Absolutely a Vatican Infiltrator! Rick Warren is a Warlock
EVER NOTICE HOW SO MUCH IS SAID ABOUT “PURPOSE”? Purpose defined by WHO? hmmmmmm Does the Bible teach us specifically to walk in “our” purpose? I don’t think so. His Word is a lamp unto our feet and a light into our path following Him via His Word is our purpose. But somehow that all seems to get left out. Ps 119:105. The purpose driven craze started with a demon possessed vatican plant named Rich Warren. Beware.
America‘s “Pastor” OR America’s Wolf?
“Purpose driven”???? NO! WHOSE purpose? Jesus’ people are Holy Spirit led and WORD driven – not driven by a self-centered false purpose!
Warren doesn’t preach the original Gospel which begins with the command to “Repent.” And, he uses over 20 versions of the Bible to make own points, instead of using the King James Bible and letting God speak for Himself.
Rick Warren is a Vatican plant…. total deceiver…. anyone who doesn’t see this self-evident truth is walking in darkness.
Rick Warren is clearly a false prophet and this godless “purpose driven” deception is not God’s Word and is garbage, never once offering biblical salvation which begins with the divine command to repent.
IF that man you call “pastor” has any connection to RICK WARREN or any of his many heretical programs (Recovery paganism), he’s part of the new world order/one world church/ecumenism! RUN! Absolutely a Vatican Infiltrator!
Every “pastor” who has “divorce recovery” or any other of the various “recovery” programs in his “church” is part of the new world order, ecumenical, one world religion under antichrist trap. Anything out of saddleback “church” is poison. RUN!
Never mind Rick “the devil” Warren‘s “recovery” garbage, it’s time to recover the original Gospel of Jesus which is the only answer to man’s sin problem! (Jude 3-4) SIN is still man’s core dilemma for which Christ came! Oh and the original Gospel begins with the divine command to “repent.” (Matthew 3:2; 4:17; Acts 2:38, etc.)
****Rick Warren has been coined “America’s pastor” by the ungodly who are in control of the media. It’s a pure scam folks. There’s an ecumenical, antichrist agenda behind it. Rick Warren is a wolf, a false prophet. Anyone with an ounce of discernment sees in 30 seconds of hearing this man talk that he is a “cloud and wind without rain” or with zero Biblical substance (Proverbs 25:14). The true people of God see right through this man who never presents the Gospel of Christ which begins with the command to repent (Mat. 3:2; 4:17; Acts 2:38; 3:19; 17:30).
Rick Warren is a warlock at best, an antichrist plant. Rick Warren is not “America’s pastor,” he’s America’s warlock to mislead millions who do not know the LORD. He’s a hell bound Jesuit pawn of Satan. Everything this man touches is cursed, including his Celebrate Recovery scam – run!
Like Joel Osteen and so many other popular wolves today, Rick Warren positions himself as the cool guy. Is coming off as the “cool” guy what “ministry” is today? Is this what Jesus and His holy apostles and prophets were like? Not quite. Warren is leading a whole generation of unsanctified CEO-type “pastors” in this delusion. Read your Bible or you will continue to be a gullible, biblically-illiterate dupe, deceived and ultimately “destroyed for lack of knowledge.” (Hosea 4:6) Read Hebrews 11 and find out what happened to those who trusted God. Then, read Revelation to see the martyrdom coming to many who follow Christ to the end as Jesus commanded.
Rick Warren can be known by the fruit of his doctrine. Warren refuses to preach that men must repent. This alone makes him false. He’s not preaching the original Gospel which begins with the command to repent. Repentance is never mentioned in his evil, self-focused, purpose-driven books which have sold millions. But the command to repent is the very first command and word of the true Gospel. See. Matt. 3:2; 4:17; Acts 2:38; 3:19; 17:30, etc.. God has not changed – man has one core problem and that’s sin and there’s only one salvation solution, Jesus Christ, and Jesus says “Except ye repent ye shall all likewise perish.” (Luke 13:3, 5) Repenting is what God requires to save a lost soul – it’s an essential and it’s where salvation is appropriated. No true disciple of Christ would withhold this life-saving Gospel truth. Any person who claims to be representing Christ and doesn’t preach what Christ and His holy apostles preached, is preaching another, a false gospel and is “accursed.” (Galatians 1:6-9)
Mariaan Pretorius notes:
“Rick Warren, Apostate Preacher: Rick has people praying a salvation prayer that does not mention, sin, repentance, the cross or the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
In the video that accompanies the ’40 Days of Purpose,’ Warren leads his listeners in prayer at the conclusion of the first session. The prayer is as follows:
‘Dear God, I want to know your purpose for my life. I don’t want to base the rest of my life on wrong things. I want to take the first step in preparing for eternity by getting to know you. Jesus Christ, I don’t understand how but as much as I know how I want to open up my life to you. Make yourself real to me. And use this series in my life to help me know what you made me for.’ Warren goes on to say: “Now if you’ve just prayed that prayer for the very first time I want to congratulate you. You’ve just become a part of the family of God.'”
Of Warren, WND reported:
“But Warren’s critics have claimed his Purpose Driven ministry emphasizes only doing good, while dodging the kind of biblical repentance that is needed for a person – or a pastor – to have their life transformed by Christ. The Purpose Driven Church model, or PDC, discounts the fear of the Lord, Warren’s critics say, while encouraging pastors to become “masters” of their churches instead of servants.” WND,
Rick Warren’s wimpish “apology” to the Muslims and “the ALL-Merciful One (allah – a demon)”:
“’Before we “shake your hand’ in responding to your letter, we ask forgiveness of the All-Merciful One and of the Muslim community around the world.” – Rick Warren in a speech to Muslims.
Beware Saints, Warren is a sell out! (Heb. 10:29) Just WHO does this clown feign to representing? He’s certainly not representing the LORD’s born again “little flock” – His true people/remnant (Luke 12:32).
IF this doesn’t offend you, you have either departed from the faith and not continuing in the doctrine of God given in His Word, or have never been not saved (2 John 1:7-11).
– Is Rick Warren Your Idol? Is Rick Warren Above God’s Word/Law? Is Rick Warren’s book more authoritative than God’s Word in your mind? If you are teachable and not an idolater of mere sinful men who hold leadership positions, Read On…
BEWARE: Rick Warren is a blatant wolf in sheep’s clothing (Matt. 7:15). It should be more than obvious upon the first viewing of Warren speaking that he is an antichrist windbag. He uses very little if any SCRIPTURE to make his points and when he does, they are many times misused – out of context. Have you ever noticed that moral cowards who claim be Christian are always looking for a way to escape from being persecuted for the name and Person of Jesus Christ and the pure and original Gospel (Mk. 8:38; Gal. 5:11-12; 6:11-12). Rick Warren teaches that we need to build upon purpose, but is that what Jesus Christ taught? No, the Son of God taught that the only solid and eternally blessed foundation is Christ and His HOLY WORD (Matt. 7:21-29; 1 Cor. 3:11). It is like Rick Warren’s books and speaking/works have become final authority usurping the place which the LORD alone is worthy of. In fact, He has magnified His Word above His own name (Ps. 138:2). Rick Warren’s purpose driven deception is simply another gimmick ministry made popular by people who don’t study and obey God’s Word for themselves and do not truly love Jesus so therefore make heroes of mere sinful men (Zech. 11:17). Rick Warren and his gimmick book, Purpose Driven Life, has subverted the truth and removed people’s hearts and attention from God’s Word. Yet, God has ordained heretics and heresies to separate the true from the false (1 Cor. 11:19).
“His watchmen are blind: they are all ignorant, they are all dumb dogs, they cannot bark; sleeping, lying down, loving to slumber. 11 Yea, they are greedy dogs which can never have enough, and they are shepherds that cannot understand: they all look to their own way, every one for his gain, from his quarter. 12 Come ye, say they, I will fetch wine, and we will fill ourselves with strong drink; and to morrow shall be as this day, and much more abundant. Isaiah 56:10-12 (KJV)
Any pastor or church leader that brings in Rick Warren’s Gospel-less books or the material of any other modern lame leader, reveals that he does not have a life of his own in the Word. He is “blind” and “ignorant.” Instead of honoring the LORD by studying His 66 glorious books which make up the canon of Holy Scripture, counterfeit leaders elevate the writings/words of mere men and are leading astray millions.
“For the leaders of this people cause them to err; and they that are led of them are destroyed.” Isaiah 9:16 (KJV)
Tex Marrs writes:
“As the aging Robert Schuller, Billy Graham, Pat Robertson, Jerry Falwell, and Paul Crouch are being retired and shown the door, a spanking brand-new generation of ministers and evangelists are being ushered in by the Devil to take their place. The new preachers–men like California’s Pastor Rick Warren (The Purpose-Driven Life) and Texas’ Joel Osteen (Your Best Life Now) are flashy, shiny, and smiley. They use positive talk, make people feel good, and get them to thinking about ‘Me, Me, Me, Me…’ The Rick Warrens and Joel Osteen’s evade topics like sin, judgment, Hell, and condemnation. They trumpet the New Gospel–that God is always good and that He has a satchel-full of cash he’s just dying to give out to every believer if only they’ll think good thoughts. What about false religion?–Islam, Judaism, Hinduism, Witchcraft? Don’t worry. God is working behind the scenes to get those people to Heaven–and they don’t need to be evangelized at all. ‘So long Christian missionaries–It’s been good to know you!’ Find your purpose, find prosperity–get greedy, stop barking. Surround yourself with purple haze–The New Generation of Christian leaders are here, and watchdogs everywhere have simply gone to sleep.”
“Warren’s god is not awesome or angry and he does not stand in judgment of human sin. He is genial and mellow and he wants to be your best friend.” – The New Yorker, September 12, 2005.
Biblical Christianity is about having a Christ-filled, Word-directed or Holy Spirit-led life, not a purpose-driven life.
(we do not control what content is on the sites below only that which is on these sites)
– we need to get into God’s Word and stop promoting the work of deceivers like Rick Warren
– the Gospel (1 Cor. 15:1-4) is never presented in Rick Warren’s book, The Purpose Driven Life
In Rick’s book, “The purpose Driven Life,” over 75 of his Bible quotes are from the corrupt Message Bible. Rick encourages people to meditate and memorize this corrupt translation. Some of the Quotes that he uses from the Message Bible change the meaning of the verse to suit Rick’s seeker sensitive model.
“Read Scripture from a newer translation. And as you read that Scripture, realize that you’re trying to pick out Scriptures that appeal especially to baby boomers. And try to find Scriptures that specifically relate to the benefits that Christ can bring into a person’s life. They’ve never heard the Scripture before, so try to pick positive Scriptures that talk about the benefits of Christ… you want to pick out Scriptures that are very positive.” Rick Warren
“The unchurched culture determines our style. We’re laid back Southern California. We’re just a few miles from the beach, so we have a laid back Southern California style….Regardless of the style you choose, you’re going to be criticized. Okay? So, the key question is, “Who are you trying to impress?” The unchurched populations determine our goals.” Rick Warren
A strange statement appears on p.40. Warren writes
“I didn’t know enough to call my survey of the community a ‘marketing’ study. To me, it was just a matter of meeting the people I intended to reach. Those who had been coming to our small Bible study helped me take the community survey. The irony was this: Many of those who came to home Bible study and helped me survey the unchurched in our community were unbelievers themselves.”
——–Subject: WAKE-UP CALL — Rick Warren Teams Up With New-Age Guru Ken Blanchard!
OK, if I could come to your house, and scream this in your ear, I would. But I can’t, so email will have to do. Also, I apologize in advance for offending some of you, which I am sure I will do. But, please read this with an open heart, and pray, and examine the scriptures. If “a little leaven leavens the whole batch”, and we are to expel people from our churches who are in sin, then what do we make of one of the leaders in American Christianity partnering up with an outspoken Buddhist? Is this not going completely against the scriptures?
I know that most Christians today will not care one hill of beans about the fact that the most influential Evangelical leader in Christianity today, Rick Warren, is actually teaching seminars with a New Age/Buddhist, but I believe God is delivering a very strong warning right now to the masses who follow this man, and men like him. Jesus said to beware, because in the end times, even the elect would be deceived….if possible. The apostle Paul cast blindness on a false prophet/sorcerer (Acts 13), yet now we invite them up on stage to teach the Christians! Paul warned about people preaching another Jesus, another Gospel, and receiving a different Spirit. I know. I used to go to a church like this for about 2 1/2 years, and I ended up leaving because I realized that most people were far more excited about the church itself than Jesus, they didn’t really care about the sin they lived in, they NEVER prayed, etc. I would have to say that the deception has already arrived. The very core of deception is that those being deceived think they have the truth. Think about that. Meditate, and pray. Do you want to be deceived in these end times? Do you really love truth, or do you just want to go along with the latest greatest thing in Christianity, so you don’t get shunned?
Woe to you when all men speak well of you, For so did their fathers to the false prophets. Luke 6:26
The below article is from Lighthouse Research.
Rick Warren Teams Up With New-Age Guru Ken Blanchard!
This is a Special Report.
Apr 19, 2005 While Rick Warren is gearing up to train a billion people, unbeknownst to many he has also been teamed up with New Age and contemplative promoter, Ken Blanchard, for some time now. According to a new biography on Rick Warren, A Life With Purpose written by George Mair, Rick Warren has solicited the services of Ken Blanchard to aid him in training leaders: “Rick taps the best and most famous to help train church leaders to be like Jesus. He has hired Ken Blanchard …. to come to Saddleback to help train people how to be effective leaders.” p. 193
In light of knowing who Ken Blanchard is, this is shocking and devastating news for the church!
There is countless evidence to show that Blanchard sits on the New Age/mystical/contemplative bandwagon. Blanchard believes in the benefits and use of mantra meditation, yoga and has no trouble borrowing from Buddhism.
Here are just a few examples:
a.. Wrote the foreword to Jim Ballard’s Mind Like Water
b.. Wrote the foreword to Franz Metcalf’s What Would Buddha Do At Work?
c.. Is on the Front Cover of Corporate Mystic-(Listen)
d.. Is on the Back Cover of Deepak Chopra’s 7 Spiritual Laws of Success
e.. Jim Ballard, a staunch New Ager, and a colleague of The Ken Blanchard Companies
f.. Wrote the Foreword to Ellen Ladd’s (clairvoyant) book, Death and Letting Go.
Blanchard makes no apology when he says much can be gained from Buddhism. He and his wife both encourage the practice of yoga (p.11) and mantra meditation.
For those who do not find the words of an unofficial biographer (Mair) linking Rick Warren with Blanchard convincing enough, Ken Blanchard, Rick Warren and Bill Hybels (Willow Creek) have become team players at the Lead Like Jesus conferences, which take place across North America. The three also have an audio set they co-authored together.
Did Rick Warren know of Blanchard’s sympathies when he brought him in to help at Saddleback? Of course he did. And do you think that Rick Warren and Ken Blanchard are going to train their “billion” soldiers for Christ how to practice New Age mysticism and learn how to go into altered states of consciousness? You bet. And that is definitely something to be concerned about.
“…they did not receive the love of the truth so as to be saved. And for this reason God will send upon them a deluding influence so that they might believe what is false …” II Thessalonians 2:10-11
Lighthouse Trails Research Project
Deborah Dombrowski editor@lighthousetrails.com
THE ROCK OF TRUTH PROTECTION
“Give ear, O ye heavens, and I will speak; and hear, O earth, the words of my mouth. My doctrine shall drop as the rain, my speech shall distil as the dew, as the small rain upon the tender herb, and as the showers upon the grass: Because I will publish the name of the LORD: ascribe ye greatness unto our God. He is the Rock, his work is perfect: for all his ways are judgment: a God of truth and without iniquity, just and right is he. They have corrupted themselves, their spot is not the spot of his children: they are a perverse and crooked generation. Do ye thus requite the LORD, O foolish people and unwise? is not he thy father that hath bought thee? hath he not made thee, and established thee?” Deuteronomy 32:1-6
According to this passage of Scripture the LORD speaks of His “doctrine” through which He speaks to us and which we are to “publish” where He is seen as “the Rock…of truth.” Then He tells us that some – a “crooked generation” – have “corrupted themselves” after He made and established them.
“Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him. Add thou not unto his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar.” Proverbs 30:5-6
Beloved, when the floods of His holy judgment come, the only ROCK that will be standing is Jesus – the One revealed by His words which He gave to lead and protect us. He instructed us to:
“Search the scriptures…they are they which testify of me.” John 5:39
Only those beholding Him through what He told us in His Word and standing on that Word, will be standing when all else is destroyed in the holy wrath and judgment soon to come. The Son of God is the “Great Shepherd of the sheep” and active and intent upon feeding and protecting the sheep of His pasture (Ps. 23; Jn. 21:15-17; Heb. 13:20; 1 Pet. 5:1-6). All under-shepherds true to the One “Great Shepherd of the sheep” do the same – feed and protect His saints.
“For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion: in the secret of his tabernacle shall he hide me; he shall set me up upon a rock.” Psalms 27:5
I have become associated with the pastor of a local congregation and often see him carrying numerous commentaries and books by human authors. There are a few who have something worth reading and yet God’s Word is infinitely more important to learn and authoritative. In fact, how shall we now how to rightly divide the word of truth if we do not personally know the definite article of the oracles of God? (Acts 17:11; 2 Tim. 2:15; 3:16-17, etc.).
It is truly regrettable to see those in leadership today so zealous to read other men’s Words while neglecting the words of God. This manifests itself in that so many churches today have programs which virtually never feature the study of a book of the Bible but rather a book or media production from a mere human author (many who are adding to or taking away from the Word of God). Where is the discipleship in the Word? (2 Tim. 2:15; 3:15-4:4) No wonder such deception and deceit abounds in the visible church world (Matt. 24:10-13). Today, the spiritual empty apostate leadership in the visible American church world has learned well how to read what someone else says about the Bible and to follow trends and fad books from best-selling mere human authors. Take a look below at a recent dialogue I had with the pastor of a large congregation concerning fad book author Rick Warren. I had referred this pastor to our page on Rick Warren and here is his response and mine:
RESPONSE FROM THE PASTOR:
“Todd: Rick Warren has been used of God to lead thousands of people to saving faith in Christ. I would be very careful in labeling him a false prophet. Jesus said, “You shall know them by their fruits” (Matthew 7:16). Based on the fruit in his life and ministry, I would call him a true follower of Jesus Christ. Does he do it all perfectly? No… but neither do you and neither do I. Would to God that you and I had ministries that brought untold thousands of people from “the domain of darkness to the Kingdom of His beloved Son” (Col. 1:13)” J. S. Pastor, FBC
TODD’S RESPONSE:
“Thanks Brother Jeff…God bless you in His truth and peace brother. Thanks for emailing.
Does Warren even give the Gospel in his purpose book? Does he boldly and fervently call men to repentance before a holy God as John the Baptist and Jesus did – Matt. 3:4; 4:17. “Repent” was the very first word they each preached. They didn’t preach “believe” first but rather “repent”. Neither did they seek to draw men using entertainment. Remember, hirelings entertain goats while true under-shepherds feed Christ’s sheep and unwaveringly preach the original Gospel.
Did you realize that Warren was trained under Robert Schuller, a known false prophet? and he uses his methods and philosophies today….Warren is on the cutting edge of the seeker-sensitive movement which has removed repentance and therefore the alter call to call men to repent) and turned to entertainment in order to draw the nickles, noses and numbers. Jesus commanded His true followers to preach repentance (Lk. 24:47). He said it was essential to salvation (Lk. 13:3,5). This alone should prove the lack of genuine Bible fruit in Warren’s ministry. Preaching repentance is not conducive to drawing and keeping crowds so it is simply removed by the enterprising circus leaders of our day who are fashioning a “christianity” in their own image. Jesus help us before it is too late – Matt. 7:15-29.
Brother Jeff, this is how I see it after much observation so have no problem marking him in order to warn others and see Christ’s sheep protected – which is the mandate of every true servant of Jesus (Rom. 16:17-18; Col. 1:27-29; 2:8,18-19; Acts 20:27-32, Jude 3-4, etc.). Paul marked 8 men by name in the 4 chapters of 2 Timothy – “Naming Names – Is It Biblical?” Jesus is Coming, todd
Personally, I refuse to follow or fall into the politically correct silence of those who refuse to cry wolf on the wolves who operate in our midst and deceive and damn souls (Isa. 9:6; Ezek. 22:25, 27; Rom. 16:17-18; Col. 2:8). They must be marked as commanded by the LORD. Spiritual cowards who do not want to lose their lives (reputations) in their circles (among men) appear to have forsaken Jesus and His truth for the admiration of mere men (Mk. 8:34; Lk. 6:26; Gal. 1:10; 4:16; Jude 1:16).
Saints, the sad thing is that those who protect, defend and support these fad authors/works of fire-consumable stubble have made popular their works which do not present the true Gospel clearly given in the whole of Scripture (Hos. 4:6). Where is the discernment? Where are the Berean believers of this hour! (Acts 17:10-11) Those who fund these ministries are making them financially wealthy while many times those in the trenches who like Jesus care for several and also that one wayward sheep, and communicate the whole counsel of the Word, go hungry.
PRAYER: LORD Jesus, bless us never to fund the work of those who turn aside from Thee and lead others astray with deception and lies, crassly denying and ignoring Your precious precepts. Nay rather bless us to get behind and push upwardly those works and Gospel workers true to Your Word and Holy Spirit. Amen.
LET’S LEARN GOD’S WORD TOGETHER – ONE TRUTH AT A TIME: This message was sent out to each person who is on the Moments For My Master e-mail devotional list. In supplementation to your personal daily study of God’s Word, we would love to add you and have the privilege of nourishing your heart with God’s Word (Jn. 5:39; 1 Tim. 4:6, 16; Heb. 5:11-14; 1 Pet. 2:2). Sign up here.
MORE ON WARREN….
In this next video, as you view, as usual, weigh all against Scripture truth … in this one he talks about how wonderful HIS book is and speaks of his book being like a handkerchief that has dried the tears of wounded people. This is antichrist 2 times over because he is not elevating GOD’s WORD/BOOK but rather allowing his own book to be promoted. Also, isn’t it the LORD Himself that is the only one who can heal broken hearts and will ultimately dry up all tears and take away all pain? (Lk. 4:18; Rev. 21:4) Isn’t Jesus Christ the Savior? Or is Ricky Warren? Eternity is in the balance. The LORD Jesus and His apostles promised “much tribulation” in this era (Matt. 10:22; 24:10-13; Acts 14:23). When worshipped, Christ’s apostles ripped off their clothes and demanded that the people worship God and announced themselves to be mere sinful men (Acts 14:14). Yet, Warren says here that he “burst into tears” when he heard HIS book was doing such a work in the people of Africa…ppppffffffttttttt Then Warren boasts of the hundreds of Scriptures in his book and yet, he uses over a dozen different translations? WHY? Because he desires to convey to people HIS own message and doesn’t just let God Almighty speak for Himself by communicating His true and pure Word from the Authorized Version (KJV). Wolf!
FEEDBACK:
“Wow, I did not know this. I read his book, Purpose Driven Life. But I did not know this, thanks for sharing it.” Carolyn
Spiritual Formation—A Dangerous Substitute for the Life of Christ [podcast]
Sometimes we think of spiritual formation as formation by the Holy Spirit. Once again. That’s essential. . . . But now I have to say something that may be challenging for you to think about: Spiritual formation is not all by the Holy Spirit. . . . We have to recognize that spiritual formation in us is something that is also done to us by those around us, by ourselves, and by activities which we voluntarily undertake . . .There has to be method.1—Dallas Willard
Aside from the fact that Spiritual Formation incorporates mystical practices into its infrastructure (remove the contemplative aspect and you don’t have “Spiritual Formation” anymore), Spiritual Formation is a works-based substitute for biblical Christianity. Let us explain.
When one becomes born again (“that if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved” (Romans 10:9-10), having given his or her life and heart over to Christ as Savior, Jesus Christ says He will come in and live in that surrendered heart:
Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. (Revelation 3:20)
To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory: (Colossians 1:27)
If the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you. (Romans 8:11; emphasis added)
When God, through Jesus Christ, is living in us, He begins to do a transforming work in our hearts (2 Corinthians 3:18). Not only does He change us, He also communes with us. In other words, we have fellowship with Him, and He promises never to leave or forsake us (Hebrews 13:5).
This life of God in the believer’s heart is not something we need to conjure up through meditative practices. But if a person does not have this relationship with the Lord, he may seek out ways to feel close to God. This is where Spiritual Formation comes into play. Rather than a surrendered life to Christ (through repentance and faith), the seeking person begins practicing the spiritual disciplines (e.g., prayer, fasting, good works, etc.) with the promise that if he practices these disciplines, he will become more Christ-like.
But merely doing these acts fails to make one feel close to God—something is still missing. And thus, he begins practicing the discipline of silence (or solitude), and now in these altered states of silence, he finally feels connected to God. He now feels complete. What he does not understand is that he has substituted the indwelling of Christ in his heart for a works-based methodology that endangers his spiritual life. Dangerous because these mystical experiences he now engages in appear to be good because they make him feel close to God, but in reality he is being drawn into demonic realms no different than what happens to someone who is practicing transcendental meditation or eastern meditation. Even mystics themselves acknowledge that the contemplative realm is no different than the realm reached by occultists. To understand this more fully, please read Ray Yungen’s book A Time of Departing.
Bottom line, it is not possible to be truly Christ-like without having Christ inside of us because it is His righteousness that is able to change our hearts—we cannot do it without Him. It is His righteousness we need:
Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe. (Romans 3:22)
And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith. (Philippians 3:9)
It is interesting to note that virtually every contemplative teacher has a common theme—they feel dry and empty and want to go “deeper” with God or “become more intimate” with God. But if we have Christ living in us, how can we go any deeper than that? How can we become more intimate than that? And if going deeper and becoming intimate were so important, why is it that none of the disciples or Jesus Himself ever told us to do this? As Larry DeBruyn states:
Why are Christians seeking a divine presence that Jesus promised would abundantly flow in them? . . . Why do they need another voice, another visitation, or another vision? Why are some people unthankfully desirous of “something more” than what God has already given to us? Why is it that some Christians, in the depth of their souls, are not seemingly at rest?2
Is There a “Good” Spiritual Formation?
One of the most common arguments we hear defending Spiritual Formation is that there is a “good” Spiritual Formation done without contemplative prayer. To that we say, we have never yet seen a Spiritual Formation program in a school or a church that doesn’t in some way point people to the contemplative mystics. It might be indirectly, but in every case, if you follow the trail, it will lead you right into the arms of Richard Foster, Dallas Willard, and other contemplative teachers.
Think about this common scenario: A Christian college decides to begin a Spiritual Formation course. The instructor has heard some negative things about Richard Foster, Henri Nouwen, and Brennan Manning, and he figures he will teach the class “good Spiritual Formation” and leave those teachers completely out. But he’s going to need a textbook. He turns to a respected institution, Dallas Theological Seminary, and finds a book written by Paul Pettit, Professor in Pastoral and Education Ministries. The book is titled Foundations of Spiritual Formation. The instructor who has found this book to use in his own class may never mention Richard Foster or Dallas Willard, but the textbook he is using does. Within the pages of Pettit’s book is Richard Foster, Philip Yancey, N.T. Wright, Dallas Willard, Thomas Aquinas, Lectio Divina, Ayn Rand, Parker Palmer, Eugene Peterson, J.P. Moreland, Klaus Issler, Bruce Demarerst, Jim Burns, Kenneth Boa and Brother Lawrence’s “practicing God’s presence.” You may not have heard of all these names, but they are all associated with the mystical contemplative prayer movement and the emerging church.
Another example of this is Donald Whitney’s book Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life. Whitney is former Associate Professor at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary and currently at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. While his book does not promote contemplative mysticism, he says that Richard Foster has “done much good”3 in the area of Christian spirituality (which we believe is blatantly untrue).
Our point is that even if there is a sincere attempt to teach Spiritual Formation and stay away from the mystical side, we contend that it cannot be successfully accomplished because it will always lead back to the ones who have brought it to the church in the first place.
Spiritual formation is sweeping throughout Christianity today. It’s no wonder when the majority of Christian leaders have either endorsed the movement or given it a silent pass. For instance, in Chuck Swindoll’s book So You Want to Be Like Christ: 8 Essential Disciplines to Get You There, Swindoll favorably quotes Richard Foster and Dallas Willard. Swindoll calls Celebration of Discipline a “meaningful work”4 and Willard’s book The Spirit of the Disciplines “excellent work.”5 In chapter three, ”Silence and Solitude,” Swindoll talks about “digging for secrets . . . that will deepen our intimacy with God.”6 Quoting the contemplative poster-verse Psalm 46:10, “Be still, and know that I am God,” Swindoll says the verse is a call to the “discipline of silence.”7 As other contemplative proponents have done, he has taken this verse very much out of context.
Roger Oakland sums it up:
The Spiritual Formation movement . . . teaches people that this is how they can become more intimate with God and truly hear His voice. Even Christian leaders with longstanding reputations of teaching God’s word seem to be succumbing. . . .
We are reconciled to God only through his “death” (the atonement for sin), and we are presented “holy and unblameable and unreproveable” when we belong to Him through rebirth. It has nothing to do with works, rituals, or mystical experiences. It is Christ’s life in the converted believer that transforms him.8
“For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.” Romans 5:10
What Christians need is not a method or program or ritual or practice that will supposedly connect them to God. What we need is to be “in Christ” (1 Corinthians 1:30) and Christ in us. And He has promised His Spirit “will guide [us] into all truth” (John 16:13).
“But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:” 1 Corinthians 1:30
In Colossians 1:9, the apostle Paul tells the saints that he was praying for them that they “might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding.” He was praying that they would have discernment (“spiritual understanding”). He said that God, the Father, has made us “partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light” (vs 12) and had “delivered us from the power of darkness [i.e., power of deception]” (vs. 13). But what was the key to having this wisdom and spiritual understanding and being delivered from the power of darkness? Paul tells us in that same chapter. He calls it “the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints” (vs. 26). What is that mystery? Verse 27 says: “To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory” (emphasis added).
For those wanting to get involved with the Spiritual Formation movement (i.e., contemplative, spiritual direction), consider the “direction” you will actually be going.
And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled in the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight: If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel. (Colossians 1:21-23)
Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. For in him dwelleth all the fullness of the Godhead bodily. And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power. (Colossians 2: 8-10)
This article is an extract from the Lighthouse Trails booklet, Is Your Church Doing Spiritual Formation? (Important Reasons Why They Shouldn’t). To order this booklet, click here.
Endnotes:
1. Dallas Willard, “Spiritual Formation: What it is, and How it is Done” (https://dwillard.org/resources/articles/spiritual-formation-what-it-is-and-how-it-is-done).
2. Larry DeBruyn, “God’s Present of His Presence” (https://www.guardinghisflock.org/gods-present-of-his-presence/ ).
3. Donald Whitney, “Doctrine and Devotion: A Reunion Devoutly to be Desired” (http://web.archive.org/web/20080828052145/http://biblicalspirituality.org/devotion.html).
4. Chuck Swindoll, So You Want to Be Like Christ: 8 Essential Disciplines to Get You There (Nashville, TN:W Publishing Group, a div. of Thomas Nelson, 2005), p. 15.
5. Ibid., p. 13.
6. Ibid., p. 55.
7. Ibid.
8. Roger Oakland, Faith Undone (Eureka, MT: Lighthouse Trails Publishing, 2007), pp. 91-92.
This has been an extract from our booklet Is Your Church Doing Spiritual Formation? (Important Reasons Why It Shouldn’t). To order this booklet, click here.
The Dangers of Spiritual Formation and Spiritual Disciplines
The Dangers of Spiritual Formation and Spiritual Disciplines A Critique of Dallas Willard and The Spirit of the Disciplines by Bob DeWaayPractices called “spiritual disciplines” that are deemed necessary for “spiritual formation” have entered evangelicalism. Recent encounters with this teaching narrated to me by friends caused me to investigate these practices. The first experience involved my friend and co-worker Ryan Habbena who went back to seminary to finish his masters degree. Here is his experience in his own words: I recently took a seminary course on the book of Luke. It was a summer intensive and was one of only […]
SHOCKING List of Spiritual Formation Ministries
More Catholic Witchcraft Infiltrating the Apostate Seminaries, Ministries, and Churches “Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; 2 Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron.” 1 Timothy 4:1-2 WHAT is spiritual formation / contemplative prayer or centering prayer? Spiritual formation/contemplative prayer/spirituality is just another self-centered, Christ-denying, self-righteous, works-based, occultic, pagan lie from hell! Seminaries teach it and now many churches today are practicing new age witchcraft called contemplative prayer, or centering Prayer which is part of spiritual formation. […]
“So mightily grew the word of God and prevailed.” Acts 19:20
See picture below.
I recently, “accidently” drove up this very narrow street only to realize that there was no turn around at the end. As God would have it, this man helped me back out of that street and received the spoken Word and a JESUS tract. Romans 8:28 right?
“Ephesians 3:20 was the very verse I prayed for you and the ministry this morning! And v16 as well. May the Spirit of God manifest His full grace and peace upon you today! And give you fruit, more fruit and much fruit! Amen.” Karen Cochran
(see picture below)
It dawns on me afresh today as it has since arriving here in Mexico, that these precious people so deeply hunger for Christ. Today, upon ministering to Victor and Juan and having Victor incessantly asking me about Christianity, Jesus, and being saved…. this was a fresh reminder of the great hunger and openness of the Mexican people. They want Jesus. Plain and simple. “HOW shall they hear without a preacher?” (Romans 10:14)
These two men were excited to know that you would be lifting them in prayer.
Victor and I are now connected by phone. So he will now be fed the Word of our God and be introduced to Spanish speaking disciples of our LORD Jesus.
Being limited in Spanish, I preached the Gospel, the Bible truth I am able to in Spanish and that including exhorting them both, today to repent and receive Jesus and did this while pointing to the prayer (oracion) on the back of the JESUS tract.
Would you like to kindly pause to lift these 2 dear men in prayer to our LORD?
JUST got a call from sister Teri in FL and had the opportunity to speak with brothers Scott and Jorge who were both recently saved by Jesus. Was also blessed to speak with a brother named Raymond who is a flourishing disciple of Jesus!
Thank you for your prayers and support which include our bless-ed opportunity of helping this group of disciples in FL.
Jesus is coming!
Recently…… Many received God’s Word today.
Brother Mark has recently joined in helping with our LORD’s Gospel in Mission Mexico and was amazed when he saw three grown men walking together who were ministered to and walk away, each of them with the JESUS tract open, as they walked read the message. They are that hungry.
The Mexico people deserve to hear our LORD’s glorious Gospel!
“I bet brother Mark is amazed at the response of the Mexican people when you guys go out and minister to them. To have so many hearts open and poor in spirit would be a shock at first. Total opposite of America—who say ‘I am rich, increased with goods have need of nothing!’ Revelation 3:17.
Praise God for the blessed ones who heard the engrafted word of our Lord, which is able to save their souls.” Karen
REPLY:
Yes He is amazing. They WANT it. They DESIRE it. They are like the woman who desires a man and so he marries her and they have a super blessed marriage for life. Instead of the wicked Jezebel woman who just wants to self-servingly shop for the man she can use to accomplish her selfish agenda.
“I was reading Mathew 21:23 this morning and it went through my mind that is what God said to America! ‘The kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof.’ And that nation is Mexico!“ Karen
“Truly amazing what God is doing in the hearts of the Mexican people. And now He is raising up disciples to bring into the harvest. He is LORD of the harvest. Have you heard of Chick Publications? I just read that they have sent 200,000 tracts to a Mexico missionary and more being ready to be sent. Southern Mexico. So God is sure flooding Mexico with His Word!” Karen Cochran
While walking over to get a haircut, I happened to spot a JESUS tract someone had placed on this vehicle. No it was not me. I didn’t put that tract there. Someone else did.
Then, 5 minutes later, after arriving at barber and sitting down in the chair, straight ahead in my line of sight, there’s a JESUS tract purposely set on display by the barber.
No matter how high prices get in Mexico, your cost of living will always be MUCH less than the USA. A raise awaits you, soon as you cross the border. Is God prompting you to “Go”? (Mark 16:15)
God is good all the time as you well know and thank you.
Your prayers to the Father in the name of our LORD Jesus are the heavenly fuel He uses to bless and empower and supply His people to do His work.
“For I know that this shall turn to my salvation through your prayer, and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ,” Philippians 1:19
Yes Jesus is saving souls—the very mission He came to accomplish for all who will, right?
“And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.” Revelation 22:17
Every man in the picture below gladly received the spoken and printed Word (JESUS tract Spanish).
Beloved Maria.
HINT: There is plenty of opportunity to contribute to Mission Mexico. We are going to continue to feed the poor and minister Christ’s Gospel – regardless of the fumes we are presently operating on. Thank God for those who are praying and supporting. This opportunity to obey God, lies in front of each of us. What shall we do?
“It is more blessed to give than to receive.” Acts 20:35
To say that this ministry is under-funded is an understatement.
GOD is our Maker and Redeemer and He knows where He has and wants each of His children to be—where you already are or otherwise. The LORD is in control (Psalms 24:1). “The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way.” Psalm 37:23 Last week Jesus saved this beloved woman, Katherine! See more on that salvation story here. Recently I commented under a Mexico video…. which received nearly 100 likes to date…. After leaving the USA and now living in Mexico, I began to see just how un-free and vulturous it was […]
“According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:” Ephesians 1:4
Holiness comes by the Savior in self denial (death and burial – the cross), not by self will or effort. Surrender is the cross – “NOT my will but thine be done” (Lk. 22:42) and “Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit” (Luke 23:46). We surrender to Christ by saying “Not my will but thine be done” dear Lord, by Your grace and the deliberate act of my own will I submit to the cross, the crucified life – where You alone reign supreme in this vessel (Luke 22:42; Galatians 2:20, etc.). I love You LORD Jesus! You must increase but I must decrease! (John 3:30)
Holiness, not happiness, is the divine command, the chief purpose and end of Christ’s salvation.
Of holiness, one disciple writes:
“Holiness speaks more to nature than it does conduct. Good conduct is the spontaneous byproduct of the new nature of the new creation man thru the cross and death to the old nature. We are new creatures in Christ (2 Cor. 5:17-18). To preach holiness as conduct without the new nature thru the cross understanding is legalism. Holiness is actually derived from ‘wholeness’ meaning the thorough transformation of the whole tripartite man (1 Thess 5:23). So many of these ‘holiness’ preachers are preaching nothing but conduct under law. Law arouses sinful passions and causes sin to increase and was given in order to provoke transgressions (Rom 7:5; 5:20; Gal 3:21). They are enemies of the cross!”
Holiness comes by way of the cross, not by way of the flesh. Just as sin was conquered by the cross of Christ, so sin in the life of the saint is conquered by the daily cross – the crucified life (Luke 9:23-24; Romans 6; Galatians 2:20; Colossians 3:3, etc.). It’s time to stop trying harder and to simply die deeper.
NOTICE: When a believer or group of believers backslides, they no longer separate from the transgressors who are unrepentant:
Fornication Defiles
“It is reported commonly that there is fornication among you, and such fornication as is not so much as named among the Gentiles, that one should have (Gr. possessed and wouldn’t repent) his father’s wife. 2 And ye are puffed up, and have not rather mourned, that he that hath done this deed might be taken away from among you.” 1 Corinthians 5:1-2
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Can a True Believer Overcome All Sin? [podcast]
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“Who is like unto thee, O LORD, among the gods? who is like thee, glorious in holiness, fearful in praises, doing wonders?” Exodus 15:11 As we just read, divine “holiness” is “glorious.” Holiness is not what most of us think it is. Holiness in the divine economy is something of great “beauty” and utterly refreshing (Psalms 96:9). It seems that holiness is not merely a divine attribute but rather the divine nature of the Almighty. Are we ready to allow our LORD, who alone is “Holy, holy, holy,” to define what holiness truly is and how He brings it […]
