and your readers, here are a few reasons why you should consider revising your statements concerning Ken Blanchard and his participation in the New Age Movement:
1. In your article, "Ken Blanchard and Rick Warren: The Truth Behind the Controversy," you inform the reader about: your contact with Blanchard and his Lead Like Jesus staff, Blanchard's statement and "promise" to "exercise better discernment in the future," and Watchman Fellowship's involvement with Ken Blanchard.
Your article also includes excerpts from James Walker's July 25, 2005 "Ken Blanchard Update."
Continuing, you state that, "I eventually came to find out that Blanchard was no New Ager," that Blanchard called you personally, and that Blanchard "assured" you that "he was going to work very hard to learn more about doctrinal matters and grow spiritually as the years progressed, using the controversy as a wake-up call for him."
But despite the efforts to reason with Ken Blanchard, and despite the public exposure of Blanchard's involvement in the New Age Movement, he has yet to awaken to the damage he has and is doing to the cause of Christ. At present, he is endangering the spiritual welfare of innocent, unwary Christians worldwide.
Has Ken Blanchard honored his "promise"? Has he exercised "better discernment" and stopped endorsing New Age authors and books? Has he publicly repented, retracted, and renounced his ties with the New Age movement and totally separated from New Agers? Has he surrounded himself with solid, Bible-based Christians? Here are a few important facts to consider:
Fact: Ken Blanchard has not kept the "promise" he made in 2005. His July 2005 statements have long since disappeared from his Lead Like Jesus website.
Fact: Ken Blanchard continues to endorse New Age authors, is involved in New Age practices, remains an active member of the New Age Hoffman Institute, and still sits on the Hoffman Institute's Advisory Council. He and his wife, Margie, contribute financially to the Hoffman Institute.
Fact: The Ken Blanchard Companies is still listed as one of the Attendees of the New Age Heartland Circle's Thought Leader Gatherings.
Fact: While Blanchard claims to be Christian, he refers people to Buddha, Mohammed, Mahatma Ghandi, the Dalai Lama, and deceased Hindu guru Paramahansa Yogananda, and honors them as "great prophets" and "spiritual leaders."
Fact: Watchman Fellowship was one of the "PARTICIPATING SPONSORS" of Blanchard's Lead Like Jesus, despite the fact that New Agers--such as Mark Victor Hansen--sat on the Lead Like Jesus Board.
Fact: The list of Lead Like Jesus' Board of Directors has long since disappeared from the Lead Like Jesus website.
Fact: James Walker's July 25, 2005 "Ken Blanchard Update" has been removed from Watchman Fellowship's website.
James Walker is the president of Watchman Fellowship. Once it was learned that his update on Blanchard had been removed, I wrote him on December 12, 2007 and asked if his update had been removed permanently or if it was a glitch in the system. I also asked Walker that in light of the overwhelming documentation on Blanchard (see recommended reading below), would he or would he not provide a statement on Ken Blanchard?
As of this writing, there has been no reply from Walker, nor has he provided a statement.
Presently, the only reference to Ken Blanchard on Watchman Fellowship's website is Craig Branch's 1997 article, "Chicken Soup for the Soul Reviewed." Branch, formerly of Watchman Fellowship, now the director of the Apologetics Resource Center, is a former Unitarian and a noted authority on the New Age Movement. In his article, Branch included Ken Blanchard along with other New Agers, stating that:
In A 2nd Helping of Chicken Soup for the Soul can be found at least 38 New Age or Mormon contributors or attributions, including M. Scott Peck, Steve Andreas, Sai Baba, Martin Buber, Gandhi, William James, Joseph Campbell, Leo Buscaglia, Napoleon Hill, Norman Vincent Peale, Benjamin Hoff, Ken Blanchard (Please See Update), Canfield, Hansen, and T.M. promoter Harold Bloomfield.
[ http://www.watchman.org/na/chiksoup.htm ]
Note that the above "Ken Blanchard (Please See Update)" hyperlink leads the reader back to Watchman Fellowship's homepage. Note also that Branch included Norman Vincent Peale and Mark Victor Hansen as New Agers, that Blanchard and Peale co-authored a book, and that Hansen sat on the Lead Like Jesus Board of Directors.
For verification, you may want to contact Walker and ask him why he removed his "Ken Blanchard Update" and why Watchman Fellowship remains tight-lipped on this issue.
E-mail: jwalker@watchman.org
Phone: (817) 277-0023
FAX: (817) 277-8098
And, since you know Ken Blanchard personally, you may want to contact him and ask why he has not honored the promise he made in 2005, and why he is still deeply involved in the New Age Movement.
Lead Like Jesus
Toll-free (800) 383-6890
Phone: (706) 863-8494
FAX: (706) 863-9372
The Ken Blanchard Companies
Phone (800) 728-6000
FAX: (760) 489-8407
For the record, no one faults Watchman Fellowship for their efforts to reason with Ken Blanchard. Sadly, Blanchard deceived them and continues doing the same to others, including you. Now, years later, he is demonstrating his true colors.
At this point, it is important to allow Scripture to demonstrate what happened 2,000 years ago when the Apostle Paul encountered the New Agers of his day:
Many also of those who had believed kept coming, confessing and disclosing their practices. And many of those who practiced magic brought their books together and began burning them in the sight of everyone; and they counted up the price of them and found it fifty thousand pieces of silver. So the word of the Lord was growing mightily and prevailing (Acts 19:18-20).
Once saved, the New Agers became Christians--not half-Christian and half-New Age. They repented and renounced their ungodly, occultic practices, and stopped acknowledging, affirming, endorsing, promoting and lending credibility to their occultic beliefs. They further demonstrated their sincerity by burning their occultic materials for everyone to see. Once they turned their lives over to Jesus Christ, they no longer endangered the spiritual welfare of the innocent and unwary.
Keep in mind that on page VIII of his 2005 book, Lead Like Jesus, Blanchard claims to have been a Christian since the "late 1980's." Elsewhere, Blanchard claims that he "became a Christian in 1988" ("to Quack or to Soar," Spring 2007). Thus, Blanchard is not a "new" Christian, as many have been led to believe.
Furthermore, every Christian is called to evangelize the lost and be a good witness for Jesus Christ. But despite Jesus' command to Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation (Mark 16:15), Ken Blanchard has made his interest in evangelism crystal clear:
"People ask me if I'm interested in evangelism. I'm not. I think the next big evangelism movement will be driven by behaving differently" (Rebecca Barnes, "Ken Blanchard: Serving to lead like Jesus," May 20, 2004, http://www.churchcentral.com/nw/s/id/19303/template/Article.html ).
God's inspired word demonstrates the difference between those who truly love and cherish Jesus Christ in their hearts, and those who claim to be Christian on the outside:
These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. They worship me in vain; their teachings are but rules taught by men (Matthew 15:8-9).
Ken Blanchard talks about Jesus and has convinced many that he is a Christian. But Mormons, Jehovah's Witnesses, and many New Agers talk about Jesus and claim to be Christian
( http://www.christiannewage.com/index.html ). Moreover, in your September 13, 2007 Pop cuLTuRE MiX blog article, "Is J.K. Rowling REALLY A Christian," you cite the Harry Potter author stating that, "Well, I do believe in God."
There is a big difference between talking about Jesus and sharing Him from the heart. There is a big difference between one who claims to be a Christian and one who has surrendered his life to Jesus Christ. And in the case of Ken Blanchard, there is a big difference between leading like Jesus and worshipping Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.
Jesus said, My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me; and I give eternal life to them, and they will never perish; and no one will snatch them out of My hand (John 10:27-28).
Cultists, occultists, false prophets, and heretics carry baggage filled with deception, lies, doctrines of demons and, man-made gods. In Matthew 7:15, Jesus clearly warns the believer to Beware of the false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves. In verses 16-20, Jesus clearly informs the believer of the big difference between a true and false prophet, and that both will be known by their fruits, whether good or bad.
In John 14:6, Jesus said, I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me. Jesus Christ is God Himself in human form, and is exclusive to every man-made, fabricated "messiah" and "savior" and "god."
Speaking favorably of and leading people to Buddha, Mohammed, Mahatma Ghandi, the Dalai Lama, Paramahansa Yogananda, New Agers, and New Age organizations (as Blanchard does), flat-out contradicts Jesus' words and denies His exclusivity and deity. Leading people to those that deny that Jesus is the only way, truth, and life is the same as saying, Jesus is okay, but there are others who are just as good.
A glaring example of this is Blanchard's endorsement of New Ager Jim Ballard's June 2007 book, Little Wave and Old Swell, which, by the way, was "Inspired by Paramahansa Yogananda." Blanchard writes:
"Enjoy this story. Read it many times. Let it speak to your heart and reintroduce you to the wonder that breathes from everything in the world." [ http://www.littlewave.org/index.htm ]
One doesn't have to wonder about the "wonder" Ballard and Blanchard want to "reintroduce" to the reader. In fact, Ballard, a Yogananda devotee, explains what the "wonder" is on pages 62 and 82:
Ommm-m-m-m-m... Ommm-m-m-m-m... As Little Wave listened, he realized the Sound was coming from inside him, all around him, everywhere. It was the Voice of Everything.
Help me to feel my connection with the vast Ocean of Life, the Oneness within all things.
In the Foreword of Ballard's Little Wave and Old Swell, Blanchard opens a floodgate of deception for unwary Christians, and serves to cause further distancing between Yogananda devotees and Jesus Christ:
The fact is, Yogananda loved Jesus, and Jesus would have loved Yogananda. Every year, the Self-Realization Fellowship headquarters in Los Angeles--as well as all its temples and meditation groups throughout the world--hold a full-day Christmas event. It is a time of reverent reflection, with periodic interruptions to listen to taped messages of Yogananda's love for Jesus and his teachings. The way I see it, love is love. [pp. viii-ix]
Blanchard's stating that Paramahansa Yogananda "loved Jesus" and his favorable mention of Self-Realization Fellowship is enough to make one's skin crawl. Yogananda's teachings on "Jesus" are so far out they couldn't be tracked by the Hubble telescope! Blanchard's statements demonstrate his lack of knowledge on what Yogananda believed about Jesus and Who the real Jesus Christ is.
The Bible warns about Yogananda and his "Jesus" in Galatians 1:6-9 and 2 Corinthians 11:3-4. Prior to his death, Yogananda defiled and distorted the gospel of Jesus Christ, was deceived by Satan, preached a counterfeit Jesus, was influenced by a counterfeit spirit, and was under a divine curse. Yet, Ken Blanchard considers Yogananda a great spiritual leader and recommends a book that was "Inspired" by Yogananda.
For many walk, of whom I often told you, and now tell you even weeping, that theyare enemies of the cross of Christ, whose end is destruction, whose god is their appetite, and whose glory is in their shame, who set their minds on earthly things (Philippians 3:18-19).
Paramahansa Yogananda was an enemy of the cross of Christ. But which is worst, an enemy of the cross or one who promotes the enemy? The Bible answers this question in 2 Corinthians 11:13-15:
For such men are false apostles, deceitful workers, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. No wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. Therefore it is not surprising if his servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness, whose end will be according to their deeds.
Leading people to enemies of the cross and their demon-filled baggage is not only an exercise in reckless abandon, it angers God, carries severe consequences for the precious souls for whom Jesus died for, and drives the unsaved deeper into sin and further away from Jesus Christ. Judgement of the unsaved, hell, and eternal separation from God is real.
Then the sons of Israel did evil in the sight of the LORD and served the Baals, and they forsook the LORD, the God of their fathers, who had brought them out of the land of Egypt, and followed other gods from among the gods of the peoples who
were around them, and bowed themselves down to them; thus they provoked the LORD to anger (Judges 2:11-12).
Therefore I said to you that you will die in your sins; for unless you believe that I am He, you will die in your sins (John 8:24).
Anyone who goes too far and does not abide in the teaching of Christ, does not have God; the one who abides in the teaching, he has both the Father and the Son (2 John 1:9).
Ken Blanchard isn't leading like Jesus. He is, however, leading both the Christian and non-Christian into harm's way and causing both to stumble (Matthew 18:6-7). This is why Ken Blanchard, and those like him, must be exposed.
Thus, the question that needs to be asked is: Is Ken Blanchard a Christian? If he is, then everyone who pays lip-service to Jesus should be viewed as Christian--including Mormons, Jehovah's Witnesses, New Agers and, J.K. Rowling. And if talking about Jesus and claiming to lead like Jesus makes one a Christian, then apologists and cult-evangelists worldwide need to find something else to do with their time.
For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it (Matthew 7:14).
On the outside, Blanchard talks-the-Christian-talk, but on the inside, he is a wolf in sheep's clothing, whose New Age fruit is rotten to the core.
Now I urge you, brethren, keep your eye on those who cause dissensions and hindrances contrary to the teaching which you learned, and turn away from them. For such men are slaves, not of our Lord Christ but of their own appetites; and by their smooth and flattering speech they deceive the hearts of the unsuspecting (Romans 16:17-18).
2. In the last paragraph of your article, "Lighthouse Trails: The Blanchard Bashers"
( http://abanes.com/LTRP_PressRelease.html ), your "2008 Update" states that,
As of early 2008, Lighthouse Trails was still making the very same false accusations about Ken Blanchard and Rick Warren that they were making back in 2005, going so far as to devote an entire page to the ever-present danger, as they see it. The page includes the same information above, as well as a resoundingly clear rejection of Blanchard's attempts to rectify the situation by: a) expressing his regret/sorrow over his mistakes; b) seeking the help of Watchman Fellowship to learn more about Christian doctrine; and c) working harder to be more careful about what books/people he endorses.
Please know that a large percentage of the documentation on Ken Blanchard and his involvement with the New Age Movement was provided to Lighthouse Trails by myself and colleagues--some of whom are former New Agers. Thus, while broken links and webpages that mysteriously disappear overnight can't be prevented, the documentation I provide to other ministries and include in my articles is solid and speaks for itself.
Had Blanchard never co-founded Lead Like Jesus; had he never became the "Chief Spiritual Officer" of The Ken Blanchard Companies; had he never claimed to be a Christian in the first place, we may have never heard of Ken Blanchard, and the name "Ken Blanchard" would be just another name in an ocean of New Agers.
Blanchard wasn't forced into the New Age, he made a choice. Nevertheless, I pray that God will be merciful, open his eyes to the truth, and grant him repentance (2 Timothy 2:25).
With the above in mind, if there is any doubt about Ken Blanchard being a New Ager, please refer to my November 26, 2007 article, "Ken Blanchard Endorses Book 'Inspired' by Hindu Guru" at http://www.christianresearchservice.com/KenBlanchard9.htm. Once read, if you continue to maintain that Blanchard isn't a New Ager, please don't get upset when Christians wonder if you suffer from an acute case of Don't confuse me with the facts my mind is made up.
Our task is to tell the truth in love, and pour the whole truth into the barrels of confusion, controversy, and deception. One cannot be a practicing Christian and practicing New Ager at the same time. One cannot fellowship with Jesus Christ and fellowship with occultic, New Age paganism at the same time. One cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons; you cannot partake of the table of the Lord and the table of demons
(1 Corinthians 10:21).
Ken Blanchard is a false brethren and a wolf is sheep's clothing (Galatians 2:4-5; Matthew 7:15; Acts 20:28-29). Outwardly, he pays lip-service to Jesus Christ, but inwardly, he honors New Age organizations, authors, books, practices, demonic doctrines, and pagan gods (Matthew 15:7-9).
Words are important. Words can encourage or discourage, build-up or destroy. When misused, words will return to haunt the writer. This is why it is important that you revise your statements concerning Ken Blanchard and his participation in the New Age Movement. After all, once informed of the truth, surely you wouldn't purposely deceive your readers by not telling the other side of the story, would you?
Finally, you have my permission to post this letter on your website and blogs, but only in its entirety. Please know that this letter and any-and-all replies will be subject to public scrutiny.
Thank you, Richard. I look forward to your reply in a timely manner.
In Christian love,
Bud Press, Director
Christian Research Service
www.christianresearchservice.com
Jude 3
Recommended reading:
Watchman Fellowship Identifies Ken Blanchard as New Age 1997
Letter to Ken Blanchard: With Love and Concern 7/21/05
Update on Ken Blanchard: Actions Speak Louder than Words 8/21/05
UPDATE ON KEN BLANCHARD: You Will Know Them By Their Fruits 9/20/05
Ken Blanchard Still Endorsing the New Age (6 Months later) 2/11/06
An Open Letter to James Walker and Watchman Fellowship 2/26/06
Ken Blanchard Endorses Book 'Inspired' by Hindu Guru 11/26/07
Bud Press is a Christian Investigative Researcher and the Director of Christian Research Service. CRS is a discernment ministry that provides information, documentation, and referral on a wide variety of issues to the body of Christ and the Christian news media worldwide. All correspondence is subject to public scrutiny.
Letter #2:
March 17, 2008
Richard Abanes
Pop cuLTuRE MiX
http://abanes.com
Dear Richard:
I have read your letter of March 13 carefully and prayerfully. Frankly, your statements are quite disturbing, and left me questioning your ability as an "Award-winning journalist" ( http://abanes.com/synopsHP.html ).
Equally disturbing is the fact that you carry a short list of Ken Blanchard's involvement in the New Age on your website, but continue to maintain he isn't a New Ager ( http://abanes.com/blanchardproblems.html ).
While you may not have been totally aware of Ken Blanchard's continued involvement in the New Age since 2005, you are now. And no amount of excuses, spin-doctoring, and damage control on your part will change that fact. This is serious business, and the lives of those whom Jesus Christ died for hang in the balance.
Therefore, I encourage you to post my correspondence with you on your website and blog, provided it is in its entirety. Doing so will give your readers the other side of the story on Ken Blanchard and Lead Like Jesus, and will serve to prevent the gullible, innocent, and unwary from stumbling.
In addition, please feel free to link to my articles on Ken Blanchard and Lead Like Jesus, especially my "Letter to Ken Blanchard: With Love and Concern" at
http://www.christianresearchservice.com/KenBlanchard4.htm .
I close with your own words from your February 27, 2008 post in the Phoenix Preacher blog at http://phoenixpreacher.com/cms/?p=2625 :
1. NO one is beyond correction!
2. Someone who is caught in sin, must have that sin revealed to them, and if they will not repent, you need to take it to the church. And then, if they still will not change thier ways, you are to cut them off.
3. Just a little bit of leaven can leaven the whole lump. That is why sin cannot be tolerated.
4. Everyone needs to be held accountable for what they say publicly.
5. No one should be allowed to divide the Body of Christ.
6. The shepherds of God's flock have the responsibility of leading God's people in truth and according to scripture.
7. Do not gossip! One of the worst things you can do in a church is to gossip.
I encourage you to practice what you preach, lest your words return to haunt you.
Finally, based on your March 13 reply, I feel any further attempt to reason with you would prove futile. Should you have a change of heart, please feel free to contact me.
In the meantime, I will remember you in my prayers.
Sincerely in Christ,
Bud Press, Director
Christian Research Service
www.christianresearchservice.com
Jude 3
posted by Tim Wirth | 6:04 PM
2 Comments:
Tim,
I enjoy your site and so glad to find another fellow worship leader/musician who is looking for the truth in a world of grey.
I had been (notice past tense) a member of a PDL church in the Pacific Northwest and after 10+ years God finally opened my eyes to the error. Continue the good work here
Another Tim
Tim,
I enjoy your site and so glad to find another fellow worship leader/musician who is looking for the truth in a world of grey.
I had been (notice past tense) a member of a PDL church in the Pacific Northwest and after 10+ years God finally opened my eyes to the error. Continue the good work here
Another Tim
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